Elliptical Trainer Ratings

NordicTrack Elite 12.0 Smart Terrain

Price: $2,299

Bottom Line:The NordicTrack Elite 12.0 Smart Terrain elliptical trainer offers a variety of nice features for $2,299, but its build quality is lacking.

Thoughts:The Elite 12.0 Smart Terrain by NordicTrack (an Icon brand) is a front drive elliptical machine that attempts to combine a compact design with a feature rich workout experience. The stride can be adjusted from 20" up to 22" and it features a 0 to 20degree adjustable incline ramp. These adjustments are handy, but the elliptical felt unstable at the 22" stride configuration. Also, when increasing the incline from 10 to 20 degrees we found the elliptical motion increasingly uncomfortable. This elliptical trainer is also capable of a -10 degree incline, but we found this configuration very unstable. The Elite 12.0 Smart Terrain does feature a nice 7" inch LCD display and varying degrees of resistance, but the noisy drive system and low quality plastic components were hard to overlook. Overall we'd recommend seeking out a higher quality manufacturer such as Precor, Smooth Fitness, or even Life Fitness as they each offer higher quality elliptical trainers within the same price range.

Features:	Notes:	Rating:
Drive System	Front Drive	5.8
Resistance	Magnetic	6.4
Feel/Motion	20"-22" Stride	6.2
Unit Weight	168 lbs.	6.8
Max User Weight	375lbs.	7.0
Stability	Poor	6.0
Quality	Mediocre	5.8
Display	7" LCD	7.0
Smoothness	Poor	6.8
Noise Level	Noisy	5.7
Resistance Levels	20 levels	6.5
Programs	24 presets	6.8
Heart Rate Monitoring	CardioGrip	6.2
Warranty	5yr Parts + 2yr Labor	7.2
Overall Value	Decent workout for light use, won't last long, low quality for price.	6.1
Average Rating:		6.4

Pros:

• 375lb weight capacity
• Hand controls
• 7" LCD display
• 20 resistance levels
• 24 workotus presets

• Incline caused discomfort
• Akward stride motion
• Not very smooth
• Low quality plastic components
• Noisy

Manufacturer's web site: www.nordictrack.com