"Best Buy" for Innovation and Value!
 In my opinion, the NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 PRO elliptical trainer is an exceptional deal for several reasons. It incorporates ergonomic design features found on commercial grade Precor ellipticals, for the price it has a impressive service record, and it has the most innovative technology found on any elliptical. And if you need further proof, AudioStrider 990 PRO also received a "Best Buy" rating from a very popular consumer magazine.
Note: The 2012 NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 PRO typically sells for $999 with Free Shipping. Go to www.NordicTrackEllipticals.com for the latest deal.*
NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 PRO Features
Rear Drive Design — The particular rear drive design on the AudioStrider is based on a patent from Precor, which builds some of the best commercial grade elliptical trainer on the planet. NordicTrack leases the patent and can only apply the design to sub $1,000 crosstrainers. The advantages of the rear drive design are...
- Less moving parts that can cause potential service issues.
- More natural elliptical stride. This rear drive design offers some ergonomic benefits not found on other elliptical trainers.
- More stable and solid feel.
The disadvantages are that the rear drive can be harder to mount over a front drive machine and can often take up more space.
Power Incline with Variable Stride Length — One of the most popular features on the AudioStrider 990 PRO is the power incline. Once again, it is based on a patent from Precor. What makes the Precor incline design unique is that as you raise the incline you maintain a pure elliptical motion. Other companies, in order to get around the Precor patent, distort the elliptical motion as the angle of the incline is raised. Consequently you tend to accelerate and decelerate, causing stress and strain to your joints. So with the NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 PRO you are getting a feature that is found on ellipticals that cost thousands of dollars.
You can adjust the incline from 10-40 degrees, 10 degrees higher than the 2011 version. At higher inclines you increase your cardio workout, while burning calories more efficiently. Furthermore, as you raise and lower the incline the stride length changes (20"-23"). Higher inclines provide longer strides to target your hamstrings and glutes. Lower inclines create shorter strides to engage your calves and quads. It also allows you to reposition the stride to your comfort level.
 iFit Live Compatible — The problem with any form of exercise is getting motivated, and it is even more difficult to get motivated when you exercise indoors. iFit Live is a major game changer in motivational technology.
iFit Live allows for two-way communication between your elliptical and the Internet. The way it works is you go to iFit.com and create a profile. This profile includes your physical stats, but also includes your fitness goals, like losing weight over a certain time period. Based on your goals you can select a personalized workout designed by professional personal trainers, including Jillian Michaels.The program will control the resistance and incline, while providing audio coaching.
With every workout your elliptical communicates your progress online. Your next workout will be progressively harder to reach your desired goal. At all times you can view and track your progress online, and being able to track your results is another excellent form of motivation.
 In addition to personalized workouts, iFit Live allows you exercise anywhere in the world — seriously. Through Google Maps™ you can map out a route and your elliptical will incline the elliptical to the contour of the land. With a laptop you can get a satellite, map, earth or street view. There are slots on the AudioStrider 990 PRO for a laptop or you can use a smart phone. I've tried this feature on a treadmill and ran through my neighborhood. In the process, I could see familiar sites as the treadmill inclined with the terrain. In addition to mapping a route, iFit Live has a library of famous routes in places like popular cityscapes or national parks. There is an additional cost for iFit Live.
30 Workout Programs — If you don't want to spend the money for iFit Live, the NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 Pro comes with 30 installed workout programs. There are 15 cardio burn programs and 10 performance programs, which is a generous selection in comparison to other brands and models of elliptical trainers.
Cooling Fan — The fan actually provides some relief and and optimally points at your core. This is a very popular feature with customers.
Speakers and MP3 Input — The speaker system is better than you will find on most fitness equipment.
Handle Controls — You have the ability to change the intensity of your workout through the moving handlebars. You don't have to break your stride in the process of making changes.
Adjustable Oversized Cushioned Foot Pedals — The large foot pedals allow you to better position your feet in the most comfortable position. In addition, you can adjust the angle of the pedals and reduce lifting of your heal to meet the pedal. These features reduce stress, strain and numbness to your feet.
26 Lb. Flywheel — A decent weight for a $999 elliptical. It gives the elliptical motion a smooth, natural feel as if you are running in the air.
Heavy Weight — The AudioStrider weighs a hefty 245 lbs., giving it a very stable and solid feel. Although even with the wheels it will take some effort to move about. You may want to opt for the inside delivery option.
In addition, the 2012 version is a non-folding elliptical making it more rigid and structurally sound.
Our Review — NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 PRO
The NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 PRO is an impressive package. The power incline and variable elliptical stride make this an appealing offer. The addition of iFit Live makes it even more attractive.
It should be noted that this elliptical trainer rates in the high-end of budget models. Although the AudioStrider 990 has a respectable service record considering the price, it still has some limitations. If you plan to do strenuous, intense workouts, I would recommend you look at elliptical machines in the $1,300 plus range. Also, the suggested 350 lbs. user weight limit is, what I consider, excessive. I would put the weight limit at 260 lbs.
Final note! Is the NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 PRO the best built elliptical trainer for $999? There are other models that are comparably built. However, when you factor in the extensive range of features and the unique Precor patented designs, the AudioStrider 990 PRO rates a "Best Buy" and is an excellent value at $999!
Go to www.NordicTrackEllipticals.com to learn more.*
Customer Reviews
I have had my elliptical since March of ’08. I have lost 51 pounds by using it for 30-45 minutes five times a week on average. The weight loss would be more dramatic if I had radically changed my eating habits…I probably snack more than I should. The machine has operated very well with minimal, very occasional clunks and squeaks. Gone from 38” slacks to 34”…this machine is quite literally a life saver.
This is a great machine. It's smooth and quite, EXCEPT for the beeping that occurs every time you change resistance levels. There's no volume control so you can't turn it off. NordicTrack Support has an SD card that turns off this beep for some models. However, they will not provide it for this model (I checked). Otherwise, it's a really nice machine.
Barry
I've had my Nordic Track Audio Strider 990 for 7 weeks. The ordering & delivery process was smooth - I ordered it online and applied for the payment plan. I received a $4000 line of credit from Icon fitness, which covered the Nordic Track and is able to be used at all Icon companies. Nordic Track contacted me within 6 hours to confirm order and to sell me the 4 year warranty for the same price that the 3 year was listed as on the original sale website. I ordered the elliptical on Tuesday night and it was delivered to my house by Old Dominion freight on Friday - the distribution center was only 100 miles from my house, so that delivery time might be atypical. The box did have some damage on delivery - it appeared to have been punched by a forklift tine at some point. The product inside wasn't damaged - the pieces were packaged in styrofoam inside the box so it cushioned them from the fork.
Assembly took longer than the manual estimated and definitely takes two people. As we were assembling we discovered that the plastic cover over the front leg where you attach the incline mechanism was assembled a little off track - where the two halves snap together at the front of the shaft the sides weren't aligned properly so the locking tabs were on the outside inside of locked into the slots on the inside. The cover was bolted down securely and the incline ramp hasn't been impacted. All the parts were present and clearly labeled.
The unit has been used almost every day at least once, sometimes twice, by both myself and my husband. I weigh 125 (130 at the time of delivery), he weighs 231 (238 at the time of delivery). When I first started using the unit it was very quiet. Once my husband starting using it I started hearing a clanking noise in the right leg where it hooks onto the flywheel. The screw also worked loose in the right foot pedal. I tightened the screw and the noise there stopped. The flywheel/leg clanking has not stopped - this model does fold up so those clips can release from the flywheel allowing the legs to fold. I have tried to tighten the clip on that side but there are no parts to adjust. I haven't noticed an impact in performance and the sound has quieted considerably in the last several weeks of use. The operation is smooth and I have had no trouble with resistance or incline changes. The footpads are large and comfortable, even for my husband. The heart rate monitor has been accurate, matches to my polar monitor most of the time. The programs are nicely done and have good variety. The only minor annoyance is that it beeps every minute, even if the resistance isn't changing at that section of the program.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the performance so far. My previous elliptical broke after three months (ProForm Cardio Stride), so I'll see how this one is doing at that point and send an update.
Shannon
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