The NordicTrack ASR 630 Elliptical – a Problematic Machine

Welcome! You are researching the NordicTrack ASR 630 elliptical on this page because you heard about its low price and cool array of features, right? Well, once we tell you a few details about this problematic machine, you’ll be thankful you’ve been talked out of buying it.

What You Get

The NordicTrack ASR 630 elliptical comes equipped with a lot of interesting stuff such as the 3-position adjustable stride length, moveable arms, 10 levels of resistance, and the iFi®t and iPod® entertainment plug-ins.

Here’s a list of the specs:

• SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
• 6 Programs including 2 HR Workouts
• Upper body workout handlebars
• StrideSelect™ 13", 15" or 18" Adjustable Lengths
• iFit® Workout Card Technology
• iPod® Compatible Music Port
• CardioGrip™ Heart Rate Monitor
• Rear flywheel
• 275 lb. user weight capacity
• Autobreeze™ Fan
• SpaceSaver® Design
• Warranty –1 year parts & labor; lifetime frame

The Word on the Street

UPDATE: The ASR 630 has been discontinued and replaced with the all new SpaceSaver series.  Check out the latest NordicTrack elliptical reviews here.

Sounds perfect, right? What could possibly be wrong? For one thing, experts caution buyers about the cheap components installed in the NordicTrack ASR 630. While that’s true of many budget elliptical trainers, this model seems equipped with all the breakable types of components.

Another drawback is that Icon’s customer service can be poor -- which sounds like they don’t want to hear about all the problems that customers are having with this model. Experts might warn you to get an extended warranty, but that won’t do any good if you can’t get in touch with the company to send parts or a repairman.

Customers have had what can only be described as horrible experiences with the NordicTrack ASR 630. The last thing you want, after trying to assemble something with bolts and from pieces that won’t fit together, is to have to return it to the store or ship it back to Icon.

Here are some comments from unhappy customers who bought this elliptical: “rocks back and forth on the carpet,” “the fan is not powerful enough,” “a piece of junk,” “parts were missing,” “used six times and it broke.” By and large -- and despite a lukewarm to positive review at Treadmill Doctor – the NordicTrack ASR 630 got the most negative feedback from owners of any elliptical model we’ve ever seen.

Our Thoughts

It wouldn’t be so bad if it were just a handful of elliptical reviewers -- but when you get so many people willing to take the time to post their comments in forums and at retailers’ site, and share their concerns with others, then its obvious that buyers have had numerous issues with the poor quality and construction of the NordicTrack ASR 630.

Especially troubling was that there were more than a few who complained of the unit breaking after just a few uses.

We won’t bother covering the pros and cons on this machine since it isn’t worth our time or yours. At $650, the NordicTrack ASR 630 elliptical is not a cheap investment; it’s a poor investment of a cheap trainer.