The NordicTrack CX 1055 Elliptical with StrideThru Design

The design on the NordicTrack CX 1055 elliptical puts the pedals closer together to give you a more comfortable striding motion. NordicTrack likes to call this design the "stride thru". If you’ve tried large commercial machines at the health club, you’ll know that some ellipticals can feel awkward, but NordicTrack elliptical trainers go the distance to overcome this problem.

What You Get

The NordicTrack CX 1055 has a large display for you to track your speed, incline rate, pace, time, distance, carbs and calories burned and pulse. It also includes a Training Zone Meter so you see whether you’re in the right HR zone or not. The rest of the specs include:

SMR™ Silent magnetic resistance

10 resistance levels

19 programs

10-30% power incline ramp

LED display

Pulse monitor on handlebars

iFIT Compatible

18” stride

Rear flywheel

300 lb user weight capacity

Built-in fan

Warranty – 1 yr. on parts, labor, frame, motor

And more: the NordicTrack CX 1055 elliptical comes with iFit technology so you can load up workout programs from the CDs which are custom designed by professional fitness trainers.

The Word on the Street

UPDATE: The NordicTrack CX 1055 elliptical has been discontinued and replaced with all new, upgraded models. You can see all of the new models reviewed here.

Experts feel the one year warranty is very limited but you can buy an extended warranty coverage when you purchase one of the NordicTrack elliptical trainers. But ask yourself, “Are you feeling lucky?” before you decide not to purchase an additional warranty and take a risk that you won’t have problems with the CX 1055.

Users of the Nordic Track CX 1055 elliptical find that it’s a bonus to have the incline ramp and the wide choice of workout programs including iFit compatibility. This is actually important because while you may only use the manual setting on the machines at the gym, for a home model you’ll want to get your money’s worth and having extensive pre-programmed workouts will give you the reason to want to use your trainer regularly. (Trust us on this one.)

Consumers grumble about two negatives: one is the warranty, and the other is the assembly of the elliptical trainer, because the NordicTrack CX 1055 is a challenge to put together once you get it home.

Our Thoughts

To be frank, while we like the brand, the Nordictrack CX 1055 elliptical (MSRP $999) doesn’t do much for us.

For a better value at about the same money, check out the Schwinn 418, a Consumer’s Report Best Buy at around $1100, or the Sole E35 at $1300, another solid performer.