The NordicTrack E 8.9 is a Value Elliptical With Good Features

The NordicTrack E 8.9 elliptical is the entry-level offering in the popular front drive series, giving you a lot of great features without the high price tag.  If you're looking in the $800 price range, this one is worth a look.

What You Get

The E 8.9 features a 5" backlit display showing all of the relevant stats such as distance, time, calories burned, incline and heart rate, among others.  You can incline up to 20 degrees for a solid cardio workout, plus choose from 26 different workouts and 22 resistance levels.

Let's take a closer look at the specs....

• Front driven flywheel mechanism 
  
• 5” backlit display
• iFit® enabled
  
• 22 resistance settings using SMR® technology
  
• 26 workout applications
  
• AutoBreeze workout fan
  
• iPod® dock 
  
• 20- 21” adjustable stride length
• Adjustable, oversized pedals
  
• Transport wheels 
  
• CardioGrip heart rate monitoring
  
• Lifetime frame, 2 years parts and 1 year labor warranty

The Word on the Street

UPDATE:  As of 2016 the E 8.9 is no longer available.  It was replaced by the new C 7.5, which is a very similar machine with slight upgrades such as Bluetooth iFit.  Check out all of the NordicTrack ellipticals here.

Reviews on the NordicTrack E 8.9 are mostly positive as experts like the fact that you get a lot for your money, which is usually the case with this brand.

You get a nice adjustable stride up to 20", which should be suitable for all users.  You have a number of different workouts built right into the machine to choose from, plus all of those available through iFit, ICON Fitness' exclusive workout enhancement package.

You can adjust the pedals to suit your stride as well as bump the incline from 3 degrees all the way up to 20 degrees, something you typically don't find on an elliptical of this price.

The E 8.9 is easy to use and offers an auto breeze fan, a water bottle holder and a tablet holder so you can keep yourself entertained during your workout.

Any negatives?  This is an entry level machine so the flywheel isn't as heavy on some of the other front-drive models like the Elite 12.9.  You also don't get a web-enabled touchscreen like you do on the other models.

Still, for about $800 on sale, reviews point to the fact that you really can't beat these features and capabilities.  Other brands just don't pack in these features without jacking up the price significantly.

Our Thoughts on the E 8.9 Elliptical

We like the E 8.9 as an entry level machine.  It doesn't have all of the features you find on the top of the line Elite 16.9 model but keep in mind that elliptical is more than double the price.

This one offers you great incline, plenty of workouts, and iFit which is one of the most motivating features you could ask for.  It allows you to not only track and share your workouts, but it gives you customized workouts created by a team of expert trainers and Google maps, which means you can virtually run anywhere in the world and watch the course right in front of you.  So even though you are inside, you feel like you are outside.

All in all the E 8.9 is a great choice.  If you absolutely need a web-enabled touchscreen, which is also a nice feature, consider the E 11.9, which also gives you additional capabilities.