The NordicTrack E5.5 Elliptical with Adjustable Stride Length

The NordicTrack E5.5 elliptical has three adjustable stride settings to target the muscle groups in the legs in different ways to achieve faster toning results.

What You Get

The 5" backlit console window shows multiple information fields for speed, time, distance, resistance, pulse, and calories burned. The NordicTrack E5.5 elliptical display also features a ¼-mile Racetrack graphic to show your time and distance progress.

The features are:

• 16", 18", 20" Adjustable Stride Length
• 20 Digital Resistance Levels
• 16 Workout Apps
• iFit Live Compatible
• Compatible iPod® Music Port
• Acoustics™ 2.0 Sound System
• CardioGrip™ heart rate monitoring
• 300-lb. User weight capacity
• OneStep™ SpaceSaver® design
• Transport wheels
• Warranty: lifetime frame, 1-year parts and labor

The Word on the Street

UPDATE:  The NordicTrack E 5.5 elliptical trainer has been discontinued and replaced with all new, upgraded models.  

Check out the latest NordicTrack elliptical reviews here.

The rear-drive NordicTrack E5.5 elliptical features a 300-lb user weight capacity and 20 digital resistance levels to accommodate most any user in the family. It has Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR) technology to deliver a smooth and quiet workout.

The three different stride lengths of 18", 19" and 20" let you mimic a short-stride walk or a longer running stride. The manual adjustment lever is a nice addition that saves a ton of money over a power design but it does require you to dismount in order to adjust the level.

Other features of the NordicTrack E5.5 include hand grip heart rate monitors, upper body workout arms, oversized pedals, a water bottle holder, and a SpaceSaver® design which means the flywheel and pedals fold forward to free up floor space when not in use. The MP3 plug-in gives you the option of listening to music through the built-in console speakers.

The iFit® Technology slot on the console lets you access iFit Live programming including those designed by fitness trainer Jillian Michaels, as well as the visual Powered by Google maps.

Like regular programs, iFit programs automatically adjust the resistance control for you while you work out. (Note: using iFit requires a home wireless network, plus an iFit adapter and a monthly subscription.) If you choose not to use the iFit feature, you still have 20 pre-set workouts to choose from that target calorie burn or aerobic goals.

Our Thoughts

The reviews on the NordicTrack E5.5 elliptical have been mixed. Some users are satisfied but others report serious problems with their machines right out of the box.

It takes several hours to assemble (if all the bolts and parts are included), it wobbles with users who weight more than 175 pounds, and it squeaks badly after just a few weeks. You will need to retighten bolts, such as those that attach the moving handlebars to the frame, fairly often.

The overall quality is poor, but your worst experience will be having to call NordicTrack customer service in you have questions or need a replacement part. While the low cost of $599 seems enticing, it isn’t worth the headache to buy a NoricTrack product, when for about the same money you could get a Horizon machine.