The technology that NordicTrack puts into the machines, along with the increasing level of quality makes the Commercial 12.9 a really good deal. The only drawback, and one we wish that they would actually fix, is their back end customer service. Beyond that, the 12.9 gives you excellent features, solid quality and a really good ellipse motion for your workouts. Other manufacturers, namely Sole, are really beginning to fall behind NordicTrack in terms of technology now that the NordicTrack technology actually works like it is supposed to.
General Information
You can hear the crunching of the snow under your skis and feel the rush of the wind in your face as the sharpness of the temperature feels like little needles on your skin?at least that was the concept with the original cross-country skier. This well-known brand name is heavy on features and their newer units are holding up quite well in the. The treadmills are beautifully packaged machines and look great in your home. NordicTrack is quickly becoming known for making a solid quality machine at a bargain price and they are selling more units that anyone else in their respective price range.
Quality / Philosophy
NordicTrack is produced by Icon, the Colossus of the fitness industry. The NordicTrack models are near the top of the quality scale in the Icon home line except for the very bargain basement units. Put simply, their machines have the best design in the business. Icon has a long, storied history that provides an example of how the big keep getting bigger. Icon used to be the mass-market darling because of their cheap prices but they used to have quality to match. These days they put quality into the machines and pack them with features. Service by most of the lower priced companies can be spotty but you get what you pay for.
Outlook
Icon is the largest fitness equipment producer in the world with over $1 billion in sales. If the fitness industry were a solar system, Icon is so powerful that they would be the Sun. Although you get a great value price for the product, you also get value service so keep this in mind when buying their machines. We don't get nearly as many complaints about Icon's service as we have in the past. Due to the sheer number of units they produce, we pick up support in many cases where this factory leaves off.
