NordicTrack may forever be identified with its trademark cross-country ski exerciser, and Sole Fitness was originally known for its treadmills. But both companies offer solid entries in the elliptical trainer market, too. Both have garnered Best Buy awards in their respective price ranges from Treadmill Doctor, a well-respected exercise equipment review site.
Resistance
The resistance, also known as drive or braking system, is an elliptical trainer's most important feature. If the ride is anything but smooth and silent, you'll be inclined to use it less. Sole elliptical trainers feature eddy current braking, widely recognized as the best resistance system because there are no moving parts. Resistance adjustments happen instantaneously as the machine routes more or less current through an electromagnet positioned near the flywheel.
Although NordicTrack markets its ellipticals as having silent magnetic resistance, the NordicTrack resistance magnet adjusts mechanically, with a cable. Moving parts introduce the potential for maintenance problems, and a cable makes more noise than an electromagnet. Sole takes the win in this category.
Stride
Stride length can make or break an elliptical workout. If the machine isn't capable of matching your natural stride, you have no reason to use it. Strides of the same length will vary between manufacturers, too; an 18-inch stride on one brand of elliptical trainer may feel more like a 20-inch stride on a different brand. All Sole elliptical trainers have a fixed, 20-inch stride length. NordicTrack is a clear winner in this category, because all but two NordicTrack elliptical trainers have adjustable or variable stride length.
User Weight Limit
NordicTrack maximum user weight limits range from 250 lbs. on the A.C.T. Commercial center-drive model, a surprisingly low limit for something billed as a commercial product, to 350 lbs. on several models, including the AudioStrider 990 Pro. Sole Fitness weight limits range from 325 lbs. on the E25 to 400 lbs. on the E95, giving Sole the win in this category by a slight margin.
Price
NordicTrack ellipticals cost from $1,000 to $2,000, although like most major fitness manufacturers, NordicTrack often sells them at a reduced cost. Sole elliptical trainers range between $2,000 and $3,000 in cost, although the sale prices often dip as low as $1,000. All prices are accurate as of July 2010.
Price
Both Sole and NordicTrack elliptical trainers come with a lifetime frame guarantee. Most NordicTrack trainers also offer one year of parts and in-home service coverage, although the Commercial 1300 has a surprisingly limited 90-day parts and service policy. The FreeStrider 35 Si offers a more reassuring 5-year parts and 1-year labor guarantee.
Sole offers two years of in-home service and five years of parts coverage for all elliptical trainers, except the bargain-priced E25, which comes with three years of parts coverage and one year of labor coverage.
Although Sole takes this category, NordicTrack's warranty coverage is, with the notable exception of the Commercial 1300, a good vote of confidence in the manufacturer's own product, given the NordicTrack price range.
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