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Editor’s Note: The NordicTrack CX 998 elliptical is no longer in production. We suggest viewing the NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 elliptical as the best alternative, or view our Best NordicTrack Ellipticals roundup for more options.

An elliptical machine is an essential piece of home gym equipment for many people. Maybe you have come across the NordicTrack CX 998 in your search or even in your own garage! If you are looking for an elliptical trainer where you can really put the pedal to the metal, the CX 998 is an excellent choice! However, if you want a new machine, you are going to need to look elsewhere because it is now discontinued. 

In our NordicTrack CX 998 elliptical review, we will talk about the benefits of this elliptical exerciser all the way from the handlebars to the warranty. Looking to upgrade your own CX 998? No worries, we will also give suggestions for a new elliptical that is currently in production. 

We Know Ellipticals 

Our team is made up of CrossFit-L1 trainers, certified personal trainers, and of course, some gym rats. We know all about commercial ellipticals as well as ellipticals that will best fit in your home. It is our job to tell you the facts about these machines so you can make the most informed decision when looking to purchase your own elliptical. 

Looking for an Alternative to NordicTrack CX 998 Elliptical?

Best Alternative to NordicTrack CX 998 Elliptical

NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical

product image
GGR Score: 3.6

Product Highlights

  • 7” smart HD Touchscreen
  • Water bottle holder, dual 2” digitally amplified speakers
  • AutoBreeze workout fan, oversized cushioned pedals
  • 22 levels of digital resistance and up to a 20% incline
  • Constructed with heavy-duty solid steel

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Programming options
  • iFIT enabled
  • Quiet
  • Sturdy build
  • 30 pre-programmed workouts
  • Incline options

Cons

  • Stride length is small for a commercial elliptical
  • Requires a 4-year iFIT membership
  • Heavy

Bottom Line

Intended for commercial use, the Commercial 9.9 Elliptical is a sturdy treadmill that offers interactive programming through its required 4-year membership to iFIT.

Are you reading this because you want to upgrade your own NordicTrack CX 998 Elliptical? Or maybe you are just looking for a similar product that is currently on the market. We suggest the NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical as the best alternative. Even though it is made for commercial use, it has a solid build and it is a great product for families who are looking to get the whole family moving with iFIT. 

A Quick Look at the NordicTrack CX 998 Elliptical

This elliptical is believed to be sold around $749, which makes it a pretty middle of the road elliptical pricewise. As are most ellipticals, the CX 998 is great for low-impact cardio workouts. However, it is highlighted by its incline ramp, which not ellipticals have. We also like that it is iFIT compatible which allows you to track your workouts or give you ideas for new ones.

Pros: 

  • Incline ramp 
  • 5 ramp angles
  • Silent Magnetic Resistance 
  • Hand grip pulse sensor heart rate monitor  
  • Manual or automatic resistance control 
  • iFIT compatible

Cons: 

  • Only 8 built-in programs 
  • 1-year warranty

NordicTrack CX 998 Elliptical Specs

As always, we try to get you the most accurate information. However, we had trouble finding reputable sources for some of the specs, such as the footprint, weight, flywheel information, and stride length, since this NordicTrack machine is off the market. 

FootprintN/A 
WeightN/A 
Weight capacity250 lbs
Type of resistanceManual or automatic 
Resistance levels10 resistance levels 
FlywheelN/A 
DisplayTrack Display Monitor 
Stride lengthN/A 

Key Features of the NordicTrack CX 998 Elliptical

This elliptical is accessible for many different levels of athletes, making it a great piece of exercise equipment for home use. If you are looking for a quiet elliptical, we like this option because it uses silent magnetic resistance to keep from getting too loud. We also recommend this elliptical for anybody looking for an elliptical with an incline ramp. This will help elevate your workout by adding some extra resistance. 

The CX 998 is also iFIT compatible. Even though this is an earlier model of NordicTrack’s ellipticals, we appreciate that you are still able to use iFIT for your workouts. 

Footprint, Portability, and Durability

If you are looking for a compact elliptical, you may want to look at something smaller than the CX 998. While the company does not disclose a lot of the information about the footprint of this machine, we do know that the user weight limit is 250 pounds, which leads us to determine that it is likely an average sized elliptical machine. 

In regards to the warranty, we are not very impressed. NordicTrack only offers a one-year warranty. Typically for fitness equipment we like to see at least three to five years or even a lifetime on at least the frame, if not parts as well. 

Ergonomics

You can count on a smooth and quiet stride on this elliptical due to the silent magnetic resistance. This allows you to change the resistance on the flywheel at the press of a button instead of relying on air or your weight to get the job done. 

We also like how this elliptical comes with a built-in fan to help keep you cool and comfortable as you work up a sweat through your different workout programs. Since this is a deal breaker for some, many elliptical machines come equipped with this feature, though not all. 

Technology Benefits and Conveniences

Since this is an older model elliptical, we see a lot of the basics, especially when talking about technology. This display is large and you can see how far you have gone in numbers and on the track view on your screen. It does have iFIT technology, although it is the older version that requires you to purchase the workout programs as CDs or videocassettes. The exercise programs still allow you to follow along with a personal trainer and the program can auto-adjust the settings for you as you go through the workout, much like the more modern iFIT app. 

It is required that you plug the elliptical into a 120 volt circuit, so make sure that you are installing your CX 998 near an outlet. 

Final Verdict of Our NordicTrack CX 998 Elliptical Review

If you are looking for a treadmill with an incline, this is a fine option if you can find one for a good price. However, there are newer models, like the NordicTrack FS10i, that also have incline capabilities that may be more worth your money. 

NordicTrack CX 998 Elliptical Rating

NordicTrack CX 998 Elliptical

Wanting to learn more about this discontinued elliptical? Get all your questions answered with our NordicTrack CX 998 Elliptical review.

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 1499

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
3.12

NordicTrack CX 998 Elliptical

Value – 4
Footprint and portability – 3.5
Durability – 2
Customizations – 3
Adjustability and ergonomics – 3
Conveniences – 3
Tech Capabilities – 3
Dynamic Programming – 3.5
NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical

NordicTrack CX 998 Elliptical FAQs

Is a NordicTrack elliptical worth it?

NordicTrack is known for its quality and durable machines, so we often suggest them for home gyms. The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i is consistently one of our top picks for at-home elliptical trainers. However, as long as you will use it, any elliptical is worth it!

How much does a NordicTrack CX 998 weigh?

Unfortunately, since this is a discontinued model, we couldn’t find a credible source for this information. 

How much clearance do you need for a NordicTrack elliptical?

NordicTrack ellipticals will range in height. Many of them range from 67-74 inches in height. It is often suggested that you plan for an additional 12 inches of clearance, so for the taller side of a NordicTrack elliptical, it would be suggested that you have 86 inches of vertical space.

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