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Editor’s Note: The NordicTrack Elite 1300 is currently unavailable. We suggest viewing the NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 as the best alternative, or view our Best Ellipticals list for more options.
Elliptical machines are a popular piece of equipment because they can help you get a great cardio workout without putting a lot of strain on your joints. Just about anyone who has shopped for cardio equipment has heard about NordicTrack and their cardio equipment.
The NordicTrack Elite 1300 elliptical was a quality piece of home gym equipment that is no longer in production. NordicTrack discontinued the Elite 1300 elliptical and transitioned their elliptical offerings to more high tech offerings with screens for streaming workouts with iFIT. We weren’t able to hop on the Elite 1300 to test it personally since it is discontinued, but we’ll look at specs and customer reviews to let you know if you should search for a used Elite 1300 or go for something else.
We Know NordicTrack Ellipticals
Garage Gym Reviews knows ellipticals! We’ve tested countless elliptical trainers, including nearly all of the the currently available NordicTrack ellipticals. Our team of certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and athletes wants to help you build the perfect home gym.
If you are interested in the fine details, check out our elliptical buying guide, where our experts share what they look for when evaluating machines. We’ll always give you our 100% honest opinion on all the fitness equipment we test.
Looking for an Alternative to the NordicTrack Elite 1300?
If you are disappointed by the NordicTrack Elite 1300 being discontinued, there are a lot of alternatives available for your home gym.
NordicTrack’s Commercial 9.9 is the best alternative if you’d like to stick with NordicTrack. The Commercial 9.9 is currently free with the purchase of a four-year iFIT family membership, which comes to about $1,872. It is a bit more expensive than the Elite 1300 retailed for, but it does come with a built-in screen and iFIT compatibility.
If the upgrade to the Commercial 9.9 is out of your price range, we’ve compiled the best ellipticals under $1,000. This price point is a bit lower than the Elite 1300, but you’ll still get a great workout without breaking the bank.
Best Alternative to the NordicTrack Elite 1300
NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 Elliptical
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.
A Quick Look at the NordicTrack Elite 1300
The NordicTrack Elite 1300 elliptical retailed for $1,399 while it was being produced. It is being sold on the secondhand market for around $500, but it is very difficult to find. This elliptical has a large footprint with a front flywheel. NordicTrack has included 15 “one-touch” programs and 12 levels of “one-touch resistance” to make working out on the elliptical extremely simple.
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Pros:
- 15 “One-Touch Programs”
- Built-in fan
- 20” stride
- Backlit display
- Silent magnetic resistance
Cons:
- Requires 2 people + adjustable wrench for assembly
- Large footprint
- Poor warranty
NordicTrack Elite 1300 Specs
| Footprint | 78” L x 27” W x 72” H |
| Weight Capacity | 350 lbs |
| Resistance Levels | 12 levels of silent magnetic resistance |
| Flywheel | Front |
| Preset Workouts | 15 “one-touch programs” with 9 built-in workouts |
| Screens | Backlit LCD |
| Pedal Length | Oversized |
| Stride Length | 20” |
| Transport Wheels | Front-mounted |
| Bluetooth-Enabled | No |
| Built-in Fans | Yes, 1 |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Yes; contact and chest strap |
| Warranty | 1-year parts, labor, frame, and motor |
| Return Policy | 30-day with return shipping charge of $250 |
Key Features of the NordicTrack Elite 1300
The NordicTrack Elite 1300 has an impressive 20-inch stride length with oversized pedals for comfort. The console is easy to navigate with 15 “one-touch” programs built into the console. There are also “one-touch” buttons for each level of resistance. This allows you to quickly change up your speed or resistance instead of scrolling through levels to get there.
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The console has a backlit LCD screen so you can easily track all your workout stats. The Elite 1300 also has an impressive 350-pound user weight capacity.
Footprint, Portability, and Durability
The NordicTrack Commercial 1300 elliptical is a large machine, like many ellipticals. It has dimensions of 78 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 72 inches high. That is 6.5 feet long and almost 2.5 feet wide. This will take up a lot of space in your home gym.
The Elite 1300 has front-mounted transport wheels and a rear placed handle for moving the elliptical around, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The elliptical is not very mobile. NordicTrack recommends using two people to move this machine around.
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NordicTrack generally makes quality cardio machines, and the Elite 1300 has a 350-pound user weight capacity which speaks well to this machine’s durability. Unfortunately, this elliptical has a horrible warranty, which makes us question the durability a bit. The one-year warranty for frame, parts, labor and frame is surprisingly bad. Current NordicTrack ellipticals have a much better warranty of 10-year frame, two-year parts, and one-year labor. This is more in line with what we would expect from a company like NordicTrack.
Ergonomics
This elliptical has an impressive 20-inch stride, which is great for a variety of users, especially the taller ones. This stride length can accommodate users from 5-foot-3 to 6-foot-5, which hopefully covers everyone in your household. The Elite 1300 also comes with both stationary and moving handlebars so you can use whichever you find more comfortable.
Technology Benefits and Conveniences
Technology is where the Elite 1300 lags behind more modern machines that retail in this price range. This model doesn’t really compare to current NordicTrack offerings because it does not have a built-in screen or the signature iFIT compatibility. The Elite 1300 also lacks Bluetooth compatibility and a device holder so you can use your tablet or phone during your workout. The Elite 1300 simply doesn’t have the tech to compete in the current market.
While the console does not come with many technological conveniences, NordicTrack has made it very simple to use. Each level of resistance has an associated “one-touch” button so you aren’t repeatedly pressing an arrow button to achieve the correct resistance. There are also nine built-in workouts with “one-touch” buttons that will automatically change the resistance for you during your workout.
NordicTrack has left three “one-touch” buttons free for you to assign your own custom workout. Finally, there are three heart rate zone workouts that will automatically change resistance to keep you in the desired heart rate zone. That creates a total of 15 “one touch” workout programs included on the console.
On the more positive side, the Elite 1300 elliptical trainer has both chest strap and handgrip heart rate monitoring. There are some additions for comfort, a built-in fan and a water bottle holder.
Customer Reviews of the NordicTrack Elite 1300
There were not many customer reviews available for the Elite 1300. Of the limited reviews we found on Amazon, they were all positive. Users were happy with their purchase of the Elite 1300 elliptical and said that they have recommended it to their friends. Multiple users, with self-reported back and knee issues, loved the low-impact workout and shared that their joints felt great after using this elliptical.
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They found the Elite 1300 to have a smooth and comfortable ride that everyone in their home was able to use. They did note that the elliptical was very large and difficult to move, but they enjoyed working out on this machine.
Final Verdict of Our NordicTrack Elite 1300 Review
The NordicTrack Elite 1300 elliptical was a solid elliptical for its time but that time has passed. It simply does not have the technological capabilities to compete with modern ellipticals. The Elite 1300 is difficult to find used on the secondhand markets, and frankly, I wouldn’t recommend you put in the effort. If you’re looking to purchase this second hand to save money I would recommend visiting our Best Budget Elliptical roundup instead.
NordicTrack Elite 1300 Rating
NordicTrack Elite 1300
In our NordicTrack Elite 1300 review, we take a look at the specs of this now-discontinued treadmill.
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 1872
Product In-Stock: InStock
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NordicTrack Elite 1300 FAQs
Are NordicTrack ellipticals worth it?
Yes, NordicTrack is known for high quality cardio equipment with reasonable prices. Currently, NordicTrack ellipticals all have built-in screens to stream iFIT workouts.
Does the NordicTrack Elite 1300 have a screen?
No, the Elite 1300 has a backlit LCD screen for tracking workout data. It was discontinued by NordicTrack when they transitioned to a line of ellipticals with built-in screens for streaming iFIT workouts.
Does the NordicTrack Elite1300 have a heart rate monitor?
Yes, the NordicTrack Elite 1300 comes with a chest strap heart rate monitor and also has contact grip heart rate monitors.
Further reading
Editor’s Note: The NordicTrack Elite 1300 is currently unavailable. We suggest viewing the NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 as the best alternative, or view our Best Ellipticals list for more options.Elliptical machines are a popular piece of equipment because they can help you get a great cardio workout without putting a lot of strain on your joints. » Read more about: NordicTrack Elite 1300 Review (2024): Time has Passed it By » Read more
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