The NordicTrack C700 treadmill reviews agree on one thing. It is a folding, budget treadmill that works well for walking and light jogging, and it is a weak pick for regular hard running or heavy daily use. It pairs a 2.75 CHP motor (continuous horsepower, the power a motor can sustain, not its short peak) with a 20 by 55 inch deck and a 10% power incline. It listed at about $999 and often sold for less.
NordicTrack has moved the C700 to closeout and then discontinued it. Most of what you find today is leftover retail stock, refurbished units, or used machines. That changes the buying decision, because price and condition matter more than the spec sheet.
This article covers why the C700 still draws buyers, how to tell whether it fits your body and routine, which problems owners report, what it really costs, and what to compare it against. I write for Big Guy Treadmill Review, where we focus on heavier users, so I judge each spec with 200 pounds and up in mind. This review is built from the published specs and what owners report.
Why the NordicTrack C700 still draws buyers
The C700 stays popular because it sits at the price where most first-time buyers shop, under $1,000, and it still gives you a folding frame, a motorized incline, and workouts that work without a subscription. Every NordicTrack C700 treadmill review also warns about the same limits: a short deck, a modest motor, and uneven durability.
A foldable walking treadmill at a budget price
The C700 is built for walking, power walking, and occasional jogging. The incline reaches 10%, which gives walkers real intensity without needing speed. Twenty preset workouts adjust speed and incline for you, and they run without an iFIT subscription, which is rare on a NordicTrack.
Here are the specs that matter, collected from the published listings:
| Spec | NordicTrack C700 |
|---|---|
| Motor | 2.75 CHP |
| Running deck | 20" x 55" |
| Speed | 0 to 10 mph |
| Incline | 0% to 10% |
| Weight capacity | 300 lb |
| Shipping weight | 216 lb |
| Footprint in use | About 73" long x 36" wide |
| Folding | Yes, with EasyLift Assist |
| Cushioning | FlexSelect, adjustable |
| Built-in workouts | 20 |
The C700 is a good walking treadmill and an average jogging treadmill, and no honest review blurs that line.
Know which C700 you are looking at
Several versions of the C700 exist, and this confuses buyers. The edition sold on NordicTrack’s own site has a multi-window LED display and a tablet holder, so you supply the screen. Some retail listings show an edition with a small built-in touchscreen. Check the listing photos and the motor rating before you pay, because two machines with the same name can differ.
Availability is the other catch. Because the model is discontinued, parts, support, and iFIT compatibility depend on the seller and the unit’s age. Stock also changes quickly. If a listing says "new," confirm who backs the warranty.
How to tell if the C700 fits your body and routine
The C700 fits you if you mostly walk, stand under about 5’7" or have a compact stride, weigh comfortably under its 300-pound rating, and have your own tablet or TV for entertainment. Run through the checks below before you buy.
Read the 2.75 CHP motor rating correctly
A 2.75 CHP treadmill motor sits just under the 3.0 CHP rule of thumb that most reviewers use for runners. For walking, 2.75 CHP is enough and the machine runs quietly. For jogging several times a week, the motor works harder and wears sooner.
Body weight changes the math. A heavier user puts more load on the motor and belt at every speed. If you weigh 250 pounds or more, treat the 300-pound capacity as a ceiling, not a comfort zone. For walking at 200 to 250 pounds the C700 is workable. Above that, I would look at a heavier-duty machine instead.
A 300-pound rating tells you when the frame may fail, not when the motor and belt will feel comfortable.
Check the deck, the weight, and your space
The 55-inch deck is five inches shorter than the 60-inch standard. Short or average-height walkers will not notice. Taller users and anyone who runs will feel cramped, because a natural running stride needs the extra length. The machine is also narrower than many competitors at 20 inches wide.
Use this checklist:
- Height: under about 5’7" and walking, you are fine. Taller or running, look at a 60-inch deck.
- Weight: under 250 pounds for comfort, 300 pounds as an absolute limit.
- Screen: you need a tablet or smart TV, and an iFIT subscription is optional.
- Space: it folds, but it arrives at 216 pounds, so plan a second person for setup and stairs.
- Location: keep it indoors. One published review says storing it in a garage voids the warranty.
Common NordicTrack C700 problems and how long it lasts
The most common C700 complaints are a slipping belt, a knocking or squealing front roller, and a jerky, loud feel under load. None of these are unique to the C700, but they show up often enough that you should plan for them. Owners do not agree on how long the machine lasts, and no reliable lifespan figure exists.
What owners report
Reports cluster around a few issues:
- Belt slipping: owners say the belt slips after a few uses and keeps slipping even after tightening, to the point where you have to hold the handlebars to walk.
- Front roller noise: a knocking or intermittent squeal from the front roller usually points to worn bearings or loose hardware.
- Rough, loud running: some buyers describe the machine as jerky under load.
- Belt construction: published descriptions disagree, with some calling the belt 2-ply and others single-ply. Ask the seller.
A slipping belt is often a tension or wear issue, so check the owner’s manual for the adjustment steps and lubrication schedule before you assume the motor is bad. If it keeps slipping after a correct adjustment, the belt or motor needs service.
Plan for the belt and roller, because they are the first parts that show wear on this treadmill.
Warranty, returns, and lifespan
Published C700 warranty terms vary by seller and model year. Reports range from a 10-year frame, 2-year parts, and 1-year labor package to older terms with a lifetime frame. Get the exact terms in writing for the unit you buy. Returns on new units ran 30 days, but one source mentions a $250 return shipping charge and another a 10% restocking fee, so read the return policy before you open the box.
On lifespan, the useful rule is price against risk. One Reddit buyer paid around $200 for a nearly new C700 and accepted that it might only last a year or so. That is a smart bet at $200. At $900, you are entitled to expect more, and the short parts and labor coverage means you carry most of the risk after year one.
NordicTrack C700 price and how to get the best deal
The C700 listed at $999, with sale prices reported at $899 and $799, and used units turn up far lower. Because the model is discontinued, the best C700 price is whatever a verified seller offers on a unit with a clear warranty.
New, closeout, and used prices
Here is the price range from published listings:
| Condition | Reported price |
|---|---|
| Original list price | $999 |
| Sale or closeout price | $799 to $899 |
| Used, nearly new | Around $200 in one owner report |
Expect used prices to vary a lot by condition and seller. Inspect the belt for wear, check that the deck lifts and lowers smoothly, run it at several speeds, and ask whether it still pairs with iFIT.
A C700 is only a deal when the price leaves room for a repair, because the warranty will often be gone.
The real cost of ownership
Take a buyer who finds a new unit at $899 and adds the $199 professional assembly that NordicTrack offered on its closeout page. That is $1,098. Add 12 months of iFIT at around $40 a month, which is the price on other NordicTrack models we have reviewed, and you pay $480 more, for $1,578 total.
That is almost the price of a NordicTrack T Series 10 at $1,599. You can skip iFIT and use the 20 built-in programs or your own streaming app, which brings the same buyer back to $1,098. The lesson is to decide on the subscription before you buy, because it can erase the C700’s price advantage.
Alternatives to compare before you buy
If the C700’s limits bother you, compare it with a few treadmills in the same budget range. The table uses our own reviewed prices and facts.
| Model | Price | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| NordicTrack C700 | About $999 list | 2.75 CHP, 20" x 55" deck, 300 lb capacity, discontinued |
| Horizon Fitness T101 | $699 | Solid and simple, 1-year parts and 1-year labor |
| Inspire Fitness Tread 3 | $1,200 | Folding, quiet, 20" x 55" deck, FTMS Bluetooth, not yet recommended for heavier users |
| NordicTrack T Series 10 | $1,599 | 325 lb rating, 2 years parts and 1 year labor |
The Horizon T101 treadmill is the strongest value pick here if you only want to spend under $1,000 on a new machine, though no budget treadmill guarantees long-term durability. If you want a higher rating for a heavier body, step up to the T Series 10 treadmill. If the C700 comes cheap and used, it can still make sense for a light walker.
If you are close to the C700’s limits on weight or stride, a better-matched treadmill beats a cheaper one that wears out.
The verdict on the C700
The C700 is a decent walking treadmill with a short deck, a modest motor, and a history of belt and roller complaints. It makes sense for a light to moderate walker on a tight budget, especially at a used price that leaves room for repairs. It is a poor fit for runners, tall users, and anyone near its 300-pound limit.
If you are still weighing it against other treadmills, our treadmill comparison chart lines up motor, deck, warranty, and current price for every model we have tested.