Nordictrack Fusion CST Review – Is This Home Gym Any Good?

Our Review Of The NordicTrack Fusion CST

Specifications

If you’ve been looking at investing in NordicTrack home gym equipment, then you can’t go far wrong with the Fusion CST home gym.  

When it comes to build quality, the NordicTrack Fusion CST is a sturdy and robust piece of gym kit. 

Its steel frame is powder-coated and will look impressive in any home gym.  

The NordicTrack Fusion CST assembly is simple, as the main body of the machine is pre-assembled, ready to be placed in your home gym. 

I found that the NordicTrack Fusion CST manual did a great job explaining how to adjust the machine for use. 

During the NordicTrack Fusion CST workouts, the resistance is easily adjusted using the buttons or the iFit app. 

If you’re relatively new to working out, you will find that the NordicTrack Fusion CST resistance weight range is brilliant; you can start at level 1 and work up to level 20.  

However, the resistance isn’t going to be suitable for everybody and could be too light for those who are used to lifting heavy weight for low reps.  

The NordicTrack Fusion CST trainer led exercise classes are up there with the best and are fully interactive (for the live classes), so you can ask the trainer questions in real-time, all through the NordicTrack Fusion CST app (iFit). 

One of my favorite features of the NordicTrack Fusion CST is the multiple functions.

Not only can you work your upper body, such as your chest, shoulders, biceps, and triceps, but you can also work your lower body by using the cables. 

Heck, you’ll even be able to put your abs through their paces using only cables.  

It’s not often that you find a machine that can work all areas of the body in one go, making it a great addition to a home or garage gym, especially for the machine’s price, which is around $2000.  

If you’ve got a bit more to spend on your home gym, you could add the NordicTrack Fusion CST rower attachment, which will expand your exercise capability even further.

Or, if you want to push the boat out, you could upgrade and get the NordicTrack Fusion CST Pro which comes with a power rack, pull up frame, and built-in Ski Erg.  

Whichever version of the NordicTrack Fusion CST home gym equipment you decide to buy, I believe you’ll be happy with your purchase.  

Pros & Cons Of The NordicTrack Fusion CST Models 

Unique Features Of The NordicTrack Fusion CST Home Gym  

Home gyms like the NordicTrack Fusion CST are an excellent investment for those of you looking to keep fit and healthy.

Having a gym at home is not only convenient, but it’s cost-effective too.

Your whole family will be able to use the equipment, saving you from paying out hundreds of dollars a month for expensive gym memberships.  

Designed For Cardio and Strength Training

When it comes to training the body, you want to work it from every angle you can. 

This is why the NordicTrack Fusion CST is designed to do it all, both as a cardio machine and for strength training.  

Strength training is a brilliant way to strengthen your muscles and build a great-looking body.

However, a cardio training session will complement your strength training by increasing your body’s overall fitness, lung, and heart health. This will help you stay on top of your fitness goals and even lose weight.

The American College Of Sports Medicine has stated that a combination of cardio and strength training is the best way to keep yourself in peak condition.[1] 

By allowing you to train both cardio and strength, the NordicTrack Fusion CST will take your fitness goals to the next level without you needing to leave your home.

Wide Range of Resistance 

The NordicTrack Fusion CST resistance range is outstanding and will cover those of you who’re beginners to more advanced users.

With over 20 different resistance levels, you’ll be able to progress and regress any exercise you want, allowing you to use the progressive overload principle to grow your muscles and increase overall strength. 

This helps you build proper form and technique, which will help promote lean muscle growth. 

Each resistance level can be easily adjusted digitally using the plus and minus buttons below the Nordic CST screen.

This comes in extremely useful when you’re mid-workout and your arms are a little bit shaky.

The silent magnetic resistance is also a lot less impactful on the body’s joints, making it ideal if your joints need to take less of a beating during your daily workouts.  

Designed for Quietness 

The silent magnetic resistance flywheel is designed to provide minimal noise while you’re working out, making it perfect for working out at home, and will ensure that you don’t annoy your neighbors with the slamming down of heavy metal plates.

You’ll also stay in your family’s good books by not waking them up each morning with the sound of your workouts.  

The super-smooth feel of the Fusion CST mechanism makes using the machine extremely comfortable. The cables glide with minimal sound without any bumps or grinds allowing you to use proper form every time. 

Even as you increase the resistance, the machine doesn’t become any louder, unlike some NordicTrack Fusion CST competitors. 

If you want a discreet way to work out and build lean muscle, then the NordicTrack Fusion CST is an excellent option for your home gym. 

Tech Compatible 

When it comes to the NordicTrack Fusion CST’s compatibility with tech, it’s pretty versatile.

If you opt for the iFit subscription, you can link your tablet or phone to iFit and stream trainer led workouts directly to your machine.  

The Fusion CST comes with a Bluetooth chest strap monitor that can measure your heart rate and workout intensity, giving you all the necessary data you’ll need to track your progression.  

As the Fusion CST links up to your devices, it has WiFi capability, so if you opt not to use iFit, you can follow your plan or stream music on your device.  

Live & On-Demand Interactive Training Options 

The iFit app is in a class of its own; not only does it offer live workouts each day, but it comes with a vast collection of on-demand interactive training programs and classes.  

The classes range from beginner, HIIT training, Bootcamp, cross-training, and studio sessions, to name a few.  

While having a collection of on-demand workouts might be what you’re looking for, it could be a bit much for the average person.

The beginner workout would probably be an excellent place to start, but even the beginner class will be challenging depending on your current fitness levels.  

If you’re new to working out, check out our tips for beginners. 

10” Tablet Included For Workouts 

The fact that NordicTrack gives you a 10” tablet for free with your Fusion CST is pretty awesome if you ask me.  

Not only will you be able to use the 10” device to stream your workouts, but you’ll be able to keep all of the feedback data from your exercise trackers on there, making it the ultimate addition to your workouts.  

The tablet is entirely independent of the Fusion CST machine, so you can use it as you would with any other device. 

Heart Rate Monitoring & Other Tracking 

If getting a 10” tablet for free excited you, then you’ll love this.

The NordicTrack Fusion CST machine comes with a Bluetooth heart monitoring device that will help you track each workout and send feedback directly to your tablet.  

Chest straps are incredibly accurate when measuring your heart rate, which will help you calculate the calories you’ve burnt during a sweaty session.  

NordicTrack Fusion CST Range Explained 

NordicTrack Fusion CST Vs CST Pro – Which Is Best?  

The NordicTrack Fusion CST Pro is a much more robust and versatile machine when compared to the Fusion CST.

The CST Pro weighs around 638 lbs which is almost double, but that will be down to the additional power rack built into the machine.  

The CST Pro also has an integrated pull-up frame and a built-in Ski Erg, which is an excellent addition to have.  

However, the Fusion CST might not have these additional features, but it’s almost half the weight and is a lot cheaper than the CST Pro.

So if you’re on a budget or are a beginner, then the Fusion CST will be a great place to start.  

When comparing the two machines, you should ask yourself if you really need the additional features on the CST Pro. If the answer is no, then you’d be best off investing in the Fusion CST. 

Related Article - Ski Erg Vs Rower: Which Is Better For Cardio?

Assembling Instructions & General Maintenance Information

Before we start, I feel it needs to be said that the NordicTrack Fusion CST shipping weight is around 400 lbs.

While you might be able to build it on your own, the Fusion CST manual states that the assembly requires two to three people.[2]

So it could be a good idea to have a friend or family member stand by to give you a hand.  

In preparation to build the machine, the user manual recommends placing a mat down to protect your floor or carpet during the construction.

You’ll also need an adjustable wrench; all other tools are provided in the box (avoid using power tools as they could damage the equipment).  

Follow these brief instructions to set up the NordicTrack Fusion CST machine; please refer to the user manual for further instructions:  

After a while, you might wish to clean and maintain your machine to keep it in tip-top condition.

To do so, you should refer to the user manual or sign up for one of the NordicTrack maintenance service plans, which can be found on page 4 of the manual.[4]

With most workout machinery, it’s recommended that you perform maintenance once a year, but personally, I’ve found that it comes down to how often the machine has been used.  

NordicTrack Fusion CST Smart Connections 

iFit Connection 

The iFit app can be downloaded to your devices (including the tablet that comes with the NordicTrack).

From there, you’ll be able to access any of the iFit workouts that are compatible with your NordicTrack Fusion CST.  

Having an easy-to-use app will make working out in your home less stressful as you now have a plan of action that you can progress with each week as you become fitter. 

WiFi Connection

The NordicTrack Fusion CST comes with a tablet that you can connect to your WiFi connection to access the iFit workouts.

To connect to your WiFi, open up the connection settings and connect to your WiFi. Once your connection is established, you’ll be able to access iFit and other apps with ease.  

Bluetooth Connection

Having a Bluetooth connection is super helpful, especially for connecting the NordicTrack heart rate monitor strap that’s included with the Fusion CST.  

It’s a great additional feature that will help you track your work rate during your workouts and is the best way to estimate your calorie burn.  

To connect it, pair your Bluetooth device to the Fusion CST, and you’re good to go.  

Comparisons With Other Home Gyms Brands 

Tonal Vs NordicTrack Fusion CST 

The Tonal machine is a highly slick design. It’s wall-mounted and takes up very little space compared to the NordicTrack Fusion CST.  

Like the Fusion CST, the Tonal comes with a built-in display that adds to the machine’s aesthetic; it looks fantastic.  

However, I feel the Tonal comes in at around $3000 and will set you back another $500 or so for the smart accessories such as the bench, bar, etc.

While these aren’t 100% necessary, the Tonal feels like an expensive pulley system compared to the cheaper Fusion CST.  

You’ll get a great workout from both machines, but if you want a device that will offer performance over aesthetics, then the Fusion CST is the one for you.

Plus, you get some excellent free features like a free tablet and heart monitor.  

NordicTrack Fusion Vs Bowflex Models 

As with any good product in life, there will always be a competitor. Bowflex has several multifunctional all-in-one machines that are similar to the NordicTrack Fusion CST. 

All three machines offer a multitude of workout options. However, the Bowflex is more versatile, in my opinion. Bowflex falls short on the lack of integration of a screen such as a tablet.  

When it comes to resistance, the Bowflex Revolution takes the mantle.

It’s designed more for somebody who wants to lift weights, whereas the Fusion CST is designed with a lighter resistance for a mix of cardio and strength.  

The Bowflex Revolution is almost $1000 more than the Fusion CST. But, at the end of the day, it comes down to your budget and what you're looking to accomplish from your workout. 

Read our complete review of the Bowflex Revolution here!

Common Questions About The NordicTrack Fusion CST

How much is a NordicTrack Fusion CST? 

As it stands, the NordicTrack Fusion CST is available on the NordicTrack website for approximately $2000-$2400, depending on whether you opt for 30 days of iFit membership or a whole year. You can pay this upfront in a lump sum payment, or there is an option for financing.

How can you adjust the reed switch of NordicTrack Fusion CST? 

To adjust the reed switch, unplug the power adapter, and follow the steps in the maintenance and troubleshooting (page 23) section of the NordicTrack Fusion CST manual.[5] 

Does NordicTrack Fusion CST have variable resistance? 

The NordicTrack Fusion CST resistance can be adjusted using the machine’s display. It has multiple resistance levels ranging from 1-20, so it will suit most levels from beginner to advanced. 

Can I move the NordicTrack Fusion CST? 

Yes, you can move the NordicTrack Fusion CST. However, it might be challenging to do on your own as the NordicTrack Fusion CST weight is 378 lbs. It’s designed to be this heavy to prevent the machine from tipping over while it’s in use during a workout.  

How do I tighten the ropes of NordicTrack Fusion CST? 

To tighten the Nordictrack Fusion ropes, head to the maintenance and troubleshooting (page 24) of your user’s manual and follow the instructions.[6]

Does NordicTrack Fusion CST work with the Apple watch? 

Unfortunately, the NordicTrack Fusion CST fitness software iFit won’t directly feed information to your Apple watch. However, if you feel you need to connect to your Apple Watch, there are external apps that you can get that will bypass the restrictions. 

Conclusion - Should You Buy It?

Overall, the NordicTrack Fusion CST is an outstanding piece of equipment that would complement any home gym setup.

Its versatile, compact, and has excellent features such as the iFit compatibility and the Bluetooth chest strap.  

While it isn’t for everybody, the Fusion CST is perfect for those of you who’re looking to build strength and improve cardiovascular fitness.  

Whether you choose the Fusion CST, the Fusion CST rower, or even the Fusion CST pro, you’re in good hands with NordicTrack.  

References:

1. https://www.acsm.org/read-research/trending-topics-resource-pages/physical-activity-guidelines
2. https://res.cloudinary.com/iconcdn/image/upload/v1595536459/nordictrack.com/cdn/pdf/NTSY19916.1-421457.pdf
3. https://my.nordictrack.com/reg
4. https://res.cloudinary.com/iconcdn/image/upload/v1595536459/nordictrack.com/cdn/pdf/NTSY19916.1-421457.pdf
5. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1238197/Nordictrack-Ntsy14016-0.html?page=23#manual
6. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1238197/Nordictrack-Ntsy14016-0.html?page=24#manual