Quick Summary
New for 2017, the Fusion CST home gym is innovative for mixing high-energy cardio with low-impact strength training.
It’s a space-saver as well as a timesaver, having a mere 42″-wide footprint.
As of March 2017 NordicTrack will ship the Fusion with a 10″ tablet computer for use with iFit Coach Plus for on-demand video exercise guidance, live Fusion CST classes, recipe suggestions and other fitness support.
Read on for a detailed Fusion CST review.
Specifications
| Model | NordicTrack Fusion CST |
| Rating |  94% |
| List Price | $2,699 |
| Best Price | $1,599 |
| Type | Pulleys |
| Max. Weight | N/A |
| Exercises | 100+ |
| Seat | None |
| User Weight | Undisclosed |
| Dimensions | Length: 61" Width: 42" |
| Workout Area | N/A |
| Legs |  |
| Abs | |
| Curls | |
| Pulldown | |
| Rows | |
| Accessories | 10" Tablet Included 8 Pulley System Included |
| Warranty | Frame: Lifetime Parts & Labor: 1-Year |
Rating:
Our Rating
Rating: 94/100. The Fusion CST is NordicTrack’s contribution to a whole new class of home gym. While most gyms are just for strength workouts, this clever fitness station lets you save time by “fusing” strength training with high-powered cardio exercise. Accomplish your whole exercise checklist with one seamless workout! Other highlights of the NordicTrack Fusion are smooth magnetic resistance and a 10″ tablet computer for use with iFit Coach Plus and other fitness apps. With 20 resistance settings plus iFit Coach Plus, here you can get a just-right workout at any skill level. Follow a long-term training program or choose from hundreds of video guides anytime.
iFit Coach Plus is central to the Fusion CST; owners agree to one-year subscriptions. This high-end personal training technology is even more motivating than traditional iFit. Older iFit technology can be pretty riveting when you integrate Google Maps with real scenery… you can virtually exercise almost anywhere… but iFit Coach Plus is even better because a real personal trainer is on screen. You can cross train with a view of ever-moving scenery and also benefit from watching a pro in action!
The NordicTrack Fusion supports cardio and strength training with four sets of pulleys. These work with magnetic resistance instead of weight stacks. The magnetic system brings three key advantages: smoother motion for a faster recovery period; quiet operation (no clanging metal blocks); and minimal need for space.
The machine indicates your workload and power with an easy-to-read Watts meter. It’s also packed with a chest strap for wireless heart rate monitoring.
Fusion CST gyms sell for $2299 retail but will likely go for hundreds less during online sales in 2017. The purchase price includes domestic shipping (except to Alaska and Hawaii) plus a lifetime frame warranty and one-year parts and labor warranty. Is this the best gym value for your cross training? Overall we’re impressed but would wait for a sale price. Here are pros and cons to consider.
Pros:
- Combines cardio and strength training for time efficiency
- Uses magnetic resistance to make strength training relatively gentle on your joints compared with weight stacks
- Has four sets of pulleys and a maximum pulley extension length of 95 inches
- Offers 20 resistance settings to fit many ability levels, and flywheel tension is easily adjusted with digital controls
- Includes a 10″ tablet computer for personal training guidance; tablet can be placed at different heights and has adjustable angle
- Includes a Bluetooth® chest strap for wireless heart rate monitoring and also measures your energy output in Watts
- Fusion CST operates quietly compared with machines that have weight stacks
- Has a space-conscious design for practical use in most homes; takes just 3½ x 5 feet of floor space
Cons:
- The $2699 introductory price won’t be the manufacturer’s best deal; we’d wait for a discount
- The parts and labor warranty is only valid for one year, which is short compared with warranties for other types of high-end cross trainers (e.g., elliptical machines)
- This product isn’t likely to have engineering flaws, but this review is preliminary; we’ll post an update after the Fusion’s been on the market for awhile
Introduction
The NordicTrack Fusion CST is among the few home gyms to combine strength training with cardio exercise. It uses magnetic resistance to be low-impact compared with traditional weight stack gyms, and the modern resistance system also helps the Fusion CST stay slim for convenient setup in just about any home. This premium model is shipped with a 10″ tablet computer, which can be docked to the unit for a clear view of personal training video from iFit Coach Plus. Here are details about the NordicTrack home gym features, workout programs and warranty.
Home Gym Workouts
Pro guidance is helpful to make the most of the Fusion CST. With pulleys placed from ground level to above your head – and with max extension of 95″ – this unique home gym brings infinite possibilities. Thus it’s paired with a 10″ tablet computer and a one-year iFit Coach Plus membership (billed separately) for top-notch personal training.
Essentially iFit Coach Plus is an on-demand virtual personal training system. You can schedule reminders to tune in for daily livecast classes made especially for Fusion CST owners. A new workout is presented every day, so you can benefit as a personal trainer models the moves to make with your machine.
You can also log on to iFit Coach Plus anytime to follow a personal trainer through your choice of hundreds of Fusion CST workouts, coastal treks, mountain hikes and more. These workouts are interactive so that personal trainer feedback and streaming video is tailored to your progress.
Besides workout guidance, iFit Coach Plus can help you reach fitness goals with comprehensive health feedback. It can count your daily steps (a wearable device is included), make personalized recommendations about your sleep cycle, provide video recipe instructions and much more.
NordicTrack Fusion CST Features
A good fit for most homes, the NordicTrack Fusion CST is just 42″ wide. It takes the place of a cardio trainer and a traditional home gym… and it’s smaller than both.
A 10″ tablet computer is provided with iFit Coach Plus video training in mind. The Fusion CST lets you set a computer at different heights, and it also lets you adjust the viewing angle.
The Fusion has four sets of pulleys with 20 levels of resistance. Following an on-screen personal trainer or your own routine, you can exercise all your major muscle groups in a single workout. You can also choose training especially focused on “problem areas” or sports-specific preparation.
Compared with traditional strength trainers, the Fusion CST is easier on your joints and connective tissues because it uses magnetic resistance instead of weights. The smoothness of magnetic tension can let you avoid muscle soreness or have a faster recovery period.
For easy monitoring of your exertion level this machine has a prominent Watts readout. The Fusion CST can also give constant heart rate feedback if you wear a Bluetooth chest strap (included).
Warranty & Guarantee
NordicTrack sells the Fusion CST home gym with a lifetime frame warranty and one-year parts and labor warranty.
Conclusion
This year is exciting for home gym enthusiasts, as NordicTrack and a few other brands are combining strength and cardio training like never before. We’d love to have a Fusion on hand; it’s extremely versatile, efficient, and is paired with high quality personal training. At full price though ($2699) plus the iFit Coach Plus commitment this brand-new model is too pricey for most shoppers’ tastes. Keep an eye out for a sale price though… NordicTrack online discounts are common, so you could save several hundred dollars at the least.
NordicTrack Select-A-Weight 55 Lb Dumbbell Set