NordicTrack

NordicTrack
Private
Genre Exercise equipment
Founded 1975
Founder Edward Pauls
Headquarters Logan, Utah, U.S.
Area served
 Global
Owner Icon Health & Fitness
Website www.nordictrack.com

NordicTrack is a manufacturer of exercise equipment, best known for its classic Nordic ski machine and Incline Trainers.

History

NordicTrack was founded by Edward Pauls in 1975, when he invented the original NordicTrack ski machine in his garage in Chaska, Minnesota, in an effort to help his daughter and her friends stay in shape for cross-country skiing over the summer. The flywheel-based concept that he had designed worked so well that other local skiers began to ask Pauls if he would build one for them, and NordicTrack (the product, and the company) was born. The company quickly grew in size, as demand for the machine expanded through word-of-mouth and advertising in national ski magazines. Local residents worked in the manufacturing plant and sales room, located along Highway 41 in the Chaska Industrial Park.

In 1986, NordicTrack was acquired by CML corporation, and operations were later moved out of Chaska. In 1990, they began to open retail outlets.[1] Around 1995, sales began to decline, leading to bankruptcy and closure of its 300 retail stores in 1998.[2]

Acquisition

In 1998, Icon Health & Fitness acquired NordicTrack.[3] Since the acquisition by ICON, NordicTrack has thrived and the company continues to manufacture their classic skier, but this model is declining in popularity. NordicTrack treadmills are the top selling brand worldwide. They also carry a full line of elliptical trainers and exercise bikes. In 2009, NordicTrack pioneered the incline trainer, a specialty treadmill that can reach an incline of up to 40%. These are some of their most popular machines today.[4]

Awards

Two NordicTrack products received the Consumer Reports Recommended Buy awards and two NordicTrack treadmills received Best Buy awards in 2016.[5]

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ "NordicTrack History". Retrieved 2016-01-15.
  2. ↑ Philippidis, Alex (November 1998). "Bankrupt NordicTrack skis off into health-fad history". Westchester County Business Journal. p. 2.
  3. ↑ Pederson, Jay P (2001). International Directory of Company Histories 38. St. James Press. ISBN 978-1558624436. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
  4. ↑ http://www.nordictrackreview.com/history/
  5. ↑ "Treadmill Buying Guide". Consumer Reports. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
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