NordicTrack started out making ski cardio machines in the 1970s, but since then, they’ve grown into one of the world’s most well-known treadmill companies. And it’s no mystery why: NordicTrack’s treadmills offer HD touchscreens, a wide array of technological features, and stout, durable builds that give users the feel of having a commercial treadmill in their home.
But buying a treadmill is a big investment, so it’s important to make sure that the one you get is keyed toward how you like to work out. If you prefer walking to running, NordicTrack offers models with lower top speeds. Are you a fan of hill work? Check out one of NordicTrack’s incline treadmills. Looking for a good training program? NordicTrack Treadmills are built to work with iFit, a platform that offers a dizzying number of streamable workouts. We took various needs and preferences into consideration and put the miles in to find the best NordicTrack treadmills for your home gym.
The Best NordicTrack Treadmills
- Best NordicTrack Treadmill Overall: NordicTrack Commercial 1750
- Best NordicTrack Treadmill for the Money: NordicTrack EXP 7i
- Best NordicTrack Treadmill for Running: NordicTrack Commercial 2450
- Best Incline NordicTrack Treadmill: NordicTrack Commercial X22i
- Best NordicTrack Treadmill for Walking: NordicTrack EXP 7i
- Best Folding NordicTrack Treadmill: NordicTrack Commercial 1250
How We Tested
The team at BarBend has been testing treadmills and other gym equipment for years. Our staff is made up of athletes, certified fitness instructors, and fitness enthusiasts, and we’ve spent countless miles on treadmills in training and for testing purposes. For this article, we ran treadmills through various tests to measure cushioning, speed, incline, and overall user experience to find the best ones to suit a variety of fitness goals.
Best NordicTrack Treadmill Overall: NordicTrack Commercial 1750
NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill
Specs
- Top Speed: 12 mph
- Incline Range: -3% to 12%
- Display: 14-inch HD touchscreen
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- Price: $2,499
Pros
- The pivoting 14-inch touchscreen rotates so that you can follow along with off-treadmill workouts.
- Many treadmills only offer incline settings, but this one offers decline settings as well.
- Despite features that you’ll find on high-end treadmills, this treadmill falls in the middle of the price range.
Cons
- If you’re on a tight budget and willing to sacrifice some features, there are cheaper options.
- Those who aren’t interested in streaming classes may want something more basic.
- At 80 inches long and 38 inches wide, this treadmill takes up a lot of floor space.
If you’re trying to find the perfect balance between features and affordability, you’re not going to find a better option than NordicTrack’s Commercial 1750 treadmill. Its 3.5 continuous-duty horsepower (CHP) motor can adjust the speed up to 12 miles per hour quickly, making it ideal for interval workouts. And while the 12 percent incline is standard for a high-end treadmill, the -3 percent decline is an option that you don’t see in many treads in this price range.
For those who like online programming, the 1750 comes with a free month of iFit online programming, which offers thousands of live and on-demand classes that can take place both on and off the treadmill. The 14-inch HD touchscreen is bright and responsive, and can rotate up and down as well as 360 degrees, so you can follow along with off-treadmill workouts.
One of our favorite features on this treadmill is the AutoAdjust feature, which will adjust the speed and incline to match the terrain on your screen. “The first time the treadmill started adjusting into a decline while I was running, it shocked me a little,” our tester says. “It was cool to be watching myself running down a hill and then actually feel like I was running down a hill.”
Read our full NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Review.
Best NordicTrack Treadmill for the Money: NordicTrack EXP 7i
NordicTrack EXP 7i Treadmill
NordicTrack EXP 7i Treadmill
This tread still goes all the way up to 12 percent incline and 12mph in speed, plus it comes with a free one-month iFit membership (a $39 value). The adjustable cushioning can also help lower the impact on your joints, or mimic the feel of a road race if you are training for something on rougher terrain.
Specs
- Top Speed: 10 mph
- Incline Range: 0% to 12%
- Display: 7-inch HD touchscreen
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- Price: $1,299
Pros
- At $1,299, this treadmill offers features that you’d find in much more expensive treadmills.
- You can adjust the cushioning to simulate running on various types of terrain.
- The incline and speed settings automatically adjust to the suggested settings for whatever class or virtual run you’re taking.
Cons
- The 7-inch touchscreen is the smallest on this list.
- There are no preset workouts, so if you don’t subscribe to the iFit membership after the trial ends, you’re stuck with manual mode.
The NordicTrack EXP 7i is proof that buying a budget treadmill doesn’t have to mean sacrificing functionality. At just over $1,000, this treadmill offers a top speed of 12 miles per hour, inclines up to 12 percent, and quick speed transitions, thanks to the 2.6 CHP motor. It also offers NordicTrack’s Runner’s Flex Cushioning, which adjusts the running deck’s firmness to suit your preferences.
The sub-$1,500 price range doesn’t have many treadmills with screens, but the EXP 7i comes with a 7-inch touchscreen that allows you to follow along with any of the thousands of classes and scenic runs that come with the free month of iFit programming. You can opt out of the iFit membership after the free trial, but your workout options will be limited to manual mode. However, if you do shell out the $180 for a yearly individual plan, you’ll be able to use one of the EXP 7i’s coolest features — its auto-adjust capability, which changes your speed and incline to follow iFit’s programming.
Best NordicTrack Treadmill for Running: NordicTrack Commercial 2450
NordicTrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill
NordicTrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill
The NordicTrack 2450 is one of the most high-tech treadmills on the market. It features a 22-inch touchscreen display that can tilt to your comfort level, and rotate 360 degrees. Your purchase includes a free month of iFit, and all of your trainer-led classes offer automatic adjustments to the incline, decline, and speed settings.
Specs
- Top Speed: 12 mph
- Incline Range: -3% to 12%
- Display: 22-inch HD touchscreen
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- Price: $2,999
Pros
- The huge 22-inch touchscreen creates an immersive environment for scenic runs.
- This treadmill has an incline range of -3 to 12 percent, which is perfect for runners who are training for hilly courses.
- The powerful 3.6 CHP motor can maintain higher speeds without wearing down the motor, making it more durable over time.
Cons
- The $2,999 price tag may put it out of some people’s budgets.
- If you’re not interested in scenic runs or online classes, the screen might be overkill.
The NordicTrack 2450 offers loads of features that are perfect for the dedicated runner. First off, the 3.6 CHP motor can easily sustain higher speeds without wearing down, which makes it ideal for daily runners. For runners who use their heart rate to guide their training, the Activepulse technology pairs with NordicTrack’s SmartBeat Heart Rate Monitor (sold separately) to adjust speed and incline to keep you in your optimal heart rate zone.
And to prepare runners for those knee-pounding downhill sections, the 2450’s incline setting can go down to -3 percent. While NordicTrack is known for its extra-soft running decks, your joints may appreciate the cushioning when running at a decline. “I have ankle issues,” our tester says. “I really appreciated the extra cushioned deck.”
This treadmill’s 22-inch HD touchscreen is perfect for the immersive scenic runs that come with the free month-long trial to NordicTrack’s iFit programming. These runs use Google Maps to provide virtual runs all over the world, from jungle runs in Costa Rica to a guided walking tour of the Great Pyramids in Egypt.
Read our full NordicTrack Commercial 2450 Review.
Best Incline NordicTrack Treadmill: NordicTrack Commercial X22i
NordicTrack X22i Treadmill
NordicTrack X22i Treadmill
The NordicTrack Commercial X22i is built for those who want to climb. The machine inclines up to 40 percent and declines down to -6 percent. It features a Sled Push option where you can power the belt with your own leg drive, and it has a 22-inch touchscreen display where you can follow your workout and take iFit classes.
Specs
- Top Speed: 12 mph
- Incline Range: -6% to 40%
- Display: 22-inch HD touchscreen
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- Price: $3,499
Pros
- The -6 to 40 percent incline range goes higher (and lower) than you’ll find on most treadmills.
- This tread has a huge 22-inch HD touchscreen.
- The cushioning on this treadmill adjusts to users’ weights, providing custom cushioning for multiple users.
Cons
- This treadmill doesn’t fold up, and it takes a good amount of space.
- If a huge incline setting isn’t a priority, there are much cheaper options out there.
If you’re training for a mountain summit, a hilly race, or you love running on inclines, the Commercial X22i was built for you. With a whopping 40-percent incline, this treadmill offers the steepest incline we’ve ever seen (most treadmills max out at 12 to 15 percent). Even at that height, the X22i’s 4.0 CHP motor can maintain a top speed of 12 mph, though we’ll be impressed if you can keep that speed with the incline cranked up to 40 percent. In addition, the decline goes down to -6 percent, which is double the -3 percent you’ll find on many treadmills.
Also, this treadmill has a running bed that adjusts its cushioning depending on the user’s weight, making it easier on heavy runners’ joints during downhill runs. The large 22-inch touchscreen pairs well with the free month of iFit programming. In addition to thousands of live and on-demand classes, iFit offers guided runs and walking tours. During testing, we found the huge screen created an immersive experience as the treadmill automatically adjusted the speed and incline to match the coach’s pace and the trail’s terrain.
While that steep incline is handy (and maybe overkill) for running hills, it’s also extremely useful for upping the calorie burn during walking workouts. “Walking on the X22i at a steep incline is extremely low-impact, but it’s a solid burn,” says one tester who used it as a finisher after CrossFit workouts. “It felt like a stair-stepper, but without the steps.”
Read our full NordicTrack Commercial X22i Review.
Best NordicTrack Treadmill for Walking: NordicTrack EXP 7i
NordicTrack EXP 7i Treadmill
NordicTrack EXP 7i Treadmill
This tread still goes all the way up to 12 percent incline and 12mph in speed, plus it comes with a free one-month iFit membership (a $39 value). The adjustable cushioning can also help lower the impact on your joints, or mimic the feel of a road race if you are training for something on rougher terrain.
Specs
- Top Speed: 10 mph
- Incline Range: 0% to 12%
- Display: 7-inch HD touchscreen
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- Price: $1,299
Pros
- The 2.6 CHP motor is ideal for walking and light jogging.
- Onetouch controls on the console make it fast and easy to change speed and incline.
- It has a top incline of 12 percent, which is perfect for ramping up the intensity of a walking workout.
Cons
- It has a 7-inch touchscreen, which may be too small for people with so-so eyesight.
- The customizable cushioning has to be adjusted manually.
- There are no built-in workout programs, so you’ll need an iFit membership to get the most out of this treadmill’s features.
You don’t have to run to get a good workout — walking on a treadmill is a great way to burn calories. And the NordicTrack Commercial EXP 7i is a great option for walkers. The 2.6 CHP motor is more than capable of handling walking speeds, even at the top of its incline range. Speaking of incline, this tread tops out at 12 percent, which is an excellent way to crank up the intensity of a walking workout. You can also customize the deck’s cushioning to mimic running outside or to soften the impact on your joints.
The only real bone to pick with this tread is the smaller 7-inch touchscreen. While it’s a great way to keep this treadmill on the cheaper end of NordicTrack’s price range, it may be too small for nearsighted people to see clearly. But if you’re working with a budget but still really want to take advantage of iFit’s guided walking workouts, this is a solid option. It’s important to note that there are no onboard programs, so to get the most out of this treadmill, you’re going to want to subscribe to iFit.
For our money, the walking tours made it worth the price of admission, particularly the walking tour series that took our tester on a trip into the pyramids in Egypt. “Those workouts flew by,” our tester says. “The guide was terrific, and the way the incline adjusted to mimic walking into the pyramid was really cool.”
Best Folding NordicTrack Treadmill: NordicTrack Commercial 1250
NordicTrack Commercial 1250
Specs
- Top Speed: 12 mph
- Incline Range: -3% to 12%
- Display: 10-inch HD touchscreen
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- Price: $1,999
Pros
- This treadmill has built-in hydraulics that make it easy to fold and unfold the treadmill.
- At 60 inches long by 20 inches wide, the deck offers a large running area.
- In addition to a 12 percent incline, this tread offers a -3 percent decline.
Cons
- The 10-inch HD touchscreen is on the smaller side.
- At nearly 80 inches long, this treadmill takes up a lot of space when unfolded.
- You can find cheaper folding treadmills.
While there are a lot of folding treadmills on the market, some of them are such a pain to fold that it’s easier to just let the treadmill take up space when it’s not being used. NordicTrack’s Commercial 1250 doesn’t have this problem, thanks to the hydraulic EasyLift Assist, which makes folding up the treadmill’s deck a piece of cake. When you’re ready to use the treadmill, just undo the hydraulic lock, and the deck will gently drift down to the floor on its own.
The 1250 doesn’t just rest on its foldability, however — it offers an incline range of -3 percent to 12 percent, and the 3.0 CHP motor can maintain the tread’s top speed of 12 mph with ease. Plus, the 60-inch long belt offers a long running surface, which is great for taller runners or runners who just want a bit more breathing room in their stride. And while the 10-inch HD touchscreen is on the small side, it tilts and swivels, so you can use it to follow along with any of iFit’s off-treadmill workouts.
Benefits of NordicTrack Treadmills
NordicTrack has been in the cardio equipment industry for 50 years, and the experience shows in the treadmills they’re putting out. These treadmills offer high-end HD screens, are backed by solid warranties, and provide access to one of the most comprehensive online fitness programs on the market.
Technological Features
NordicTrack treadmills are known for their technical features. A lot of treadmills will come with LCD screens that can show basic stats, but HD touchscreens come standard with NordicTrack treadmills. They can range in size from the EXP 7i’s 7-inch touchscreen to the X32i’s massive 32-inch screen, but all of them are bright, responsive, and built to work with NordicTrack’s iFit fitness platform.
Warranties
Treadmills can be a big investment, and NordicTrack treadmills, in particular, can get pretty pricey. Which is why it’s a relief to see that they’re confident enough in their treadmills to offer a 10-year warranty on the frame, a 2-year warranty on parts, and a 1-year warranty on labor for all their treadmills.
iFit
All of NordicTrack’s treadmills are built to work with the company’s comprehensive iFit fitness platform, which offers over 16,000 live and on-demand fitness classes that range from on-treadmill guided run workouts to off-treadmill workouts, including strength, HIIT, and yoga, to name a few. In addition, iFit uses Google Maps to create virtual runs that can take place worldwide, so you can find yourself doing everything from virtually running on a beach in the Caribbean to hiking to Everest base camp. During run and walk workouts, the treadmill will automatically adjust your speed and incline to fit the coaches’ programming or mimic the virtual terrain.
How We Chose The Best NordicTrack Treadmills
Even when you’ve decided to buy a NordicTrack treadmill, you’ll still have a lot of options to choose from. When trying to find treadmills that would suit a variety of needs, we looked at factors like speed and inline, screen size, and price.
Top Speed and Incline
Different users will want different things when it comes to treadmills. Dedicated runners may want a top speed of around 12 to 15mph to allow for sprint workouts and intervals, while walkers can get away with a lower top speed of around eight to 10mph.
Hikers and people who want hill training will want a tread that has higher incline levels and decline options as well. We tried to find Nordictrack offerings that had speeds and incline ranges that would appeal to everyone.
Screen Size
We looked at treadmills with screen sizes across the spectrum, from 32 inches down to seven inches. We included larger sizes for people who want more immersive virtual runs and a clear view of off-treadmill workouts, as well as the smaller size for those who want iFit programming, but don’t have the budget for a higher-end treadmill.
Price
Speaking of price, we included treadmills that would work for buyers with various budgets, from higher-priced treads with huge screens and a ton of features, to ones with smaller screens, smaller motors, and smaller price tags.
How Much Do NordicTrack Treadmills Cost?
NordicTrack treadmills vary in price, from the $800 Elite 1000 treadmill to the $4,500 Commercial X32i. The biggest factors that determine cost are things like motor power, which affect the top speed and incline, and how big the onboard screen will be. Additional features like in-console fans, easy-lift assist, and adjustable cushioning can all affect pricing.
Best NordicTrack Treadmill Overall | NordicTrack Commercial 1750 | $2,499 |
Best NordicTrack Treadmill for the Money | NordicTrack EXP 7i | $1,299 |
Best NordicTrack Treadmill for Running | NordicTrack Commercial 2450 | $2,999 |
Best Incline NordicTrack Treadmill | NordicTrack Commercial X22i | $3,499 |
Best NordicTrack Treadmill for Walking | NordicTrack EXP 7i | $1,299 |
Best Folding NordicTrack Treadmill | NordicTrack Commercial 1250 | $1,999 |
Also, features like the touchscreen and Automatic Trainer Control are designed to work with iFit, so you’ll probably want a subscription to get the most out of your treadmill. Every treadmill comes with a free 30-day trial membership, but after that, it’ll cost $180 for a yearly single membership or $39 a month for a family membership.
What to Consider Before Buying a NordicTrack Treadmill
To get the most out of your investment, it’s important to get a treadmill that is suited for your training style and preferences. Among the factors that you should consider are display size, top speed, incline, and price.
Display Size
Every NordicTrack treadmill comes with a touchscreen display, but the sizes vary. They range from 7 inches to a whopping 32 inches, and the price tends to go up as the display gets bigger.
If your focus is on taking iFit classes and getting lost in scenic runs, you’ll want a treadmill with at least a 14-inch screen. If you’re not as interested in iFit programming, you can save a bundle by going with a smaller screen.
Top Speed
Most NordicTrack treadmills top out at 12 mph, which should be enough for sprints and interval training. But if you’re using the treadmill primarily for walking or jogging, you can save some money by going with a treadmill that tops out at 10 mph, like the EXP 7i.
Incline
Hikers who are training for their next trek, runners training for a hilly race, and walkers who want to ramp up their workout intensity should make sure that any treadmill they consider has decent incline capabilities. Many NordicTrack treadmills will go up to 12 percent, but if you’re looking to train downhill as well, look for a treadmill that has a decline option as well. And if you’re really looking to hit new heights, Nordictrack’s Commercial X22i offers an incline of up to 40 percent.
Final Word
If you’re looking to invest in a high-quality treadmill by a company known for making excellent cardio equipment, going with NordicTrack is a smart choice. Whether you want to focus on distance running, sprint intervals, hill work, or just putting some miles in after work, NordicTrack makes a treadmill that can suit your needs.
With so many options within the NordicTrack brand, it can be hard to narrow down your choices. If you’re stuck on which one to get, make a list of what features and options you want, and set a realistic budget. Once you know what you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to spend, you can use this list to nail down the perfect NordicTrack treadmill for you.
FAQs
What is the best NordicTrack treadmill?
There are plenty of great options, but the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 stands out to us for its powerful motor, 14-inch screen, -3 percent decline setting, and its middle-of-the-road price.
Is NordicTrack a good brand for treadmills?
Absolutely. NordicTrack has been making cardio equipment since the 1970s and is one of the most respected cardio brands on the market. Their treadmills are known for their touchscreen displays, technological features, and durability.
How long do NordicTrack treadmills last?
NordicTrack offers a 10-year frame warranty, so it’s safe to assume that with the proper care (like lubricating the belt every six months) and regular use, you can get at least a decade’s use out of a NordicTrack treadmill.
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