NordicTrack Treadmill Reviews

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"A Leader in Treadmill Innovation"

The NordicTrack Treadmill is the premium brand of Icon Fitness. Icon is the world's largest treadmill manufacturer. They make other popular models like ProForm, Reebok, and Epic.

I was recently at the Icon manufacturing facilities in Logan, Utah, and it is an impressive operation. This is one of the few treadmill companies that actually builds their machines in the USA. The company has approximately 5,000 employees.

Note: NordicTrack sells direct and offers Free Shipping*. Check out the latest deals at www.NordicTrack.com.

Recommendations:

• NordicTrack A27750 Pro ($999)
• NordicTrack Commercial 1750 ($1,499)

I met with various directors, managers and VPs, and overall was impressed. There are considerable resources put into the construction, design and innovation of NordicTrack treadmills. In fact, they have a room designed to mechanically abuse their machines. Heavy weights are continually dropped on the deck, motors are run at high speeds for hundreds of hours.

One of the major focuses of NordicTrack treadmills is innovation, and this is where they excel. Their iFit technology, adjustable cushion decks, treadmills with built-in flat screen TVs, and incline trainers are several reasons why NordicTrack is so popular.

iFit Technology - Run the Great Wall of China

For a number of years NordicTrack has equipped many of their treadmills with iFit technology, the ability to insert workout cards that cover a progressive  8-week program. The cards controlled the speed and incline of your treadmill and providing motivational coaching.   There are four categories of workouts, along with three levels of intensity; beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

NordicTrack has just released the next generation of this technology called iFit Live. How it works is your treadmill communicates with your computer through WiFi through a insert module. In a nutshell it...

"...allows you to experience trails all over the world with all of the inclines. You can customize your own fitness program, receive automatic workout downloads, manage your profile on iFit.com and work out with Jillian Michaels. You can also add competition to your workout with 5k races against your Facebook friends. Other features include a nutrition and activity tracker, motivating text messages and emails, and workout videos available for download."

What is most impressive about this feature is the ability to interact with Google Maps. With either your laptop or a smart phone you can walk or run trails or roads and use either the street, map or satellite view from Google Maps. For example, you could simulate the Boston Marathon by taking the same route and view the neighborhood with Google Street View. This feature is available on the NordicTrack A2550 PRO, NordicTrack A2750 PRO, NordicTrack Commercial 1500, NordicTrack Commercial 1750, NordicTrack Elite 9500 PRO and the NordicTrack X7i Incline Trainer.

Note: There is an additional cost for iFit Live and you need a wireless internet connection. To fully utilize the Google Maps feature you need a laptop or smart phone. Most iFit Live compatible treadmills have consoles with slots to fit your laptop.

Incline Trainers

The NordicTrack Incline Trainers have been a huge success. There are currently several models. All three allow you to raise the deck up to a 40% incline. Two allow you to decline the deck so you can simulate walking up and down hills and mountains.

The advantage of an incline trainer is that you can get an intense cardio workout without the pounding and stress that come with running, since you primarily walk. You also can target and trim more of your lower body muscles. All three models come with speakers systems and two are iFit Live compatible. See the reviews on the NordicTrack X3 and the premium NordicTrack X7zi.

Built-in Flat Screen TV

NordicTrack offers three models with built-in flat screen TVs. Each designed to accommodate difference levels of exercising. Let's face it, walking or running on a treadmill can get boring. As hard as you try, you're always in the same place. With these TV equipped models you can watch your favorite cable show or DVD, meanwhile the screen will provide feedback on your progress, including time, distance and calories burned. See the review on the NordicTrack Elite 7500 and the Nordictrack Elite 9500 Pro.

Sound Systems with MP3 Input & Cooling Fans

Although speakers are becoming a standard feature on many treadmills, NordicTrack offers the best sound systems. In fact, several of their models include subwoofers. In addition, most treadmills include cooling fans, which I found out is a favorite feature with customers.

Volume Sales = Value

Because of the shear volume of sales, NordicTrack and their parent company, Icon Fitness, can offer some excellent value. You need to pick and choose because they change up their sales and discounts weekly. One of their current deals is the NordicTrack Commercial 1750. Includes iFit Live, powerful 3.5 HP motor, 20" x 60" treadbelt, built-in fans, and premium sound system, 30 workout programs and 5-yr parts and 2-yrs labor warranty for $1,499 with shipping. Not bad!

Warranty

The one area where NordicTrack falls short is on their warranties. Their parts and labor warranty is normally one year, although they have lifetime coverage on their motors. Considering the overall value, in most cases you are still ahead of the game if you purchase anextended warranty. (Note: As noted above the Commercial 1750 comes with a 5-year parts and 2-year labor warranty.)

Also, in the past there were problems with their customer service. Due to the shear volume of NordicTrack sales it could be difficult to get through. I met with Dan Jones, Director of customer service and we discussed the issue. He agreed there had been a problem that was being addressed. They recently added more staff to answer phones, and are committing $2 million to improve the situation. In the last 2 years their service has significantly improved..

One other concern is their suggested weight limits. In my opinion, just about every manufacturer overrates the weight capacity of their machines, and that is also true with NordicTrack. Use common sense if you are over 300 lbs and considering buying a budget treadmill.

Often the decks are too thin to accommodate the weight, and the motors are not powerful enough. Also, if you are planning on running, consider spending in excess of $1,200. You want a motor that does not strain at higher speeds, and you want a deck that can withstand the harder impact.

NordicTrack Treadmill Reviews

Our Review

NordicTrack treadmills offer some of the best value in their price range. Their features and innovative technology like iFit Live are second to none. I would recommend caution when buying their machines in the sub $800 range. They are good values, but they have their limitations. They are primarily good for walking, and once again they tend to overstate the user weight limit.

There are some excellent values in the $1,000+ price range. In fact, I was talking to a competitor and he couldn't figure out how NordicTrack can sell their products at such low prices - it's all about volume.

I monitor their prices daily, so watch for my recommended "Bargain Buys." These are models that are below their typical selling price. Sometimes there are killer deals. NordicTrack changes prices almost daily.

Consumer Magazine Review

A prominent consumer magazine gave the NordicTrack S3000 one of their highest ratings. They rated it a "Very Good" for quality, and an "Excellent" for exercise range. They also rated the C2250 a "Best Buy" for a budget, walking treadmill. It is replace with the NordicTrack A2750 Pro.

Epinions.com

On this popular customer review site there were a number of reviews on. They averaged 4-5 stars out of five.

Runner's World

RW also gave a very favorable review to the S 3000. They said, "This machine is as sturdy as they come, receiving a perfect score from testers for the stability ranking." They also liked the 20" x 60" treadbelt, which made it a comfortable running treadmill.

ConsumerGuide NordicTrack Review

ConsumerGuide rated the C2200 a "Best Buy", which is replaced the by the NordicTrack A2550 Pro.

Below are our list of NordicTrack Treadmill Reviews. Prices listed below are as of 7/29/10 and most include free shipping...

NordicTrack A2350 Pro - $649

NordicTrack A2550 Pro - $779

NordicTrack A2750 Pro - $999 - Bargain Buy

NordicTrack Reflex 4500 - $1,099

NordicTrack Commercial 1500 - $1,299

NordicTrack X3 Incline Trainer - $1,399

NordicTrack Commercial 1750 - $1,499 - Best Buy

NordicTrack Elite 9500 Pro w/TV - $1,699

NordicTrack X7i Incline Trainer - $1,999

Also see NordicTrack Elliptical Trainer Reviews