NordicTrack A2550 Pro Treadmill Review

  Treadmill Articles

Run the Boston Marathon or the Great Wall of China

New for 2010, the NordicTrack A2550 Pro treadmill has many of the features of earlier best sellers, however this model is equipped with the new iFit Live. The previous version of iFit allowed individuals to purchase workout cards that could be inserted into their treadmill.

These cards offered progressive workout programs that were designed by certified personal trainers. The cards controlled the speed and incline of the treadmill and provide motivational audio coaching.

Note: As of 11/18/09 the NordicTrack A2550 Pro was selling for $799, with shipping. A good value. Go to NordicTrackTreadmills.com for the latest price.

NordicTrack has been known for offering some of the most innovative treadmills at a valued price. With the 2010 NordicTrack A2550 Pro they've taken the iFit technology and took it to a whole new level of sophistication. When you first sign-up you will go to iFit.com and fill out your profile, set up your goals and pick your personal trainer.  For example you can define how much weight you want to lose and how fast your want to lose it.

You plug the WiFi module into your treadmill and it will link up with your account on iFit.com.  It will download customized workout just for you. The workout you get the next day will depend on your progress from the day before.  It is totally dynamic and customizable unlike the set routines on the old iFit cards.

Run with Google Maps

The customized feature is pretty impressive, but check this out. You can plug-in a trail or road that is on Google Maps and it will simulate the terrain.  For example, you could follow the same route as the Boston Marathon or run the Great Wall China and your treadmill will simulate the inclines.

I'm still getting the details on the Google Maps feature. It may require plugging in your laptop like the photo above. You can also use your smart phone.

With iFit Live you can watch your progress three ways.

• Street View
• Map View
• Satellite View

With the map view and satellite view their is a running avatar that shows your progress. The NordicTrack A2550 Pro has a place on the  console to place your laptop or smart phone.

One last killer app is the ability to compete with your friends. You can do a race on your treadmill with your friends in real time. iFit Live will track and display the competitors on Google Maps. Whew!

There will be an additional cost for this feature. What do you expect? What that cost is, is to be determined. I just got off the phone with one of the managers at NordicTrack and he is suppose to provide me with a coupon that will get you the module for free and you just have to pay a monthly fee. If they get it to me tonight, I will have it in place Saturday morning. So sit tight.

Note: I'm told that iFit Live is suppose to go live on December 1st at the latest.

NordicTrack A2550 Pro Treadmill Features...

Other than the iFit Live, the A2550 Pro has many of the features found on some of their most popular models. Being a subsidiary of the largest fitness equipment company in the world, NordicTrack does a good job of offering more for less. Overall, the A2550 Pro is a high-end budget treadmill that is ideal for walkers and average weight joggers - individuals running at a moderate speed. The features include...

2.5 Continuous Duty HP Motor - Continuous duty is the rating of a motor that it can run at without straining. That is in comparison to peak performance horsepower. This motor will once again handle walkers and light joggers without straining.

20" x 55" Treadbelt - This is the length of the belt, not necessarily the walking area. It will handle average height individuals. Taller users may want to consider the NordicTrack A2750 Pro with the 60" belt.

16 Workout Programs - If you decide not to opt for the iFit Live you still have your choice of 16 pre-installed workout programs. They focus on goals like aerobic, weight loss or performance.

The other features on the A2550 Pro are standard on many NordicTrack treadmills. They include built in speakers and fans. Both big hits with their customers. This is a folding treadmill, and with the hydraulics, it is rather easy to raise and lower.

A note on the user weight limit. Generally, NordicTrack is excessive in their rating and I would put it at around 240 lbs. and not 325 lbs.

Our Review - NordicTrack A2550 Pro

When priced aggressively, the NordicTrack A2550 Pro is a good value without iFit Live. What is an aggressive price? I would say $799, and at that price range you need to realize this is not a heavy duty machine. However the earlier versions of this model have had a decent service track record.

Now when you add the iFit Live feature you have one of the most intriguing exercise machines on the market. This could be the solution to the boredom of running in place. I suspect the treadmills and incline trainers that are equipped with iFit Live are going to be huge sellers.

I was told that the NordicTrack A2550 Pro is already outselling the 2009 model at a ten to one ratio.

To learn more go to NordicTrackTreadmills.com.