NordicTrack’s Best Treadmill Changed How I Work Out—and It's on Sale

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I never used to think of myself as a treadmill person. I live in Colorado, after all; people move here for the abundant hikes, trail running, and outdoor activities—not to mention the roughly 300 days of sunshine each year. Why would I waste my time doing cardio indoors when I have access to nature’s playground? But NordicTrack 2450 changed my whole perspective on indoor workouts as the best treadmill for home use.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a firm believer in getting outside as much as possible for a multitude of reasons. But sometimes, circumstances call for a treadmill workout, and the NordicTrack 2450 treadmill helped me discover enjoyment and purpose in my home workouts. It keeps me engaged and coming back for more.

For a smaller space or more casual use, the NordicTrack T Series Treadmill is another good, more affordable option, with the NordicTrack T 6.5 S Treadmill clocking in at $800. Keep reading to learn why a NordicTrack treadmill is the best treadmill for home use if you’re looking to add cardio machines to your home gym this year.

Why You Should Trust Me

Aside from being a holistic health coach, I’m a fitness enthusiast who’s tested an exhaustive amount of equipment over the last 20 years. While I’ve dabbled in many athletic pursuits, I’ve logged the most hours on cardio equipment. Primarily, I run short distances and hike for my cardio and mental health, so I enlisted my husband, a multi-marathoner who ran his first ultramarathon this past summer, to test the NordicTrack 2450 for endurance workouts while I reviewed its potential for walking, hiking, and speed work.

Moreover, to get an expert’s take on what to look for in a treadmill, I tapped Evan Schwartz, a former competitive distance runner and a 2020 US Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier, with a 2:18 personal best in the marathon. Schwartz currently serves as the head coach of The Track Club, a Boulder, CO-based competitive running team.

Related: 50 Best Leg Exercises of 2023

What We Look for in the Best Treadmill for Home Gyms

When shopping for the best treadmill for a home gym, Schwartz says it’s important to start with your intended purpose and work back from there. For example, are you going to be using the treadmill as part of a training regime for a race, or is it just for recreational use? Are you planning on using it just during the darker, colder months to avoid harsh conditions, or all year round? 

“Identifying the main purpose you’ll be using it for will help you continue to use it once you have it, instead of turning it into an expensive clothes rack!” Schwartz says. There are a few specific features you’ll want to keep in mind, depending on your needs.

Speed & Incline

You’ll want to consider the max speed and incline for any treadmill you’re considering purchasing to make sure it meets your needs. If you’re just starting out, you might be okay with a max incline of 10 miles per hour (mph), which is a common range for a mid-level treadmill, but you have to consider if you’ll have to replace the machine as you get more advanced. A treadmill that can reach a max speed of 12 to 15 mph is key for longevity.

Inclines on treadmills can reach up to 15 percent, which Schwartz says is only really necessary if you’re training for a hilly marathon or trail race. Making sure your treadmill can reach at least 10 percent incline is useful for anyone who enjoys uphill walking. Most treadmills don’t feature decline, but that can be another important factor if you’re training for either a race or want to engage different muscles in your legs during a workout.

Price Point

There’s a wide range of prices for home treadmills, and the cost is usually directly correlated to the number of features included. Budget treadmills under $500 will have extremely limited features and durability. Mid-range treadmills range from $500 to $1,000 and should have better construction, stronger motors, and a few interactive elements. 

High-end treadmills, which are anything over $1,000, typically have advanced features like larger screens, a more durable construction that reduces movement when you run, and pre-programmed workouts. Ultimately, you have to consider both your needs and your budget when looking at the best treadmill for home use.

Size

It should go without saying you need to measure your space and compare it against treadmill models to make sure it’ll fit. Standard sizes among the best treadmills for home gyms can vary, but most are approximately:

• Length: 65 to 75 inches
• Width: 25 to 35 inches
• Height: 55 to 60 inches

These dimensions can vary based on the model and intended use. For example, treadmills specifically designed for running tend to be longer to accommodate a longer stride, while compact models might be shorter. Make sure to account for a little bit of bounce in your stride when measuring the height of your space, as you don’t want to risk bumping your head on the ceiling!

Additional Features

There’s a huge array of additional features a treadmill may offer that could be useful to you, depending on how you like to run indoors. Typically a higher-end treadmill will include more of these types of features, such as the ability to decline, a high-resolution display, an embedded fan, and bluetooth capability.

Shwartz says that having a fan is an especially useful feature. 

“When we run indoors, it’s super important to make sure you have air circulation from a fan to ensure you don’t overheat,” he says. “If you’re running in place on the treadmill belt and the body heat you’re generating has nowhere to go, it’s going to make things a whole lot more difficult compared to simulating the natural cooling effect of running through the air outside.”

Testing Process

I tested the NordicTrack 2450 through a variety of manual walks and runs, as well as trainer-led workouts through the iFit app. On average, I used the machine five days a week for a month for about 45 minutes per session. My husband completed five endurance runs ranging from 10 to 20 miles.

I also tested the 2450 as a makeshift standing desk. I purchased the affordable AEROW Treadmill Desk Attachment to do light work, like answering emails, on my laptop while walking at a slow pace and 1 percent incline for an hour at a time. While it may not be the primary purpose of the NordicTrack 2450, I found it to be a great way to stay active throughout the day and get my step count up.

Overall Impressions

It’s Sizable but Not a Deal-Breaker

Because I set up the NordicTrack 2450 in my basement, its size wasn’t an issue, but note that this isn’t a small tread by any means at 78.5” L x 35.6” W x 65” H, so if you’re simply sticking the tread in your office or spare bedroom, note it’s going to eat up some real estate. That said, you can stow it vertically when not in use. For comparison sake, here’s how some of the other best treadmills for home gyms measure up:

• Peloton Tread: 68″ L x 33″ W x 62″ H
• Peloto Tread+: 75” L x 36.5” W x 72” H
• NordicTrack 1750: 80” L x 38” W x 65” H

Rotating Touchscreen Is Cinematic and Intuitive

The 22-inch display on the NordicTrack 2450 is what stood out to me, even as a casual user. Used in tandem with iFit, it’s a game-changer for staying motivated to work out longer. 

While some cardio equipment is limited to live and pre-recorded studio workouts, NordicTrack sends its ambassadors with a film crew to shoot destination runs, walks, and hikes. I did a lot of hikes in stunning locations like Montana and Chile, and the combination of the life-like display through the scenery and the machine’s automatic adjustment of speed and incline made me feel much more present and engaged in the workout. 

Best of all, NordicTrack’s integration with Google Maps let’s you create a bespoke workout—ideal when training for a specific race or route. These are huge selling points for both people who find running on a treadmill boring and more advanced runners who have marathons on deck.

I also love that you can pivot the screen to do floor exercises, strength workouts, and yoga. That’s a benefit over the Peloton Tread’s screen, which is the same in functionality as the Peloton Bike+, only it doesn’t rotate 180 degrees. The only downside is you can’t fold NordicTrack 2450 up to utilize floor space during workouts, as the deck completely eclipses the screen. You’ll need to have enough space off to either side or train behind the tread and rely on audio cues only.

Audio Is Customizable

I used the treadmill both with and without music, and found the audio quality impressive. I like the ability to adjust the relative volume of the music, trainer, and overall machine volume to my specific liking. While you can’t connect your own music to the tread, it gives you a variety of stations to choose from. However, I sometimes found myself turning the machine volume down completely and using my phone and headphones to listen to a podcast or music of my choosing.

Competitive Price, Design, and Performance Among Mid- and High-End Treads

From a design perspective, NordicTrack 1750 (MSRP $2,499), NordicTrack 2450 (MSRP $2,999), and both Peloton Tread (MSRP from $2,999) and Peloton Tread+ (MSRP from $5,995) have a Z-shaped frame that’s modern and visually striking. 

If you’re deciding between the NordicTrack 1750 and 2450, they’re both built on a hydraulic-powered foundation that lifts the belt to fold and stowaway. The 1750 motor is slightly less powerful and the overall tread is lighter, due to the weight of the larger console on the 2450. 

Something to keep in mind when shopping for the best treadmill for home use is weight limit. All the above treadmills have a weight capacity of 300 pounds, but as far as the machines’ overall weight, they can be beastly, so consider opting for white glove service for delivery and really be sure what floor the tread will live on since you’ll realistically only be able to roll it into adjoining rooms: 

• Peloton Tread: 290 pounds
• NordicTrack 1750: 310 pounds
• NordicTrack 2450: 353 pounds
• Peloton Tread+: 455 pounds

The Belt Can Decline to -3

NordicTrack 2450 declines to -3, a rare function for home treadmills, which made the running and hiking routes through hilly terrain even more realistic. My husband said he would be able to use the machine to complement his training for trail races, which is a big motivator to keep him going through the winter months and prep for spring races.

You Can Do More Than Just Running Workouts

I took a variety of strength and yoga classes through the iFit platform (30-day trial included, then $39/month after that; Peloton’s All-Access Membership costs $44/month), and was surprised by how often I found myself turning back to the floor workouts. 

It was convenient having all my training needs met through one platform, and the visuals and sound were as clear and crisp as when I used to stream workout programs through my TV. I did individual workout classes, plus followed a series, and found them both to be well-designed and easy to follow. 

The Ride Is Smooth and Cushioned

The walking, jogging, and running experiences on NordicTrack 2450 all felt smooth and seamless. The cushioning and shock absorption are excellent, perfect for runners who want less impact on their joints. NordicTrack 2450 features a seamless 20″ x 60″ belt, similar to the textured belt on the Peloton Tread. 

The Peloton Tread+ utilizes a rubberized slat belt with 59 individual slats (similar to Woodway treadmills) that move on ball bearings, giving you 67 inches of running space. This is the most high-end option on treadmills and most closely mimics the natural experience of running, but it doesn’t feel like you’re compromising by opting for the NordicTrack’s belt.

The Tread Auto-Adjusts Speed and Incline 

When doing trainer-led runs, the machine switches speed and incline automatically, thanks to NordicTrack’s AutoAdjust technology. 

“This means no more fumbling for a button or arrow to adjust your intensity one by one, so this is a great bonus feature that really eases quality of life while running,” says Schwartz.

That said, you can adjust the speed and incline using the quick-touch buttons on either side of the display, as well as with + or – buttons on the console just under the fan. 

It’s only overshadowed by Peloton’s intuitive handrail-mounted control knobs, which you can dial to make adjustments in a flash. 

Connection Can Be Spotty

The only gripe I have with NordicTrack 2450 is the display sometimes takes a few extra seconds to start up during testing, especially when running an iFit program with visuals. This might be a problem with my WiFi connectivity, so make sure you have strong internet in whatever area the treadmill is located.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

If you’re a serious runner, hiker, or just want a top-of-the-line piece of equipment for your home gym, you really can’t go wrong with NordicTrack 2450. Its solid feel, large display, and wide range of incline, decline, and speed options will keep every type of runner happy and motivated. While it’s on the slightly bigger side, it still fits in most home gym spaces.

If you have a smaller space or don’t plan on using the treadmill very often, you might want to opt for the smaller, foldable NordicTrack T 6.5 treadmill. It isn’t as advanced as the 2450, with a less powerful motor, smaller incline range, and a much simpler console, but can be ideal for casual runners or a tight space for a lower price point and smaller footprint (54” high and 73.5” long). The T 6.5 is also iFit compatible, so you can still enjoy trainer-led workouts, just without the large, life-like visual display. 

The question that remains is: Are you going to convert your garage, office, or basement?

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