Nordic Track Treadmill - Is it a Good Buy For You?
Thinking about buying a Nordic Track treadmill?
While there are over 30 different treadmill brands on the market today, Nordic Track is one of the most popular and well known. They offer a number of treadmills from starter units up to commercial grade models.
NordicTrack originally started out with the highly popular ski machine over 20 years ago.
A few years after this, the brand was taken over by ICON Health and Fitness - one of the largest fitness equipment manufacturers in the world. ICON owns several other brands like Proform, Reebok and Freemotion, each with it's own strengths and weaknesses.
Nordic Track tread mills tend to be higher end than some other ICON brands with lots of fitness goodies and the latest workout toys.
For example if you're looking for flat screen TVs, iPod ports to play your music, console speakers, accurate calorie counters, workout fans, adjustable cushioning, touch-screen consoles and wireless heart rate monitors, you can find it on a Nordictrac.
Some of their treadmills even come with iFit card readers. iFit cards have 8 weeks of personal trainer designed workouts on them and you just slip them into your treadmill console. The treadmill remembers where you left off and starts the next workout.
NordicTrack teamed up with Jillian Michael's of 'The Biggest Loser' fame to make specialized iFit workout cards. You can actually get get Jillian's voice coaching you through your workout.
So you can find a lot of entertaining options one these treadmills.
But what about the rest?
Do you get the basics of a good treadmill - strong motor, quality cushioning, strong deck, etc.?
Nordic Track has actually improved a lot over the years in the quality of construction. For example, older models used to only have a 3-2-1 warranty where the motor was covered for only 2 years. However most new models now carry a lifetime motor warranty - which is a huge improvement. Their belt sizes have increased along with motor powers.
Nordic Track also introduced several improved cushioning systems as well. You can find many treadmills with cushioning that reduces impact by up to 33% (as compared to road running) which gives you a lot of added protection for your joints.
And if you're really concerned about protecting your body from impact, they have a line of treadmills with Reflex Deck cushioning. This is a specialized cushioning system that reduces impact by up to 40% as compared to road running. The deck actually returns energy to your stride and is extra strong (it's made of the same material used to build professional snowboards).
Then there are the Nordic Track incline trainers - a hybrid treadmill-stairclimber that gives you inclines of up to 40% (most treadmills give you 10-15%).
High incline walking can burn up to 5 times the calories as flat surface walking (which explains why the Bowflex Treadclimber is so popular). Unlike the Treadclimber however, there is only one walking deck so the incline trainer can do double duty as both an incline trainer and a treadmill.
So overall Nordic Track treadmills offer some of the most modern fitness options and technology on the market. This isn't surprising - if anyone has the resources to build a better treadmill for less, it's ICON. There are some things to be aware of however before you buy.
If you're looking at a NordicTrac, obviously the higher end treadmills give you more in terms of stability, stronger decks, motor powers and advanced consoles. Any treadmill under $1000 is not going to give you a commercial health club feel or hold up as well over the long run. Runners especially may want to spend a bit more and go for a mid-priced or higher end unit.
And if you are looking for a $2000+ commercial treadmill, Nordic Track is not the strongest brand in this field. There are brands out there like Precor or Lifefitness that are probably better suited to building a commercial grade treadmill.
All in all however, if you're looking for an affordable home treadmill with lots of entertainment options backed by a company that will be around for the long term, a Nordic Track treadmill may be worth checking out.
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