NordicTrack X22i Treadmill Review: Is This the Best Commercial Incline Treadmill?

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Key Features:

• High performing 4.0 CHP commercial motor
• 22-inch smart HD touchscreen with optimized graphics and dual wifi connectivity
• Automatic incline and decline from 40 percent to -6 percent
• Responsive cushioned deck

At some point, we’ve all probably found ourselves out of breath while walking up a hill. That’s because walking at an incline can be challenging. In those uncomfortable moments, it’s hard to picture incorporating hills into your exercise routine, but if you don’t, you could be missing out. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) states that walking at an incline can burn more calories for weight loss and help reduce stress on your load-bearing joints.

The NordicTrack Commercial X22i has an incline and decline feature that simulates uphill and downhill movement. As your custom iFIT workout streams on the 22-inch HD touchscreen, you can walk, jog or run at an incline of up to 40 percent or a decline of negative six percent. It has a strong motor and a cushioned deck, as well as a bunch of other upgrades that help elevate your cardio workout experience.

This premium treadmill does come at a higher cost than other commercial treadmills, currently priced at $3,499, which had us asking, is it worth the expense? In this NordicTrack X22i review, we’ll give you a rundown of all the features and upgrades. We’ll also detail the specs and explore the pros and cons to help you decide if this NordicTrack treadmill model is right for you.

NordicTrack X22i Construction & Design

Each piece of the NordicTrack X22i’s reinforced steel frame is welded together to make it reliably strong. The frame is powder-coated, which offers protection against rust and corrosion, and while heavy, weighing 417 pounds, this machine is sturdy and durable. The full dimensions are 70 inches long, 39 inches wide and 72.5 inches tall. This is a pretty large footprint, and there’s no folding deck (like the NordicTrack 1750 treadmill) to help save space. If you need to move it, there are two front wheels, but given its weight, this could be challenging.

The motor is located under the deck at the base. Usually, the motor is located in the front, but the X22i has it at the rear to give you plenty of space to lengthen your stride. Additionally, this treadmill has a belt that’s 60 inches long and 22 inches wide, which leaves plenty of room for tall users with a bigger stride.

The running belt is thick and gently textured to help your shoes grip. It’s moved by larger-than-normal 2.5-inch rollers. Note that larger rollers can move more surface area of the belt at once, which equates to less noise and less friction wearing the belt down. The deck also has Reflexive Cushioning that subtly responds to each footstrike to lessen the impact on your joints while staying firm enough to generate power.

Under the deck, the hydraulic lift system works to raise the incline to 40 percent. If you want to train for downhill descent or want to add some variety, it can also decline to -6 percent.

NordicTrack X22i Technology

The NordicTrack X22i console has an Android 9 OS processing system that’s faster and more responsive than other models without it. It also comes equipped with dual 2.4 gigahertz and five gigahertz WiFi connectivity system. If your WiFi lacks range, the 2.4 gigahertz can help, or if it needs a boost in speed, the five gigahertz will give you higher performance. That way, your connection is likely to be more reliable during your training.

If you like to use treadmill apps, on-demand iFIT studio classes can be streamed directly onto the 22-inch screen. Workouts can be customized based on time constraints and other needs. Class types include hiking, running, walking, time crunch and strength programs you can follow off the treadmill. Each is led by an iFIT coach in a studio or scenic setting. If you want to explore without a personal trainer, the Google Maps feature allows you to create a workout anywhere in the world. There’s the option for hand-free speed and incline adjustments, or you can make changes as you see fit. There are also programs designed to help you meet a specific milestone or goal. This includes anything from running a marathon to walking around the world in 100 days.

An iFIT membership is not mandatory for using this machine. However, you’ll miss out on a lot of upgraded features that are included in the elevated price, so it’s best to factor in membership costs when making your decision. Plus, each treadmill includes a free 30-day trial to iFIT, and workouts can be followed on the iFIT app if you’re on the road. Here are all the subscription options:

• iFIT Individual monthly: $15 per month
• iFIT Individual yearly: $180 per year
• iFIT Family monthly: $39 per month
• iFIT Family yearly: $396 per year

The incline, decline and speed can be controlled from the quick OneTouch buttons next to the screen or adjusted automatically during an iFIT workout.

NordicTrack X22i Console & Controls

The X22i’s 22-inch screen has optimized HD graphics performance with added processor cooling, providing a high-quality visual display. The curved uprights put the console in an optimal position for viewing, so you can see it clearly at every grade, and it can be tilted if needed. (If 22 inches isn’t big enough for you, the NordicTrack X32i has an enormous 32-inch HD touchscreen.) Under the screen, there are dual AutoBreeze fans to keep you cool. On both sides, you’ll find three-inch digitally-amplified speakers that also have Bluetooth connectivity if you prefer to use bluetooth headphones.

On the right side, there are quick-touch buttons to control your speed from one to 12 miles per hour, and the left side has buttons to adjust your incline or decline range. If you just want to make a smaller adjustment, there are also quick touch buttons that make changes in increments of 0.10 underneath the speakers.

Two storage pockets behind the screen can hold most water bottles. There are also two extra spaces for storage on each side of the screen, but these are just big enough to fit your phone or other small accessories.

Working Out With the NordicTrack X22i

Push bar

At the base of the console, there is a push bar that can be used to mimic a weighted sled push. All you have to do is set the speed to one mile per hour and work to push the belt along with your feet while gripping the push bar. As you walk, your upper and lower body are engaged as you work to push the belt along.

Sled grips

The sled grips extend high enough for you to grip at a 40 percent incline, offering assistance and stability. They also offer an alternative grip during a sled push.

Incline & decline

Training at an incline and decline is beneficial for experienced athletes and beginners. A more seasoned runner can increase the difficulty of their cardio workout by adding incline. It also allows you to train for hiking uphill and downhill during the off-season. Another way to build stamina is to incorporate incline and decline into HIIT workouts. If you choose to subscribe, iFIT offers interval classes for beginners and advanced exercisers.

If your goal is to lose weight, but you’re dealing with joint pain, walking at an incline helps burn calories more efficiently. The ACSM states, “Treadmill incline walking can be used by novice exercisers if they cannot walk briskly or if joint pain is present. The initiation of a running program may include low to moderate incline (three percent to five percent grade) walking at slower speeds (two to 3.3 miles per hour) to boost calories burned and help with fat loss.”

NordicTrack X22i Durability

The reinforced steel frame has three support beams that connect to the side rails. There are four stabilizers to help keep the base sturdy during intense cardio workouts under user weights up to 300 pounds. The deck features a commercial tread belt, which has a thicker design to withstand frequent use.

The X22i has a 4.0 CHP (continuous horsepower) self-cooling motor. The industry standard for running and incline training is 3.0 CHP, and given the additional incline grade and sled push features, the more powerful motor is appropriate. It also has Quiet Drive Incline Technology, which helps minimize the sound during incline and decline.

NordicTrack X22i Delivery

Standard delivery is free if you don’t mind assembling the machine. The in-box weight is 417 pounds, so you’ll probably need some help moving it. Some of the parts are heavy, and it’s easier to put together if one person stabilizes each part as the other works to attach them. The delivery comes with all the tools needed for assembly.

NordicTrack also offers Room of Choice delivery and assembly for an additional $299, which may be a better option if you need the treadmill moved upstairs or don’t have any helping hands.

NordicTrack X22i Warranty

This treadmill comes with a 10-year frame warranty, a two-year parts warranty and a one-year labor warranty. If you’d like to extend your warranty, there are two options:

• Three-year extended warranty: This plan costs $419.99 and includes coverage for repairs done by professionally trained technicians. If your machine cannot be repaired, it will be replaced with an equivalent product for free.
• Three-year maintenance warranty: This plan costs $449.99 and includes repair coverage done by professionals, free replacements, power surge protection and no deductibles. NordicTrack will also do a 15-point inspection annually upon your request.

The Pros & Cons of the NordicTrack X22i

Pros

• Incline range up to 40 percent and decline down to -6 percent
• Console design optimizes screen visibility
• Dual WiFi connectivity and graphics processor make streaming fast and crisp
• Reflex cushioning for low impact
• Quiet Drive Incline technology
• Multiple quick touch buttons for easy adjustments

Cons

• Weight capacity of 300 pounds may be limiting
• Has a large footprint and can’t be folded
• No device storage
• Taller step-up height

What Customers Have to Say

The NordicTrack website doesn’t have any reviews, but on Amazon, there’s a mix of good and bad user reviews. The positive reviews state that they are happy with the X22i’s quality and mention it’s heavy-duty. One reviewer said, “Love the ability to incline to 40 percent or decline to -6 percent to help train for my ultramarathons!” Critical reviews mention that you need two people for assembly and trouble with the parts aligning correctly. One reviewer stated they had some issues with the iFIT software and, “There are no guides in the software that say what it's doing. It just has a pulsing logo.”

NordicTrack X22i vs NordicTrack Commercial 2450

The newest version of the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 treadmill has the same size screen as the NordicTrack X22i, but it does not have the graphics processor or dual WiFi connectivity capabilities. It’s currently priced at $2,799, which is less than the X22i, which costs $3,499. Unlike the X22i, the deck can be folded, but the frame sizes are relatively similar.

The belt on the 2450 is narrower by two inches, which may be noticeable for those with a more significant stride. It also has a 3.6 CHP motor, which is slightly less powerful than the 4.0 CHP motor on the X22i, but still equipped to handle speeds up to 12 miles per hour. Like the X22i incline treadmill, the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 can incline and decline, but it inclines to only 12 percent, compared to the 40 percent the X22i offers. The decline ranges to three percent, compared to six percent for the X22i, which is worth considering.

NordicTrack X22i vs NordicTrack EXP 7i

The NordicTrack EXP 7i costs $1,199, which is significantly less than the $3,499 price tag of the NordicTrack X22i. The EXP 7i is a great option for those looking for a more budget-friendly treadmill for their home gym. The seven-inch screen is smaller than the 22-inch screen on the X22i, but you still have iFIT streaming capabilities. The overall console is also smaller, but you don’t lose any of the quick touch buttons used to increase or decrease the speed and incline.

The EXP 7i’s maximum speed is 10 miles per hour—a six-minute mile—and the X22i’s maximum speed is 12 miles per hour, which may be something to consider if your primary use is running. The deck size is also smaller, but can be folded to free up some space.

NordicTrack X22i FAQs

What is the top speed on the NordicTrack X22i treadmill?

The top speed on the NordicTrack X22i treadmill is 12 miles per hour—a five-minute mile.

Can you move the NordicTrack X22i treadmill?

Yes, the rear bar under the running deck of the NordicTrack X22i can be used to tilt and maneuver the machine using the built-in wheels at the front.

Does the screen tilt on the NordicTrack X22i treadmill?

Yes, the screen on the NordicTrack X22i can be tilted to a comfortable position for your workout.

Final Thoughts: Is the NordicTrack X22i Worth the Premium Price?

There’s no denying that the NordicTrack X22i’s upgraded features make it one of the best treadmills for home gyms available, especially for those who prioritize incline training. The 22-inch screen, dual WiFI connectivity and powerful 4.0 CHP motor with 40 percent incline make the premium price worthwhile if you have the budget. If you plan on using the X22i regularly, you’ll capitalize on all the perks that come with an iFIT membership, and you may not even need a gym membership. That being said, an iFIT subscription is highly recommended if you plan on purchasing this machine, because without it, you won’t be able to reap all the benefits of the upgraded technology.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.