NordicTrack Commercial X22i Treadmill Review

Anyone looking for an intense treadmill workout should consider the NordicTrack Commercial X22i. In addition to a negative six percent decline, this state-of-the-art treadmill features an incline that goes up to a whopping 40 percent, more than you’ll find on just about any other treadmill. This is great for those who want a workout that will push them to the limits — especially those who like hiking in mountainous regions. The 22-inch touchscreen monitor is loaded with an endless number of trainer-led iFit workouts that offer automatic adjustments to speed and incline along with your instructor’s directions. 

To go along with the wide range of incline and decline options, the X22i also offers speeds up to 12 miles per hour. The monitor will track your stats for each cardio workout, so you can see how much you have progressed over time, and the integration of Google Maps™ means you can pick just about any region of the world to train virtually. Due to its size, though, it’s not the best bet for small home dwellers, and the steep price tag may make it a bit expensive for those on a budget. However, if you’re an avid hiker and want to turn things up a notch in your home gym, we think the advanced, high-tech features this treadmill has to offer are worth it in the long run. 

Main Takeaways

NordicTrack Commercial X22i Treadmill Video Review

Our Reviews Writer, Jake, tested the X22i firsthand in the BarBend Garage Gym. Follow along to his detailed video review as he breaks down everything there is to know about this popular incline treadmill, and decide for yourself if it’s a good fit for your training goals.

NordicTrack Commercial X22i Treadmill Highlights

• Price: $3,500
• Max Incline and Decline: 40 percent incline, -6 percent decline
• Max Speed: 12 mph
• Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
• Roller Size: 2.5 inches
• Dimensions: 72.5” H x 70” L x 39” W

With a starting price tag of $3,500, the NordicTrack Commercial X22i may not be in everyone’s budget. However, if you can make it work, there is plenty to like about it. For starters, it might have the most extensive range of decline and incline settings on the market. But don’t get it twisted — this treadmill isn’t just for walking on a steep incline. It also reaches a top speed of 12 miles per hour, allowing you to hit some sprints whenever you want.

The 300-pound weight capacity isn’t the weakest on the market, but considering the beefy build and how much it weighs, you could make the case that it should provide a higher capacity. The 2.5-inch rollers should easily handle all your walking needs and keep up with those who like to run. One thing to consider, though, is how massive this treadmill is. Standing over six feet tall, measuring about six feet long and just over three feet wide, you’ll need to ensure you have the proper space for it — especially since it doesn’t fold. 

Pros

• With a max decline of -6 percent and a max incline of 40 percent, you can easily mix in some hill work during your cardio sessions.
• The X22i has a top speed of 12 miles per hour, allowing you to work in some wind sprints.
• The reflex cushioning ensures the treadmill absorbs the right amount of shock based on your body weight.

Cons

• The X22i will dominate a lot of space in your home, and it doesn’t fold.
• With a starting price tag of $3,500, this treadmill may not align with your budget.
• There are no pulse sensors built into the handlebars.
• You must pay a monthly membership fee to iFit to get the most out of this treadmill.

Training With the NordicTrack Commercial X22i Treadmill

There was much to like about the X22i during our time with it. The max incline will cause your legs to start barking at you from the difficulty, and it’s a great way to crank up the intensity of walking workouts. Plus, you can channel your inner Sha’Carri Richardson by busting out some sprints, and strengthening your posterior chain is easy with the sled push mode. 

Max Speed and Incline Range

This treadmill offers a speed range of 0.5 to 12 miles per hour, which is pretty standard for a treadmill of its caliber. However, the max decline of -6 percent and max incline of 40 percent are far beyond standard. For reference, most treadmills on the market max out at a 15 percent incline. So, if you’re an avid hiker looking to mimic those days spent outdoors, the X22i is your best bet.

You must remember that with this high of an incline, you’d better make sure you have enough headroom during your workouts. For example, the ceilings in our garage are right around eight feet tall, and we barely had enough room between our heads and the ceiling. 

Sled Push

One of the most unique features of the X22i has to be the sled push mode. Now, there isn’t a special button or anything that you press to get to this workout. Instead, simply head over to the manual workout mode, adjust the speed to one mile per hour, and from there, you’ll move the belt faster or slower based on your leg drive.

This can be a grueling workout and a great way to strengthen your posterior chain.

Cushioning

Many people prefer to run on a treadmill rather than on pavement in order to avoid punishing their joints. So, you need to pay attention to the amount of cushion (or lack thereof) that a treadmill offers. 

While most treadmills offer the same cushion for all athletes, the X22i features reflex cushioning that responds to the amount of pressure generated. So, the amount of “give” it provides will be determined by the user’s weight. We were pleased with the overall cushioning and felt it effectively absorbed the shock from striking the belt.

Running Area

The running area on the X22i measures 60 inches long and 22 inches wide. This is pretty average, but we noticed that the hood takes away some of that space when the deck is flat. So, athletes over six feet tall may have difficulty getting their knees up when running, but as you increase the incline, you gain access to all of the belt. 

If you’re concerned about this but want the high incline levels, you might want to shell out some more money on the X32i, as the hood is positioned closer to the end of the treadmill.

iFit Membership

While it’s an extra cost, there are many benefits to having an iFit membership. First, the X22i was designed to be used in tandem with iFit. Not only will you experience automatic adjustments to your incline and speed during your trainer-led classes, but the tread is also integrated with Google Maps™. This allows you to pick any city in the world and map out your preferred course, and the treadmill will adjust based on the incline or decline of your route.

[Read More: The Best Biceps Exercises for a Muscle-Building Workout]

iFit isn’t limited to just cardio workouts, though. In fact, iFit’s catalog consists of over 16,000 live and on-demand classes. With this membership, you’ll gain access to over 16,000 workout classes ranging from cardio to strength training, pilates, cycling, and even yoga. So, if you want a trainer to lead you through a cardio workout and help sculpt your biceps with some dumbbells, iFit has you covered.

What to Consider Before Buying the NordicTrack Commercial X22i Treadmill

Like all fitness equipment, there are some crucial aspects about the X22i that you must consider before purchasing. Money is always at the front of our minds, and we imagine it is for you as well. We also suggest factoring in the overall size of this beast and whether or not you want virtual coaching.

Price and iFit Membership

Due to its luxurious presence, the X22i is anything but cheap, with a starting price tag of $3,500. We say starting because there are multiple add-ons, such as committing to one of the three yearly iFit plans, an extended warranty, an extended maintenance plan, and whether or not you want white glove assembly. 

Starting with the iFit membership, you can always pay $40 a month or save some money long-term with one of the three yearly plans. The one-year plan is about $400 and will save you roughly $70 over one year. The two-year plan is about $700 and will save you around $240; the three-year plan is around $900 and will save you about $500.

The three-year extended warranty is about $420, the three-year maintenance plan is $450, and the white glove assembly costs about $300. In total, you could spend around $5,000 on this treadmill, but you can always finance this purchase and pay it off over the course of 39 months.

Now, whether or not you value an iFit membership is subjective. However, it’s important to remember the X22i was designed to be used in tandem with iFit due to the automatic adjustments and 22-inch touchscreen monitor. While you can always just utilize the manual mode, we think you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t join the iFit community, especially since there are countless additional classes separate from cardio. 

Dimensions and Weight

Similar to mapping out your space for a power rack, you must prepare for how large the X22i is. It stands just over six feet tall, just under six feet long, and a tick over three feet wide. It’s also worth remembering that you cannot fold the deck on this treadmill to create more space. 

While it does have wheels that allow you to move it around, it still weighs 417 pounds. So, if you don’t have the proper space and are not prepared to deadlift that much weight to move it, we suggest you target a smaller, lighter option that can fold.

Motor and Roller Size

The NordicTrack Commercial X22i Treadmill features a 4.0 CHP motor. Since the strongest treadmill motors are 5.0 CHP, this should be plenty strong for most athletes. The 2.5-inch rollers are also solid for all types of treadmill workouts. For those unaware, treadmill rollers are responsible for keeping the belt moving; the smaller they are, the harder they work. 

So, if you’re a sprinter, targeting a treadmill with 1.5-inch rollers won’t make much sense, as you’ll have to provide more upkeep to prevent them from overheating. However, 2.5-inch rollers like the ones found here can easily handle all of your cardio efforts. 

NordicTrack Commercial X22i Vs. The Competition

Before committing to any purchase, it’s always a good idea to check out other options on the market, especially with an expensive treadmill. We decided to take care of that for you by comparing the X22i to some of our other favorite treadmills.

	NordicTrack Commercial X22i	NordicTrack Commercial 1750	Sole F80	Horizon T101
Price	$3,500	$2,500	$1,900	$1,000
Max Incline	40 percent	12 percent	15 percent	10 percent
Max Speed	12 mph	12 mph	12 mph	10mph
Folding Deck?	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Roller Size	2.5 inches	1.9 inches	2.36 inches	1.8 inches

The X22i is a bit of an outlier compared to these other treadmills. It’s no secret that it’s the most expensive, but it also has the highest incline and biggest rollers, while still offering the same top speed as the 1750 and F80. So, in all honesty, it’s likely the best option for anyone who wants a highly versatile treadmill that can handle all types of cardio workouts. 

However, that price tag may only be doable for some. If that’s the case for you, you should probably target the Horizon T101. It’s by far the cheapest option on this chart, but it still has some great features, which is why we consider it the best-value treadmill on the market. 

The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is one of the most versatile treads on the market, as it also offers automatic adjustments, but it doesn’t offer as steep of an incline as the Sole F80, the rollers are smaller, and it’s about $600. So if you’re searching for a jack-of-all-trades treadmill without putting a huge dent in your funds, you might’ve found your match.

We’re big on all of these treadmills and don’t think you can necessarily go wrong with any of them, but we’re also aware that everyone has different needs. So we suggest just doing your homework to find the best possible solution for your cardio workouts.

Places to Buy

You can buy the NordicTrack Commercial X22i directly from NordicTrack.

Warranties

NordicTrack tosses in a 10-year warranty on the frame of the X22i, two years on parts, and one year on labor.

Company Information

NordicTrack is known for its personal training at home. Not only does it make high-quality treadmills, but it also makes bikes, rowers, and ellipticals. They offer a 30-day trial period; if you’re unsatisfied after a month of use, you’ll receive a full refund. You can reach their customer support by calling 1-888-308-9616.

In Conclusion

The NordicTrack Commercial X22i Treadmill may be the most luxurious treadmill on the market. You can spend hours browsing through the available workout classes, series, and challenges iFit offers on the 22-inch touchscreen monitor. It adjusts from a -6 percent decline to a 40 percent incline and has a top speed of 12 miles per hour; plus, those variables can automatically adjust during your trainer-led workouts.

The surface area of the tread is large enough to accommodate users of all sizes and provides a solid amount of cushion to soften the blow on your joints. Even though it’s pretty massive and features a lofty price tag, we still think the luxury features of the X22i make it one of the best treadmills on the market. And if you have the budget and space, it could make for a solid addition to your home gym. 

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