NordicTrack T7.0 Treadmill Review

treadmill Doctor Note :

Another so-so treadmill from NordicTrack. If you pony up extra for one of the C900 models, you really won't regret it.

MSRP:

$899

Walking Area:

8.2

Power:

6.5

Cushioning:

6.8

Reliability:

5.8

Noise Level:

5.9

Quality:

5.8

Value:

5.8

Warranty:

4.5

Overall Rating: 6.06

Votes in favor of the treadmill...

A reasonably good motor nicely supporting the tread belt

At 2.75 HP the motor stands up to scrutiny in the sub $1,000 category. It can rev up speeds of 12 mph that should reassure casual runners. But serious running and high intensity routines are ruled out as the motor drive combination can't handle the extra load. If treadmilling is confined to walking the noise levels and the stress to the machine are tolerable.

Great walking area and good incline variation

The walking area of 20" x 58" benefits all categories of walkers, and with inclines topping 12% walkers can add reasonable variety to their daily routine.

Cushioning does a good job considering the lower pricing

The Dualflex cushioning protects muscles and joints from undue strain and is better suited to walking than extreme running. But it must be said in favor of the T7 that this level of cushioning quality can be observed in some higher models priced at $1,000 and above.

Folding feature economizes space

With dimensions of 72" L x 34" W x 58" H this is not a miniature machine. So, being a folding treadmill is a definite plus point for users inhabiting smaller homes and apartments but it is never a "small" treadmill.

Negative points...

Is it meaningful looking for "best treadmills" in the sub $1,000 price range?

Finding value in treadmills like "finding Nemo" is possible, but rendered difficult in the sub $1,000 segment. It's not easy to zero in on " the best treadmill" in this category as companies make too many sacrifices to price machines this low. The NordicTrack C 900 priced at $899 is marginally superior to the T7.

Warranty cover is low end and low profile

The warranty on the NordicTrack T7.0 is 1 year on labor; parts are covered for 2 years, and the motor and frame have lifetime coverage. Unfortunately, this is symptomatic of the malaise affecting products under $1,000 - the parts are cheaper and wear out faster, and this dilutes the warranties.

User Capacity is not as claimed

When the unit weight is barely 185 pounds, taking on user weight of 350 pounds is unthinkable. Heavy users will increase turnover of parts and incur higher maintenance costs.

The final analysis

If you assess the treadmill purely on the basis of a good motor, a nice walking area, comfortable cushioning and reasonable component quality, then the NordicTrack T7.0 makes all that available at an affordable price tag. Don't expect it to perform miracles and be thankful for what you have, but be prepared for problems the day you call customer care. Don't say we didn't warn you.

The T7.0 is not a bad effort but it is not a great effort either.

General Information

These products are produced by Icon Health and Fitness. They are the largest retail fitness company. This well-known brand name is heavy on features and their newer units are holding up quite well in the home if you don?t count some of the glitch prone features. The treadmills are beautifully packaged machines and look great in your home. NordicTrack is quickly becoming known for making a solid quality machine at a bargain price and they are selling more units that anyone else in their respective price range.

Quality / Philosophy

NordicTrack is produced by Icon, a company with thousands of employees and large resources. The NordicTrack models are near the top of the quality scale in the Icon line. Put simply, their machines have the best design in the business. Icon has a long, storied history that provides an example of how the big keep getting bigger. Icon used to be the mass-market darling because of their cheap prices but they used to have quality to match. These days they put quality into the machines and pack them with features. Icon also has the worst customer service in the business but we rate the machines by the individual machine quality, not the quality of their service.

Outlook

Icon is the largest fitness equipment producer in the world with over $1 billion in sales. If the fitness industry were a solar system, Icon is so powerful that they would be the Sun. In terms of stability they are the best, but overall their customer service isn?t up to the standards of any of the lower volume producers. They promised an improvement in service but the results were more of the same. Although you get a value price for the product, you also get value service so keep this in mind when buying their machines- apparently they price their machines so low in comparison to other companies that they don?t have money left for service. Due to the sheer number of units they produce, we pick up support in many cases where this factory leaves off.