NordicTrack EXP 14i Treadmill Review 2023

In-depth Review of NordicTrack EXP 14i Treadmill

iFit

Our team loves using iFit. The fitness subscription platform has literally thousands of classes led by world-class instructors and the library is added to regularly. I’m constantly impressed with their outdoor classes. They film in locations all over the world. The trainer guides you through scenic locations and the camera pans to show the surrounding landscape.

The graphics are clear on the screen to highlight the nice film quality.

Their indoor classes are filmed in professional studios and are of high quality too. I wish music was incorporated into the classes rather than a background component, but with the wide range of stations they offer, you’re sure to find the music you like.

On top of getting guidance and exploring areas around the globe with top-notch trainers, iFit also has some tech features that we appreciate. Their AutoAdjust technology lets you follow along with the instructor throughout the class. So, when they give the cue to incline or are moving over a landscape that’s uphill, the treadmill will adjust to that grade. This makes it so you don’t have to worry about changing the levels yourself, you can simply focus on your workout.

You can bypass this and manually adjust the treadmill whenever you need to, too. This makes the NordicTrack EXP 14i treadmill very interactive just like the other iFit machines that we’ve tested.

We are a little disappointed that the SmartBeat Forearm heart rate monitor is sold separately, however, this is also the case with other NordicTrack treadmills, as well as some treadmills from other brands. The ActivePulse heart rate training feature is designed to keep your heart rate at a certain level by adjusting the treadmill to match that intensity. Heart rate training is an effective tool to help avoid overtraining and add variety to your workouts. We wish that the monitor was included with the NordicTrack EXP 14i Treadmill.

In addition to classes on the treadmill, you can take cycling, rowing, strength, yoga, meditation, and more with iFit.

OnBoard Workouts

We are often asked if a treadmill that comes with subscription programming has any workouts for free. On the EXP 14i, there is a free version of iFit with workouts available to take without a monthly fee. Included in these workouts are a couple of iFit’s trainer-led classes, onboard workouts with preselected speeds and inclines, as well as manual mode to do your own thing. You do not need a subscription to iFit to use the EXP 14i. Manual mode is also available to use in iFit.

Console

A big aspect of the console is the 14” touch screen on the NordicTrack EXP 14i. The screen fits into a large, square piece that’s fixed to the console. The screen tilts up and down slightly, but other than that, it doesn’t adjust much. This size screen is large enough without being excessive. It’s also small enough to not weigh down the console and be prone to excessive shaking.

You can see everything clearly on the screen. Navigating iFit and the onboard workouts is also easy, plus you can adjust the incline, speed, fan, and speakers on the screen whenever you need to.

This size screen doesn’t feel inhibiting or hard to see like the EXP 7i.

I have to say that I really like this layout. All of the adjustment buttons are on the same piece as the screen. NordicTrack has some of the easiest-to-use treadmills because of their console layouts. Starting with the numbered buttons on either side of the screen, these are the quick-touch adjustment buttons. When you press 10 on the right and 4 on the left the treadmill will adjust to 10 mph and 4% incline. Also, with the speed buttons, if you press two back-to-back, the treadmill adjusts to the specific increment like 5.6 mph.

Of course, the mph and % grade buttons below these are easy to use for getting to specific increments, too. You can also adjust the speakers and fan just below the screen.

The fan is minimal but impressive.

It has multiple settings for the airflow. The air does just point in one direction, but it hits my neck and face. I’m 5’1”. It hits our tallest user who is 6’5” at his chest. Below the fan are the speakers. They are clear, front-facing, and go plenty loud. On the screen, you can control the volume as well as balance the trainer’s voice or music to hear one or the other.

While there’s a minimum amount of storage on the screen, there’s enough to hold your water and phone, as well as a smaller item like headphone earbuds within reach on the console. There are 2 cupholders and a small shelf below the screen. The cup holders are very similar to the Commercial Series treadmills from NordicTrack. They hold my water bottle or phone steady.

Plus, the device rack below the screen is really convenient for streaming content from your phone or tablet.

Keep in mind that a larger tablet might block the screen some, but we like to see this included so you have the choice to watch whatever you want when using the EXP 14i.

Construction Quality / Durability

The construction has been updated with a new design from the previous model. It is sleek, streamlined, and easy to use. It does have some things that make it better for certain users, that I’ll dive into.

Starting with the weight limit, the EXP 14i handles up to 300 lbs. This is standard on NordicTrack Treadmills. For a lower-end model, this is a nice limit. For a higher limit, we recommend the Sole F80 or Horizon 7.4 AT, or 7.8 AT. Keep in mind that these treadmills aren’t as compact as the EXP 14i.

Frame

Not only does the design look like the Commercial Series lineup, but the frame is similar.

It is steel and supports the deck. It also connects to 2 steel uprights to hold the console steady. The frame is solid and the EXP 14i is pretty sturdy to use. It doesn’t shake at all really and it is steady overall.

The handles and console are all well within reach. The compact size of the EXP 14i makes the side handles feel a little closer than on other larger treadmills. The side handles are coated in a textured plastic so they don’t feel slippery and they’re easy to clean. Plus, I love that the front handle is one continuous piece so you can grip it just about anywhere when you need to. It’s slim enough for me to wrap my hands around, too.

Motor

The NordicTrack EXP 14i Treadmill now comes with a 3.0 CHP motor. This is usually the smallest-sized motor that we recommend for running. When testing the EXP 14i, it performed really well.

The motor was also pretty quiet, quick, and consistent when adjusting – everything you could want in a treadmill motor.

The EXP 14i goes up to 12 mph and has a 12% incline. It no longer declines like the previous model. The incline is also a little louder than comparable models. When the deck is adjusting the grade, the incline function can be heard over the general noise from the motor moving the belt, as well as your feet running on the deck. As far as training capabilities, the EXP 14i offers a nice amount and the motor performs pretty well. We recommend it for moderate use. If you are planning on using a treadmill to train for a long-distance race or if you have multiple people in your household who intend to use the treadmill, I’d get one with a larger motor though, like the NordicTrack 1750 or Sole F80.

Treadmill Deck

A big aspect as to why we consider the EXP 14i to be a compact treadmill is the deck size.

For running, we like to see 60” long decks because they provide enough room for most running strides. The EXP 14i has a 20” wide and 55” long deck. Users with long-running strides might not have enough room to run. Our tallest reviewer Matt, who is 6’5”, doesn’t have a very long stride length but he is only able to jog on the deck, while myself and our other shorter users can run. I have a pretty short stride length and am only 5’1”. Most users should be able to walk and jog.

One of my favorite aspects of NordicTrack’s Treadmills is the cushioning.

This is the shock absorption that the deck provides with each walking or running stride you take. For comparison, the concrete outside doesn’t offer any cushioning or shock absorption. Running is a high-impact activity that can put a lot of stress on the joints, so if you have joint discomfort or just prefer running on a more forgiving surface, I’d check out a NordicTrack Treadmill. While the EXP 14i doesn’t have as soft cushioning as higher-end models from the brand like the Commercial Series or the Incline Trainers. For a lower-end model though, it has more cushioning than others.

It also has a pretty low step-up height of 10”. This is measured from the floor to the top of the side rails when the deck is at a 0% grade. This makes the EXP 14i easy to step on and off, and it makes it more suitable for lower ceilings than treadmills with taller decks.

Performance & Functionality

The NordicTrack EXP 14i has been redesigned to be sleeker and more compact, yet it still retains great usability and performance.

The motor might not be the largest, but for a treadmill of this stature, it works well.

As far as who we recommend the EXP 14i to, we recommend it to people who want a compact, folding treadmill. It’s also a great option if you’re a walker, jogger, or have a shorter running stride because of the 55” long deck. We also recommend it if you’re looking for a slightly inexpensive alternative to higher-end models. The auto-adjustability with iFit, as well as iFit’s classes and the 14” touch screen, are nice tech features to have on a lower midrange treadmill.

As I’ve mentioned, the deck is pretty compact, so the EXP 14i will take up less space than other treadmills. Even though it’s the highest-end model in the EXP Series, it is the same size as the EXP 10i and EXP 7i. It’s also pretty light, so you can use it on the second story in your home.

The deck also folds to save a lot of space when you’re not using it. To fold it, you just need to lift the back end of the deck. There is a bar under the back end of the deck to grab when you’re folding it. Gripping under the side rails also works. Once folded it locks into place and can be tipped back to move it around. It moves around pretty easily for a treadmill that weighs 231 lbs. Since it does weigh over 200 lbs, keep this in mind. Most people will probably be able to move it, but it’s important to consider your limitations.

To unlock the deck, you just push your foot against the vertical metal bar that is the hydraulic assist system.

When unlocked, the deck slowly lowers to the floor itself. The hydraulic system works to provide assistance when folding up so you don’t have to lift the entire weight of the deck. Because of this, I’m able to lift the deck up with little effort and even just one hand.

Warranty & Customer Service

NordicTrack offers a 10-year warranty for the frame, a 2-year warranty for parts, and a 1-year warranty for labor. The larger warranty on the frame typically speaks to the excellent build quality and durability of their treadmills.