NordicTrack Commercial X22i Incline Treadmill Review 2023

NordicTrack X22i Incline Trainer vs Similar Treadmills

We’ve included a quick overview of how the NordicTrack Commercial X22i Treadmill compares to similar treadmills.

In-depth NordicTrack X22i Treadmill Review: Testing & Analysis

Dimensions/Storability

The NordicTrack X22i is a large treadmill that’s 70” L x 39” W x 72.5” H. Considering everything the X22i does, we don’t expect it to be compact. It weighs 417 lbs in the box, so it’s not light either. This does mean that the X22i won’t work in certain homes like upper-level apartments, but for those who have the space for it, it is a great option with unmatched training features and capabilities.

It doesn’t fold up, so it requires enough floor space to fit its footprint, along with a few extra feet surrounding the treadmill to use it safely. Also, due to its size and weight, you’ll want to keep it in a space where it can stay. It is possible to move it, you just have to pick up the backend of the treadmill to engage the front transport wheels. This isn’t possible for everyone though. I’m pretty petite but fairly strong and I have to recruit Matt, who is 6’5”, to help me move this beast. So, just keep this in mind.

Along with enough floor space, you’ll need to factor in your ceiling height as well.

We recommend doing this for any treadmill, but it is especially important for the X22i because of its tall deck and high incline range. The deck, at a flat grade, is 15” high, which is a pretty tall step-up height, especially compared to more compact, folding treadmills. The incline lifts the front of the deck to 34” high. For a 6’0” tall runner, we recommend having at least a 9’ 10” tall ceiling. For your height, you can check out this article to determine the proper ceiling height you need for the X22i.

The NordicTrack x22i is very heavy at over 400 lbs.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

Many treadmills, especially high-end ones like the NordicTrack X22i, come with touch screens and subscription content. This isn’t true for every treadmill, but it is for the X22i. This treadmill has a large 22” touch screen that streams subscription training content. In this NordicTrack X22i review, I go over what to expect below.

iFit

iFit is the subscription training platform that is compatible with the X22i, as well as all of NordicTrack’s treadmills. It is the training content that is available to watch directly from the treadmill’s screen. iFit is one of the best training platforms out there. Something to keep in mind though is that it requires a monthly subscription. This essentially replaces your gym membership. It can also give you more accountability to follow through with your fitness routine. If you’re like me, when I’m paying for something, I’m using it.

For new members, iFit comes free for the first month when you purchase the X22i. After your free trial, you can pay the monthly price of $39 per month or take advantage of buying a 1, 2, or 3-year membership to iFit to help cut down on the overall cost. A 1-year membership is $28 per month, 2-years is around $22 per month, and 3-years shaves the monthly price down to just $17 a month. If you are already an iFit member or know you want to use iFit on the X22i, we highly recommend taking advantage of these memberships rather than paying the monthly price.

What is iFit, and what makes it so special?

iFit features trainer-led workout videos that are available on-demand to take any time. The workouts are filmed indoors and outdoors. The indoor workouts are modeled after in-person studio fitness classes. The camera points at the instructor who guides you through the workout providing instruction and motivation. These are pretty on par with other fitness training apps and subscription training content.

Where iFit really stands out, is the outdoor workouts. These are filmed on literally every continent on Earth.

As you’re hiking up a mountain in Switzerland, or running through the streets of Paris, the camera follows the instructor. This makes it feel like you’re there. The camera also pans to show the surrounding landscapes, too. iFit also films at real-life events like the Boston Marathon, so you can take it in parts on iFit or all together.

iFit offers a wide range of workout classes such as walking, jogging, HIIT, hiking, and running classes.

There are also cycling, rowing, and elliptical workouts available to take on other equipment from NordicTrack. iFit also has mat classes like strength training and yoga that you can follow up your treadmill workouts on the X22i with next to the deck. iFit is available to use on your phone and smart TV, along with the X22i’s touch screen, too.

You can also create your own training routes with the Google Map feature. This features a map of the world where you can draw routes. Once you’re in the workout, Google Images pop up on the screen to show you the chosen location.

iFit uses a Feed.fm feature that functions kind of like a radio. There are stations that consist of different genres each has preselected playlists of songs that play in the background of each workout. I would like to see the indoor classes incorporate music into the workouts. This way, you would hear the music with the instructor so they could use different songs for pacing and adding to the overall energy of these classes. It is nice to have a variety of music to choose from with the music the way it is now though.

iFit has over 17,000 workouts to choose from and counting. In each workout, you can see your metrics at the top of the screen, and your workout stats and history are saved into your profile. With the variety of content and its overall quality, we highly recommend checking out iFit on the NordicTrack X22i Incline Trainer.

OnBoard Workouts

We are often asked, can you use the NordicTrack X22i without a subscription to iFit? Yes, you can. The manual mode is the treadmill’s quickstart mode is made for hopping on and going whether you’re subscribed to iFit or not. Manual mode doesn’t require wifi to use (iFit does though) so you don’t have to connect this treadmill to the internet if you don’t want to.

In addition to manual mode, you can also take a featured iFit workout which gives you a small taste of iFit without paying for the subscription. This and iFit require being connected to wifi. Another common question we get is can you stream Netflix or other content besides iFit on the touch screen? Unfortunately, you can’t stream Netflix. There also isn’t a device rack to put your phone or tablet to stream 3rd party content. This keeps you locked into iFit and/or manual mode on the X22i’s screen.

Console

The NordicTrack Commercial X22i has a 22” touch screen. Our team finds this to be an ideal screen size, especially for streaming iFit. It is large enough to see and navigate the screen easily, and the upper and lower handles don’t block any of the screen, unlike the NordicTrack X32i’s massive 32” touch screen.

The screen isn’t as adjustable as the NordicTrack 2450’s, but it tilts up and down slightly depending on your height so you can get good visibility. I really like this screen and the overall layout of the console on the X22i. The screen and console remain stable while running and everything is well within reach.

The numbered quick-adjusting buttons on either side of the screen make the X22i really easy to use. Once you press a number on the right side, the motor adjusts to that speed. You can also press two numbers back to back like 4 and 5 for the motor to adjust to 4.5 mph. The left side adjusts the incline and decline to the levels listed.

There are also speed and incline buttons below to adjust the speed by 0.1 increments and the grade by 0.5%.

The X22i also automatically adjusts with the speed and incline/decline settings with iFit. The AutoAdjust technology allows you to do hands-free training on the X22i. Plus, iFit factors in your previous workout history to determine appropriate speed ranges throughout your workouts to align with your fitness level. When taking outdoor workouts, the deck automatically adjusts to match the outdoor terrain so you can really feel like you’re climbing up a mountain. This is one of my favorite iFit features.

ActivePulse is another feature that will adjust the treadmill to keep you within certain heart rate training zones. You can connect your compatible heart rate monitor like one from Polar, Garmin, Wahoo, or Whoop, or purchase NordicTrack’s SmartBeat armband to utilize this feature.

The speakers are front-facing and offer a good volume range. They are Bluetooth-enabled to pair with your headphones. You can’t however connect your device to play your own music/content through them.

There are two fans below the screen that provide good airflow with minimal noise. The fans have 3 settings and an auto-mode (where fan speed corresponds to belt speed). The fans are adjustable up and down to point the airflow at you, too.

As far as storage, the NordicTrack X22i has 2 cupholders for your water and 2 small pockets for your phone to keep it nearby.

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Build Quality

To compile this NordicTrack X22i review, we’ve put it to the test to assess the overall build quality. You’ll find the results of our testing below. This treadmill has also continued to perform well for us over the past 3+ years, too. As far as the build quality, the X22i is not only functional and powerful, but it is solid. It supports users up to 300 lbs which is NordicTrack’s standard weight limit. However, factoring in the high incline, this is a significant amount of weight that this treadmill handles with ease, even while lifting the deck to 40%.

Something I want to point out is that while this treadmill is called the NordicTrack X22i Commercial Treadmill, it is made for home use. Commercial treadmills are rated for public use such as in your local gym. The NordicTrack X22i does cost a few thousand dollars, but a commercial-grade treadmill will run you upwards of $10,000+.

Frame

The X22i has a very stable non-folding frame. Rather than just supporting the front base of the treadmill like folding treadmills, there are steel beams positioned under the entire deck. From there, two steel uprights connect and extend up to hold the console and handles in place.

The X22i treadmill is large and constructed of reinforced steel beams that are thick and powder-coated for protection.

This design is what contributes to the heavyweight as well as the overall durability. As fas as the handles, the X22i has side, front, and upper handles. The side handles are standard and easy to reach. I appreciate that the front handle is one continuous piece to grab when you need to. The upper handles are there for when you’re inclined to the treadmill’s max – good luck not using them at 40%! They have a pretty smooth texture that doesn’t feel slippery or sticky, even after you work up a sweat.

All of these handle options are there for assistance when using all of the X22i’s capabilities.

Motor

The NordicTrack X22i includes a 4.0 CHP motor that is made for heavy training. We recommend the X22i for those who want to do a lot of high-intensity training and distance running. It’s also a great option if you have multiple users in your household who want a treadmill to train on. Our team of experts has regularly put miles on our model for years, so we’ve seen it support a lot of use well.

Even after years of use, the motor is still very quiet. We recorded its decibel range after having this treadmill for 3 years. At the lower speed settings, the decibels resembled the average noise output of a bathroom exhaust fan, while the high speeds were aligned with the average window fan. While the treadmill was off, our ambient room noise was 35 dB. We then turned on the X22i and recorded the decibels at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mph to get a range of 52.7 dB up to 67.5 dB at the max speed.

This sound range should be appropriate for most homes and non-disruptive.

The X22i has a 12 mph max speed, which is comparable to most home treadmills in its class. This translates to a 5-minute mile, so unless you’re an elite runner, you should find the speed range to be plenty challenging on this treadmill.

The motor adjusts smoothly and efficiently. It takes around 23 seconds for it to adjust the speed from 1 mph up to 12 mph. This isn’t quite as fast as the Horizon 7.8 AT, but I’ve never been left waiting for the motor to adjust between different speed levels.

Along with the drive motor which is tucked under the rear of the deck that controls the X22i’s speed, there is a separate incline motor under the deck, too.

This motor adjusts the grade of the deck, while the other motor is located behind it under the rear of the deck.

This motor is what allows the deck to lift up to a 40% incline and a -6% decline. This is the highest incline and decline range we’ve seen on a treadmill. Let me tell you, it’s tough! I can barely walk at a casual pace of 2-3 mph at the full incline. That’s where the upper handles really prove to be convenient!

Note: For safety, the X22i caps the speed at certain inclines and declines settings for safety. At a 16% incline, the speed maxes out at 8 mph. At 25% incline, the speed maxes at 6 mph. When you incline the deck higher than 25%, the speed cap remains at 6 mph. For the decline settings, the max speed caps out at 8 mph at a -3% decline. At -6% it caps the speed at 6 mph.

We did test the accuracy of the incline and decline. In our testing, the incline reached 37.4%. Although this isn’t quite the 40% that NordicTrack claims it to be, this isn’t factoring in the cushioning of the deck. The cushioning of the deck is the amount of give the deck has. If you were to watch someone run on a treadmill, you’d notice the deck slightly lower each time their feet land on the deck. The cushioning is the shock absorption which helps to lessen the impact on your joints.

While the incline isn’t quite 40%, you’ll be hard-pressed to notice this tiny difference. We also think the cushioning has something to do with the results of our measurements, too. In testing the deck grades on treadmills, we’ve found that most treadmills don’t have a completely flat deck at 0%. The NordicTrack X22i is 1% when it’s set to the treadmill’s 0% setting. This is most likely because of the deck’s cushioning which is very absorbent and forgiving underfoot on this treadmill.

The -6% decline, on the other hand, measured at -7% in our testing. It’s definitely noticeable. Plus, training at a decline is great for strengthening your anterior muscles.

In addition to all of these training features, the X22i also allows for sled-pushing. This feature is designed to mimic the feel of pushing a weighted sled across an indoor gym track. You can turn the belt speed down to 1 mph and then push the belt along with your feet while you press against the upright or horizontal handles. This will kick up your heart rate in no time! It adds training variables and engages the upper body as well as the legs, core, and lower back.

Deck

The NordicTrack X22i has a 60” long and 22” wide deck. This is the optimal size for all stride lengths and activity levels. You have plenty of room to run and utilize the incline on this deck.

In our testing, we’ve found that this sized deck is perfect for all users.

With the motors tucked under the deck, there isn’t a motor hood that you have to worry about hitting while using the X22i. This gives you even more room for running.

I know I briefly talked about the deck cushioning already, but I really want to applaud NordicTrack here. The X22i has some of the softest deck cushioning we’ve used. If you are looking for a very shock-absorbing treadmill that helps to minimize the high impact that running involves, this is one to pick.

It can get a little bouncy at higher speeds over 9 mph, but our team thoroughly enjoys running on this treadmill and the cushioning has a lot to do with that. You might want to consider the Sole TT8 if you want a treadmill with firm cushioning that feels more similar to running outside on concrete.

As far as the overall build quality and training capabilities, the NordicTrack Commercial X22i Incline Trainer is an all-around powerful, well-performing treadmill that will absolutely help take your training to the next level and beyond.

Warranty

The NordicTrack X22i comes with a 10-year frame, 2-year parts, and a 1-year labor warranty. This is standard for all of NordicTrack’s treadmills. We highly recommend having 2-3 people for set up due to this treadmill’s size and weight.

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Should You Buy The NordicTrack X22i Incline Treadmill

The NordicTrack X22i is our pick as the best treadmill overall for 2023. With everything it has to offer, the X22i is a great value along with being all-around impressive. But, is it right for you? If you are looking for a treadmill to keep you motivated, engaged, and challenged – yes it is! It is also ideal if you want a treadmill that comes with guided training content. iFit makes for a very immersive experience on the 22” touch screen. That, and the AutoAdjust technology in iFit allows the treadmill’s speed and incline to adjust for hands-free training. When you want to adjust the X22i yourself, it’s very easy to do so, too.

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty treadmill that you have a designated space in your home, this is one to check out. We love the comfortable deck cushioning and recommend it to folks who want a comfortable surface to train on. The NordicTrack X22i also handles a lot of use with its powerful 4.0 CHP motor that’s quiet and great for interval training. All of this isn’t even mentioning the 40% incline and -6% decline that makes training on this treadmill unreal.

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NordicTrack X22i Treadmill FAQs / Q&A’s

Is the NordicTrack X22i worth it?

The NordicTrack X22i is absolutely worth it. This treadmill includes the highest incline and decline range we’ve seen on a treadmill. Plus, the 22” touch screen is large and ideal for streaming iFit content. iFit offers thousands of workouts and definitely isn’t your average training app. The workouts offered make for well-rounded training options.

The X22i has a powerful motor to handle high-intensity training and distance running. It also features a large deck and excellent deck cushioning to lessen the impact on your joints. This treadmill does require a designated space in your home, but it’s worth it if you have the room.

Does the NordicTrack X22i have Bluetooth?

The X22i has Bluetooth-enabled speakers to pair with Bluetooth headphones. You can’t pair your phone to listen to your own music, however. The NordicTrack X22i also pairs with compatible heart rate monitors such as ones from Polar, Garmin, Wahoo, and Whoop. You can also purchase NordicTrack’s SmartBeat heart rate tracking armband separately. Heart rate training on the X22i is valuable with iFit. The ActivePulse technology adjusts the treadmill to keep you within certain heart rate training zones.

Can you use the NordicTrack X22i without a subscription?

The NordicTrack X22i features a manual mode to use without connecting to wifi. There is also a featured iFit workout available to use for free without a subscription to iFit. In order to get the most out of the X22i, we recommend subscribing to iFit. The quality of workouts and amount of content is impressive and makes for very interactive and engaging workouts on the X22i. Plus, with features like AutoAdjust, the X22i automatically adjusts based on the format of the iFit workout and the terrain of the location during outdoor iFit workouts.

How long do NordicTrack Treadmills last?

We’ve seen NordicTrack Treadmills last for over 10 years. NordicTrack includes a 10-year warranty with their treadmills that help to back up the overall design. Most home treadmills are built to last this long. With regular maintenance and proper use, your home treadmill should last for up to 10 years, if not longer.

Is your NordicTrack X22i Incline Treadmill review a paid review?

Our review of the NordicTrack X22i is not a paid review. We do earn a commission if you were to purchase through our link. This is at no extra cost to you. It supports our site so we can keep bringing you thorough and informed reviews. We earn a commission from NordicTrack and other treadmill brands, which allows us to do what we do while providing you with completely unbiased reviews that reflect our personal experiences using each and every treadmill, including the X22i. Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge and confidence to make informed buying decisions so you can buy the best treadmill for you.

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About the Author

Sydney Kaiser, ISSA-CPT, ISSA Nutritionist Certification
Sydney is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer, and sports nutritionist who combines her passion for fitness, health, and wellness with her passion for writing. After graduating from UC Riverside with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, she began teaching indoor cycling and Lagree Fitness group fitness classes to people of all ages and abilities. Raised in Central Michigan, Sydney grew up training and competing on the Arabian Horse Association circuit through both Regional and National levels in Dressage and Sport Horse classes. In college, Sydney went on to compete at the collegiate level as a Division 1 equestrian athlete. Here at TRG, Sydney relies on her extensive background in fitness when reviewing and recommending all kinds of fitness, recovery, and health-related products.

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