NordicTrack Ultra 3 Treadmill Review 2025: High-End Training

Dimensions/Storability

I hope you aren’t planning to move the Ultra 3 around a lot because it’s not really designed for it. This is a very heavy, non-folding treadmill. It needs a dedicated, ideally permanent, place to live. At 78.5” long x 35” W x 64.7” H and 747 lbs (as shipped), this treadmill is best for walkers and runners who have a home gym.

To calculate the ceiling height needed for this treadmill, I look at the step-up height and incline range of the treadmill. The Ultra 3 has a 9” step-up height to the deck. The incline range reaches a maximum of 15%, meaning at its highest point, the deck is 18” high or less. I like to add another 6” to ensure runners have room for any vertical movement and comfort.

Thus, the NordicTrack Ultra 3 Treadmill needs a ceiling height 24” or 2’ taller than the tallest user planning to use the treadmill. So, if you are 6’ tall, you need an 8’ ceiling. When I get the Ultra 3 in for testing, I’ll take a measurement of the deck height when inclined to get a more accurate number. Typically, my estimates overshoot the required ceiling height—better safe than sorry.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

The onboard offerings for the Ultra 3 are limited. You need a free iFIT account and Wi-Fi to access most of the training content. This free account gets you access to the manual training mode, a few structured workouts, and a featured iFIT class. However, what iFIT offers for free could change, and we’ve seen it change over the past couple of years a lot.

While a membership to iFIT isn’t mandatory, I strongly recommend it with this treadmill. The two work together to create the high-end experience. iFIT offers thousands of workouts, led by over a hundred different coaches. There are workouts for every fitness level, ensuring everyone can find classes suitable for their training and preferences.

iFIT classes explore real-world trails and routes. When your iFIT coach runs uphill, your treadmill incline will adjust, allowing you to join them on every climb. The speed will also adjust based on the class’s structure. Over time, iFIT learns your fitness capacity, tailoring the speed to you.

If you want a personalized workout even faster, pair a Bluetooth heart rate monitor. The treadmill speed will adjust to keep you in the appropriate heart rate zone for that segment of class. It’s my favorite way to train because it ensures the classes are not too hard or too easy for my current fitness level.

For ongoing training, iFIT provides two types of guidance. Many of the classes are organized into series so that you can join one, and the next time you hop onto the treadmill, it will recommend the next class in the series. You can also opt into the AI Coach, which will chat with you via text, learn your training goals, and schedule classes to help you reach that goal.

iFIT classes aren’t the only option on the Ultra 3. There are also apps you can use to switch up your training.

The Google Maps integration lets you draw a route anywhere in the world. The treadmill’s incline automatically adjusts to replicate the real-world terrain, while the screen shows you a Street View of the route. You can also switch the view to an overview of the route (map or satellite).

Ergatta Races is another training app you can download on the Ultra 3 (through iFIT). In this app, you race against other iFIT members’ past performances. There are several different routes to choose from, and some are geared towards walking instead of running. A leaderboard shows in the top left corner to keep the vibe competitive but fun.

In addition to training apps, iFIT also offers entertainment. Netflix, Prime Video, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, Pluto TV, and iHeartRadio are all available on iFIT with an active membership, but you will need your own login (and maybe subscription) to each of these services. You can train with iFIT while watching a TV show or movie. The treadmill speed and incline will automatically adjust.

Console

The screen is 24”, creating a wide and clear window into iFIT’s outdoor classes. The screen tilts and pivots side to side for on- and off-treadmill viewing. I’m really impressed with the screen quality NordicTrack has been able to deliver in their latest treadmills and other cardio equipment.

Here’s a look at iFIT with all the metrics and widgets overlaying the class view from the NordicTrack 2450’s 24” touchscreen.

Breaking from the normal layout of a NordicTack console, the speakers and fans are located inside the uprights. This change keeps the console looking sleek and modern. There are four speakers for a more immersive audio experience.

I expect the fans to be more powerful and to cover more area than the typical NordicTrack fan. The fans have an automatic feature that allows them to adjust their speed to your training intensity. Instead of having to change the fan speed manually (though you can), the fan speeds up as the workout intensifies.

The NordicTrack Ultra 3 Treadmill uses Bluetooth technology to let you pair headphones or a heart rate monitor to the console. With Bluetooth audio, you can adjust the trainer and entertainment volume just like you can with the speakers. As for the heart rate monitor, most monitors pair. Apple Watches are supposed to connect to iFIT, too, but I have not verified this.

For storage, the NordicTrack Ultra 3 has a wireless charger that can hold your phone. There’s a small storage compartment and a cup holder. I like the minimalist but functional approach to treadmill storage.

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