NordicTrack X16 Treadmill Review | I’m on Top of the World!
Reviewed by TreadmillReviews.com
I’m conquering Boston’s Heartbreak Hill virtually, so I know I’ll be ready on race day.
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The best treadmill reviews you can trust
I’m conquering Boston’s Heartbreak Hill virtually, so I know I’ll be ready on race day.
Updated: October 4, 2024
One week ago, I applied for my first Boston Marathon. I don’t have enough of a buffer to know for sure that I’m going to make the cutoff, but you can be sure I’ll be training like I’m going. NordicTrack and iFIT are two of the training tools that I hope will get me to race day, whether that ends up being in Boston or another race.
With iFIT and an incline trainer, like the X16, I can run the entire Boston Marathon course before I toe the starting line. I have lofty goals for what time I would like to hit, and nothing is going to prepare me more than actually getting familiar with the course. Yet, the NordicTrack X16 has one feature that Boston won’t: soft cushioning.
Whether you are gearing up for a marathon, training for an intense hike, or ready to start your training journey, the NordicTrack X16 with iFIT could be your ultimate training tool. Read the rest of my review to learn why this treadmill is so highly rated and why I don’t recommend skipping an iFIT subscription.
As NordicTrack enters a new era of iFIT and AI coaching, we were eager to see hardware that improved alongside these updates to the training service. While we are still waiting for the X16’s arrival in our studio, there are a few key changes that indicate the X16 might be the improvement we have been hoping for.
The weight capacity of the X16 exceeds the 300-lb industry standard with its 400-lb rating. A lifetime motor warranty was added to NordicTrack’s standard 10-year frame, 2-year parts, and 1-year labor warranty. We also saw many of our concerns with NordicTrack’s previous line of incline trainers addressed in the X16, but we will look closer at these details below.
The NordicTrack X16 has a steel, non-folding frame. We expect an even more robust frame since the weight limit has increased from the previous incline trainers. The uprights are substantial and should help stabilize the console. This treadmill’s steep incline range does not allow the uprights to be reinforced, but they should be stable as is.
The footrails appear wide and textured. If you need to leave the running deck if things get too tough or just need somewhere to stand as you set up your workout, you should have ample room.
While we like what we see so far, the real test will be reviewing the build quality in person and while training.
The motor is a 4.25 CHP DC motor. We expect this treadmill to support daily intense training in a residential setting. It is not a commercial motor, as those are typical AC instead of DC, and the warranty does not cover it for that level of use. However, this motor should be enough for marathon training and preparing for long hikes.
The X16 has an incredible incline range and a typical speed range (0 to 12 mph). The NordicTrack incline trainers have had fast speed and incline adjustments historically, so we expect this motor to perform on par with those fast adjustments.
The NordicTrack 2450 now has a 14 mph speed limit, so I was a little surprised that the incline trainers, which are even more premium, do not have that capability. 12 mph is a 5-minute mile, so it's still very fast.
One of my favorite features of the NordicTrack incline trainers is the running surface. The X16 has “SpringFlex” cushioning. We have not tried a treadmill with this cushioning system before, but the NordicTrack treadmills have been the softest in their respective categories consistently, and the inline trainers, in particular, have a reputation for premium soft cushioning.
I can’t wait to try the NordicTrack X16’s soft cushioning because the incline trainers have been so crucial to my marathon training for recovery days and building my mileage.
The running surface is 22” x 60”. This size is comparable to what you will find on most commercial treadmills. It should be sufficient for all walking and running strides. The motor is located under the deck, so you don’t have to worry about hitting a prominent motor hood at the front of the deck. Instead, it has a more minimal plastic end cap.
The deck sits 13.66” off the ground, which will be more difficult for some users to navigate. We typically look for step-up heights of less than 10” for users who have balance or mobility restrictions. The treadmill handles should provide some support to help users step onto the deck, but this may not be ideal for anyone who cannot step up that high.
The NordicTrack X16 does not fold, so you will need to find the space for the treadmill’s full dimensions whether or not it is in use. Those dimensions are 69.9” x 38.1” x 73.3”. We recommend clearing extra space around the sides and back of your treadmill for safety.
Perhaps most importantly, you need to ensure you have an adequate ceiling height to accommodate the incline trainer at its top incline. This means having a minimum ceiling height of 40 inches more than the tallest user’s height. For example, a 6-foot runner will need approximately a 9.5’ ceiling.
The incline range of the NordicTrack X16 is -6% to 40%. This incline range is the most impressive in its price range. The only treadmill that matches the X16’s incline and performance capabilities is the NordicTrack X24. These two NordicTrack incline treadmills are nearly identical, save for their touchscreen size.
I love the incline and decline because they help me prepare for hilly races, like the local marathon near me or Boston. They are also a great substitute and preparation for hikes and trail runs.
The NordicTrack X16 has sturdy incline handles to provide you with the support you need when training at the steep grades. The previous models had a safety feature that progressively reduced the maximum speed from 12 mph when flat to 6.0 mph when fully declined or inclined.
While this treadmill doesn’t replicate the experience of bombing downhill, it feels safer and more practical for a treadmill. I also think the 6.0 mph speed is more than sufficient for the 40% incline. I struggled to keep that speed even for a few seconds at such a steep grade.
The console layout was one of my biggest complaints about the previous NordicTrack incline treadmills. The screen and incline handles blocked a lot of the features, but it appears that those issues have been addressed.
I remain curious about how easy it is to reach the touchscreen to change speeds and inclines while the treadmill is at its maximum height. I will update this review once we have tested the X16 for ourselves.
The NordicTrack X16 has a great console layout. The storage and screen appear very accessible. NordicTrack reduced the number of physical buttons on the X16. You have the typical start and stop buttons. You also have buttons to increase and decrease speed, incline, fan speed, and volume. The individual buttons for different speed and incline levels are now on the screen.
As the name suggests, the NordicTrack X16 has a 16-inch touchscreen display. The screen pivots for off-treadmill viewing, allowing you to watch entertainment content or iFIT classes while on the treadmill and non-treadmill classes when off the treadmill. It’s perfect for setting up a yoga mat and taking a yoga class.
The X16 offers Bluetooth connectivity. You can pair headphones to listen to the iFIT class, music, or entertainment quietly. You can also pair a Bluetooth heart rate monitor to use the ActivePulse training option with iFIT.
The speakers are front-facing, so you should be able to hear everything clearly. I like that you can control the iFIT trainer and media volume separately and quickly adjust the overall volume.
iFIT also has closed captions, which I find super helpful.
There are two cup holders on the NordicTrack X16. The previous incline trainers had cup holders, but they were super hard to reach. The setup on the X16 looks much better, but it’s another feature I’m keen to test out for myself. The X16 does not have a device rack, so you might have to reserve one of the cup holders for your phone if you need it nearby.
The NordicTrack X16 treadmill has a standard safety key, which brings the treadmill to a stop quickly.
It also has a lower speed limit when the treadmill is inclined or declined. We will report the exact limitations of the speed limit after we test the X16. However, it should be 6.0 mph at the steepest incline and decline. You can also limit your speed when training with ActivePulse, which I strongly recommend. It just prevents the treadmill from adjusting beyond your abilities.
I am excited to test out the X16 because it is positioned as one of NordicTrack’s top-performing treadmills. The incline range is outstanding, and historically, this treadmill line has had the softest cushioning.
There are quite a few areas that we want to test. I want to know how easy it is to reach the screen and use the onscreen buttons at various treadmill inclines. I’m also curious about how easy it is to see the 16” screen when it is pivoted for off-treadmill use. We will answer these questions and more with our next NordicTrack X16 Treadmill review update.
The X16 uses iFIT, and we are very familiar with it, as it is the training platform used on all NordicTrack and Proform cardio machines. Our team has been using iFIT for years. However, iFIT just went through a major update, so it has changed quite a lot. My previous complaints about iFIT have been largely addressed with the latest update, so it is even better than before.
iFIT requires a membership to access all of its features. You can pay monthly, yearly, or for a multi-year package. The longer the terms of your membership package, the more of a discount you get.
iFIT has thousands of trainer-led classes. They are mostly filmed outdoors in locations all over the world. I like how immersive the training feels as the deck automatically adjusts to match the grade of the terrain shown on the screen. You can override these settings at any time and turn them back on by selecting “Follow Trainer” on the screen.
The speed follows either a preset level, speed settings tailored to your fitness with SmartAdjust, or a speed determined by ActivePulse. ActivePulse increases or decreases your speed to keep you in a set heart rate zone. I really like ActivePulse, though I have had issues with it adjusting too much too fast. For this reason, I recommend setting a maximum speed for ActivePulse and properly calibrating your heart rate zones.
Outside of the iFIT classes, you can build a custom training program. You can set intervals with speed and incline settings. You can also just follow a target program to hit a set distance, time, or calories. You can also use “quick start” to train manually without any preset or custom levels.
Whether you are in a custom training program, manual mode, or an iFIT class, you can watch TV with your Netflix or Prime Video account on the X16 screen. These entertainment options have allowed me to catch up on shows I wouldn’t have time for otherwise and to get through my longest runs. It was about time iFIT added streaming apps!
One of the most interesting new iFIT features is the AI Coach. This coach works with you to reach your goals. You will be recommended specific iFIT workouts for the treadmill and off the treadmill daily. You can talk to the coach to receive training advice. The AI Coach is still in beta, so not all users have access to it yet.
There are a couple of features that are reported to be available on the X16 treadmill with the new iFIT update, but we haven’t seen them appear on the iFIT platform yet. They are the Google Maps integration, which was a previous iFIT feature, and Spotify.
The Google Maps integration allows users to create a virtual route anywhere in the world. The treadmill would match the terrain of that location as closely as possible while the screen shows a slideshow of Google Street View images that progress according to your speed. This feature should arrive with a future iFIT update.
iFIT can be your all-in-one fitness trainer. It can support your entire fitness routine, guiding you through treadmill, strength, and mobility workouts. I recommend the NordicTrack X16 Treadmill for walkers and runners who want to subscribe to iFIT.
Without iFIT, the features available on this treadmill are very limited. We have had conflicting results when it comes to being able to start a treadmill workout without an iFIT login. It is possible that the treadmill speed and incline range will not start/change without an iFIT account. I do not recommend the X16 for exercisers who are not willing to create a free iFIT account, at least.
With a free iFIT account, you can see everything iFIT offers. You can use the “quick start” training mode, take a few featured iFIT classes, and take a few preset workouts. There are about twenty training programs, including manual training with a free iFIT account but not a paid membership.
The NordicTrack X16 has every NordicTrack and iFIT feature you could want. The deck cushioning is soft, the incline range is amazing, and the 16” touchscreen display rotates for off-treadmill viewing. iFIT provides all the training features, including personalized training, entertainment apps, and trainer-led classes.
The NordicTrack incline series is my go-to for recovering from road running and preparing for steep trails. Anyone looking for soft cushioning or a steep incline will meet their match with the NordicTrack X16.
