NordicTrack EXP 10i Treadmill Review: A NordicTrack for Newbies (2024)

NordicTrack has consistently made some of the best treadmills on the market, so of course we got our hands on the EXP 10i, one of the most compact treadmills NordicTrack offers. Updated from the EXP 7i, this treadmill provides a 2.75 CHP motor which powers up to 12 percent incline and 10 miles per hour max speed. We’ve tried and tested over 40 of the most popular treadmills and took note of how this machine stacked up against the competition for this NordicTrack EXP 10i review.

Our team here at BarBend is filled with certified personal trainers, former D1 athletes, and marathon racers who rated the treadmills they tested on a scale of 1 (not great) to 5 (we love it) across categories such as adjustability, workout experience, portability, and more. With iFIT streaming capabilities and a compact footprint, runners and walkers looking for interactive programming won’t have to compromise on floor space. Coming in at a mid-level price of $1,599, we think the EXP 10i would be a great treadmill for beginners or joggers just getting back into a routine after some time away. 

Main Takeaways

• With a 12-percent incline and a max speed of 10 miles per hour, you are covered for walking, hiking, jogging, or running.
• Integration with the iFIT fitness app gives you access to thousands of live and on-demand classes on its 10-inch HD touchscreen. 
• The 55-inch running deck may be too short for taller runners or those with longer gaits.

NordicTrack EXP 10i Treadmill Highlights

• Price: $1,599
• Max Speed: 10mph
• Max Incline: 0%-12%
• Dimensions: 59.7″ H x 70.8″ L x 34.9″ W
• Weight: 230lbs
• Roller Size: 1.9”
• Weight Capacity: 300lbs
• Warranty: 10-year frame, 2-years parts, 1-year labor

High-end treadmills with tech gadgets and gizmos often come with footprints not suitable for apartment dwellers or those lacking a spare room. NordicTrack took this to heart, developing their EXP series with compact profiles and folding capabilities. Our team appreciated the workout experience, footprint, and incline capabilities of this $1,599 treadmill, which is a more compact version of NordicTrack treadmills like the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 ($2,299) and NordicTrack Commercial 1250 ($1,599). 

The 2.75 CHP motor can power your training intensity up to a 12-percent incline and a top speed of 10 miles per hour. When assessing the best treadmills for running for BarBend, certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto noted that this motor size can support high-intensity workouts. “[Look for] a 2.75 to 4.0 CHP for running and sprinting, and a 2.5 CHP or higher for jogging,” she said. 

If you’re looking for dynamic programming that immerses you in scenic locales with hands-free adjustments to speed and incline, the NordicTrack EXP 10i’s iFIT integration provides. We’re huge iFIT fans here at Barbend, and the 10-inch HD touchscreen gives you access to travel the world with your trainer as they lead you through a workout. 

iFIT programming is often seen with higher-end treadmills which come with larger footprints and higher costs. However, the EXP 10i is NordicTrack’s most compact treadmill at just over 17 square feet. 

With a 70-inch length, the EXP 10i is about 10 inches shorter than the NordicTrack 1750 and 8.5 inches shorter than the NordicTrack 1250. However, this compact profile comes at a cost. “For running, and especially sprinting, you’ll want a deck of 20 inches wide by 60 inches long,’ says Capritto. The 55-inch running deck falls short, making this treadmill a tough recommendation for taller runners or those with longer strides. For those of average height, however, 55 inches should be able to support your gait.

Pros

• iFIT integrated programming gives users access to thousands of scenic on-demand classes for walking, running, hiking, and more.
• The 12-percent incline and max speed of 10 miles per hour provide plenty of variety and challenge for walkers and runners alike. 
• EasyLift offers hydraulic-assisted lifting and lowering when you want to open or fold up your treadmill.

Cons

• iFIT has a $39 monthly membership fee after a one-month free trial.
• The 55-inch running deck may be too short for taller runners or those with longer strides. 
• The powerful 2.75 CHP motor isn’t terribly quiet, according to our tester, and adjusting the incline made even more noise.

Training With the NordicTrack EXP 10i Treadmill

The 12-percent incline and max speed of 10 miles per hour allow users to jog, run, walk, and hike at a variety of intensities. A workout fan, Bluetooth connectivity, and water bottle holders also provide users with the amenities they need to focus on their pace. Plus, with iFIT-integrated training, you can access cardio, strength, and mobility classes on the 10-inch HD screen.

However, more advanced runners may take issue with the 55-inch running deck, the 2.75 CHP motor, and the 1.9-inch rollers, which are 0.35 inches smaller than the 2.25 to 2.5-inch rollers we recommend for running treadmills. 

[Related: The 8 Best High-End Treadmills]

iFIT Programming

One of our favorite aspects of this treadmill is its compatibility with iFIT programming. The $39 per month iFIT subscription gives you access to more than 17,000 fitness classes that pair trainer-led instruction with scenic and immersive backdrops. You’ll also be able to create your own routes with the treadmill’s Google Maps integration. 

Kate Meier, Barbend editorial member and certified personal trainer, loved the SmartAdjust feature offered by iFIT. Instead of noodling around on the center console, the EXP 10i can automatically adjust your speed and incline based on the demands of your class or scenic ride. 

Meier noted, “I was taking a class where the trainer went uphill, and my treadmill’s auto-adjust feature upped the incline and slowed my speed so I felt like I was there, climbing the hill with them.” Dynamic programming scored a 5 out of 5.

It’s worth noting this treadmill has no pre-loaded programming, so without iFIT, you’ll only be able to use the treadmill in manual mode. However, there is a media holder where you can prop up a phone and tablet to catch up on your true crime docs while you work out.

Incline Capabilities 

The 12-percent incline on the NordicTrack EXP 10i holds its own against some of the best incline treadmills, which tend to reach pitches between 12 to 15 percent. 

“People training for outdoor events with hills and natural inclines can benefit from incline treadmills, as can anyone who wants to build stamina and muscular endurance in the legs,” notes certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto. 

We did, however, find the motor to be touch noisy during runs. “I was surprised at how loud it was when I would change incline or speed,” said our tester, a certified personal trainer. “Also, the motor took longer to make those adjustments than what I’ve experienced with other, higher-end treadmills from NordicTrack.” Regardless, workout experience scored a 4 out of 5 with our tester.

Console

Moving on a treadmill isn’t always conducive to navigating complicated display consoles, but the EXP 10i provides an intuitive design. Speed and incline settings can be toggled with just one touch, or you can opt to make micro-adjustments in the form of half increments to create the exact training intensity you want. We also appreciated the flat surface of the console, which made wiping down our sweaty paw prints that much easier.

The 10-inch HD touchscreen — 3 inches larger than the touchscreen display on the EXP 7i — provides typical training metrics like calories burned, elapsed time, speed, and distance. You’ll also be able to tilt the screen should you need to adjust for a more ergonomic eye-line to watch iFIT’s programming both when on the machine or when taking strength or yoga classes like off to the side. Tech capabilities scored a 4.5 out of 5.

Although this treadmill doesn’t come with heart rate sensors, it is compatible with external heart rate monitors like the SmartBeat, which utilizes ActivePulse technology that can control your speed and incline to maintain an optimal heart-rate zone. SmartBeat is worn around your upper arm and syncs your data with iFIT. NordicTrack sells this device for $99.

Belt Deck

The EXP 10i brings an impressively compact package to consumers, but with that smaller footprint comes a smaller running surface. The 20-inch by 55-inch running deck will likely be fine for the average runner, but taller athletes and those with longer strides will want to try out a 55-inch deck at their local gym before setting one up in their home. 

Our tester didn’t have an issue with the deck length. In fact, they had a very cozy experience. “The Runners Flex cushioning provided noticeable shock absorption, which provides a bit of comfort and can help reduce the impact on your joints,” they noted. Other NordicTrack treadmills with Runners Flex technology have even made it on our list of the best cushioned treadmills.

What to Consider Before Buying the NordicTrack EXP 10i Treadmill

There are dozens of factors to consider when shopping for a treadmill. As you peruse the internet, keep in mind your budget, what sort of training modality you’ll use your treadmill for, and the amount of floor space you have available.

Price

The NordicTrack EXP 10i comes out to $1,599. This is a relatively affordable price point for a treadmill with a 12-percent incline, a max speed of 10 miles per hour, and a 10-inch HD touchscreen capable of streaming iFIT classes. Plus, it’s one of the cheapest NordicTrack treadmills on the market by about $700 to $2,900. However, you’ll also want to factor in the monthly $39 subscription fee for iFIT membership. 

You’ll get to try out iFIT free of charge for one month, and after that, you’ll have the option to cancel or subscribe for $39 a month, $396 a year, $699 for two years, or $899 for three years. Paying for longer memberships saves you some cash compared to paying a monthly fee — saving you $72 for a year subscription, $237 for a two-year subscription, and $505 for a three-year subscription.

Footprint and Foldability

The EXP 10i measures 70.8 inches long by 34.9 inches wide by 59.7 inches tall. That’s about 17 square feet, which is roughly 5 square feet smaller than the average high-end treadmill. This is a folding treadmill — a neat feature you don’t often see on treadmills with screens — and it shrinks from 70.8 inches to 39 inches when folded. 

[Related: The 8 Best Folding Treadmills of 2024 (Expert Tested)]

With those dimensions in hand, certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto recommends you measure — nay, “triple-measure” — your home gym to ensure you’ll have plenty of space for it among your dumbbells and resistance bands.

Fitness Goals

Are you looking for a machine to support runs and HIIT workouts? Or do you want a treadmill that can help you stay active with some brisk walks and jogs? The EXP 10i can support both, but advanced runners may be disappointed by the treadmill’s max speed of 10 miles per hour, which comes out to about a 6-minute mile pace. Serious sprinters may want a treadmill that can reach speeds of 12 miles per hour. 

NordicTrack EXP 10i Treadmill Vs. The Competition

There are countless options on the market, so we drew up a comparison chart to help you get a sense of how the EXP 10i stacks up to the competition. 

When comparing the NordicTrack EXP 10i’s specs to similar products, we find that the main draw is the footprint. The machine is both shorter (or comparable) in height, length, and width than the Horizon 7.4 AT, ProForm Pro 2000, Sole F63, and NordicTrack Commercial 1250. On average, users will save 7 inches in length, one inch in width, and 6 inches in height when opting for the EXP 10i over the competition.

The EXP 10i’s 10-inch touch screen is average for iFIT-compatible machines at this price point, but larger and more advanced than the LCD screens that come with the Horizon 7.0 AT and the Sole F63. 

Where the EXP 10i gets left in the dust is with its 10-miles-per-hour max speed — every other treadmill can reach speeds of 12 miles per hour. However, 10 miles per hour provides access to a 6-minute-mile pace, so we think the average consumer will find that suitable for their training.

Places to Buy the NordicTrack EXP 10i

You can buy the NordicTrack EXP 10i directly from the NordicTrack website, as well as online retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lowe’s, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Walmart.

Warranty

NordicTrack provides a 10-year warranty on the frame and motor, a 2-year warranty on parts, and a 1-year labor warranty. You can also purchase a 3-year extended warranty for about $180, extending the parts warranty to 5 years and the labor warranty to 4 years. For $260, there’s a Maintenance Plan that includes a 10-year frame warranty, 3 years parts, and 3 years labor. 

Company Information

NordicTrack was founded in 1975 in Chaska Minnesota by Edward and Florence Pauls after Edward invented the NordicTrack ski machine in their garage.  Over the last 49 years, NordicTrack has become a leader in the fitness equipment space, producing some of the best ellipticals, exercise bikes, rowing machines, and more. Should you need to reach customer support, you can call 1-888-308-9616.

Final Words

The NordicTrack EXP 10i provides a connected entry-level machine for the cardio enthusiast’s home gym, with a noteworthy 12-percent incline, 2.75 CHP motor, compact footprint, and iFIT streaming capabilities. The 55-inch deck and max speed of 10 miles per hour, while below the standard we like to see on running treadmills, were still sufficient enough to help our testers work up a sweat. 

If you’re new to running or trying to get back into treadmill workouts after some time away, we think the NordicTrack EXP 10i is right for you. Its sturdy build and cushioned belt should offer a bit of comfort, while its access to iFIT workouts can help provide motivation and structure. As one of NordicTrack’s most compact treadmills, it’ll also be a better fit for apartment dwellers or those in small spaces. However, if you’re a serious runner who’s looking for larger incline and speed capabilities, you may want to look elsewhere.

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