If you’re building a personal workspace or a home gym, the most common type of workout equipment you may look to invest in is a treadmill.

Treadmills serve an array of purposes helping people meet their fitness goals. By adjusting the speed and incline levels, and monitoring their heart rate, people with varying levels of fitness experience can benefit from using treadmills.

Don’t forget, treadmills are useful when weather conditions make your workout not practical to bring outdoors. Having an accessible treadmill provides you the ability to bring your cardio workouts safely inside.

With all of this in mind, it is no doubt that a treadmill is a great addition to any gym. But with so much selection on the market, it can be difficult to determine which treadmill is right for you. More specifically, it can be difficult to narrow down your choice between treadmill brands.

As a specialty fitness store in Canada, Akfit has been serving our consumer and commercial clients since 1989. Our goal since then has been to help you find what the right equipment is for you, your budget, and your fitness goals.

In turn, our clients often ask our advice on choosing between reputable treadmill brands, such as NordicTrack and Peloton. This article will compare the NordicTrack Treadmill and the Peloton Tread to help you decide which treadmill brand is right for you!

In this article:

1)      Benefits of Using A Treadmill

2)      Who is Peloton

3)      Peloton’s Treadmill Products and Services

4)      Who is NordicTrack

5)      NordicTrack’s Treadmill Products and Services

6)      Differences and Similarities

7)      Purchasing Your Treadmill

Benefits of Using A Treadmill

Whether you purchase a NordicTrack Treadmill or a Peloton Tread, a treadmill machine offers numerous benefits. 

If you want to run, jog, or walk on a flat surface or on an incline, treadmills can help provide the following benefits for you:

•         Burning lots of calories during your workout
•         Strengthen your leg muscles
•         Improved mental health and brain chemistry from endorphin release
•         Increased joint flexibility
•         Stronger heart and improved blood circulation
•         Easier on your body compared to running on some outdoor terrain
•         Potential reduced anxiety and stress
•         Increases muscle tone, including the abdominal region
•         Less belly fat
•         Improved blood sugar levels
•         Boosted immunity

Since we can’t control what elements the weather outside may present, treadmills can also provide a safer option for your workout goals, and those who are immunocompromised may feel more comfortable running indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The outdoors can also provide other unsafe elements such as chilling temperatures, excessive heat, poor air quality, icy surfaces, and more.

Who is Peloton?

Pelton is a fitness equipment company that has operated since 2012, with the concept of bringing cutting edge technology to their gym equipment and the goal of connecting the world through fitness.

Through their membership program, users on the Peloton Bike, and Peloton Tread can immerse themselves in a variety of workout programs and classes based around cardio and strength training.

Peloton also sells accessories for their cardio equipment and to accompany their workout programs. These accessories include resistance bands, dumbbells, running shoes, gym mats, water bottles, and more.

Peloton’s Treadmill Products and Services

The Peloton Tread

Due to a recall of the Peloton Tread+ during time of publication, Peloton only offers one treadmill: the Peloton Tread.

The Peloton Tread’s flagship feature is its 24'' 1080p HD touchscreen monitor. This monitor provides the users the opportunity to engage in a variety of workout classes and programs to help connect their workout to the fitness community.

These classes range from beginner-friendly to advanced and feature different workout programs such as running routes, strength training, boot camp workshops, yoga classes, and stretching routines.

However, to access these programs you will also need to subscribe to Peloton’s membership program. This membership costs $39 a month, and requires a 1-year commitment upon initial registration. Without a membership you won’t be able to utilize the unique experience the Pelton Tread offers.

As for the actual cost of the treadmill, Peloton offers the Pelton Tread at 4 different price points all depending on what package you decide to invest in.

Basic: $3295

•     Peloton Tread
•     12-month limited warranty
•     Delivery and assembly

Essentials (Including Basic): $3595

•     One set of resistance bands
•     Two sets of weights
•     A reversible workout mat
•     Heart rate monitor

Works (Including Basic + Essentials): $3745

•     Yoga strap
•     Yoga blocks
•     Peloton x Camelbak® water bottle

Family (Includes all other packages): $3895

•     A second set of weights
•     A second heart rate monitor
•     A second Peloton x Camelbak® water bottle

Peloton Delivery

When you purchase your Peloton Tread, Peloton will deliver the treadmill to you and have one of their trained professionals assemble your brand new treadmill and they’ll even help run you through the basic functionality of the machine.

Peloton Warranty

Peloton’s manufacturer warranty covers a 5 year protection on the frame while offering a 1 year warranty on parts and labor.

Peloton Return Policy

Peloton offers a 30-day return policy for products not covered under the free 30-day home trial. However, Peloton’s policy does not cover improper wear and tear caused by the user. Refunds are not offered on delivery fees or charges related to your Peloton product and equipment returned after the 30-day return policy will be taxed with an additional $250 delivery fee minimum.

Who Is NordicTrack?

NordicTrack is another fitness equipment retailer that also specializes in cardio equipment and accessories. Since the mid 1990s, NordicTrack began their journey by offering their NordicTrack Skiers. These cardio machines were designed to provide the user with a low-impact cardio workout that mimicked the movement of cross-country skiing.

Later in the 1990s, NordicTrack would expand to manufacturing ellipticals, another form of low-impact cardio equipment, and then near the end of the decade they introduced treadmills, incline trainers, steppers, exercise bikes, and more to their inventory.

Comparable to Peloton, NordicTrack also offers compatibility with the iFit app with select products. An iFit membership will provide the user with another wide selection of workout classes and programs.

NordicTrack’s inventory is significantly larger than Peloton’s. At Akfit, we sell lots of NordicTrack products which include exercise bikes and treadmills. However, NordicTrack also sells ellipticals, rowers, and strength training equipment.

NordicTrack’s Treadmill Products and Services

At the time of publication, NordicTrack currently offers 6 different treadmill models on their website, while we at Akfit also sell a select few of these cardio machines.

Nordictrack’s treadmills can be divided into two sections: The C Series Treadmills and The Incline Treadmills.

The C Series Treadmills

NordicTrack’s C Series Treadmills range in price from $1349 to $2999 and three of the four models on their website are all compatible with the iFit app in some capacity.

Depending on the C model you decide to invest in, you’ll be provided with a HD touchscreen monitor to partake in your workout programs. Only the NordicTrack C700 comes with no monitor, but is Bluetooth compatible with your personal devices and the iFit app. The C700 model also measures out to a belt size of 22" x 55", while the other C series’ models have a belt size of 22" x 60".

All of these models present different include and speed levels as well as different motors. If you are confused on which option is right for you, we encourage you to reach out to us and speak with one of our fitness professionals. We at Akfit pride ourselves in helping our clients find the perfect fit for them in terms of workout equipment.

The Incline Treadmills

The other set of treadmills that NordicTrack sell are their specialized incline treadmills, and (at the time of publication) they sell two of them: the x22i and the x32i.

Both of these models are compatible with the iFit app so you can still enjoy the various workout programs you’d like to enjoy on a C Series treadmill, however the incline treadmills provide an incline level as high as 40%.

The x22i model features a 22" Smart HD Touchscreen monitor that allows you to track your progress and take part in your workout classes (requires Wi-Fi and iFit membership) and comes with a 30 day free iFit family membership. The price of this treadmill as listed on their website sits at $3799.

The x32i comes with the same features as the x22i but this model presents a larger HD touchscreen monitor measuring out at 32".

Both of these models have a belt size of 22" x 60" and provide bluetooth headphone compatibility.

NordicTrack Delivery

As per NordicTrack’s website, all non-UPS orders will require a customer signature upon delivery. The shipping company will attempt to contact you before delivering your machine. After three failed attempts to deliver your NordicTrack product the shipping company will make arrangements to ship the equipment back to their warehouse where a return shipping and restocking fee may apply.

However, at Akfit, we offer delivery and installation services. You can request a delivery here.

NordicTrack Warranty

All of NordicTrack’s treadmills come with a manufacturer’s warranty however they all differ depending on which treadmill you choose to purchase. These warranties usually cover the frame, parts, motor, and labor.

NordicTrack Return Policy

NordicTrack does offer a 30-day return policy if you are not satisfied with your product. However, due to the size and weight of NordicTrack products they do not offer a refund for any shipping or delivery charges that may have been previously paid. All returns are charged with a $250 return shipping charge. If your NordicTrack product is returned with missing parts you may also be charged with a restocking fee.

Differences and Similarities Between The Peloton Tread & NordicTrack Treadmills

Similarities:

•         Both Peloton and NordicTrack sell Treadmills
•         NordicTrack and Peloton both offer workout programs and classes though fitness apps
•         Both companies sell strength training equipment to pair with your cardio routines
•         NordicTrack and Peloton both offer 30-day return policies
•         Both NordicTrack and Peloton offer delivery services for their products
•         NordicTrack and Peloton both offer warranties for their products
•         Memberships to the partner fitness apps are required to get the most out of your treadmill

Differences

•         Pelton offers installation services (however you can book an installation at Akfitfor your NordicTrack product)
•         Peloton only offers one model treadmill (at time of publication)
•         The Pelton Tread is sold in four unique packages that include different features
•         NordicTrack’s incline treadmills have significantly higher incline levels

Purchasing Your Treadmill at Akfit

While both companies offer different options and different programs with their treadmills, what you choose to invest in ultimately comes down to preference.

Thankfully that’s why we are here, at Akfit we specialize in helping our clients reach their workout goals, and we encourage you to check out our inventory of treadmills.

We encourage you to reach out to us, or book a virtual meeting with one of our fitness specialists to help narrow down your treadmill investment decisions.

Whether you’re building a personal workout space or running a commercial gym, we can offer knowledge and advice to help you find your perfect fit.