NordicTrack T12 Si Treadmill Review

The Nordic Track T12 Si Treadmill is manufactured by Icon Health & Fitness – the world’s largest fitness equipment manufacturer. For the last few years, Nordic Track treadmills have been among the best selling treadmills in the UK in the mid-price segment.

Let’s start with the basics: This treadmill is powered by a large 3 horsepower continuous duty motor, has a 20 inch by 60 inch running belt, a top speed of 20 kph (12.5 mph) and a maximum incline of 12%. These specifications are among the best for any machine that retails for under £1000.

We found the Nordic T12 treadmill to be a solid and sturdy machine and the roomy running belt provides an extra sense of security when running. The running deck features “duraslide” which enables the level of cushioning to be adjusted by sliding an orange merchanism on either side of the running deck. According to NordicTrack, this enables the level of impact absorption to be to be varied between 19% and 26% in comparison to road running. Whilst it’s almost impossible to verfiy the figures stated, we can confirm that there is a noticeable difference in the level of cushioning when the sliders are at their minimum and maximum settings. We feel that this is a useful feature – specially in situations where the treadmill will be getting used by different users with varying weights and fitness levels.

The console and programme options of this treadmill are impressive to say the least! Instead of difficult to read LCD windows, there are clear and bright LED windows that provide all the critical feedback. In addition, programme feedback is provided by provided by ten LEDs indicating the training zone the user is in as well as a larger window that displays progress along a quarter mile track or the programme segments when using a programme. In addition, there are the normal incline and speed keys that one would expect from a treadmill of this price.

The programmes are cleanly organised into groups: Weight Loss programmes (6 target calorie burn levels), performance workouts (6 programmes), heart rate control programmes (2) and user defined programmes (4 in total). We particularly like the simplicity of the weight loss programmes. Simply select the number press the button indicating the number of calories being targetted (choice of 250, 300, 350, 400, 500 and 600 calorie sessions), enter your weight (unless previously entered) and hit the start button! The programme then starts and a count down of the calories is displayed as the treadmill varies the intensity and speed of the belt.

The presence of heart rate control is a very welcome feature and the treadmill comes with the chest belt needed to unlock this fucntionality. We are fans of heart rate control programmes as heart rate controlled training ensures exercising at the right intensity to achieve fitness goals – be they fat burning or cardio training.

The console also features a little slot for iFit. This deceptively small feature of the console unlocks a whole world of personal training with the option to purchase goal specific iFit SD cards that each feature professionally designed programmes and typically provide 8 week’s worth of personal trainer workouts. These programmes are accompanied by the voice of a personal trainer providing instructions and advice over the treadmill’s speaker. Our only gripe with this fantastic feature is that the American accent can get a little much!

Of course, all of these programmes and options are just that – options. For those that wish to just get on the treadmill and use it, full manual control is very easy and simple to use – specially with the quick speed and incline keys. Heart rate can be measured without wearing a chest belt by gripping the hand pulse sensors.

Though we would never rate a treadmill by the quality of speakers, it is worth nothing that the speakers built into the NordicTrack T12 Si are actually pretty decent quality!

In terms of warranty, it’s standard issue NordicTrack: Lifetime frame, 10 years motor warranty and 2 years onsite parts and labour as long as the machine is registered on their website within 28 days of purchase. Whilst not the longest warranty period on the market, it’s pretty decent. Please note that due to the weight of this machine, the warranty is invalidated if the product is not delivered using a 2-man delivery service. We can confirm that Sweatband only delivery this item using a 2-man service.