NordicTrack T8.0 Treadmill Review

NordicTrack is the flagship brand of the world’s largest fitness equipment manufacturer, Icon Health & Fitness. Over the past few years, NordicTrack have made some of the UK’s best selling mid-market treadmills. The latest innovation from Icon is iFit Live and the NordicTrack T8.0 is the lowest priced Nordic treadmill on the market with the iFit Live functionality. So, is it any good?

The treadmill itself is quite heavy duty and easily passes the ‘shake test’ thanks to a stylish looking bar that connects the uprights together and houses the pulse grip sensors.

At the heart of this treadmill is a 2.25 horsepower, continuous duty motor that’s got more than enough juice to power the belt to a top speed of more than 11 mph. The deck is a full sized (20″ by 55″) and this makes the treadmill suitable for proper running. In terms of cushioning, the machine has ‘FlexPath” cushioning – we’re not sure of the science behind this as it looks like pretty standard elastomer cushioning to us, but can confirm that the deck does absorb shock well, without being too soft.

The treadmill has a large console that is both modern looking and clear in its layout. For those that just wish to avoid complicated programmes, there are clear buttons on the console to adjust the speed and incline of the machine to the desired level with a simple button press. At the center of the console, there’s an orange back-lit LCD screen that displays all the essential feedback on the exercise session.

There are some simple programmes built-into the console: 8 calorie goal + 8 timed workouts. There’s a button on the console for the calorie programmes on each press, it rotates between the different programmes with the LCD display showing the programme name, duration, target calories as well as the workout profile. The timed workouts follow the same logic with a timed workout button. This is a simple and quick approach, which we like.

In addition to the built-in workouts, the machine is supplied as standard with an iFit Live module and a year’s subscription included. iFit live connects the treadmill to your home wi-fi network and opens up a whole new world of training possibilities! In a given iFit Live account, you can setup the profiles of 4 separate users and choose from a whole heap of different programmes available on the iFit website. But iFit Live is much more than downloadable additional programmes: A amazing aspect of it is the facility to plot a course using google maps on the iFit website (you use a computer for this and not the treadmill!) and within minutes the course plotted is turned into a programme and can be downloaded onto the treadmill. For the gadget freaks out there, there is even more! The treadmill console has a lip that is designed to support either a wireless laptop or a tablet such as an iPad. When used in this way, you can log into your iFit account on the laptop resting on the console and see the course your running in google maps or even in street view in built up areas. For more information on iFit Live, visit the website by clicking here.

The warranty on the T8.0 is standard NordicTrack: Lifetime frame, 10 years motor, 2 years onsite parts and labour. You do need to remember to register the machine with Icon to get the 2nd year!

Also, the manufacturer’s warranty is subject to the machine being delivered using a 2-man delivery service. We can confirm that Sweatband.com (below) only deliver this machine using a pre-booked two man service.