The Nordic Track Z7Xi treadmill is a low-priced treadmill that Nordictrack has recently introduced especially for the buyer on a budget. And, not suprisingly, it's very popular.
You get some solid basics with it like a decent 2.25 HP motor, 55" long treadbelt, heart rate monitor, iFit card reader, 15 built in workouts, console fan, iPod dock and up to 12% inclines.
But is it a good buy for you? Here's a review of the Nordic Track Z7XI to help you decide:
Quick Stats:
Price: $699 (Sale)
Motor: 2.25 Commercial DurX™ Motor
Speed: 0 -12 MPH
Incline: 0-12%
Treadbelt: 20 x 55"
Folding: Yes
325 lb Weight Capacity Deck
iPod/Mp3 Dock To Play and Charge Your iPod/Mp3 Player
15 Built-In Workout Programs
Lifetime Frame, 25 Years on Motor, 1 Year parts and Labor
Strengths:
1) 2.25 HP Motor With 25 Year Warranty - The motor is the heart of your treadmill. And for this price point, a 2.25 HP motor is pretty good. Plus it's covered by a 25 year motor warranty, which also helps to protect your investment.
2) Up To 12% Incline - The Z7XI treadmill comes with a higher incline than most treadmills under $1000 - up to 12%. Most budget treadmills only give you up to 10% incline so this is a nice feature to have, especially if you want to build in interval training into your workout.
3) Up to 12 MPH Speed Limit - This is another feature that you don't usually find with treadmills under $1000. If you really want to crank up your speed (or interval train), this is another nice added touch as most starter treadmills only go up to 10 MPH.
4) iFit Workout Card Reader For Personal Trainer Guided Workouts - The Z7XI treadmill has an iFit card reader built into the console. Each iFit card contains 8 weeks of interactive workouts. You just plug the card into the console and the treadmill remembers where you left off.
Each card focuses on a fitness goal (like weight loss for example) and workouts are tailored to help you reach that goal. The voice of a personal trainer guides you through your workout.
Nordic Track has now teamed up with Jillian Michaels (from the TV show 'The Biggest Loser') to make specialized iFit workout cards with Jillian-designed workouts. You actually get Jillian talking you through your workout. Very cool.
5) Adjustable Cushioning Reduces Impact Up To 26% - Good cushioning is one of the most important features to have as it helps protect your joints from the jarring impact of frequent walking or running. The Nordic Track Z7 treadmill's Prosoft 3 system reduces impact on your joints by up to 26%, as compared to road running.
It's also adjustable, which is handy if you've got different users on the treadmill as some people prefer a harder feeling deck and some people prefer a softer feeling deck. Although it's not the best cushioning system NordicTrack has, for this price point it's good value.
6) iPod Dock with Speakers Built Into the Console - The Universal Dock for iPod comes with a cable that plugs directly into the treadmill console. You can charge your iod while playing your favorite music or audiobooks. While this is a fairly standard feature, it's still very handy and can make your workouts a lot more enjoyable.
Weaknesses:
The Nordic Track Z7XI treadmill is a bargain price - but it's also fairly new to the market and hasn't had the time to really prove itself yet. And while user reviews have been positive so far, there aren't a lot of them.
Overall Conclusion: Good Value For Those On A Budget
The Nordic Track Z7XI treadmill is Nordictrack's bargain treadmill right now and - according to the company - it's flying off the shelves. Not surprising considering the price point. To get a Nordic Track for $699 is amazing.
However, it's probably not the best option for runners or multiple user families, who may want to consider a higher end Nordic track with more options and stronger construction.
Overall though, if you want a decent value treadmill at a steal of a price, you'll probably be very happy with the Nordic Track Z7 XI treadmill.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can get the NordicTrack Z7XI treadmill direct from the Manufacturer. They're currently offering Free Shipping which will save you about $150.
