Nordictrack Elite 12.9i vs 2450
This is a comparison between the Nordictrack 12.9i elliptical and the 2450 treadmill. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review Nordictrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill $2299 - $2999
This is a review of the NordicTrack 2450 model which was originally published in "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.
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Overview Nordictrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill $2299 - $2999
The
2450 Nordictrack treadmill comes with an extra big running surface, cushioning and 300 lbs. capacity. You can run at a top speed off 12 miles an hour and vary your running from 15% incline down to a 3% decline. This treadmill folds and comes with a 14 inch HD touch screen. The screen can be tilted to avoid glare depending on the light fall and the size of the user. With all of this, the
2450 is a mid-range option from Nordictrack which can be used commercially or in a spacious home gym. It can be folded up to save space and securely put back for action. The full list of features includes:
- 14” Smart HD Touchscreen
- 1-Year iFit® Membership Included ($468 Value)**
- Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
- Two 3” Digitally-Amplified Speakers
- Runners Flex™ Cushioning
- 22” x 60” Commercial Tread Belt
- Dual AutoBreeze™ Workout Fans
- Integrated Tray
- 0 – 15% Incline
- 0 – 3% Decline
- 0 - 12 MPH Speed
- OneTouch® Controls
- 4.0 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
- 2.5” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
- 300 Lb. User Capacity
- EKG Grip Pulse
- SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
- 50 On-Board Workout Programs
- 81.2” L x 39.2” W x 69.9” H Footprint
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
- 2-Year Parts Warranty
- 1-Year Labor Warranty
This is a good option out of the Nordictrack portfolio but might be a little too expensive for making a compromise. I am personally not a great fan of the higher prices mid-range options like the
2450. I either want everything and pay for it or save as much money as I can to fit as much fitness equipment in a tight budget. But that is just me.
Pros of the Nordictrack 2450 treadmill
The pros of the
2450 are:
- Big surface
- Good cushioning
- Interplay with Ifit
- Strong motor
The
2450 is a great option if you have space and money. I personally would say that I would recommend this as a bulk buy option for a commercial gym as the motor is a bit more powerful and durable than other midrange options from Nordictrack. This will bring maintenance down long term without breaking the bank for other 4 CHP models out of the Nordictrack range.
Cons of the Nordictrack 2450 treadmill
- High price for compromising
- Relatively small touchscreen for the price
- Big treadmill
I get the business idea behind the Nordictrack. Take our meh screen and our meh incline and put a strong motor and frame on it. The
2450 probably was the high end when it came out, but compared to other models I just think the value for money does not add up. If you want a big screen and do not need the full incline range, go for the
Nordictrack 2950. If you want the incline but do not want to pay for the screen real estate, go for the Nordictrack
X11 incline. If you want the value for money workhorse to go for the
1750. I just think that the
2450 is too much compromise for too much money. In addition, it is still quite big for someone who buys on a budget for their home gym.
Alternatives to the Nordictrack 2450 treadmill
Alternatives to the NordicTrack
2450 are:
If you are looking at the
2450 I assume that budget is playing more into your considerations than for clients who look at the
32i and the
22i. If you are looking for an incline treadmill the
X11 is the best option to save some money and still get the 40%. It still costs more than the
2450, but at least you have maxed out one feature of relevance to you. INcline treadmills are in my opinion for trail runners who want to be able to train all year round or at any time of the day. Especially if you live too far away from the actual trails you want to run. If you need such a steep incline to maximize your calories burned per minute, there are better and cheaper options than a 40% incline treadmill to achieve this.
If your thought process was to get a good value for money option from Nordictrack without thinking too hard, the
1750 is your best bet. You get the midrange feature for everything while not breaking the $2000 barrier. If you are budget conscious, but still want to good stuff, this is the treadmill for you.
The
true form runner is an alternative treadmill that is self-propelled. Instead of using a motor, it sits on bearing and you propel it like a hamster wheel. This makes it a great treadmill to start and stops or sprints. Most treadmills with an electric motor are not great at this kind of training as quick stops or acceleration usually break your ankles, the machine or catapult you off the belt. The desired outcome depends on your weight and prowess. The closer you are to an NFL athlete's physique, the more likely it is you break the treadmill. The smaller you are, the more likely it becomes that the treadmill turns into your catapult. If you are looking for an alternative treadmill for sprinters or sports athletes, the
true form runner is a great alternative. The commercial gym will also not have to pay as much for maintenance and power as you do not have the electrical motor.
The
Rogue Echo Bike is my personal favorite for calories burned per second. Yes, there is also the
Jacobs ladder and the
VersaClimber which do more for your coordination in case of the
Jacob's ladder and burn more calories per second for the
VersaClimber, but they are way more expensive than the
Rogue Echo bike. If you wanted a cardio machine simply to burn calories, get the Rogue Echo bike. It is better, faster, cheaper than most options out there for a calorie-burning machine.
Overview and review of Nordictrack Elite 12.9i $1499
This is a review of the Nordictrack Elite 12.9 model. You will learn about the specifics, pros, cons and alternatives of this elliptical to make a decision. This article was originally published in "Which elliptical to get from Nordictrack".
Overview of the Elite 12.9i
The
Elite 12.9i elliptical is the mid-range front-drive elliptical from Nordictrack. Its main features are the 30-pound flywheel, 20% incline, and 10-inch TOuch screen. The full list of features includes:
- 10” Smart HD Touchscreen
- 1-Year iFit® Membership Included*
- Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
- Two 2” Digitally-Amplified Speakers
- Front Drive
- 30 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
- SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
- 24 Digital Resistance Levels
- Auto-Adjustable Stride
- 0-20% Incline
- Commercial Solid Steel Construction
- Oversized Levelers
- 350 Lb. User Capacity
- AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
- Soft Touch™ Upper Body Grips
- Oversized Cushion Pedals
- Front-Mounted Transport Wheels
- Water Bottle Holder
- 68.5" L x 28.75" W x 68.25" H Footprint
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
- 2-Year Parts Warranty
- 1-Year Labor Warranty
This is a good value for money elliptical for commercial buyers and home gym owners. You will get a larger touch screen compared to other Nordictrack ellipticals and a reasonably sized flywheel to make the machine last longer.
Pros of the Elite 12.9i
The pros of the
12.9i elite are:
- Biggest front-drive elliptical touch screen
- Good value for money
- 20% incline
The
12.9i has the biggest touch screen which Nordictrack can put in their ellipticals to date. Compared to other front and rear drive models you get the most real estate in touch screens with this machine.
For the $1499 you get a big flywheel, big screen, and a good warranty. This is the best value for money machine in the elliptical line up of NordicTrack. If you want a workhorse elliptical which becomes the backbone of your commercial fleet, this is a good option. Home gym owners who intend to put a lot of miles on their elliptical (read multiple users in the home) also want to consider this elliptical over cheaper options due to the bigger flywheel.
With the 20% incline, you can work at any intensity levels to get a workout in and make you feel good about yourself after starting the day with a good workout.
Cons of the 12.9i elliptical
The cons of the
12.9i elliptical are:
- No wow factor
- High price for doing everything moderately good
- Low-calorie burn
If you are already forking out more than $1000 on an exercise machine, you might as well get a bit of wow-factor out of the machine. This is not the case with the
12.9i. There is no cool mechanics like with the
FS7i or a massive screen like you get with the
14.9i. All you get as a solid elliptical, that's it. Good for buying in bulk when you do not need to impress that much. Most home gym owners should go for the
10.9i instead with the 20-pound flywheel to save some money.
As with all ellipticals, you get a relatively low-calorie burn per minute compared to treadmills and bikes. If this is your main concern, go for a
VersaClimber model or the
Rogue echo bike.
Alternatives to the 12.9i elliptical
Alternatives to the
12.9 elliptical are:
The
FS7i would be a good alternative for home gym owners with a little extra money to spend. This free stride model would provide a little bit more of a wow factor rather than just having an elliptical at home. If you are buying new and not used, I think this is the better option. If you buy a used elliptical and budget is your main concern, try to find a Nordictrack elite
10.9i on craigslist or eBay.
The
NordicTrack 10.9i is the most affordable front-drive elliptical out of the Nordictrack line up. It has no touch screen and a smaller flywheel. This is a good option for the home gym owner who wants to occasionally train without having to go to the gym. In this scenario, you do not need a big flywheel to take the beating of several thousand miles.
The
VersaClimber H/Hp model is the product that
VersaClimber designed for home use. If you already run outdoors and want to maximize your warm-up when you workout at home, this is the machine for you. The calories burned per minute of this are not matched on a machine with that low a footprint.
The
concept 2 rower is the home gym variation for anyone who likes rowing or does not want to stand or sit on a bike while exercising. There a re two models available, the E and the D. If you are older and struggle to get very low, go for the
model E. Otherwise get the
Model D to save some money. Commercial buyers might find it interesting that these machines can be hung on the wall, if you get multiple, to save space and make your gym more modular. Hard to do with an elliptical.
The
Rogue echo bike is in my opinion one f the best options for a home gym to burn the most amount of calories with the smallest footprint at a competitive price. Unless you have reservations for airbikes, this is the one to get at about $700 apiece.
Summary for the 12.9i
The
12.9i is a good elliptical to be bought in bulk by a commercial gym. It will please a lot of customers without breaking the bank like the
14.9i. Home gym owners might consider to either move up or down the Nordictrack portfolio as they do not have to take economies of scale into consideration. You will probably only buy one or two ellipticals in your life so you might as well either maximize your savings or maximize the wow factor.