Experience the Ultimate Incline Training with NordicTrack X22i: A Complete Guide

This review will discuss the Nordictrack X22i treadmill by iFIT. This treadmill is an incline that can be used for running, walking, and other iFIT activities. This treadmill is the right one for you. Let’s find out.

NordicTrack X22i, an incline specialized treadmill, connects to iFIT classes via the included 22" HD touchscreen. This treadmill has an amazing range of settings, including the ability to adjust inclines as quickly as -5% up to +40%.

This treadmill is the most comfortable and reliable you will ever find. It features a touchscreen that can rotate 360 degrees, a built-in fan, as well as a running suspension system.

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NordicTrack X22i Treadmill specifications

Design

Because it is such an enormous and heavy piece, we often refer to the X22i as “The Beast” in our household. It is approximately 70.2 inches in length, 39.6 inch wide, 71.6 inch high, and close to 400lbs.

You will need to ensure that you choose a spot with enough space above and behind you when setting up your X22i. If you slip while climbing up a hill at 40 degrees of incline, it is possible to get back up.

It is unlikely that you want to have it moved around so often. It has been moved a few times since there are wheels at the front. It is still a “Beast.”

The Nordictrack X22i is capable of reaching speeds up to 12 mph and can incline up up to 40 degrees. It can also drop down to -6 degrees. It can match any incline and decline encountered while on scenic runs, which is very cool.

Running can be difficult for many people. This incline option gives you the opportunity to work out without having to run.

The X22i belt features a “Reflex cushioning system” that Nordictrack refers to as a “Reflex Cushioning System.” This provides the perfect amount of cushion to minimize impact to your knees and ankles.

My calves usually ache when I run longer distances. Fortunately, this did not happen with the X22i. I felt that I could run longer because of the cushioning system.

Screen

The Nordictrack X22i features a 22-inch HD touch screen. It is beautiful and doesn’t smudge as much as other machines. Although the screen is great at not picking up fingerprints it doesn’t fully turn off.

It would be great if the screen was completely darkened after you use it. It dimming right now is a little. It can still be bright even when it is dimmed. It is best to keep it out of direct sunlight.

The treadmill has a power button that can be used to turn off the screen. However, it is difficult to reach. The treadmill, like many Nordictrack devices is not meant to be turned off.

Control center

Two 3-inch speakers and fans are located below the screen. The treadmill can only be started with a magnet key. The key is attached to a strap that can be fastened to your belt so it will stop if you slip.

You can adjust the speed and incline of the fans from the control center located around the screen. Although you can control the sound somewhat from this area, it can be a bit cumbersome. The whole screen will open up when you adjust the volume using the music buttons. Although this isn’t a problem, it can cause some disruption to your workout if you only want to increase the volume.

The control center’s overall structure is too large, according to me. It is difficult to use the phone or bottle holder because they are so large. Even if you’re short, it can be difficult to reach the bottle holder.

Treadmill belt

The X22i is not for those who are very tall. This is how the screen holder was designed. The large screen holder bolts into the treadmill about a foot in front of the end, not at the very tip.

This basically reduces the tread area on the 5-foot belt to less than 4 feet. It is still long enough to allow tall people to run, but you have less room for error if they slow down.

The X32i is an upgraded version of X22i. It has many similar features, but it also offers some new features. The X32i has a 32-inch screen and a belt that is 5 inches longer. Screen holders are bolted closer to the edge of your treadmill to give you more space to run on. Although these aren’t major deciding factors, they are worth looking at if your height is greater and you would like to feel more comfortable running on the treadmill with more belt space.

Treadmill grips

There are several bars on the X22i that you can grab from the side if necessary. The one in front is the sled grips, while the two are slightly higher up. The X22i also includes workouts for the sledgrips. The treadmill is basically stopped. You drive the tread with your feet and hold onto the sled grips. You can do sled pushes similar to this, but with the treadmill belt.

Although these aren’t workouts that I would do every day, they are a useful and great training tool that I haven’t seen on any other treadmills. The sled grips could have been designed to allow me to access my phone and water bottle without being restricted.

Software

The iFIT program is the X22i software. The X22i, like most iFIT-enabled equipment, comes with a year of the iFIT family program for free. This allows you five accounts total and is currently valued at $396.

The X22i’s iFIT program was amazing. There are thousands of classes and great coaches available that will take you around the world. I’ve run all over Costa Rica, and almost completed the 18-part hiking series that leads you to Everest Base Camp.

Workout selection

These workouts are well-designed and offer a variety of progressions. They also include interval training and recovery runs. You can also take classes to prepare for a 5K, 10K or beyond.

The most popular classes and programs are the scenic runs. These scenic runs are far superior to any other classes or programs I’ve tried from other companies.

There are also studio-type and live running classes. However, I don’t think they are as good. Music is a major part of a studio class’s success. Despite the fact that iFIT’s music has improved in recent months you can still only choose a station from the genre you love. This is fine, and it works well. However, it is not anything extraordinary or new.

Live classes are certainly more entertaining. Coaches do an excellent job of engaging live runners by asking them questions and texting during class. Although it is difficult to do this while running on a treadmill I appreciate their efforts to connect with everyone.

Smart Adjust

The treadmill automatically adjusts the speed and descent of the incline or decline depending on what terrain you’re running on. This can be great, but it can also cause problems if your running style is different than the one that was designed.

Smart Adjust allows you to adjust the difficulty of the class as you go, until you find the right spot. iFIT will then remember your preferences and adjust your workouts accordingly.

Active Pulse

When you turn on the Active Pulse it uses your heart rate data for difficulty adjustments. If a portion of your workout is set for a specific heart rate zone it will monitor and adjust to make sure you are in that zone.

These features both work extremely well. Active Pulse will take over if Smart Adjust is enabled. Smart Adjust can only be used if the Smart Pulse is turned off. Smart Adjust seems to work best for me during interval training, as the adjustments are more effective.

Sometimes Active Pulse doesn’t work for me with shorter intervals. This is because it will raise the speed and see my heart beat too low. My heart rate will then jump up and my heart rate will drop. When you do short intervals it is difficult to base training on heart rate. Smart Adjust is the best choice for such workouts.

The Active Pulse is a great choice for longer, steady-state recovery runs. It is great that there are both options available and I don’t have to choose one. It is easy for me to figure out which option works best for my needs, and that makes each class much more enjoyable.

Google Map routes

You can also create custom routes using the Google map feature. It will show you Google images of the route as you run and adjust your X22i accordingly. Although this feature is very cool, it’s not something I would use unless I was preparing for a particular run or route. This feature is great because it allows you to learn the course and its true elevation.

It’s great to be able to view your stats after every run. The X22i does not offer a way to sort through all the stats or badge collections. Although they do have an online version, it is not very good. They will, hopefully, be updating it soon.

All iFIT workouts are included in the iFIT membership. The app allows you to access the workouts from your smartphone, tablet, phone, or other iFIT-enabled devices. The treadmill also allows you to do strength and yoga exercises.

Workouts

Without a review of the Nordictrack X22i Treadmill, it would not be complete without an overview of the iFIT fitness program. iFIT offers a wide range of quality content to its members. Membership costs $15 per month for an individual plan and $39/month to a family plan. This includes up to five accounts.

There are five to seven daily studio workouts, but the best part about iFIT is the instructor-led scenic content. The scenic runs, which are great for connecting to any fitness platform, are also the best and most enjoyable.

The Emmy nomination for the first Emmy-nominated connected fitness program was actually the 18-part hiking series “Everest, A Trek to Basecamp”.

Another important thing to remember is iFIT’s emphasis on specific programs. Peloton and Echelon are two other connected fitness platforms that offer a variety of workouts, but with no clear focus or progression.

iFIT does exactly the opposite. Most of their scenic runs are part of a larger program that has a specific goal. You may find programs that help you improve your 5K, 10K or even build up to a full marathon.

There are many options here, from walks and runs to hiking to long distance running. Each month there is also plenty of new content to keep you entertained.

Use of Nordictrack X22i

FlexSelect suspension deck

Running on NordicTrack treadmills has its FlexSelect suspension system as one of my favourite things. These belt treadmills are extremely comfortable and allow for a lot of flexibility.

The cushion helps me run longer and faster than before. The difference is even more apparent after spending a lot of time testing treadmills from Echelon and Peloton.

Acceleration and inclines

The Nordictrack X22i treadmill can reach speeds of 12 mph with a range of -5% to 40% incline. This treadmill can adjust its incline range quickly, which is impressive. Here’s a reference: This is the time it takes for the X22i or other treadmills to adjust from 0 to 12 degrees of incline.

• Nordictrack: 10 seconds
• NordicTrack 2450: 15 Seconds
• Peloton Tread: 21 Seconds
• NordicTrack EXP14i: 34 Seconds
• Echelon Stride-5s: 43 seconds

The X22i takes only 33 seconds to go from 0-40% incline.

The iFIT hiking programs have a huge incline range which adds great value. It feels almost like climbing up a hill when you’re on the steepest part of the hill. These hikes often resulted in me burning more calories and a faster heart rate than my interval training.

I also like how simple it is to adjust the speed or incline. You can adjust most settings with just one press. You can use these buttons to adjust the speed of your screen by pressing them one after the other (press 6 and then 3 to change speed to 6.3).

You can adjust your speed and incline by pressing the buttons on the screen. However, you might not need them as often due to the auto-adjust features.

Smart Adjust and ActivePulse

The Nordictrack X22i treadmill automatically adjusts the incline or decline to match the terrain. Smart Adjust will adjust your speed to match your current fitness level throughout your workout.

ActivePulse is an alternative to Smart Adjust. ActivePulse uses heart rate data to determine how much and when to adjust speed based upon the current suggested heart beat zone. This does not work for all workouts as some may not have a suggested heart beat.

Both auto-adjust functions work extremely well. Smart Adjust is my preferred method for most of the workouts. ActivePulse works best for endurance runs that don’t require frequent adjustments.

Speakers and touchscreen

The Nordictrack X22i has a 22" HD touchscreen. This screen looks great and can be tilted up or down as well as rotated 360°. This screen is great for bootcamp, strength, and yoga classes.

The screen of the X22i shakes more than other NordicTrack treadmills. It is not clear if this is the case for everyone or if it is due to how my treadmill was assembled. It does not affect the experience, it shakes less than my Peloton Tread, but it is something I should mention.

They are also quite nice, with the two 30-watt speakers. They sound good at low volumes, but lack bass. A well-designed volume adjustment system allows for the individual control of the music and the instructor.

AutoBreeze fan

The Nordictrack X22i also comes with an AutoBreeze fan, which can be found underneath the touch screen. There are three speeds available, and an “auto breeze speed”, which adjusts based on your running speed.

The fan speed at the highest is quite strong, and it feels great during hard workouts.

Alternatives

NordicTrack’s X22i treadmill is a premium incline model. There are two other treadmills available that are smaller and more space-efficient, but they do not have as steep an incline. The EXP 14i and 2450 can be folded easily, making them great options for small spaces.

The 2450 is the same screen, quality, and feel of the X22i. You can save some money by choosing the EXP 14i which is still very good for the price.

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My thoughts

Overall, the Nordictrack X22i treadmill is a fantastic choice. There are many things that I like about the Nordictrack X22i. From the cushioning that reduces impact on your joints, to the large incline range that allows for people who don’t run to get in a good workout; to the vast selection of classes available and features like Smart Adjust and Active Pulse that allow you to tailor your workouts to your needs.

The Nordictrack X22i’s size and weight is the only thing I have to worry about. It might not work for you if you don’t have enough space or require something that you can move around easily. The X32i’s longer belt is also beneficial for tall people. The Nordictrack HTML32i is longer and has a larger screen, so it is definitely worth looking into. This is a large investment. If you have the budget, I believe that the X32i is a better choice.

Another thing to remember is that iFIT may not be the best at creating great playlists or live studio classes. If this is something you are concerned about, it may not be the best choice. If you enjoy scenic or outdoor rides, this is the best option.

My favorite treadmill for home in 2022 is the Nordictrack X22i treadmill. It is well worth the $3,299 premium due to its large incline range, comfortable running surface, and auto-adjusting functions. Highly recommended.

Nordictrack X22i now available

Conclusion

All that said, the X22i is a great bike and I love using it. The Nordictrack S22i and Nordictrack Vault are my favorites, but the Nordictrack X22i has to be my favorite. This is a great option if you’re looking for a treadmill. It will only get better as iFIT makes improvements to their UI and stat tracking. Even if there were no improvements, I would still be satisfied with what is available.

My review of the X22i hardware will probably not change, as I already mentioned. However, software for devices such as these is constantly being updated and sometimes it is big enough to change how I feel.

When there are significant changes, I will keep an eye on Nordictrack X22i and post links to articles or video updates.

Get Nordictrack X22i Treadmills here.