NordicTrack Elite 9500 PRO Treadmill Review

  About Fred Waters

"A Very Best Buy"

The NordicTrack Elite 9500 PRO treadmill is their top of the line model. You'll find it out-specs the competitors, while offering the most innovative features in the industry.

The Elite 9500 PRO is a perfect example of why NordicTrack is successfully challenging established brands that dominated the $1,500+ market. Being part of the largest fitness equipment company in the world, NordicTrack typically offers more for less. The total package on the Elite 9500 PRO is nothing less than impressive, and that is why Men's Health Magazine rated it one of the "Best Products" for 2011.

Note: The 2012 NordicTrack Elite 9500 PRO treadmill typically sells for $1,999 with shipping and 1-year subscription to iFit Live. A good value. Go to NordicTrack Treadmills for the latest price.*

NordicTrack Elite 9500 PRO Treadmill Features...

10" Touch Screen Color Display with Android Browser — The display is similar to an Internet tablet. It allows you to connect online and listen to music from Pandora.com, read your email, and catch up on your favorite web sites. You can also directly access the full features of Google Maps on iFit Live without the need of a laptop or smart phone.

iFit Live — iFit Live is all about motivating yourself to achieve your fitness goals, and maybe go beyond them. It allows for 2-way communication between your treadmill and the Internet. This is how it works: You create a profile and define your fitness goals at iFit.com. Let's say you want to lose 10 lbs. in three months. Through your Wi-Fi connection, iFit will download personalized workouts designed to achieve your desired goals. The workouts are created by fitness trainers like Jillian Michaels. They are progressive in nature and include audio coaching. Depending on your progress the workouts will get more or less intense.

Your stats are communicated back to iFit.com so you can constantly track your progress, and studies show those who track their progress are more likely to succeed in achieving their goals.

In addition, through Google Maps, you can experience exercising on roads and trails throughout the world. You define a route on Google Maps, and your treadmill will simulate the terrain by adjusting the incline and decline. You have the option of getting a street, map, satellite or earth view as you run the route. You can view it directly on the 10" display. Other NordicTrack treadmill with iFit Live require using a separate laptop.

There is also a library of existing routes of famous cityscapes or trails in national parks. I tried iFit Live when I was at the headquarters and ran through my neighborhood viewing familiar sites.

Finally, you can compete in sponsored races. NordicTrack holds scheduled races through predetermined routes. As you race you can view your progress in relation to the leader, the pack and the last person. Their recent race had 2,000 competitors. There are also a series of training routines for 5K, 10K, and marathon races. Note: You need a wireless internet connection.

4.0 Continuous Duty HP Motor — This is an excessively large motor for a residential treadmill. The motor is extremely reliable and that is why it comes with a lifetime motor warranty.  It will also run effortlessly and quietly when you are running at high speeds or at steep inclines.

22" x 60" Running Surface — When I was out to visit the company they made it a point to tell me the 60" is the actual running surface. They mentioned that other companies advertising a 60" treadbelt may have a running surface as much as 4" shorter because part of the belt is covered by shrouds. This is an excellent length for speed and interval training.

Equally important is the 22" wide width. Although only 2" wider than most belts, the extra width gives the users a less confined running experience.

QuadFlex Shock Absorption Deck — You'll find a QuadFlex Deck on their lower priced NordicTrack C 900, but they enhanced it with increased shock absorption on the Elite 9500.  The QuadFlex Deck is designed to absorb the shock of your impact while providing an energy return when you lift off. NordicTrack claims this patented design allows you to exercise longer. I will say it does a good job of absorbing impact. You also have the ability to adjust the firmness to your preference.

Speaker System with iPod/MP3 Player — You'll find that NordicTrack reserves their best sound system for the Commercial 1750 and the Elite 9500 Pro. It includes 3" high-excursion drivers (speakers), which I have no idea what that means, but the result is an impressive sound clarity that you will not find on other brands. You can plug in your iPod or MP3 player and rock out as you burn calories.

3% Decline — With the NordicTrack Elite 9500 PRO you can simulate running up and down hills, which in turn allows you to stimulate and tone different muscles groups. It inclines up to 15% and declines to 3%. This feature further enhances your experience running up and down hills with Google Maps. NordicTrack is one of the few to offer a declining feature.

40 Installed Programs — There is a generous selection of installed programs that come with the Elite 9500 PRO.  You have 30 workouts that focus on calorie-burning, incline, speed or intensity training. In addition, there are 10 iFit Live workouts that offerr training from Jillian Michaels.

Heart Rate Monitor with Wireless Chest Strap — You can continually monitor your heart rate as you exercise.  You can also use this feature to keep your heart rate in a particular zone, like fat burn or cardio training.  This technique is used by professional athlete for training. 

2 HD Video Workouts — This is new for the 2012 model. A personal trainer coaches you as you run through Haleakala and Hana, Hawaii, "sharing interesting facts about artifacts and landmarks along the way. Your incline and decline adjust to match the terrain." Where do they come up with these ideas?

3" Rollers — This is the size roller you would find on commercial models. The benefit of large rollers is they put less stress on the treadbelt, bearings and motor, and consequently extend their life.

8" Workout Fan — Considering the size of the fan, it kicks out some relief. It points directly at your core, which is the most important part of your body to cool off. This fan has 3 speeds, but you can set it for manual and it will speed up as you run faster.

Unit Weight 290 Lbs — The weight is similar is similar to commercial models. When running you can expect it to have a very solid and stable feel. Consider getting the inside delivery option, you do not want to carry this in from the curb.

Warranty — You get a lifetime warranty on the motor and 5-year parts and 2-year labor.  Respectable coverage for the price.

Our Review — NordicTrack Elite 9500 PRO Treadmill

When I tested this treadmill at the corporate headquarters I was thoroughly impressed, and considering I review treadmills for a living the treadmill has to be uniquely special. First, it is equipped with heavy duty components like a 4.0 HP motor, 3" rollers, 22" x 60" running surface, and an advanced shock absorption system. That alone could justify the price. However, when combined with iFit Live, a 10" display with browser, an impressive sound system, and the ability to decline, you end up with a machine that redefines what a treadmill should be.

As mentioned, NordicTrack is part of the largest fitness equipment company in the world. Their buying power and shear size allows them to build products that out-spec the competition, while being light years ahead in technology and design. For the price there may be a couple of brands that are comparable in quality, but none can compete with the overall package found on the NordicTrack Elite 9500 PRO.

Consumer Magazine Review

A popular consumer magazine gave the NordicTrack Elite 9500 PRO some impressive ratings. It received an "Excellent" for exercise range, and a "Very Good" for construction. In fact, the Elite 9500 PRO rated higher than several True and LifeFitness treadmills that cost considerable more.

Go to NordicTrackTreadmills.com to learn more!