NordicTrack T 8.0 Treadmill Review

  About Fred Waters

The NordicTrack T 8.0 treadmill is a perfect reason why this company dominates the industry.  It has the features found on other models for considerably less. In fact, there are no treadmills out there that offer a 3.0 HP motor or a 60" running surface for around than $1,000. Combine these components with several of the other innovative features and this truly is a bargain buy.

Note: The NordicTrack T 8.0 treadmill is no longer available. The NordicTrack C 900 is an excellent alternative.

NordicTrack T 8.0 Treadmill Features...

3.0 Continuous Duty HP Motor — At 3.0 HP, you have a motor that can handle walking, jogging and running without overheating. This motor runs relatively quiet. Normally at this price you would get around a 2.25 HP motor.

20" x 60" Treadbelt — At this price range you will find treadmills with a maximum of 55" treadbelt. The extra length makes it ideal for joggers or taller individuals.

iFit Live Compatible — iFit Live was released in 2010 and it has changed the concept of merely running in place. It allows your treadmill and computer to communicate through Wi-Fi. This is how it works: You create a profile and define your fitness goals at iFit.com. Through your Wi-Fi, iFit will download personalized workouts from fitness trainers like Jillian Michaels. These programs control the speed and incline of your treadmill and provide motivational audio coaching.  The workouts are also designed to be progressive in order to attain your fitness goals. Your progress is tracked and available online.

With your iFit.com account, you also get a nutrition and activity tracker, motivating text messages and emails, and workout videos available for download. In addition, through Google Maps you can simulate exercising on trails throughout the world. With the use of a laptop or Smart Phone that you can place on the console, you can define a route on Google Maps, and your treadmill will simulate the terrain by adjusting the incline. Furthermore, you can get a street, map, or satellite view as you run the route. I recently tried this feature, mapping out a route in my neighborhood. It was impressive.

Note: There is an additional cost for this feature, and you need a wireless internet connection.

Built-in Speakers with MP3 input — This is one of the better sound systems built into a treadmill. You can plug in your iPod to the console.

2.5" Rollers — In this price range rollers are usually around 2" or less. In addition to reducing slippage, large rollers reduce wearing on the belt, motor, and bearings by reducing rotations.

Warranty — You get lifetime on the motor, 3-years parts, and 1-year labor coverage. Typically at this price you would get 1-year parts coverage.

Built-in Fan — The fan does a decent job of cooling you down. In addition, you can set it for manual and it will increase in intensity has you speed up the treadmill.

Our Review - The NordicTrack T 8.0 Treadmill

NordicTrack was the first to offer a treadmill at $1,000 with a 3.0 HP motor and a 60" treadbelt. Now they raised the bar by offering these same features on a treadmill for $200 less. I imagine the competition is shaking their head in frustration.

How can NordicTrack offer so much for so little? They are part of Icon Fitness, which is the largest fitness equipment manufacturer in the world. With their economy of scale they are able to undersell the competition. Furthermore, they have vast resources to develop leading edge technology, like iFit Live.

There is no other treadmill at $800 that is comparable to this value package.

Go to www.NordicTrackTreadmills.com to learn more!