NordicTrack Commercial 2950 Treadmill Review & Alternative Options
The latest range of NordicTrack treadmills are awash with high-quality, innovation, technology, and slick designs. At the forefront of all of these stands the NordicTrack Commercial 2950. Dominating their range, NordicTrack’s marquee treadmill beautifully brings together hi-tech features with quality and performance.
At a hefty price tag though, the NordicTrack Commercial 2950 has left many wondering if it’s worth spending that much money on. Luckily, our in-depth guide is here to take you through the pros and cons of this machine and take a look at the alternative treadmills currently available.
Search NordicTrack Commercial 2950 on Amazon
A Quick Guide to the NordicTrack Commercial 2950 Treadmill
We’ve come to expect quality and durability from NordicTrack and the 2950 lives up to these expectations. It’s laden with great specifications that optimises performance and entertainment, making this treadmill excellent for burning fat, building cardio endurance, and toning legs.
The 22” screen and iFit compatibility are the 2950’s standout features. The way they integrate with the other notable features on the treadmill makes running on the 2950 a pleasure.
It looks impressive too. I like when a screen is integrated into the machine, rather than looking like it’s been stuck on as an afterthought. The design team has done a great job here, and 2950 looks sleek, smart, and attractive.
There aren’t many treadmills that can match this NordicTrack machine and it more than justifies the high price tag. This high-performance treadmill is suitable for the whole family and a worthwhile addition to your home gym.
Features
Lets take a closer look at its features:
1. Interactive Touchscreen
Everything on this machine centers around the touchscreen. Understandable considering its size, quality, and responsiveness. Whether it’s with an iFit personal trainer yelling motivational comments at you or jogging through beautiful scenery using Google Maps street view, the 22” HD screen will fully immerse you in your workout. The crisp, clear, and advanced display plunges you into a simulated reality as you look to get the maximum results from your workout.
2. iFit Coach Workouts
The in-built workouts are extraordinarily interactive, helping you achieve optimal results from your indoor running exercises and complementing the treadmill’s other features brilliantly.
iFit provides you with infinite workout possibilities, complete with a range of pre-loaded programs which are both customizable and adaptable. This means that as you get fitter, the coaching will remain relevant and still challenge you.
Interactive videos with iFits team of personal trainers are fantastic when combined with the HD screen. Whether a live or on-demand workout, it feels like you are in the room with them as they bark instruction and inspiration at you.
The Google Maps street view feature is a particular favorite of mine. It allows you to virtually train along scenic routes anywhere in the world, with the street view appearing on your screen. The power incline and decline will even tilt to replicate the terrain you’re seeing.
The only issue I have with this is that you have to pay a subscription for the iFit membership (at my last look it was about $144/yr). You can use the treadmill without an iFit membership. But you do lose access to the motivational and interactive elements of the treadmill, what it is designed for in the first place.
NordicTrack has updated the model for 2021, offering a one-year free, family subscription to iFit. This keeps the cost down a little, and lets you experience everything iFit has to offer.
3. Motor
At a huge 4.25CHP, the 2950’s motor is unmatched. It can support even the toughest sprint sessions, for as long as you need. It can switch between different speeds seamlessly and smoothly ensuring you maximize those interval training sessions.
The durability and efficiency of this motor ensure the 2950 delivers a variety of workouts, suitable for any fitness level.
4. Tread Belt & Cushioning
The tread belt (22”x 60”) is long enough to accommodate even the longest of running strides, with extra width to wave your elbows around too.
NordicTrack’s very own Reflex Advanced Cushioning system sits just below the tread belt. With this, you have the option of a cushioned deck to reduce the impact on your joints, or a tarmac-like surface if you are training for a marathon or 10k run.
The aptly named WhisperQuiet™ deck and two-ply tread belt are pleasing too. The treadmill just absorbs the sound of your footsteps, so your neighbors aren’t getting disturbed by a persistent thudding sound.
5. Cooling Fans
The 2950 is equipped with 3 well-positioned cooling fans. The AutoBreeze system can automatically adjust the fans’ speed to match your running speed, simulating outdoor running and keeping you cool as you run.
If the AutoBreeze isn’t quite right for you, the fan speed can be adjusted manually.
6. Power Incline & Decline
The best treadmills can incline and decline these days, increasing your metabolic rate, decreasing injury risk, and burning extra calories. The smoothness at which the 2950 can incline sets it apart from its rivals. The seamless transitions can enhance your HIIT workouts and add variety to your training.
The 2950 can incline up to 15%, so you can almost simulate running up Mont Blanc if you really want. The decline, by comparison, is -3%. You wouldn’t run down a gradient of much more than this anyway, so this is appropriate.
7. Warranty & Guarantee
Considering the price of the 2950 I feel the warranty is a little short, particularly on the motor. Currently NordicTrack offer:
- Frame: 10 years
- Motor: 2 years
- Parts/Electronics: 2 years
- Labor: 1 year
Search NordicTrack Commercial 2950 on Amazon
Slick design, fancy tech, and innovative features. The NordicTrack Commercial 950 may be the hottest treadmill on the market right now.
Advantages and disadvantages of the NordicTrack Commercial 2950 are as listed below:
Pros
- 22” HD touchscreen brilliantly complements the other features.
- Incline and decline capabilities add great variety to your workout, power-adjusting between -3 and 15%.
- The 4.25CHP motor is a monster and can support a top speed of up to 12mph. Durable and smooth, you can perform sprints, long runs, and interval training.
- The WhisperQuiet deck absorbs the sound of your footsteps making the 2950 perfect for home use.
- A spacious tread belt makes it suitable for even the biggest stride lengths. Its durability is impressive too.
Cons
- Expensive, so not suitable if you’re on a budget.
- Incredibly heavy, thus difficult to set-up and move around. The machine is foldable though which helps.
- iFit membership is pretty much essential, costing an extra $144 a year. This is slightly offset by the one-year free membership that NordicTrack offers with the 2950.
NordicTrack Commercial 2950 Specs
| Price | $2999 |
| Warranty | Lifetime Frame, 10yr Motor, 2 yr parts |
| Motor | 4.25CHP |
| Incline/Decline | -3% – 15% |
| Screen Size | 22” |
| Size of Belt | 22” x 60” |
| Dimensions | 79.5″ L x 32.9″ W x 66.6″ H |
| iFit Available? | Yes |
| Top Speed | 12mph |
| Max weight | 300lbs |
| Built-in Programs | 40 |
Alternatives to the NordicTrack Commercial 2950
1. Best Alternative – ProForm SMART Pro 9000
Heading the ProForms SMART range, the Pro 9000 brings together a high-capacity motor, smart looks, and a huge tread belt. Much like the NordicTrack Commercial 2950, you can immerse yourself into iFit’s virtual world thanks to a 10” HD screen and 3 excellent built-in speakers.
With a foldable frame, an incline range of -3% to 15%, and a monster 4.0CHP motor, the Pro 9000 is a challenger to the 2950’s dominance, coming in at a grand cheaper. If you are a serious runner but want a more wallet-friendly treadmill, the ProForm SMART Pro 9000 is for you.
2. Best Value Treadmill – NordicTrack Commercial 1750
The 2950’s little brother, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 has all the features seen on the 2950, just on a smaller scale. The 1750 is a highly-rated treadmill and well worth the “best value” label.
Its party-piece is the 50 different workout programs it features, designed by some of the best personal trainers in the industry. This includes various workout options including speed training, interval training, calorie burn program, and heart rate control.
The tread belt is long enough and wide enough to accommodate big sprints and large frames. The thickness of the belt minimizes noise and increases durability, making this a treadmill suitable for all fitness levels.
Other highlights include the quiet and durable 3.75CHP motor which is strong enough for runners, the stability of the machine when sprinting, and power incline capabilities from -3% to 15%.
Despite being the cheapest in the NordicTrack range, the 1750 is far from entry-level and you will struggle to find much better for less than $2,000.
3. Budget-Friendly Treadmill – ProForm SMART Pro 2000
With a large tread belt, power incline and decline, and a 10” HD screen, the Pro 2000 has all the features of a top-end treadmill, without the price tag. It’s ProForms entry-level treadmill, though it feels far from it.
The crisp display and responsive screen make using this machine a delight. It can immerse you in iFits real-world simulation much the same as bigger screens, and there is a reasonable selection of workouts and pre-loaded programs on there too.
The motor is small at just 3.25 CHP, but for the beginner and intermediate runners, this should still be enough to work up a sweat and burn some calories. The incline and decline of -3% – 15% is impressive too for entry-level, and its smooth transition makes it effective for burning extra calories and building muscular strength in your legs.
Final Thoughts
The NordicTrack Commercial 2950 is a high-end treadmill, from a well-respected brand. It does come with a high price tag, but I feel this is justified by the impressive features, great specs, and impressive integration of the iFit coach.
Within its price range, the 2950 is a best buy treadmill. It’s a luxurious cardio trainer which can satisfy runners and power walkers of all levels.
Search NordicTrack Commercial 2950 on Amazon
