Nordictrack C950 i Treadmill Review

Recent studies have shown that lack of exercise is a greater detriment to health than smoking. But as fall turns to winter and the days grow shorter, it is difficult to find the energy to venture out into the dark and cold to get that essential exercise. At-home exercise equipment like the NordicTrack c950 i treadmill can prove to be a great help in having a home workout routine. With a piece of home gym equipment like a treadmill, an aspiring runner can get exercise in the comfort of their own home without having to venture outside in poor weather.

What Am I Looking for in a Treadmill?

Different users will naturally have different qualities that they value in a treadmill. For those who are looking to do a lot of walking, perhaps to build up strength after injury, or just to be slightly more active, a less powerful treadmill may suffice. On the other hand, users who want to get a more intense cardio workout are likely to need a higher performing piece of equipment. Here are a few pointers on what to consider when you’re choosing a treadmill.

Budget

Different users will naturally have different qualities that they value in a treadmill. For those who are looking to do a lot of walking, perhaps to build up strength after injury, or just to be slightly more active, a less powerful treadmill may suffice. On the other hand, users who want to get a more intense cardio workout are likely to need a higher performing piece of equipment. Here are a few pointers on what to consider when you’re choosing a treadmill.

Treadmill Motor Horsepower

If you are going to be using your treadmill mostly for walking or a small amount of light jogging, then you will not require a very powerful motor on your treadmill—something like 1.5CHP will probably be sufficient for your needs. However, if you will be running regularly on your treadmill, then you will need a more heavy-duty motor providing at least 2.5CHP. A more powerful motor will be more expensive, so don’t forget to factor that in when you’re budgeting.

Size

It is important to consider the size of the treadmill and the space you will be putting it in. If you have a whole room to dedicate to becoming a home gym, then a large machine won’t be too much of a problem. But if you don’t have enough room for a dedicated workout space, then a more compact machine—or ideally one of the newer, easy-folding treadmills—may be more suitable for you and your space.

Design

This is a very personal thing to consider, but also very important. Is the treadmill a good match for you and the way you want to exercise? Ideally, you should try one out before you commit to buying; even a good review cannot communicate how a product will suit you and your exercise style. If you can, spend ten or more minutes on the treadmill and use it as you would in your everyday workout.

If you like to use pre-programmed workouts, does the treadmill come with enough of them to keep your exercise time from becoming boring and repetitive? Consider if the treadmill has the features you need or if it can be modified to help you get the most out of it.

Warranty

Even more so than the price of the treadmill, the warranty offered by the manufacturer will give you a good indication of the quality of the product. We would recommend products that offer a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor and would suggest avoiding any product offering less than a 10-year warranty on these parts. Additionally, it is usual amongst providers of quality products to offer between three and five years on the warranty for parts and electronics, and one year for labor.

Set-Up

Some treadmills can be difficult to assemble. Companies often provide an assembly service with delivery, but you should always check to see if this is a complimentary service or whether you will incur an extra fee by having them set it up for you.

With these elements in mind, let’s turn to consider a few different treadmills.

To see the current most popular treadmills just click here. 

What Is the NordicTrack c950 i Treadmill?

The NordicTrack C950 i treadmill is a treadmill designed to help you get the most out of your workout. With an impressive quantity of pre-loaded workout programs and its own app to help users track their exercise statistics and progress as they go, this is a treadmill ready for the modern world.

Product Specs

The self-cooling motor is whisper quiet and won’t interrupt your workout. The NordicTrack C950 i treadmill is designed to help you boost your performance in running or in walking, which it does with a system built to provide smooth and consistent power.

Pricing

The NordicTrack c950 i Treadmill is one of the more affordable home treadmills on the market, available on amazon and Sears.

How it Compares

We picked a few similar products available on the US market to see how they compare.

• ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill

• Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill

• Gold’s Gym Trainer 720 Treadmill

NordicTrack C950 i Treadmill

Ease of Use

The NordicTrack c950 i Treadmill allows for a great deal of workout customization, with incline and cushioning adjustable by the means of knobs on the console allowing the simulation of a range of different terrains. In addition, not only can users adjust many features of their workout, but the treadmill comes pre-loaded with a wide selection of workout programs. However, the console is rather cramped and users may find it difficult to manipulate the controls during their workout.

Assembly Time

Assembly time is stated by many users as one of the negative aspects of this product as it can be very time-consuming. However, when buying from certain retailers it may be possible to have NordicTrack C950 i treadmill assembled by them on or before delivery.

Design Quality

The NordicTrack C950 i treadmill uses a patented space saver device which allows the treadmill to be folded away neatly in just one step. The treadmill has precision-machined non-flex rollers designed to reduce friction. However, the treadmill lacks rear rollers, meaning that as the incline of the track is increased, the treadmill feels less and less stable.

Warranty

This model comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, and a 3-year warranty on the other parts of the treadmill, with a 1-year warranty on labor.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Easy to fold when not in use
• Fitbit and app compatible
• 3CHP motor

Cons

• Initial assembly can be time-consuming

ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill

The Proform Pro 2000 is a solid and durable treadmill designed to help users to keep their workouts feeling fresh and new. Electronically adjustable incline and decline allow a range of angle from -3% to 15% to simulate various outdoor running situations, and users can reach top speeds of 12 mph, allowing runners to really challenge themselves in their workouts. It is highly recommended for users who are training for races. With integrated speakers and an integrated safety shelf for a laptop or tablet, the Pro 2000 is an up-to-date piece of home workout equipment.

Ease of Use

Like the NordicTrack C950 i treadmill, the Proform Pro 2000 comes with 32 pre-loaded workout programs, allowing users to vary their runs over different days.

Assembly Time

The Proform Pro 2000 is quick and easy to assemble.

Design Quality

It is easy to see why ProForm treadmills are at the forefront of the home treadmill market. The Pro 2000 feels like a quality product, with a sturdy frame and strong motor.

Warranty

The ProForm Pro 2000 provides a warranty that is better than average, with a lifetime guarantee on the frame and motor, five years on all other parts, and two years on service.

Pros

• Exceptional build quality
• Quick and easy to assemble
• 3.5CHP motor

Cons

• Very expensive

Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill

This club-quality treadmill has recently been updated to provide an even roomier and more powerful running space. It can easily be adjusted for inclines of up to 15% and top speeds of 12mph. Users can load their own exercise profile onto the machine and monitor their progress via the Sole Fitness exercise app available for both iOS and Android devices.

Ease of Use

The large display allows runners to change their workouts quickly and easily. There is also a safety feature of a lanyard which inexperienced treadmill runners may wear in order to automatically stop the treadmill if they lose balance. The treadmill is also Bluetooth compatible, allowing users to sync it with a range of devices. There are, however, only 10 pre-programmed workouts available, which some users may find insufficient.

Assembly Time

Very few users report difficulty with the assembly process of the Sole Fitness F80 treadmill, citing the helpful instruction booklet that comes with the treadmill. it usually takes one or two hours to assemble, and all tools required for assembly and adjustment of the treadmill are included in the box.

Design Quality

This is a high-quality piece of equipment, with exceptional running comfort provided by the cushioning. The treadmill has a maximum load of 375lb, the greatest of all the treadmills we surveyed. Side rails, though sturdy, are not as long as some runners like.

Warranty

Sole warranties are some of the best in the industry. The warranty of the F80 includes 1 year of labor, 5 years on electronics and parts, and a lifetime guarantee for the frame, deck, and motor.

Pros

• Easy to assemble
• High-quality design and build
• Great warranty
• 3CHP motor

Cons

• Limited workout variety
• Expensive

Gold’s Gym Trainer 720 Treadmill

The Gold’s Gym Trainer 720 Treadmill is a good treadmill for those without a dedicated exercise space in their home, as its foldable design allows it to be stored away when not in use. The user may adjust their running speeds from 0-10mph and their running incline from 0% to 10%. Additionally, the AirStride cushioning technology helps to protect the joints from stress injuries. The treadmill comes pre-loaded with a selection of workout programs to ensure a complete workout with no stress.

Ease of Use

Eighteen pre-programmed workouts make a thorough workout easy. However, the 720 is not compatible with a chest strap heart monitor, and heart rate can only be monitored via the pulse grips on either side of the console. Holding on to these while running isn’t easy, and it doesn’t give an accurate reading during a workout. So, if you want to monitor your heart rate during your exercise, this might not be the model for you.

Assembly Time

Assembly of the Gold’s Gym Trainer 720 is straightforward and should take no more than three hours.

Design Quality

The 720 is a strongly built treadmill and features a multi-window LED display.

Warranty

It comes with a lifetime guarantee on the frame and a 25-year guarantee on the motor. It has a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

Pros

• Solid build
• Space-saving foldaway design
• 18 pre-programmed workouts

Cons

• Difficult to monitor heart rate
• 2.5CHP motor

Conclusion

The treadmills we reviewed all have their own strengths and weaknesses. If money were no object, then the Proform Pro 2000 would likely prove the winner on account of its excellent motor and sturdy build. However, for users who want to be more thrifty, the NordicTrack C950 i treadmill provides a more wallet-friendly option with a strong warranty and a decent design.