NordicTrack T5 zi Treadmill | Model 24955

[...] NordicTrack T5 zi Treadmill | Model 24955 NordicTrack T5 zi Treadmill features with iFit Workout Card Technology that gives you personalized and interactive fitness. The Workout Card is designed by a Certified Personal Trainer and delivers 8 weeks of goal-oriented workouts right to your console.The NordicTrack T5 zi also features 8 Calorie-Burn Workouts and 8 Timed Workouts. The T5 zi also features with Multi-Window LED Display, Club-Design CardioGrip Heart Rate Monitor, a DurX 2.8 HP Motor, a Compatible Music Port for iPod and 1-Touch [...]

I just purchased the Nordic track T5 zi treadmill from Sears last night, 10/30/2009. Why more people aren’t jumping on this new 2009 model deal, I have no idea. It has all the specs of the thousand dollar treadmills- a 2.8 HP motor, 20 x 55 inch track, 1 year parts and labor warranty, etc for $599. I researched the internet exhaustively and liked the smooth 5.45 ($899 with coupon), the sole f63 ($1000), and ran on and liked the livestrong 9.8T at ***** (999)….but all were at least 300 dollars more. Plus, this treadmill can be tested out at Sears, generous return policy (90 days), and lots of warranties available. I splurged for 5 years of parts and labor coverage, from Nordic Track…I plan on using this as heavily as I like, knowing it wil be fixed or replace if I can wear it out. I run marathons regularly and my wife is training for a full Ironman, so this thing will be put through its paces.

I ran on all of the treadmills at ***** and Sears. Some shook and were stiff, others were quiet and felt solid. This one feels solid. At home it seems rock solid- no shaking of the console, belt feels like it won’t slip, water bottle wobbles a little, but they did with the huge Precor machines at the gym. It may make slightly more noise than the others, but I don’t notice it at all during my workouts. It does make a tremendous bang when the elevator kicks in, I guess that’s normal for this machine.

I bought it at Sears and drove to their very modern pickup area, and was driving away with it in less than ten minutes. My wife and kids helped me drag it in, and I assembled it the next morning with the kids asleep. I was pleased to see lots of thick metal parts. The assembly was fairly insane, tons of little parts and pages of instructions, but it was complete in about two hours. No missing parts, very clear directions, just lots of them. I got a bit of help for a couple of the assembly sections, though it could be done totally solo if necessary. I plugged it in and waited for a half an hour while my kids played with it under my supervision. I then ran four miles at about 7 mph and it seems very solid. Nice to be able to watch the tv shows of my choice, and have my fridge and shower nearby- this is the first treadmill I’ve had at home, I am used to gyms. I worry a bit what my electrical bill will be.

This treadmill has the ipod stereo system but no fan. The speakers are fine, but a home system has a better sound. It also does not have a hydraulic assist for the folding deck. That does bug me because it is not an expensive addition, and my kids could get hurt if they tried to unfold it on their own.

Seeing as all of the treadmills in this price range with the exception of Sole and Smooth are rebranded Icon Fitness machines, the game is to find good specs, a good price, and a place to actually run on the thing that has a nice return policy. Sears fits the bill…I did pay tax but had the instant gratification of walking out with it. Very happy thus far, will update after I’ve run on it for a while.