NordicTrack Commercial 1750

Bottom Line

The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 adjusts to a 3 percent decline, which is unheard of in its price range. Reviewers call its ride sturdy and smooth, and one expert says it simply "out-specs the competition" with its many programs and features, including touchscreen controls and a built-in browser.

Performance

"Unbelievable" decline feature. The reviewers at TreadmillDoctor.com usually aren't very enthusiastic about treadmills in the $1,500-and-under price range, but they say runners should consider the NordicTrack Commercial 1750. They give it a score of 8.5 out of 10 for its 20-by-60-inch walking area, and another generous 8.5 for cushioning. Fred Waters of Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com agrees that the Commercial 1750 offers great shock absorption. One owner who underwent knee surgery states, "I'm able to run longer lengths of time, I haven't had swelling or pain in both knees since using the NordicTrack Commercial 1750."

The 1750's 4.5 continuous horsepower motor offers a maximum speed of 12 mph, and Runner's World calls its 3-degree decline feature "almost unbelievable at this price point." The maximum incline is 15 percent.

The treadmill receives an excellent rating from another expert source for its ability to accommodate users of various sizes, and several heavier owners praise its stability at NordicTrack.com. However, a few users say it lags a bit when shifting speed or incline, and you must run rather than walk at a 15 percent incline, which is a sign that the motor can't maintain constant speed at that angle. The Commercial 1750 receives a mediocre rating for noise from TreadmillDoctor.com.

Ease of Use

"Out-specs the competition." Although you need a helper to get the console mounted correctly, owners say assembling the Commercial 1750 is "not too hard." The touchscreen is a huge hit with experts and consumers alike, but one 6-foot user thinks the viewing angle isn't optimal for someone of his height. In addition, a Runner's World tester who likes being able to email workout data to himself struggled to read the screen. The magazine likens the screen's size to a postcard and says the speakers "sound a little hollow."

Runner's World and Fred Waters at Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com praise the Commercial 1750's iFit Live capability as one of its best features. In return for a yearly membership fee, iFit Live connects you to the Internet with a built-in browser when you supply the wireless connection. You can then race against other iFit Live users or map out simulated race courses using Google Maps; the treadmill will automatically adjust incline and decline to simulate the terrain.

"The console's touch-and-go speed and incline keys are as user-friendly as it gets," write reviewers at Runner's World. The Commercial 1750 also comes with a three-speed console fan, 36 preset workouts and the ability to set a distance, time or calories-burned target for your workouts.

Durability

Experts love it. Owners don't comment much on the NordicTrack Commercial 1750's durability other than to say it has a "super-strong deck" and feels very stable. It gets "very good" marks for construction in one comparative expert review, and draws high praise from the notoriously hard-to-please editors at TreadmillDoctor.com, who call it "one of the best $1,500 machines on the market."

Customer Service

Hard-to-beat warranty. Multiple owners praise NordicTrack's sales department for treating them well throughout the purchase process, but how warranty service handles issues afterward is usually more revealing. User feedback on this unit's warranty service is sparse, although when one consumer's treadmill arrived missing a few important parts, a NordicTrack representative helped her resolve the problem.

The Commercial 1750 has an impressive warranty, especially considering its price range. It comes with lifetime coverage for the frame, motor and deck, five years of coverage for parts and electronics, and two years of coverage for labor.