NORDICTRACK BIKES AND TREADMILLS
EXERCISE BIKES OR TREADMILLS: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
An exercise bike is a stationary cycling machine that delivers cardiovascular training without weight-bearing load on the joints. A treadmill is a motorized walking or running platform that replicates outdoor locomotion at controlled speeds and inclines. Both machines build cardiovascular fitness. The difference between the two machines is how they get you there, how much space they need, how loud they run, and which form of exercise you'll actually sustain three to five times per week. This guide maps each machine to the training goals, living situations, and habits where it genuinely outperforms the other, with NordicTrack model picks for each profile and a side-by-side spec table so you can compare before you buy.
HOW TO DECIDE BETWEEN A BIKE AND A TREADMILL?
From NordicTrack's perspective, use this checklist before comparing models. Rank your priorities and eliminate machines that fail your top two criteria, then choose the machine that maximizes consistent weekly use and supports measurable progression.
Goal Fit
Does it match your fitness habits and goals e.g., weight loss, endurance, recovery, or low-impact fitness? Choose a machine that aligns with the activities you enjoy doing and with what you're trying to accomplish. Treadmills are great for walkers or runners, giving you year-round opportunities for burning calories and improving cardiovascular fitness independent of weather. Exercise bikes let you bring your cycling habit indoors, with low-impact, joint-friendly conditioning, recovery training, and long, comfortable workouts with plenty of entertainment options to distract you.
Joint Comfort and Recovery
How well does it support your body for frequent training and long-term consistency? Exercise bikes place minimal stress on the knees, hips, and ankles, making them ideal for recovery days, older adults, and anyone managing joint discomfort. Treadmills involve weight-bearing movement that helps strengthen bones and improve walking mechanics, but they create more impact—especially during faster walking or running.
Progressive Training Support
Does it make it easy to improve over time with measurable, incremental challenges? Both machines support progressive overload, but they do so differently. Treadmills increase speed and incline to improve endurance, walking efficiency, and running performance. Exercise bikes build fitness by adjusting resistance, cadence, and interval intensity, making it simple to track progress while keeping workouts low impact.
Habit & Environment Fit
Can you realistically use it 3–5 times each week given your space, noise level, and daily routine? The equipment you'll use consistently is almost always the better investment. Exercise bikes tend to be quieter when in use and take up less space. Treadmills create a more immersive workout but require more room and running can produce greater noise and impact.
RECOMMENDED NORDICTRACK TREADMILLS AND BIKES
Four NordicTrack options: two treadmills and two bikes. Each one is aimed at a specific goal.
BEST NORDICTRACK TREADMILL FOR RUNNERS
COMMERCIAL 2450 TREADMILL
Best for runners building endurance, speed, and interval performance with incline-to-decline terrain training.
Speeds up to 14 MPH
-3 to 12% incline range
24” HD touchscreen
Folds and rolls out of the way
Built for those who want an accessible daily cardio routine
BEST NORDICTRACK TREADMILL FOR WALKING & INCLINE TRAINING
X24 TREADMILL
For serious incline training and long-term progression. The widest incline range in the NordicTrack lineup combined with adaptive training intelligence means the machine is designed to keep challenging you — from beginner walks to steep athletic climbs.
Speeds up to 12 MPH
-6 to 40% incline range
SmartAdjust™⁶ & ActivePulse⁴ for real time personalization
24” HD touchscreen for immersive iFIT content experience
BEST OVERALL NORDICTRACK EXERCISE BIKE
X24 BIKE
Best overall for those who want to burn more calories and build strength with incline and decline range for the real-world terrain training with guided workouts that automatically adjust to your fitness level.
Burn 2X more calories at a 20% incline¹⁵
20% to -10% incline range
24 resistance levels
24” HD touchscreen for immersive iFIT content experience
Adaptive resistance adjusts automatically through SmartAdjust ™⁶
BEST NORDICTRACK EXERCISE BIKE FOR COMFORTABLE CYCLING
10 RECUMBENT BIKE
A recumbent bike designed for comfortable low-impact training without sacrificing intensity. The resistance personalizes to your fitness level, so you can push through an intense workout or ease into a recovery ride from an adjustable, cushioned seat as iFIT connects you with trainer-led workouts around the world.
26 resistance levels
Adjustable cushioned seat with lumbar support
10” touchscreen
Adaptive resistance adjusts automatically through SmartAdjust ™⁶
BIKE OR TREADMILL: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
If your priority is a quiet, low-impact, small-footprint machine that removes friction from daily use, start with an exercise bike. If your priority is building a running-specific habit, pacing accuracy, and race prep, prioritize a treadmill. Many people do best with both: use whichever machine matches today's goal, and let the other cover recovery days or specific training blocks.
- Pick an Exercise Bike If: Your top priority is joint comfort, a quiet home, and a small footprint. Cycling is non-weight-bearing with a low learning curve. A NordicTrack bike and iFIT membership provide progressive, trainer-led rides for steady progress.
- Pick a Treadmill If: Your top priority is building a daily walking or running habit to help build cardio capacity and train for race performance. Walking is a familiar movement with the lowest learning curve, and SmartAdjust provides week-by-week progression.
- Pick Both If: You want a complete, diverse weekly plan. Two or three treadmill sessions for pacing and intensity, plus one or two bike sessions for lower-impact volume, covers race prep, joint-friendly recovery, and consistency in one rotation.
HOW EXERCISE BIKES AND TREADMILLS BUILD PROGRESS
The two modalities don't compete on the same axis. They produce similar cardiovascular adaptations through different movement patterns and progression tools — and they're better together than apart.
Treadmill Training Builds Cardio and a Habit
Exercise Bike Training Builds Sustainable, Low-Impact Volume
They’re Better Together Than Apart
Talk to a NordicTrack Expert. Chat or call 1-888-308-9616
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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1.Warranty terms and conditions apply. For details, see https://www.nordictrack.com/terms.
2. Source: Circana, US Sports Equipment, Treadmills, Dollar Share, 2021-2024
4. iFIT subscription and compatible heart rate monitor required (sold separately). Available with treadmill only.
6. iFIT Pro Membership required to access full content and features on equipment.
8. A Randomized Trial Testing Alterations in Biomechanics Due to Treadmill Design Final Report from the University of Kentucky BioMotion Laboratory with Noehren showed an average of 52% greater reduction in tibial shock with the same materials and design used for Ultra 1 compared to a flat surface.
9. NordicTrack is the Official Treadmill of the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America.
10. Based on maintaining a fixed speed of 1.5 mph at each grade. Yeo D, Carlson AR, Johnston J, Ziegler BL, Wentz RJ, Downs JH, Kim CH, Johnson BD. The Metabolic Cost of Steep Incline Treadmill Walking, Sports Medicine and Health Science, 2026.
11. 30-Day Home Trial Promotion ("Offer") for residents in Canada and the United States who are at least the age of majority in their jurisdiction. To initiate a return, contact Customer Service within 30 days of delivery to schedule your pickup. Eligible returns will be refunded at the purchase price less a $249.99 return shipping charge. Allow 30 days for verification for eligibility before you receive your refund. iFIT’s Return Policy applies, with restocking fees waived under this offer. Offer is not transferable or substitutable, not redeemable for cash or account credit, may not be combined with other offers, has no cash value, and will not be applied retroactively. Void where prohibited by law. iFIT reserves the right to end, revise, modify, or extend the Offer or its terms at any time without notice. iFIT shall not be responsible for any Offer errors, including tech errors. iFIT memberships will continue until cancelled. Cancel at any time at ifit.com/cancel. For more details, see iFIT’s Terms. Offer only on select products.
12. NordicTrack Price Match Guarantee (“Offer”) for residents in the United States, 18+. Offer applies for qualifying purchases made directly on www.nordictrack.com. Offer applies to new, standalone equipment purchases only and excludes backorders, pre-sale or out-of-stock items, pricing or typographical errors, financing-only offers, coupon stacks, limited-quantity doorbuster or lightning deals, bundle offers, free items, and open-box or refurbished products. To qualify, the NordicTrack equipment must be an identical model and immediately available from a qualifying authorized retailer at a publicly listed price (including shipping costs) that is accessible and verifiable online at the time of request. Price match requests must be submitted before purchase via live chat on www.nordictrack.com or by calling 1-888-308-9616. A direct link to the authorized retailer’s product website must be provided; screenshots do not qualify. NordicTrack reserves the right to verify the advertised price and product availability and may decline requests that cannot be verified. Limit one (1) Offer discount per person. Offer does not apply to taxes or other charges, excluding qualifying shipping costs. Offer is not transferable or substitutable, not redeemable for cash or account credit, may not be combined with other offers, has no cash value, and will not be applied retroactively. Void where prohibited by law. NordicTrack reserves the right to end, revise, modify, or extend the Offer or its terms at any time without notice. NordicTrack shall not be responsible for any Offer errors, including tech errors.
13. Based on ACSM guidelines estimating the metabolic cost of running at 6 mph. . The Metabolic Cost of Steep Incline Treadmill Walking, Sports Medicine and Health Science, 2026.Yeo D, Carlson AR, Johnston J, Ziegler BL, Wentz RJ, Downs JH, Kim CH, Johnson BD.
14. Based on maintaining a fixed speed of 1.5mph at each grade. The Metabolic Cost of Steep Incline Treadmill Walking, Sports Medicine and Health Science, 2026.Yeo D, Carlson AR, Johnston J, Ziegler BL, Wentz RJ, Downs JH, Kim CH, Johnson BD.
15. Assumes rider maintains same RPM and resistance setting at 20% incline.
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