A treadmill is a common home fitness investment, and one of the easiest to second-guess. Prices vary widely, features look similar at first glance, and it can be tempting to assume that a lower-cost option will “do the job.”
The real question isn’t whether a treadmill works. It’s whether the treadmill you choose will still support your goals months or years from now.
A treadmill’s long-term use often depends on factors such as ease of use, comfort, and ability to support progressive training. These qualities, when present, can help support consistent exercise habits over time, which research has linked to improved health outcomes.² That’s where higher-end treadmills tend to separate themselves, not through flashy extras, but through features that influence how often you train and how far you can take it.
If you’re asking “is a treadmill worth the investment?,” this guide breaks down what that investment tends to deliver over time, using NordicTrack’s treadmill lineup as the reference point.
What “Worth the Investment” Really Means for a Treadmill
The American College of Sports Medicine notes that one reason home exercise equipment can support long-term adherence is that it reduces common barriers like time constraints, travel, and scheduling, which are frequently cited obstacles to maintaining regular physical activity.¹
A treadmill tends to earn its value in two ways:
- It lowers friction. No weather, no commute, no scheduling around a gym.
- It supports progression. As fitness improves, the treadmill continues to offer new challenges, like incline adjustments, instead of becoming a limitation.
Research and public health guidance consistently emphasize that long-term health benefits are closely tied to consistency and adequate exercise dose, not short bursts of motivation.² When equipment makes it easier to stay consistent and gradually increase intensity, it becomes more than a convenience purchase.
That’s the context where build quality, incline range, speed capability, and cushioning begin to matter.
Where Higher-End Treadmills Add Long-Term Value
At the top end of the category, quality treadmills prioritize not just performance capacity, but long-term comfort, material quality, and design that supports daily use over years.
Incline Range That Expands What Walking and Running Can Do
Incline is a widely used treadmill lever because it lets you increase training demand without relying on faster speeds. In a 2024 treadmill study of healthy older adult men, walking at higher grades (10% and above) was associated with a significant reduction in peak internal knee abduction moment compared with level walking, a biomechanical marker often used to estimate medial knee joint loading during gait.⁵ The authors note that this pattern may help explain why incline walking is often considered a useful way to build fitness while managing knee loading concerns, while also emphasizing that more research is needed in broader populations.⁵
Higher incline ceilings also create room for progression. Instead of increasing speed every time workouts feel easier, you can manipulate incline to keep training challenging while maintaining control.
Read more about the benefits of incline training.
Speed and Motor Capability That Leave Room to Grow
Many people start walking and later add jogging, intervals, or longer endurance sessions. A treadmill with a higher top speed and performance-oriented build makes that progression possible without replacing the machine.
Beyond top speed alone, stronger motor systems are designed to support consistent performance during longer workouts, frequent incline changes, and interval-style training. Over time, this can translate to a more stable feel underfoot and fewer limitations as training intensity increases. In that context, a treadmill that supports future needs may reduce the likelihood of needing to upgrade later.
Screen and Training Experience That Support Adherence
How workouts are delivered can influence how often people return to them. Larger, integrated displays can make guided workouts easier to follow and more engaging, which may reduce the mental friction associated with starting a session.
When paired with guided workout platforms, like iFIT, on-screen programming can offer structure and variety that helps users follow planned sessions rather than relying entirely on self-directed routines.
Ready to see how structured training fits into your routine?
Explore NordicTrack treadmills and experience how iFIT’s guided workouts, adaptive programming, and immersive displays help turn good intentions into consistent training, at home and on your schedule.
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Cushioning and “Feel” That Support Frequent Use
Impact comfort is one of the most underestimated factors in treadmill satisfaction. NordicTrack’s cushioning systems are designed to influence how the deck responds underfoot, shaping the running or walking feel depending on the model.
For people training multiple times per week, comfort and perceived impact can play a role in how sustainable that routine feels.
NordicTrack Treadmill Comparison: Decision-Driving Features
The table below focuses on the features that most directly affect training experience and longevity. iFIT, SmartAdjust, and ActivePulse are consistent across models and are addressed separately.
| Model | Incline | Speed | Screen | Cushioning | Price | NordicTrack Financing* |
| X24 Treadmill (Splurge) | -6% to 40% | 0–12 MPH | 24” | Spring Flex, soft trail feel | $4,299 | As low as $89/month for 36 months |
| Commercial 2450 (Best long-term investment) | -3% to 12% | 0–14 MPH | 24” | RunFlex, road-running feel | $2,999 | As low as $70/month for 36 months |
| X16 Treadmill | -6% to 40% | 0–12 MPH | 16” | Spring Flex, soft trail feel | $3,699 | As low as $81/month for 36 months |
| Commercial 1750 | -3% to 12% | 0–12 MPH | 16” | RunFlex, road-running feel | $2,499 | As low as $56/month for 36 months |
| Commercial 1250 | -3% to 12% | 0–12 MPH | 10” | RunFlex, lower-impact feel | $1,999 | As low as $50/month for 36 months |
| T Series 10 | 0% to 12% | 0–12 MPH | 10” | SelectFlex, soft–firm feel | $1,799 | As low as $45/month for 36 months |
Matching the Treadmill to How You’ll Actually Train
For Incline-Focused Training and Walking Intensity
The X16 and X24 are built around steep incline capability. If walking is your primary mode and you want intensity without relying on speed, this range can keep workouts challenging over time.⁵
For Speed, Intervals, and Performance Variety
The Commercial 2450 and the Ultra 1 Series offers the highest speeds in the lineup along with a large display, making it well suited for runners, interval training, and longer endurance sessions.
For Balanced, All-Around Training
The Commercial 1750 sits in the middle of the lineup, offering incline, decline, solid speed capacity, and a more immersive screen than entry-level options.
For Consistent Walking and Practical Value
The Commercial 1250 and T Series 10 are designed for reliable walking and moderate running, with enough incline and cushioning to support regular use while staying at a lower price point.
Why Incline Training is Often Central to Long-Term Value
Incline walking is frequently highlighted because it allows intensity to increase independently from speed. In healthy older adult men, treadmill grades of 10% and above were associated with significantly lower peak internal knee abduction moment than level walking, suggesting a potential reduction in medial knee joint loading at those grades.⁵ The same study observed a dose-response pattern in 10% grade increments and reported greater lateral trunk lean at steeper grades as a possible contributing factor.⁵
Training Experience and Personalization
NordicTrack treadmills integrate with iFIT, which provides guided workouts, adaptive programming, and heart-rate-based training features. For many users, this pairing helps remove guesswork from workout planning and supports consistency over time.
The value here isn’t novelty. It’s a lasting structure. A system that adapts workouts can reduce decision fatigue and make regular training easier to maintain.
Health Considerations and FSA/HSA Eligibility
Some buyers consider whether a treadmill purchase can be supported through health-related spending accounts. NordicTrack notes that treadmills are not automatically eligible, but reimbursement may be possible with appropriate documentation, such as a Letter of Medical Necessity, depending on the account and individual circumstances.
Full details are outlined here in the FSA-Eligible Treadmill Guide.
Movement, Daily Activity, and Real-World Use
Studies examining treadmill use in home environments have found that people often incorporate treadmill walking into daily routines, including work-from-home settings³, reporting perceived physical and mental benefits such as reduced sedentary time and improved mood or focus.
Separately, systematic reviews of aerobic exercise across clinical populations have found that structured aerobic activity can support improvements in mobility, motor function, and quality of life outcomes, with higher adherence to established exercise guidelines often associated with stronger effects.⁴
Together, this body of research helps explain why treadmills remain a common recommendation for supporting regular aerobic activity across a wide range of users.
The Splurge vs. the Smart Long-Term Investment
X24 Treadmill: The Splurge Option for Maximum Capability
For those who want to invest at the higher end of NordicTrack’s treadmill lineup, the X24 Treadmill represents the most expansive training capability available in this article. Its defining feature is an unusually wide incline range, which allows users to increase workout intensity through elevation rather than speed alone.
This makes the X24 particularly well suited for incline walking, hiking-style workouts, and progressive conditioning over time. In healthy older adult men, treadmill incline walking at grades of 10% and above was associated with a significant reduction in peak internal knee abduction moment compared with level walking, which the authors discuss as a potential indicator of reduced medial knee joint loading during gait.⁵
The large HD touchscreen and cushioned deck help create an immersive and comfortable experience that supports frequent use, while the steep incline range (-6% to 40%) helps keep workouts from feeling repetitive as fitness improves. When paired with an iFIT subscription and SmartAdjust, users can follow guided incline workouts inspired by extended climbs and iconic landscapes, adding structure and variety to regular training.
For buyers who want the most versatility, challenge range, and immersion, and are comfortable investing a bit more per month, the X24 serves as a premium, long-term option.
Financing example: As low as $89 per month for 36 months with NordicTrack financing, subject to eligibility.*
Commercial 2450: The Smart Long-Term Investment for Most People
For many buyers, the Commercial 2450 represents the point where performance, comfort, and accessibility align most effectively. It offers a high top speed, incline and decline capability, and a large HD touchscreen, making it well suited for walking, jogging, interval training, and longer endurance sessions.
Compared to entry-level models, the Commercial 2450 provides more room to progress as fitness improves, while its cushioning system is designed to support repeated use across a variety of training styles. For users who want a treadmill that can grow with them over time, without moving into the highest price tier, this balance is often what defines long-term value.
The Commercial 2450 also stands out for its accessibility. Its monthly financing cost is meaningfully lower than premium incline-focused models, while still delivering a full-featured training experience that supports consistency and progression.
Financing example: As low as $70 per month for 36 months with NordicTrack financing, subject to eligibility.*
For many households, that combination of performance capability, comfort, and manageable monthly investment makes the Commercial 2450 the most practical long-term choice.
How to Think About the Choice
- Choose the X24 incline trainer if you want maximum incline capability, training variety, and a premium experience that prioritizes versatility and immersion.
- Choose the Commercial 2450 if you want a treadmill that supports long-term progression across walking, running, and interval training—while keeping monthly costs more accessible.
Both models are designed for long-term use. The difference comes down to whether your priority is maximum training range or the most balanced investment for everyday performance.
Find Your Best Fit
If you want a more direct path to the right model:
- Explore the 2025 NordicTrack Treadmill Buying Guide
- Try the NordicTrack Treadmill Quiz
Treadmill Investment FAQs
For many people, yes. A treadmill can make walking more consistent and flexible, especially when incline options are available to increase intensity without higher speeds.⁵
Incline range, speed capacity, cushioning comfort, and screen experience tend to have the greatest impact on long-term use and satisfaction.
Incline walking can increase cardiovascular demand and alter muscle engagement compared to flat walking, which can make sessions feel more challenging at moderate speeds.⁵
Models in the X series are designed specifically around steep incline capability, making them well suited for incline-driven workouts.
For many people, yes. A treadmill that continues to support progression, comfort, and variety as fitness improves may reduce the likelihood of needing to upgrade or replace equipment over time.
Eligibility depends on the account and documentation provided. NordicTrack outlines the process and considerations in its FSA/HSA guide.
References
- American College of Sports Medicine. 3 Essentials for Building a Home Gym.
- American College of Sports Medicine. Physical Activity Guidelines (Resources).
- Scisco JL, Meyers E, Miceli A, Powell J. “It’s Been a Game Changer”: Examining Treadmill Desk Use When Working from Home.
- Cui W, Hu Z, Li J, Wang S, Xu R. The impact of aerobic exercise dose based on ACSM recommendations on patients with Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- ScienceDirect. The effect of incline walking on lower extremity and trunk mechanics in older adults.
Disclaimer: The primary purpose of this blog post is to inform and entertain. Nothing on the post constitutes or is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided on the blog is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, and please consult your doctor or other health care provider before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information available on this blog. NordicTrack assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.
*Subject to credit approval. Suggested payoff periods of 12 or 24 months are based on the transaction amount at the disclosed APR assuming all timely payments are made. Visit the Cardholder Agreement for details. Fortiva Retail Credit accounts are issued by The Bank of Missouri, Perryville, MO. Customers not qualified for a 0% APR offer may qualify for a deferred interest offer with Fortiva Retail Credit or a different offer with another creditor.
