NordicTrack X9i Incline Trainer Review
More Fitness, Less Impact

The NordicTrack X9i gives you the ability to get a much more intense workout in less time and with less impact on your knees, ankles, back and everything else.

You can burn as many calories walking up the steep incline of the X9i as you can by running on a flat surface. You choose the angle of incline that meets your fitness goals as a runner would choose their speed and distance.

Of course, you are not limited to walking on an incline. The NordicTrack X9i can also handle a good run or a combination of walking and running.

You actually get 2 Fitness Machines for the Price of One. You get the Incline Trainer, which is similar in many ways to a stair stepper, and a heavy duty treadmill with an extra large running surface (22" x 60") and powerful 3.0 CHP motor.

At this time NordicTrack is the leader and one of the few brands that even offer Incline Trainers or treadmills that incline over 15%, ~ typically up to 40% ~ and decline up to 6%. There are currently 3 NordicTrack Incline Trainer models ~ with some variations by model year ~ and the NordicTrack X9i is the mid-range model that gives you the best features at the lowest price.

 

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Note: The NordicTrack X9i has been replaced by the Commercial X14i Incline Trainer.   See Our NordicTrack Price List for the latest price or to buy this treadmill at the lowest price online.

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When you compare the NordicTrack line-up of Incline Trainers you will see that, as the price goes up, the most significant differences are that you get a more powerful motor and more advanced console screen with each step up.

The NordicTrack X9i has plenty of power, with the 3.0 CHP motor, and you get the most significant console screen upgrade with the 10 inch Web Enabled, TouchScreen display and control panel.

The benefits that I have just described, the price of this model and the key features described below have all contributed to our selection of the NordicTrack X9i as this year's "Best Buy"Incline Trainer.

 

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Key Features of the NordicTrack X9i Incline Trainer

Incline and Decline - The key feature of any Incline Trainer is the ability to set a steep incline and the X9i inclines up to 40% for a more intense workout.

Most Incline Trainers also have the ability to decline and the X9i declines up to 6% giving you more variety and the ability to workout more muscle groups.

10 Inch Web Enabled, TouchScreen Display and Browser - This is the really coolest feature of the X9i ~ aside from the incline and decline, of course. The Full Color Display Screen and Browser is integrated into the treadmill console to give you your workout stats and treadmill controls in addition to the ability to watch videos and surf the internet as you workout. 

When you access the internet, your workout stats are still displayed on the screen so you do not lose track of the fact that you are still working out too :-).

You can get your email, checkout Facebook or watch Youtube or Netflix videos. There are also a few built-in iFit routes and workout videos as well as the option to login to iFit for full access to iFit workouts and routes from all over the world.

3.0 CHP Motor - The X9i has plenty of continuous horsepower to handle even heavier users at the full 40% incline. Could 3 horses pull you up a 40% incline (assuming that the CHP unit of measure translates accurately to the real world analogy)? 

Treadmill eReview

Whether you want to call it an Incline Trainer or a Treadmill, the NordicTrack X9i gives you a better workout with more variety, entertainment and motivational features than any other traditional treadmill.

These innovative features along with the overall quality, price, customer reviews, technical reviews, brand reputation and warranty have have all contributed to our decision to name the NordicTrack X9i as our "Best Buy" Incline Trainer.

The NordicTrack X9i really gives you the features of a Treadmill, for runners as well as walkers and a Stair Stepper so you are actually getting 2 fitness machines in 1.

The steep inclines of the X9i are generally best for walkers to get a more intense workout in less time while the longer running surface and powerful motor can handle even taller runners with longer strides.

As for the current line-up of NordicTrack Incline Trainers, the X9i has the perfect mix of features and price. The lower-end NordicTrack X7i does not have the 10 Inch Web Enabled, TouchScreen Display and Browser while the higher-end NordicTrack X11i does not give you that much more in features for the higher price tag.

Customer Reviews

At the time of this review, there were not a lot of customer reviews online considering the popularity of this treadmill.

The customer reviews on the NordicTrack site were very positive but seemed biased  while the customer reviews on the other sites that we researched were mostly from customers with complaints. 

Our composite score of the customer reviews online at the time of this review was 3.5 of 5 stars from 68 customers on 3 websites.

 

Note: The NordicTrack X9i has been replaced by the Commercial X14i Incline Trainer.   See Our NordicTrack Price List for the latest price or to buy this treadmill at the lowest price online.

All Features at a Glance:

• 10" Web Enabled Color Touchscreen
• 0 – 40% Incline, 0 – 6% Decline
• Motor - 3.0 CHP
• 60" by 20" Tread Belt
• Reflex™ Cushioning
• Speed - 0 – 12 MPH
• Heart rate Monitors - Pulse Grip and Wireless  with Chest Strap Included
• 2.5" Rear Roller
• iFit Enabled Console with sample iFit routes and videos
• Sound System with iPod / MP3 music port
• Footprint: 70.2" L X 39.6" W X 69.7" H

Warranty

• Frame: Lifetime
• Motor: Lifetime
• Deck: Lifetime
• Parts and Electronics: 5 Years
• Labor: 2 Years