NordicTrack’s Commercial 2950 is one of the popular home fitness brand’s most advanced treadmills in terms of both performance specs and hi-tech gear.
Highlights that really stand out include a 4.25 CHP motor, a 22″ HD touchscreen display, and 40 built-in workouts to choose from.
And with a sales price for well under $3000, NordicTrack might just have a contender for best in class here.
For those looking for a hi-tech home treadmill that can perform, the Commercial 2950 might be just what the doctor ordered. But to make that decision, you have to know what to look for.
That’s where this review comes in.
In this article, we’ll take an up close and personal look at all the key specs and features you should consider when looking for a new treadmill.
After reading, not only will you know whether or not this is the right option for you, but you’ll know what to look for in any treadmill you’re considering.
Let’s jump right in shall we?
The NordicTrack Commercial 2950 Treadmill
NordicTrack is a major player in the home fitness scene.
They’re easily one of the most recognizable brands on the market and have been dominating for a few decades now (ever since their famous skier came out).
NordicTrack produces a little bit of everything home fitness related, but their treadmills are especially popular. Their machines regularly find themselves on bloggers’ best treadmills of the year lists (myself included).
Their commercial series contains their highest-end treadmills (well, not counting their incline trainers, which are technically treadmills, but they’re kinda in a league of their own) and the 2950 is the most advanced in the lineup.
When looking at the different models in the commercials series lineup (1750 and 2450), the biggest differences are found in screen size and motor strength.
As their most advanced option, the 2950 comes with the biggest screen and the strongest motor.
Pros
- Large, 22″ x 60″ running surface
- 4.25 CHP motor
- Folding deck
- Runners Flex Cushioning system
- Max speed of 12 mph
- Max incline of 15%
- Declines to -3%
- 2.5″ rollers
- 22″ HD touchscreen display
- 40 built-in workouts
- iFit ready (1 free year with purchase)
- Quick touch speed/incline settings
- Great warranty
Cons
- Only a 300 lb weight capacity
- Some complaints regarding customer service
Running Surface
A lot of people may be eager to start talking motor strength as soon as they start examining a treadmill, but personally, I always go to running surface first.
I think that’s the quickest way to spot a sub-par treadmill from a mile away.
Less than stellar treadmills will have small running surfaces. High-end treadmills should have larger running surfaces. Makes sense.
What’s a large running surface you might ask?
Well, the gold standard for home treadmills is a running surface of 20″ x 60″. If you’re just starting your research, that means the treadmill belt is 20 inches wide and 60 inches long.
This is your usable space during your workout.
20″ x 60″ is standard on nice treadmills because it’s been shown that most people can run (or walk) comfortably (without having to shorten their stride) on a treadmill this large.
The Commercial 2950 comes with a running surface of 22″ x 60.
The extra couple of inches in width is a nice touch because bigger is always better. Well, when it comes to running surfaces anyway.
The extra inches will give you a little more wiggle room, which is nice in case you tend to drift a little while you run. With a treadmill this wide, you’ll have plenty of space to use and won’t have to worry about running in a perfectly straight line.
To go along with the spacious running surface, NordicTrack designed the deck with their patented Runners Flex Cushioning system. This is just the name they gave their shock absorbing system.
It’s designed to give a little when you land and then provide that energy back to you as you push off with each stride. The result is a comfortable feel that reduces strain through your joints.
The 2950’s deck also folds away for storage, which is a game changer for folks with tight living spaces. After you finish your workout, you can easily fold the treadmill vertically and cut the footprint in half.
The EasyLift Assist hydraulic mechanism makes folding a piece of cake.
This treadmill comes with a 300 lb weight capacity. This is high enough to accommodate most folks safely, but it’s actually a little lower than I’d expect from a treadmill of this caliber.
Many comparable treadmills in this price range come with 350 – 400 lb capacities and higher.
Overall though, the 2950 scores highly with the spacious running surface and advanced shock absorbing design.
Motor
Ok, now on to the motor. As you might guess, when it comes to treadmill motors, stronger is usually preferred. This is because stronger motors won’t have to work as hard as a weaker motor will to deliver the same workout.
This also means the stronger motor (theoretically) should provide a smoother, quieter workout. And since it doesn’t have to strain as hard, it should also last longer than a weaker motor.
What is strong and what is weak?
If you plan on running, I suggest you aim for a treadmill with at least 3.0 CHP. Walkers or light joggers can probably get away with a slightly weaker motor, but remember- stronger motors should provide a smoother experience.
The 2950 comes with a 4.25 CHP motor that is capable of reaching a max speed of 12 mph and a max incline of 15%. It can also decline down to -3% (comes in handy if you’re trying to mimic the feel of running downhill, maybe when preparing for a road race).
At 4.25 CHP, the 2950 has one of the strongest motors you’re going to find on a home treadmill.
Now this is a DC motor, as most home treadmills are. Pretty much all commercial treadmills (and some home models like the Sole TT9) come with AC motors.
AC motors usually come with less overall horsepower because they run more efficiently- they can get the same job done with less horsepower.
With this much muscle under the hood though, the 2950 won’t have any problem keeping up with even the most intense workouts.
NordicTrack built this treadmill with 2.5″ rollers to accompany this powerful treadmill.
Rollers make contact with the belt and propel it along the deck as the motor does its thing. Larger rollers are preferred to smaller ones because they make more contact with the belt, which provides a smoother feel.
It also prolongs the life of the rollers and belt.
High-end treadmills usually use larger rollers in the 2.5″ – 3″ range. Well done NordicTrack.
Overall, the 2950 scores very highly with one of the most powerful motors you’re going to find on a home treadmill. The large rollers are also a nice touch to ensure the belt moves smoothly and lasts longer.
Features
22″ HD touchscreen display- its display is the 2950’s crown jewel. This interactive touchscreen is huge, making it perfect for the in-home training available through iFit. Even if you don’t want to sign up for the monthly subscription, you’ll still enjoy how easy it is too see all your workouts stats on this massive screen.
40 built-in workouts- iFit is nice, but it does cost extra. If you don’t want to go down that route, you don’t have to. After all, the 2950 comes pre-loaded with 40 workouts to choose from. Plenty of options to keep your workouts fresh for some time.
iFit ready- iFit is their fitness app and it gives you access to unlimited personal training workouts. It also allows you to track all your data. You get a 1 year free subscription when you purchase the 2950, after that you’d be responsible for a monthly fee (similar to Peloton).
Quick touch speed/incline buttons- on the sides of the huge display, you’ll find your quick touch buttons. These allow you to conveniently select your speed and incline settings without having to push the up and down buttons a hundred times.
Dual AutoBreeze fans- the double fans will keep the fresh air moving and keep you cooler during your tough workouts.
Chest strap included- NordicTrack throws in a bluetooth chest strap heart rate monitor when you purchase this treadmill. Very handy if you like to keep track of your heart rate during your workouts.
Bluetooth speakers- as most new treadmills these days are doing, the 2950 allows you to play music wirelessly through the built-in speakers in the console via bluetooth.
Assembly
NordicTrack does a pretty good job with their assembly instructions. I like that they provide a to scale image of all the hardware before you start assembling for reference.
Each step comes with detailed written instructions as well as a large image depicting what you’re doing for each task.
That said, there are several steps to get the 2950 up and running.
The most difficult part will likely be attaching the console. You’ll need a second pair of hands for this part because you have to hold the console in place and attach the wires before you connect it to the frame with hardware.
This is also a heavy treadmill, so getting the machine to its destination before assembly will take some doing.
That said, self assembly is very doable if you have 2 able bodied folks that are fairly handy. I’d expect to spend a couple of hours on assembly. If in doubt, you can always spring for professionals to get the job done for ya.
Warranty
The NordicTrack Commercial 2950 comes with the following warranty:
- Lifetime frame
- Lifetime motor
- 5 year parts and electronics
- 2 year labor
This is the warranty NordicTrack offers according to their reps.
Note that this is different from what the NordicTrack website says. According to the website, they only offer 10 years on the frame, 2 years on parts, and 1 year on labor.
If the lifetime warranties are legit, then this is a great guarantee. I especially like the 2 years on labor because you rarely see longer than a year.
The warranty listed on the website is weak for a treadmill of this caliber. If interested, you might want to confirm that the lifetime guarantees are still accurate.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a hi-tech treadmill, it’s going to be hard to find a higher-tech option than the Commercial 2950.
The 22″ HD touchscreen display is very impressive, as is the library of built-in workouts this treadmill comes with.
This treadmill is obviously designed with iFit in mind. The combination of the trainer-led workouts and that screen reminds me of Peloton (which is a good thing).
Besides the tech, this treadmill has got some serious performance specs it should also be proud of. Not the least of which is one of the most powerful motors you’re going to find on a home treadmill.
I also like that NordicTrack added larger rollers and a nice shock absorbing system to the deck. All together, this treadmill is capable of providing a very smooth and comfortable workout.
All things considered, the 2950 is the total package. If you’re looking for a state-of-the-art treadmill that’s built to keep up with ya for the long haul, it’s a smart buy. Highly recommended.
