The Commercial X22i is one of NordicTrack’s premiere treadmills and as such, it’s packing a generous combination of both performance specs and high-tech features.
One of the most notable features is the fact that this treadmill can reach a max incline of 40% (as well as a decline of -6%), but it also comes with a large running surface, large rollers, and a 4.0 CHP motor.
And on the tech side of things, it’s hard to miss that 22″ HD touchscreen display that’ll make viewing all those iFit workouts very easy on the eyes.
But there’s also the cool AutoAdjust feature that allows your instructors to automatically set your speed and inclines to match whatever workout you’re doing.
All things considered, I think NordicTrack has a pretty awesome treadmill here, but it isn’t perfect – like all treadmills, it has it’s flaws too.
But if you’re considering the X22i, I think I can help.
In this review, I’ll be going over everything this treadmill has to offer, as well as the areas where I think there’s room for improvement.
After reading, you’ll know whether or not the X22i is the right treadmill for your home gym.
Off we go.
The NordicTrack Commercial X22i Treadmill
Image courtesy of NordicTrack
NordicTrack’s a giant in the world of home fitness and they’ve earned their status through decades of innovation and quality products.
Side note, I have a patient who still owns and uses one of their original Pro Skier Machines and claims it still works fine… awesome.
Anyway, NordicTrack is known more for their treadmills, ellipticals, and exercise bikes these days.
And their products are usually amongst the best home options in their respective price ranges (I wish NordicTrack would offer longer warranties, but more on that later).
When it comes to treadmills, they have a lot to choose from.
The X22i we’re here to discuss now is part of their Incline Treadmill lineup, which also contains the larger Commercial X32i, as well as the newer Elite Treadmill.
At the time of writing this, the Commercial X22i is going for around $3k, although prices can change.
Pros
- 22″ HD touchscreen console
- 22″ x 60″ running surface
- 4.0 CHP motor
- -6 – 40% incline range
- 2.5″ rollers
- Very heavy-duty frame
- AutoAdjust feature (iFit)
- Access to unlimited instructor-led workouts (iFit)
- Scenic runs (iFit)
- Bluetooth compatible
- Sled grip handles
- Quick touch speed/incline buttons
- Dual cooling fans
Cons
- Warranty could be longer
- Console doesn’t rotate
- High step-up height
Running Surface
I always start my treadmill reviews with a rundown on the running surface (see what I did there?) because this spec is crucial when it comes to overall comfort.
Basically, if a treadmill is too small, you may not be able to stretch out comfortably when running – which will certainly affect enjoyment during workouts.
Luckily, that shouldn’t be an issue with the X22i.
This treadmill comes with a running surface of 22″ x 60″, which is about as large as most home treadmills come.
True, there are some longer treadmills out there coming with 62 – 65″ lengths, but realistically, the vast majority of us are going to have plenty of room on a 60″ belt.
Speaking of which, one notable difference between the X22i and the X32i is that the X32i comes with a 65″ long belt.
Anyway, the X22i is very spacious when it comes to the running surface, so folks of all heights should be able to run as fast as they like without running out of belt.
So on to the frame.
I like to look at weight limits and assembled weights to get an idea as to how robust or heavy-duty a treadmill is.
And in my book, being heavier is a good thing because it’s going to make for a more stable feel – you know, you’ll notice less shaking and movement during use.
Well, NordicTrack makes it a little more challenging because they don’t give us the actual assembled weight spec, instead they offer the “in box” weight, which includes the weight of any packaging too.
In this case, the X22i comes with an in box weight of 417 lb.
I don’t know how much the packaging weighs, but even if we subtract 50 lb from this, that still leaves an assembled weight somewhere in the 367 lb range.
Give or take.
Assuming we’re in the right ballpark here, that’s still very heavy for a home treadmill.
For the sake of comparison, I own a Horizon 7.8 AT and that thing weighs around 330 lb and it’s rock solid.
So, the X22i is very heavy for a treadmill, but its weight capacity is only 300 lb, which is a little lighter than I’d expect for a treadmill of this caliber.
Again, for the sake of comparison, most heavy-duty home treadmills come with weight limits in the 375 – 400 lb range.
My guess is that NordicTrack had to keep the weight capacity a little lower on this model to ensure safety at those high incline levels.
Fair enough.
Overall, I think the X22i scores very highly in this department. This treadmill comes with a large running surface and a very robust frame, so you shouldn’t have to worry about this beast feeling flimsy during use.
Motor
But what about under the hood?
I agree talking about running surfaces and frame weights can get kinda boring, but there’s nothing boring about talking about motors and horsepower.
Oh, yeah.
Ha, seriously though, it’s always a good idea to consider the strength of a treadmill before purchasing because if your treadmill’s motor isn’t strong enough to keep up with demand, your workouts are gonna suffer for it.
Stronger motors can reach and maintain faster speeds more efficiently, meaning they tend to provide smoother operation than weaker ones.
And even though most treadmills top out at the same 12 mph max speed, treadmills with stronger motors are able to reach those faster speeds faster (more acceleration).
Which comes in handy for interval training.
Most home treadmills come with motors somewhere in the 2 – 4 HP range, but if you’re planning on running often, it’s a good idea to go with at least a 3 HP motor to ensure you have enough power to handle the faster speeds.
That said, the X22i comes with a 4.0 CHP motor.
This is at the top of the range I just mentioned, making this one of the more powerful home treadmills out there.
Which makes sense when you think about it, this treadmill is gonna need some serious power to handle those higher inclines.
Like most treadmills, the X22i can reach a top speed of 12 mph, but unlike pretty much any other treadmill, it can also reach a top incline of 40%.
Which is really freakin’ steep.
Folks (like my brother) who like to get their cardio in by walking against steep inclines will appreciate the insane incline range this treadmill has to offer.
But it also offers a decline up to -6%, allowing you to train walking downhill.
Personally, I don’t really see a reason to train downhill on a treadmill, but if you’re trying to mimic real world conditions, maybe.
Regardless, with the X22i, you have the ability to train at any incline angle your heart desires, although keep in mind there’s a safety feature that limits how fast the treadmill will go once you get past 15.5% (or below 0%).
I also want to mention that this treadmill comes with 2.5″ rollers, which is good considering most higher-end home models use rollers in the 2- 3″ range.
The rollers are what the belt glides over and having larger ones is beneficial because they tend to offer smoother operation and last longer than smaller rollers.
Oh, something else worth considering is how high the step-up height is on this treadmill.
I didn’t see this spec mentioned on NordicTrack, but users report that the X22i has a step-up height of around 12.5″, meaning the deck is a foot off the ground at 0% incline.
If you have low ceilings, this is something you’ll want to think about before purchasing because at higher incline settings, you’ll be even higher off the ground.
The last thing you want is knock a whole in the ceiling with your head.
Overall though, I’m impressed by the X22i’s motor strength and I like that NordicTrack used large rollers too.
And other than NordicTrack’s other incline trainers, I’ve never seen treadmills that can reach inclines like this.
Features
The NordicTrack Commercial X22i Treadmill comes with the following features:
22″ HD touchscreen console- it’s funny, 22″ used to be huge for an HD console, but these days it’s become the norm. Anyway, it’s still pretty darn big if you ask me and it certainly makes it easy to see any workout you’re doing. The touchscreen also makes it easy to make all selections and with nice speakers, you’ll be able to hear the instructors whether you’re on or off the treadmill.
iFit- this is NordicTrack’s streaming services and this is what gives you access to all the workouts, metric tracking, scenic routes, maps, and all that stuff. I think it still costs $38/month and without a membership, you can’t access any of the good stuff this treadmill has to offer.
AutoAdjust- this is another feature you get with iFit and it’s pretty cool. With this feature, the instructors can automatically set your speed and incline settings during workouts, so all you have to do is keep up. You can always make your adjustments manually too, in case you want to modify what the workouts call for.
Bluetooth- the console is bluetooth compatible with both headphones and heart rate straps, always a plus.
Quick touch buttons- these handy buttons allow you to instantly set your speed or incline to a preset value, making it faster to jump between settings.
Dual fans- if you’re working against those higher inclines, you’re going to appreciate the cooling effect the built-in fans offer.
Sled grip- this refers to the extended handlebars attached to the frame. These will come in handy when working against those crazy incline angles, but you can also use them to mimic pushing a sled. You can set the treadmill to a speed of 1 mph and push into these handles, accelerating the belt speed to whatever speed you like. It’s like mimicking a manual treadmill.
Water bottle holder- and finally, yes, there’s a place to store your water bottle.
Assembly
Believe it or not, most home treadmills are pretty easy to assemble (and disassemble, as I discovered during our move), and the X22i is no different.
The main deck comes preassembled, so there’s nothing to mess with there.
All you’ll have to do is attach the uprights to the deck, connect the crossbar between the handles, attach the console to the uprights, and then tighten everything up.
There are also a few covers to attach, but that’s about it.
It’s very straightforward and NordicTrack’s assembly instructions are adequate to get the job done.
A few things to consider though.
First, this is a very heavy treadmill, so you’ll want to make sure you have assistance to get this thing to its final location.
Second, it’s very helpful to have a second set of hands when attaching the console – remember, there’s a cable to connect and you don’t want to pinch that.
Otherwise, I think most folks who are of at least average handiness should be able to assemble this treadmill themselves.
Warranty
NordicTrack backs their Commercial X22i Treadmill with the following warranty:
- 10 year frame
- 2 year parts
- 1 year labor
NordicTrack backs pretty much all of their products with this same warranty now and while it’s not a bad guarantee for some of their more affordable models, it’s a little lacking for a treadmill in this price range.
For a $3k treadmill, I’d like to see a lifetime frame warranty because that’s what most other brands offer (Sole, Horizon, Spirit, Life Fitness).
2 years on parts is also a bit short compared to the 3-5 years a lot of there brands of this caliber offer.
A year on labor is standard, so that’s fine.
But overall, I think NordicTrack has some room for improvement when it comes to their warranties for these higher-end treadmills.
Final Thoughts
Well, there ya have it.
As I said in the beginning, the X22i has a lot going for it.
With a powerful motor and spacious running surface, folks should feel comfortable during workouts – well, as comfortable as you can expect to be while torturing yourself with steep inclines.
And with a large HD touchscreen display, viewing workouts and tracking metrics should be a piece of cake.
The warranty could be longer, but generally speaking, NordicTrack is a trusted brand with a lot of happy customers, so there’s that.
Something I forgot to mention is that the console on the X22i doesn’t rotate – this doesn’t matter if you’re doing treadmill workouts, but if you plan on taking advantage of iFit’s other workouts, it could be an issue.
If you have the room, you could always stand behind the treadmill to view the console, otherwise you might want to consider the 22″ version of the Elite Treadmill, which does come with a rotating console.
Overall though, I think the X22i is a legit treadmill and a great option for folks looking to climb some serious inclines.
