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Joining the 2450 and 1750, the NordicTrack Commercial 1250 is a more affordable mid-range addition to this lineup. Continue reading this treadmill review of the NordicTrack Commercial 1250 to learn more about the newest entry from this highly-rated brand.
Updated: September 15, 2023
The NordicTrack Commercial 1250 rounds out the Commercial lineup from the brand as the most affordable option. This treadmill retains many of the premium features of its sister machines, the 1750 and 2450. The 1250 is lighter, a bit more compact, and uses the SpaceSaver Folding design for easy storage. The 10” HD Touchscreen gives you access to iFIT’s vast content library. This treadmill provides a great introduction to NordicTrack’s soft cushioning and the iFIT subscription platform.
With minimal branding, the NordicTrack Commercial 1250 offers a sleek design. The steel frame and minimalistic console provide a modern look. This review of the NordicTrack Commercial 1250 Treadmill highlights the minimalist design of this treadmill that keeps you focused on your workout by eliminating unnecessary distractions.
The steel frame of the 1250 creates a sleek and modern look. The construction is not as sturdy as I would have liked. There is noticeable shaking in the console while running.
The handrails are short compared to many treadmills, but the textured plastic makes them really count. Even when I was really sweaty, I had a good grip and could support myself on and off the treadmill. The crossbar is not textured, but I did not feel it needed to be. I would have liked an incline handle option, as this treadmill allows you to run all the way up to 12 mph while fully inclined to 12%. I could reach the handrails at 12%, but some users might have more difficulty.
The 3.0 continuous horsepower motor should suit most users when walking or running. Households with multiple users or runners training for marathons or doing higher mileage might find a more powerful motor better suited to their needs.
The NordicTrack Commercial 1250 has a 20” x 60” cushioned deck. Larger users might find a 22” width more comfortable. The 60” length is suited to most stride lengths, even at high speeds.
NordicTrack makes some of the softest feeling decks. Personally, I like a firmer treadmill, but this soft deck did not feel too bouncy or like it interfered with my running form. While cushioning does reduce shock, it is possible for cushioning to impact running form, so I pay careful attention to how my running form changes. I did not notice anything but a smooth transition from one foot to the other from the 1250.
The 1250 is a lighter and slightly more compact folding treadmill compared to the other treadmills in NordicTrack’s Commercial series. The SpaceSaver Folding Design allows for easy lifting and quick storage of this treadmill. I had no problem lifting or lowering this treadmill deck. Hydraulic assistance, such as in this treadmill, is always a nice feature.
The -3% to 12% decline and incline is a nice range in a folding treadmill and about what you can expect from this price range. There is no limit on the speed during incline, but at a decline of -3% you are limited to 8 mph or slower. Another set of handles designed for the incline would have been a nice feature, and without them, I felt a little unsteady at the highest incline.
The NordicTrack Commercial 1250 is outfitted with features to make using the iFIT platform even more seamless. The buttons and storage compartments are easy to reach. I am always worried about accessing my water or phone and changing my speed or incline while running fast, but there is no problem with this on the 1250.
On each side of the screen, users will find the quick-adjust buttons for incline and speed. These are rather large buttons which makes them easy to use. Importantly, they increase by increments of 1, giving you access to the full range of speed and incline. Pressing two speed buttons in quick succession results in the second button specifying the tenth of the speed. For example, pressing 4-3 sets the speed to 4.3 mph. The arrow buttons toggle the speed and incline by increments of .1 and .5, respectively. Volume and fan speed can also be adjusted with similar, easy-to-access buttons.
The 1250 has a 10” HD touchscreen, which is a built-in Android tablet. A 10” screen is adequate for watching the iFIT content and does not feel clunky or difficult to navigate like the 7” screen of NordicTrack’s EXP 7i. The screen does tilt and pivot to adjust minimally for user height as well as position for optimal non-treadmill viewing. iFIT’s HIIT, yoga, and strength content makes this feature very useful, so you don’t have to worry about the treadmill getting in the way of your workout. The screen is at a comfortable height for me at 5’4”.
This treadmill is equipped with built-in speakers for ease of use when following along with any of iFIT’s premium training content. The speakers are loud enough to be heard over the motor and each footstrike. The volume is adjustable through the touchscreen or from the quick-adjust buttons on the console.
The NordicTrack Commercial 1250 is Bluetooth-compatible. Users have the option to receive audio out using headphones. Additionally, this treadmill can connect to a heart rate monitor like the SmartBeat Heart Rate Monitor to fully use the ActivePulse technology through iFIT.
This treadmill comes equipped with two cup holders within easy reach of the user at the front of the console. A phone fits comfortably into these cupholders, but there is no dedicated tablet or phone rack. It would be tricky to view your own content while using the 1250. I would suggest placing this treadmill near a TV if that is something you would like to do.
Right away, I feel drawn to the console on this treadmill. The handrails are short, bringing you right in toward the screen, which I was initially worried about. Surprisingly, I had no issue hitting the motor hood while running. This can be a big problem for me, but the 1250 performed well in this area, even while I was close to the console and running fast. While subscribed to iFIT, you are brought first to the login screen to select your profile. Without iFIT, you still have some program options, including manual activity.
From the home screen, you can start a manual activity, create your own route, or browse one of iFIT’s numerous programs. I think the NordicTrack Commercial 1250 shines when using the iFIT content. The speed and incline automatically adjust to the program you have selected. Hearing the instructor’s cues is easy thanks to the good screen and speaker quality.
As a midfoot striker, I had no problems with the console shaking while running or sprinting. I did notice that my experience changed entirely once I switched to a heel-striking gait. It seems footstrike was the key factor in whether the console rattled. Considering that over two-thirds of runners are heel strikers, I think NordicTrack could improve upon this. That said, the cushioning felt great regardless of footstrike. On one occasion, I used this treadmill the day after a long run on the road. My feet were feeling pretty sore, but the soft cushioning was super forgiving on my feet.
As previously mentioned, you have access to the full speed range at the highest incline. At the lowest decline of -3%, you are restricted to 8 mph or slower. 8 mph converts to a 7:30 mile, so it should be sufficient for a wide range of runners. If you were hoping to train for a downhill race or trying to replicate bombing downhill, this might be a detractor from the 1250. The only time I had any issue with it was while running on a route I created in the Google Maps integration. The decline adjusted to -3% to replicate the terrain while I was trying to run at a higher speed.
Overall, the NordicTrack Commercial 1250 is a great treadmill. I highly recommend using it with the iFIT content. While the treadmill is functional without an iFIT subscription, it subtracts from the experience to go without it. I feel motivated and excited to use this treadmill for both the content experience and the nice construction.
iFIT is one of the more impressive subscription content platforms, with thousands of classes to choose from. NordicTrack provides 30 days of content free with the purchase of the 1250 and the option to renew your subscription monthly. Your training is not limited to your treadmill as the iFIT app can be downloaded onto your smart device from Apple or Google Play app stores.
The user experience is customizable and tailored to your fitness abilities with AutoAdjust technology. Your pace and incline will automatically adjust as you follow along with one of the many programs. If you wear a compatible heart rate monitor, the ActivePulse will keep you in the right heart rate zone. For runners training for a race, you can create a course on the integrated Google Maps app, so you can follow any route of your choosing. I loved this feature and used it to run on courses I am familiar with but too far away to run right now. It was exciting to use the street view to see some familiar places, and I was satisfied with how well the incline adjustment matched the actual terrain of the route.
Navigation of the content feels quite intuitive. There was a bit of a learning curve for me when I first started using other content platforms, but iFIT was easy. There are plenty of options to filter the multitude of content to find what you want. If you start a training series, those will be recommended to you first. Series content builds upon itself, providing structure to your training experience. If you are following a training plan like I am, iFIT makes it easy to manually start an activity. From any of the activity options, you have several metrics you can scroll through on the screen to assess how you are doing. It was no trouble to swipe through the screen options while I was exercising.
If you prefer not to subscribe to iFIT’s platform, you can still use the NordicTrack Commercial 1250. You will be restricted in what you can do, with content reduced to preloaded programs and manual activity. One of the shortcomings of iFIT is the inability to use third-party apps, such as Netflix and Hulu. The built-in Android tablet only comes integrated with iFIT.
The NordicTrack Commercial 1250 necessarily adds to the Commercial series. At a lower price point than the 2450 and 1750, it serves as a great introductory model for the line. I really like it for anyone looking to be immersed in the iFIT platform. This premium-feeling option would be great for a new runner or single-user household. The 1250 lacks some of the bells and whistles of higher-end models, such as a sturdier frame and console, a tablet rack, and extra storage. As with every NordicTrack treadmill, iFIT does not yet allow you to access third-party streaming apps, which might deter some users. My preferred word for this treadmill is dialed-in. The soft cushioning and minimalist build will keep you focused on your workout and coming back for more, especially when paired with the maximalist iFIT platform.
