The best treadmill reviews you can trust
The NordicTrack 2450 Treadmill has a higher speed, a more powerful motor, and more cushioning than the competition.
Updated: October 4, 2024
The NordicTrack 2450 Treadmill is no ordinary treadmill. It’s for runners chasing age group awards, not intimidated by Boston’s faster standards for 2026, and who can watch a movie (or two) during their long run. The 14 mph speed limit and 4.25 CHP motor are built to withstand your intense training.
No matter how many treadmills I try, I’ll never give up running outside on the pavement and the trails. Yet, if I were confined to running inside for a long time, I would need a treadmill like the 2450. I run about eight to ten hours per week, so I need a durable treadmill that can handle everything from my recovery pace to my tempo runs and speed workouts.
The NordicTrack 2450 isn’t just about the high-speed performance. You also need to know how it pairs with iFIT, its essential training service. Read the rest of my review of the NordicTrack 2450 to decide if it and iFIT are right for your training.
The NordicTrack 2450 Treadmill lives up to the brand’s reputation as a powerhouse in the home fitness industry. The latest model has seen refinements in the deck, especially. Two of the biggest indications of improved build quality are the higher weight capacity and the increased motor power. Beyond mere ratings, we also saw these improvements reflected in our testing.
NordicTrack sticks to its blueprint for the frame with slightly more reinforcements for the heavier deck. The frame is steel and feels very sturdy. It has a 400-lb weight capacity, and the reinforced frame under the deck feels that robust. A 10-year warranty covers the frame.
The footrails are spacious and textured. They are just plastic, but I don’t mind that because it keeps them from feeling slippery like some metal footrails are. Most users should have plenty of room to step off the treadmill belt as needed.
As for the uprights, they are steel. The handles are also steel, but once the uprights meet the handles, they are covered by a textured plastic. It doesn’t feel as refined as some other brands that have handles with a velvety textured or textured metal, but it seems easier to clean.
The 2450 motor is 4.25 CHP, perfect for long runs and intense daily training. While it isn’t a commercial treadmill, it is suitable for the whole family’s training. The motor is the most responsive motor we have tested, and there isn’t any competition.
Horizon treadmills used to reign supreme with fast incline and speed adjustments, and the Peloton Tread was a fierce contender, too. However, the NordicTrack 2450 is nearly 20% faster, and I could tell the difference before we measured the speed and incline transition times. I think this might be the fastest a treadmill could safely transition because it might catch you off guard if you aren’t paying attention to your workout.
The 2450 will get you to your interval speed and incline right when you need it to. If you need to slow down or decrease the incline, the treadmill makes those changes fast enough to keep you from hanging on for dear life. HIIT just got significantly easier on the 2450!
The motor noise is on par with other home treadmills we have tested. At 3.0 mph, the NordicTrack 2450 Treadmill is similar to a microwave, while at its top speed, it sounds like a dishwasher or washing machine. The noise is higher pitched than these appliances but about as loud.
That top speed is better than most home treadmills. The 2450 is the NordicTrack treadmill for anyone who wants to run fast. It can reach 14.0 mph, whereas the industry standard is 12 mph. For reference, 12 mph is a 5-minute mile, and 14 mph is a 4:17 mile.
The running surface is a 22” x 60”. This treadmill running surface size is a return to the standard size that we saw in years prior. Many treadmills, including NordicTrack machines, had sized down to 20 inches in width. While this extra width isn’t the best for storage, some users will appreciate having more room while training. Overall, the running surface size was great for running at all speeds.
The step-up height is 10 inches. So, it isn’t the lowest step-up height, but the treadmill handles and footrails provide plenty of support for helping yourself up and down. Just keep this step-up height in mind when deciding if this treadmill is right for you, especially if you have trouble stepping up or down.
The 2450 has soft cushioning and is noticeably softer than running outside on the pavement. I run in some of the most cushioned shoes (Hoka Skyward X) for some of my outdoor runs, and the running data I have collected so far suggests that the 2450 provides more cushioning for me than running in these super soft shoes.
I really like it for building up my mileage and recovery runs. I’ve been dealing with an injury lately, and running the 2450 and other NordicTracks has really given me the break I need from running on the pavement.
The NordicTrack 2450 is harder to fold now because the deck is heavier. On one hand, this is a good thing because it means the deck is more durable, but some users may not be able to fold it on their own. If you have trouble lifting 50 lbs off the ground, you might have some trouble folding this treadmill regularly.
Unfolding the treadmill is very easy. It has a kick-release folding mechanism. So, you just press the release on the hydraulic arm while lifting the deck a tiny bit (there is very little weight on the deck when doing this), and the deck will softly lower itself to the ground. This mechanism also helps when lifting the deck because if you drop it, it won’t just fall on you.
To move the treadmill, you need to tilt it back onto its transport wheels, get a good grip on the back of the deck, and pull it down. Moving short distances is not too difficult, but it would be a pain to move over thick carpet or up and down stairs.
When unfolded, the NordicTrack 2450 Treadmill measures 77.3” x 37” x 63.4”. For safety, you should account for extra room on the sides and behind the treadmill when it is in use. By my measurement, these dimensions change to 46.5” x 37” x 68.5” when folded.
Since the step-up height is 10” and the maximum incline is 12%, runners will need a ceiling about two feet taller than they are to accommodate all of the training options on the 2450. This measurement also accounts for any vertical movement while running.
The NordicTrack 2450 has an incline range of -3% to 12%. The iFIT programming automatically adjusts the treadmill incline to match the onscreen route’s grade as closely as possible. Since it has incline and decline, you can feel like you are tackling the uphills and downhills. Using incline and decline is important for runners and walkers preparing for hilly outdoor events.
We found a few slight deviations when we measured the incline, but we think these account for the cushioning. It’s common advice among the running community to add a 1% incline to replicate running outdoors. However, as a treadmill reviewer and expert, I’ve found that almost every treadmill is inclined to around 1% when it says it is at 0%. So, maybe skip that step!
The incline motor adds a little noise when it is active. Again, based on its decibel reading, I would compare it to a dishwasher or washing machine. The adjustments are super fast, so this added noise does not last for long. It didn’t bother me while I was training.
Overall, I appreciate the incline and decline, especially when it is paired with iFIT. I neglect the incline and decline when I program my own treadmill workouts, so it is nice that iFIT automatically does it for me, creating a more real-world feel.
The NordicTrack 2450 Treadmill’s training platform is essential to your experience on the machine. While there are some features listed below that are not tied to an iFIT account, many of them are. Additionally, you can’t make the most use out of this treadmill without an iFIT membership. If you are an iFIT subscriber, you are in for one high-tech experience.
NordicTrack boldly removed the physical speed and incline buttons for specific levels from the console. Instead, the 2450 has a more sleek touchscreen. There are off-screen buttons to start and stop the treadmill, as well as buttons for increasing and decreasing the speed, incline, volume, and fan speed.
The physical buttons were easy enough for me to use but are not tactile, so they may not be accessible for some users.
Additionally, I was disappointed that the onscreen speed and incline buttons didn’t represent every level. The speed buttons skipped from 9 mph to 14 mph, and the incline buttons skipped from 0 to -3% for the decline. Considering there is no limit to the amount of room iFIT can designate for these buttons (they scroll, so not all of them show at one time anyway), I don’t understand these jumps.
I hope iFIT updates the 2450 to include all the speed and incline level buttons or allows you to customize which buttons are visiyou. I was also a little sad that you couldn’t press two buttons in quick succession to specify the speed to the tenth of the mile.
The minimal console really highlights NordicTrack and iFIT’s push for hands-free training. All of the iFIT features and console features reinforce setting up your workout and pushing as few buttons as possible during your training. This emphasis translates to an experience that more closely replicates outdoor walking and running.
The screen is 24 inches. This size is great for viewing on and off the treadmill. It rotates, so you can use the treadmill screen to access non-treadmill workouts from iFIT. These classes include yoga, strength, meditation, and more. The screen doesn’t rotate all the way around, so you can’t work out behind the treadmill and see it, but to either side works well.
The touchscreen is pretty responsive. I had no trouble using the onscreen buttons during my runs. The tablet is much higher quality than NordicTrack had in the past, so lag times are reduced significantly. You used to have to wait for the iFIT class and library to load, but not anymore!
I didn’t notice much console shaking while I was running, which is excellent. Compared to most home treadmills I tested, it stayed still, and my viewing experience was not disrupted. Sometimes, the console shaking is more apparent to anyone standing off the treadmill than to the person actually running on the treadmill because the runner and screen are moving/shaking similarly.
The two 2” speakers are front-facing, sitting just below the screen. The volume level is good. I didn’t have any problems hearing the audio over my foot noise when running. You can control the iFIT class audio and entertainment audio separately, so if your audio ever sounds mysteriously quiet, check the individual volume levels.
In addition to speakers, exercisers also have the option to pair headphones with the 2450. Pairing headphones from the menu is really easy. You cannot use Bluetooth to play music through the speakers, but iFIT has music options built into the screen.
You can also use Bluetooth to pair a heart rate monitor. If your heart rate monitor is in pairing mode, the treadmill should locate it quickly. This feature is very handy for the iFIT ActivePulse setting. There are no built-in heart rate monitors on the 2450—no pulse grips. A wearable monitor is more accurate anyway.
iFIT now uses AI to translate classes into multiple languages. You can change your language settings and follow the classes in those languages. I can’t vouch for how accurate the translations are, unfortunately.
All the iFIT classes I have tried have closed captions, so you can turn those on if desired. If you use any of the entertainment services, you can also turn their subtitles on.
The fan is a 3-speed fan with an auto function. When set to auto mode, the fan will increase or decrease according to your effort level. So, if you run faster, the fan speeds up and vice versa. The fan’s power was sufficient to actually cool me off while training. I wish you could change the vent angle, though.
The 2450 doesn’t have a ton of storage. When I did a longer run (10 miles) on the 2450, I wished I had a little more room. It has two cup holders. I was able to fit one cycling water bottle (bidon) in each cup holder. I also squeezed two gels and a protein bar in one and my phone in the other. It was a bit crowded, but nothing fell out while I was running!
I wish the 2450 had a phone holder. Now that iFIT has entertainment streaming apps, I don’t think the 2450 necessarily needs a tablet rack, but I would appreciate a place to store my phone.
The 2450 has a safety key that you can clip on while you are training. While I am notorious for neglecting the safety key, it is wise to use it if you want to push the pace and aim for that 14 mph maximum speed. It’s quite challenging.
If you are using ActivePulse, I recommend setting up a maximum speed in your user settings. This safety feature will prevent the treadmill from accelerating beyond your chosen speed. I don’t always feel comfortable running faster than my tempo pace on a treadmill, so I limit iFIT workouts to 9 or 10 mph or less, especially with the fast incline changes. I can’t always hold the same speed up a hill that I can flat.
The NordicTrack 2450 can handle my longest runs. It’s powerful enough and has enough performance and entertainment features to keep me occupied the whole time. The soft cushioning makes running a bit easier, so I can tackle distances and paces I’m not ready for outside. I’m currently training for my first Boston Marathon, and the 2450 should be a great treadmill to prepare me for race day.
The 14 mph speed is super impressive. However, I don’t feel entirely comfortable manually running at this speed because the onscreen controls do not feel accessible enough while I’m running at that effort (it's pretty much a sprint for me right now). The console is also a little low for my knee drive at a sprint. I suggest moving further back on the deck to give yourself more room.
Walks and easy runs are a fantastic experience on the 2450. I appreciate the smooth and fast incline changes that add variety to these activities. The screen is easy to interact with at slow to moderate speeds.
Overall, the 2450 is quite versatile. When you combine it with an iFIT membership, you are in for quite the treat!
While the 2450 is functional with a free iFIT account, it shines when you have a paid membership, so I highly recommend this treadmill for anyone who subscribes to iFIT or is confident that they want to.
You can try the iFIT service on your phone with the more affordable “Train” membership before upgrading to the Pro membership once you buy the treadmill. It’s a great way to test the iFIT platform before committing to the treadmill.
So, why subscribe to iFIT? There are tons of reasons, starting with their trainer-led treadmill classes. There are thousands of treadmill classes, in which you follow a trainer as they explore locations all over the world. Your treadmill speed and incline will automatically adjust to the workout.
Two custom options will tailor the iFIT workouts to you. The first, SmartAdjust, remembers when you override the speed to make it easier or harder and adjusts the current and future workouts accordingly. The second, ActivePulse, uses a heart rate monitor paired with the 2450 to adjust the treadmill speed to keep you in the heart rate zone prescribed by the workout.
You can take one iFIT class or join challenges and series to continue your training. If you want your workouts scheduled for you, try the AI Coach from iFIT. This coach will text you to learn your training preferences and suggest iFIT workouts on your home screen that match your training goals.
The AI Coach will also suggest non-treadmill workouts to supplement your training. Whether or not you use the AI Coach, you can take these workouts (strength workouts and yoga classes) on the 2450. The screen rotates so you can view the class while training beside your treadmill.
If you have a more specific workout you want to do, you can set up a custom workout. You can set a distance, time, or calorie target and set your speed and incline to get there. You can also create interval workouts with set speed and incline settings. In the near future, iFIT should add the Google Maps workout option back, which allowed you to create a virtual route anywhere.
There is also a manual training mode if you want to free-style. In this case, I recommend checking out the entertainment apps.
For walkers and runners who prefer to be entertained while they run, there are now three apps available to use while training on the 2450. Netflix, Prime Video, and Spotify are available. You will need your own account with each service to access them. You can also take an iFIT class while watching these services.
If you decide not to subscribe to iFIT or unsubscribe later, you can access a few featured iFIT classes, preset workouts showing the manual training screen, and the manual training mode. Without a free account, you will not be able to see any metrics, and we have had mixed results on whether or not you can even use the treadmill.
I highly recommend iFIT for anyone who wants the NordicTrack 2450. You only need one iFIT Pro membership to share with up to four others. You can also use your iFIT membership on any other compatible equipment, which is perfect for anyone building a home gym with multiple cardio machines.
The NordicTrack 2450 is the most powerful treadmill from the brand’s most popular treadmill line. With new iFIT features like entertainment apps, an AI coach, and a workout builder, walkers and runners have more training options than ever. Tackle your toughest runs with the -3% to 12% incline range and up to 14 mph speed, or recover with a cushioned walk.
The NordicTrack 2450 is a folding treadmill with a robust build. The spacious running deck suits all running strides, and the powerful motor makes faster incline and speed adjustments than any other treadmill we have tested so far.
If you are an iFIT subscriber or plan to subscribe to the extensive guided fitness platform in the future, the 2450 might be the treadmill for you!
