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The NordicTrack EXP 10i is a space-saving folding treadmill with built-in smart features. Continue reading this review of the NordicTrack EXP 10i for more insight into its 10” touchscreen display, soft cushioning, and premium content library.
Updated: November 7, 2023
The NordicTrack EXP 10i treadmill is a compact smart treadmill. It fits right in between the EXP 7i and 14i with its 10” HD touchscreen display. Casual runners and walkers will find this review of the NordicTrack EXP 10i Treadmill directed at them thanks to the treadmill’s 2.75 HP motor, 0 to 10 mph speed range, and standard 0 to 12% incline range. When all the miles are run and done, the EXP 10i folds up for compact storage.
The Nordictrack EXP 10i has a steel frame. It has adopted the z-shaped frame as many treadmill brands have (attributed to Peloton’s innovation with their Tread). The black uprights have white NordicTrack branding along the side. The treadmill’s arms are plastic coated, but they are supportive enough to assist users on and off the treadmill. The foot rails are a little narrow, but they stay in place.
The 2.75 CHP motor is just under our recommended threshold for a running treadmill. Yet, I am comfortable recommending this treadmill for the occasional run. The EXP 10i would suit petite runners for infrequent, short runs. The EXP 10i works best as a serious walking treadmill. It's a great option for anyone hitting a daily step goal or adding moderate- to low-impact cardio into their routine. The 2.75 CHP motor can certainly handle that!
NordicTrack has a reputation as a softly cushioned treadmill brand. That holds true with the EXP 10i. The 10i is comparable to the rest of NordicTrack’s EXP series treadmills. NordicTrack’s more expensive treadmills are more cushioned, but the EXP still has plenty of shock absorption compared to firmer brands like Sole and Bowflex.
The running surface is 20” x 55”. It is textured for good grip underfoot. The belt is spacious enough for most walking strides. Runners with long strides may feel a little cramped. At 5’4”, I had plenty of room to run fast. The maximum speed is 10 mph, so it will prevent a lot of runners from reaching true sprinting speeds.
The NordicTrack EXP 10i is a compact treadmill. It is built with NordicTrack’s SpaceSaver Design, allowing it to fold. The EasyLift Assist uses a hydraulic arm to lower the deck slowly to the ground once it is free from its locked position. The hydraulics also make lifting the deck easier. It weighs around 200 lbs, which is lighter than many other treadmills. The EXP 10i only has two transport wheels. It must be tilted onto these wheels for relocation. This is easier to do when the treadmill is on a hard surface. I prefer treadmills equipped with four transport wheels for regular transportation, but the EXP 10i is not too difficult to move on hard, flat surfaces.
The EXP 10i has a standard incline range of 0 to 12%. There is no option to decline this treadmill. The lack of decline restricts some of the training features available through iFIT. Google Maps integration and many iFIT classes allow you to follow routes with downhills. You can still do these routes on the 10i, but the downhill portions will be completed at a 0% incline. The incline motor is quite loud, making this treadmill not my favorite for quiet spaces. The incline adjustments are also slow, making this treadmill not ideal for short hill sprints.
The NordicTrack EXP 10i has all the right features for you to enjoy premium content from iFIT. The EXP series continues to offer one feature that the more prestigious NordicTrack Commercial series lacks–a tablet rack. The console layout is efficient, keeping you focused on your workout.
The EXP 10i’s console is fairly compact horizontally, which makes a huge difference in the reachability of all the features. Even shorter users will have little problem accessing the entire console.
The buttons cover the full speed and incline ranges, listing each whole number. This is a very important feature, as you will want quick access to each speed setting for quick interval training. These buttons are located along the left and right sides of the screen. Beneath the ranges are plus and minus buttons for changing the incline by 0.5% and speed by 0.1 mph. At the bottom of the console are ‘start’ and ‘stop’ buttons, as well as fan and volume controls. These buttons are unnecessary if you rely on iFIT’s automatic adjustments. Still, they are nice to have during manual activities or if the screen proves hard to navigate while running quickly.
The 10” screen is the smallest screen we like for treadmill walking or running. Some users will still find the NordicTrack EXP 14i’s 14” screen more comfortable. I had no issues perusing iFIT’s large fitness class library or adjusting the settings as needed. The picture quality is clear, and the content has little to no lag.
There are two cup holders on the 10i’s console. These are not very large. You can fit most standard-size bottles (think 12- to 16-oz bottles). My phone fit in them nicely without any jostling while I was running or walking. They also make great storage compartments for keys, nutrition, or AirPods.
The fan is nice and breezy. It adds noise, but it's worth it for some air while doing cardio. The fan also has iFIT’s AutoBreez technology, which engages when the fan is placed on its highest setting. This setting speeds the fan up as your speed increases and slows it down when you do.
I am always appreciative of a device rack on a treadmill. Thankfully, the EXP 10i has quite a sturdy one. It kept my phone in place without the slightest bit of movement. A much larger tablet could fit on the device rack safely, though it will cover up the touchscreen enough to make it unusable. However, if you are working out in manual activity or not paying attention to the iFIT content, it's a great option for viewing entertainment like reading an ebook or watching streaming content.
The speakers of the EXP 10i are effective for listening to the iFIT trainers or the Feed.fm radio. I never had to have the volume all the way up. There are also closed captions if you don’t need or want the speakers to play loudly. I like to have both, because iFIT content is often filmed in distant locations. With the closed captions, I can remember how the locations and sights are spelled to look up later–that’s how enchanting the content is.
The NordicTrack EXP 10i is Bluetooth-compatible, allowing you to pair your favorite Bluetooth headphones. You can also connect a compatible heart rate monitor for ActivePulse training. The process of hooking up devices is very easy and can be done from the settings or during the warm-up.
The NordicTrack EXP 10i makes a great treadmill for serious runners using a treadmill to supplement their outdoor training, especially those planning to do recovery runs indoors. I like the soft cushioning of the belt, the adequate running surface, and the moderately-powered motor make this treadmill great for intermittent use by long-distance runners or heavy use by lower-intensity or shorter-distance runners. Walkers will be thankful for the 10” screen and a spacious treadmill belt as they cruise along to iFIT’s premium content.
The EXP series, particularly the EXP 10i and its sister machine, the EXP 14i, have an edge over NordicTrack’s commercial series for iFIT subscribers. The EXP series is priced low enough to make the machines' non-smart features worth it without the subscription. The tablet rack allows users to watch non-iFIT content, whereas the Commercial series does not offer this convenience. The belt's soft cushion and the treadmill's sturdy build may appeal to users who couldn’t care less about iFIT’s content.
That said, I rather enjoy how the premium fitness library supplements the machine. The smart AutoAdjust features alter my pace, incline, and fan speed according to my needs and fitness level. If I need to make alterations, it remembers them for future activities. Additionally, iFIT lets you train with a heart rate monitor for smart ActivePulse modulations to keep you in the right heart-rate zone.
Overall, I like that the EXP 10i is a good machine with or without iFIT content. That’s the true test of a good treadmill for me. I want a great product and a solid (optional) subscription service.
The NordicTrack EXP 10i comes with 30 days free of iFIT’s premium content. The iFIT integration really expands the 10i’s capabilities. iFIT has trainer-led classes from trainers from all backgrounds. The 10” screen provides clear picture quality for inspiring and enlivening your next workout. The automatic adjustments of the incline match the real-life terrain as closely as possible (if you have ‘Training’ enabled). It’s easy to let the minutes fly by while in an iFIT class.
The Google Maps feature creates routes almost anywhere. I live far from my hometown now, so it's interesting to program routes I used to run in high school. The incline does its best to match the real-world grade. Chart a familiar route, and see how closely it matches your memory. The screen displays a street view, which changes to match your speed. It’s not a smooth video like iFIT’s other content, but I quite like it.
Without a subscription, the NordicTrack EXP 10i is still a functional treadmill. It has a manual activity mode that remains accessible with or without WiFi. You can access the onboard programs if your treadmill is connected to WiFi. These include a few featured iFIT classes and basic preset speed and incline interval workouts that run on the manual activity screen. The manual activity screen displays a ¼ mile track, as is found on many gym treadmills. Your laps are counted at the bottom of the screen, and a few other metrics like speed, distance, and total time are displayed at the top of the screen. This amount of content should be suitable for runners already using their own training plans. You can also stream content on a phone or tablet using the device rack.
The NordicTrack EXP 10i is a great mid-range treadmill. It is a solid option for using with and without iFIT’s premium subscription platform. The cushioning is sure to please a variety of runners and walkers looking for a lower-impact option compared to concrete or asphalt. The 10” screen is sufficient for viewing and navigating the treadmill’s content. The only things we would improve are the motor strength and the loudness of the incline motor; though, for many exercisers, these will not be an issue. The EXP 10i impresses with a compact and smart design.
