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NordicTrack is routinely a top-rated brand in the cardio equipment space, and the EXP 7i is a great entry point for their brand and premium iFIT content. Read on in this review of the NordicTrack EXP 7i Treadmill to learn who it's best suited for.
Updated: October 9, 2023
This NordicTrack EXP 7i Treadmill Review covers the most affordable treadmill from NordicTrack as part of their most compact treadmill line. This treadmill has minimal console shake, which makes watching iFIT content on the rather small 7” touchscreen easier. NordicTrack’s EXP line attempts to make high-end features and a modern aesthetic as affordable as possible.
The NordicTrack EXP 7i has a steel frame. Given that this is NordicTrack’s most affordable treadmill, I was thoroughly impressed by how sturdy it was. Sometimes treadmills not built for heavy running feel flimsy, but this one could have fooled me. The EXP 7i holds up against pricier treadmills while saving you some money.
The 2.6 continuous horsepower motor is suited for walking with some light jogging. The limited speed range of 0 to 10 mph over the typical 0 to 12 mph reflects this treadmill’s intended use. This treadmill can handle the occasional run, but that’s not its wheelhouse.
While the main motor is decently quiet, the incline motor is loud. Several more affordable treadmills, like the Horizon T101 and 7.0 AT, are much quieter.
The 20” x 55” treadmill belt is on the smaller side. If you are a smaller runner, you should have no problem running faster workouts, but it might feel a little cramped for larger users. The EXP 7i will meet the needs of most walkers just fine.
NordicTrack provides an in-box weight of 228 lbs, which means this treadmill could be under 200 lbs built. Moving this treadmill around on a hard floor was not too hard, but it is not something I would want to do regularly.
The EXP series is framed as NordicTrack’s compact series. The EXP is reasonably compact for being so well-built. It is hard to find a good balance between weight and sturdiness with foldability and portability. The EXP 7i meets my expectations.
There is no option to decline this treadmill, so it is not suited to downhill training. The 0 to 12% incline is pretty standard. It feels stable while inclined, but the transitions are rough. The incline motor is louder than NordicTrack’s commercial series and more affordable treadmills from Horizon.
As NordicTrack’s most affordable treadmill, I did not expect to see features that compete with premium models. That said, I preferred some of the NordicTrack EXP 7i’s features over those of the higher-end NordicTrack Commercial series treadmills. The device rack is a huge selling point for me, because I don’t want to be locked into one type of training or content.
The EXP 7i’s console is surprisingly stable. It gets you the most out of the small 7” screen by keeping the picture as steady as possible. The OneTouch buttons along either side of the console are easy to use and increase in increments of 1. The size of the console leaves room for you to put a large table overtop the touchscreen. The screen's small size is out of proportion with the rest of the console. There is no fan in this console, but I am okay with that, given that more affordable treadmills tend to have fans too weak to make a difference.
The 7” touchscreen is compatible with iFIT’s platform. The interface is harder to navigate at this size. If an integrated touchscreen and subscription content is the main feature you are looking for, I recommend a screen size of at least 10”. I adjusted to the screen size after a while, but it will be harder for users with vision impairment to see. It is also harder to navigate the iFIT content. The small screen looks a bit silly set into such a large console.
The screen looks a little strange fitted into the large console. It looks like a large phone embedded into the treadmill console. The functionality of this setup excuses its clunky aesthetic. The screen can be tilted up or down. It doesn’t adjust to your height so much as it improves your viewing angle or reduces glare.
The EXP 7i is outfitted with two large pockets. This space is suitable for storing a large water bottle, a phone, and nutrition. There is also a device rack–one of my favorite treadmill features. All of these locations are very secure for storing items. I did not experience any shaking or wobbling of belongings.
It is easy to connect your headphones from the iFIT home screen. I find the audio quality just fine, and I can hear the trainer clearly during the many different workouts. There is no option to connect your phone to play audio through the treadmill speakers, but you can play music on one of the iFIT radio stations.
With a compatible heart rate monitor, you can connect via Bluetooth for an added metric. Not all heart rate monitors are compatible.
The EXP 7i doesn’t feel like an entry-level machine despite being NordicTrack’s most affordable treadmill. It delivers a fantastic experience for walking and eases newcomers to NordicTrack into their subscription content. The small screen prevented this machine from feeling overbuilt when I was not using iFIT. The device rack ensured I could train independently if I wished or be entertained with my favorite TV shows. Of course, as with all NordicTrack models, I wished there were more built-in apps to their touchscreens, even if they are kept behind the iFIT paywall.
The 7” screen did not hold my attention like the larger screens, so it is not as immersive of an experience. The definition of the screen is good, and I enjoyed following iFIT’s programming for interval workouts. The speakers are clear, even at a low volume. You also have the option to pair the treadmill with Bluetooth headphones for easier listening. NordicTrack also sells a compatible heart rate monitor. While the monitor is sold separately from their treadmills, you can train by heart rate zone by pairing it via Bluetooth.
Heavy running might not be the EXP 7i’s intended use, but it performed well for its motor size. Larger users or more serious runners should consider upgrading to improve their machines' longevity. I almost felt that the EXP 7i’s robust build was overkill for being a mainly walking treadmill. It certainly felt sturdy while I ran on it.
My likes and dislikes of this treadmill are really in the details. I like the texture of the metal handrails and the device rack. I loved how little the treadmill shook while I ran on it. I did not like the awkward integration of the small touchscreen and the sound of the incline motor. Balancing all these things, you have a solid option for a basic treadmill with a subscription platform.
The NordicTrack EXP 7i uses the iFIT fitness platform to deliver premium content right to your treadmill. Currently, NordicTrack offers one month free of iFIT with a treadmill purchase. There’s no need to worry about adjusting your speed and incline manually. This treadmill does it all for you so that you can follow along with one of iFIT’s trainer-led programs hands-free.
After the first month free, iFIT is a monthly subscription platform loaded with classes from hundreds of trainers. While a subscriber, you can create up to 5 accounts for the whole family to enjoy. The programs pair with your cardio machine or can lead you through non-treadmill classes like strength training, yoga, or HIIT. iFIT transports you to new destinations with outdoor content recorded all over the world. If you have a specific destination in mind, you can even create your route via iFIT’s Google Maps integration. The custom route allows you to walk or run along with the route as the treadmill matches the real-life incline as closely as possible.
What I love most about iFIT’s platform is lost with such a small screen. The beautiful destinations are hard to enjoy on a 7” screen. The quality was only moderately better than I could have had with my phone propped on the device rack. The user interface is almost identical to what it is on the larger screens, and a simplified iFIT view might have improved the EXP 7i treadmill. The screen of the EXP 7i does not pivot, so it would be hard to use the non-treadmill workouts from the treadmill itself.
The NordicTrack EXP 7i is a great treadmill. It comes down to what features you prefer the most. This treadmill outperformed more expensive treadmills in some areas and underperformed in others. The console is impressively stable, but the incline motor is very loud. This is the most torn I have been on a treadmill review to date. NordicTrack packed a lot of features into this treadmill, which serves as their base model. It demonstrates why NordicTrack is such an impressive brand, while the EXP 7i treadmill gives you just enough to want a little more.
