NordicTrack X24 Treadmill Review | Ascend to New Fitness Heights
Reviewed by TreadmillReviews.com
The NordicTrack X24 Treadmill has a best-in-class incline range of -6% to 40%.
The best treadmill reviews you can trust
The best treadmill reviews you can trust
The NordicTrack X24 Treadmill has a best-in-class incline range of -6% to 40%.
Updated: November 4, 2024
Before writing this review, I looked up the most challenging hills I have ever run to see what grades I encountered on the trails. To my utter despair, most of the hills I cried about had a grade of less than 20%. The one outlier with a 34% incline took me multiple tries to run up. That cemented for me just how challenging the NordicTrack X24's incline range truly is.
When I first got into trail running, I asked more experienced trail runners how they got up the hills because I just couldn't do it. The answer I got? "You just have to put your head down and do it one day." Their advice worked, but now, I have a better answer: Practice it. See where you break.
The NordicTrack X24 prepares hikers and trail runners for the gnarly grades they might encounter outdoors. For other walkers and runners, it will give you the taste of accomplishment that leads me back out onto the trails again and again. Keep reading my review of the NordicTrack X24 Treadmill to learn more about its unique features.
Outside of commercial-grade equipment, few treadmills are better equipped for intense workouts than the NordicTrack X24. It improves upon previous iterations with a better weight capacity (400 lbs) and improved warranty coverage.
The warranty covers the frame for ten years, the parts for two years, and labor for one year. The star of the show is the lifetime motor warranty. We expect the X24 to last us years.
The steel frame is very robust. The larger stabilizers give the treadmill ample support for its vast incline range. The X24 feels sturdy and lives up to my expectations.
The foot rails are textured plastic. They are wide enough to stand on when getting on and off the treadmill. Though plastic may sound cheap, it is my preferred treadmill footrail surface. Metal footrails tend to feel too slick to me.
The incline handles caused a bit of disagreement among our team. I liked their new placement because they did not block the screen as much as the previous models (X22i and X32i). They feel very supportive and comfortable to hold. Others wished for a narrower positioning or an additional horizontal stability bar near the bottom of the screen.
The X24 has a 4.25 continuous horsepower motor. It is powerful enough to support intense daily training or multiple users in a household. However, it is not a commercial machine, so it is only suitable for residential settings.
The motor is very responsive, with fast speed and incline changes comparable to those we saw on the 2450 and 1750. Horizon and Peloton were the previous reigning champions in our studio for HIIT workouts, but the latest update of NordicTrack treadmills has unseated these two brands. The adjustments are so fast it took me a few runs to get used to how abrupt they are.
Because the X24 has the same motor rating (4.25 CHP) and similar performance to the 2450 and 1750, I thought they were the same. They were both very quiet, but the X24 was louder. We aren't sure whether this is a quirk of our particular model. Given the X24's size, it is safe to say you need a dedicated exercise space for it anyway.
The motor sits under the deck, so the X24 does not have a traditional motor hood, just a smaller plastic cap. I wish the X24 had an open design like the Peloton Tread, but the current design might be safer.
The speed range is 1.0 to 12.0 mph. While the 2450 can go faster (14 mph), I didn't feel like I needed a larger speed range, especially not when you can add an incline to increase your intensity.
The running surface is 22" x 60", which feels sufficient for tackling fast paces and steep inclines. There is more room at the front of the deck since the console sits further down the deck, encouraging the user to back away from the front edge of the treadmill where a motor hood would normally be. This positioning also keeps you better positioned on the incline to interact with the screen.
NordicTrack labels the incline trainers as the softest cushioning, but I think the Commercial series might be slightly softer. The X24's running deck didn't have the bounciness I expected. Some users might like a less bouncy treadmill, but I miss the extra performance boost.
Overall, the running surface is very nice. The belt texture was grippy enough to keep me in place while training at the steep incline.
The NordicTrack X24 does not fold. It measures 69.9" long, 38.1" wide, and 73.3" tall. The step-up height to its deck is 14 inches. Once you consider its extensive incline range, runners who are six feet tall will need nine-foot ceilings. The treadmill also weighs over 400 lbs and is impractical for upstairs use.
Taking all of these factors into account, I recommend storing the X24 in a dedicated room for exercise if possible. It is not an ideal treadmill for use in your bedroom or living room because it is so dominating in size.
The X24 has transport wheels to roll it around, but I would not volunteer to move it around. If the room you are moving it in has carpet, forget about it. I advise having the treadmill delivered and assembled where you want to keep it permanently.
It seems almost wrong to talk about the NordicTrack X24's incline and decline this far down in the review, but without further ado, the incline range is spectacular. Most treadmills we test are off by 1% or more when declined, flat, or inclined, but the X24 is pretty accurate! Most importantly, the maximum incline was very accurate.
The X24 has NordicTrack's safety feature for incline and decline training. At -3% and below, the speed is capped at 8.0 mph; at -6%, it slows to 6.0 mph. I wish the decline speed limit was faster. At 15.5% and higher, the speed is limited to 8.0 mph, with the speed limit lowered even further to 6.0 mph above 25%. Trust me, I've run at 6.0 mph at 40%, and it is enough!
The NordicTrack X24 reorganizes the features found on the beloved X22i and X32i for a better layout. All iFIT's features are fully unlocked on the X24 for the ultimate connected fitness experience. I've got all the details for you below.
NordicTrack addressed a few issues seen in their previous incline trainers (the X22i and the X32i) with the X24's new console layout. It seems NordicTrack paid more attention to making a functional console that was reachable and relatively easy to use at all incline levels.
One of my biggest concerns was whether or not I would be able to reach the onscreen buttons while inclined to 40%, especially since there aren't physical speed and incline buttons. With the console's positioning further along the deck, using the buttons and the rest of the screen is much easier because you are lower on the belt.
The X24 has the largest screen in NordicTrack's current lineup, at 24 inches. It sits really close to you, which is great for interacting with it, but I found I needed to back up on the deck for a comfortable viewing distance. I'm only 5'4", so taller users might not notice it as much. The screen tilts to help walkers and runners of all heights use it.
It also rotates side to side. This feature is helpful when viewing the off-treadmill workouts. The screen does not turn around fully, so the incline handles are partially in the way of the screen, no matter where you rotate it to the side. I wish it could turn around completely, but it's definitely usable as is.
The screen stability is good. If you have the treadmill level, you shouldn't notice too much shaking while walking or running. You might notice more shaking if you heel strike when running or when just observing the treadmill while someone else is training, but overall, I had no problem focusing on the onscreen content.
The NordicTrack X24 has powerful speakers below its screen. I like that NordicTrack kept the speakers front-facing. Many brands sacrifice sound quality by using rear-facing speakers to make the console more minimal, but front-facing speakers are easier to hear.
I had no trouble hearing the speakers over the motor noise or my foot noise. However, I prefer the other audio options for a more immersive experience. The X24 pairs with Bluetooth headphones for quiet listening. You can still customize the audio mix when using Bluetooth.
Closed captions are available for iFIT classes, Netflix, and Prime Video. iFIT defaults to English, but there are other language options, too. The iFIT classes use AI translation. I can't vouch for how good the translation is, but it works.
The X24 pairs with most Bluetooth heart rate monitors. If you do not already have a Bluetooth heart rate monitor, you can purchase a chest strap from NordicTrack. Using a heart rate monitor with the X24 is essential for anyone who wants to use the ActivePulse feature.
The X24 has two cup holders for storage. They are very shallow. While they are readily accessible, I wish they were deeper to hold bottles more securely. We haven't had anything fall out of them, but I wished for deeper cup holders.
There is also no convenient space to store a phone outside of the cup holders. This is another way NordicTrack encourages users to interact with the screen, highlighting how important having an iFIT is to the overall experience.
The fan is powerful enough to cool you off. It has multiple speed settings and an auto setting. The auto feature allows the fan to adjust to your training intensity, getting faster or slower as you do. The vent angle does not change, so while it was appropriate for me, the breeze may feel low to taller users.
Running, walking, and hiking on the X24 are enjoyable experiences. I love the incline range on days when I don't have time to hit the trails. The incline handles give me the stability and confidence to tackle tough inclines. The console positioning keeps the screen within reach and makes me feel like I have plenty of room at the front and rear of the deck.
The X24 can meet almost any runner's training demands. It's perfect for my long and easy runs during marathon training, intense grades for trail ultra training, and luxurious experiences during low-impact walks.
If you are considering a NordicTrack treadmill, you have to learn about iFIT. It is a subscription-based fitness platform with thousands of treadmill classes. The classes are mostly filmed outside, but some are in a studio. An iFIT trainer guides each class, giving training advice, educating you about the trail location, and sharing personal stories.
What makes iFIT so impressive compared to other training platforms is the variety of outdoor locations. They have filmed classes on all seven continents. Surprisingly, I find it as fun to watch the trainers tackle trails I have actually visited as it is to explore new locations with iFIT.
With SmartAdjust enabled, the incline will match the real-world route as closely as possible. The speed will follow the preset levels for the workout or scale up or down to meet your fitness ability. Any time you override the preset settings, iFIT remembers your feedback and adjusts the current and future workouts accordingly.
ActivePulse is my go-to training option because it uses heart rate to adjust the speed and the incline. The incline adjustments are more minimal to keep the authentic trail experience. ActivePulse has been the best method for scaling workouts to my fitness level so far.
The ActivePulse feature is great, but I wish it took upcoming incline changes into account and sped up more slowly. I also wish I could create a custom heart rate-based workout.
An AI Coach should roll out for all users soon. Right now, it is available by invitation only. This coach will help exercisers schedule iFIT workouts to match their training goals.
Speaking of creating workouts, the Create tab in iFIT allows users to create target workouts for distance, time, and calories. You can also create a custom interval workout with set speed and incline settings.
The Google Maps feature should be added back to the Create tab in the future. For those unfamiliar with iFIT, Google Maps allows users to create a virtual route anywhere in the world. The treadmill follows the route's incline grade as closely as possible. Street View images show on the screen tuned to the speed at which you are walking or running.
Are you not entertained? Well, I am entertained while running on the NordicTrack X24. It now has Netflix, Prime Video, and Spotify. I can watch TV shows and movies or listen to my favorite running playlists while training with iFIT. You need iFIT and an account with these services to access each of them, but most of you probably already have one or two of them.
If you don't have a Spotify account, you can use the built-in Feed.FM radio. This radio has multiple genre stations, updated regularly with the latest hits. You can skip up to six songs per hour.
You need an iFIT membership and an internet connection to access all these features. Without an iFIT membership, you can access up to eleven workouts with a free account, including the manual mode. Without an iFIT account or internet connection, you can only train in manual mode.
I highly recommend subscribing to iFIT to access all of the X24's features. While the X24 might be a match for non-subscribers who really want the incline range, most will be more content with a different treadmill that does not require a subscription, like those from Horizon and Sole. However, if you are open to connected fitness, iFIT is a stellar platform to use.
You no longer have to leave home to tackle the mountains, but when you do, you will be more prepared than ever. The NordicTrack X24 brings the ascent to you, so you are prepared for grades as steep as 40%. It's not all uphill, either, with the -6% decline. The experience is more realistic to outdoor training than ever with the outdoor content on the 24" touchscreen.
iFIT provides all of the onscreen content for the X24, from outdoor classes to entertainment apps. The X24 is powerful enough to support your longest, hardest runs, and with the training and entertainment options, you won't get bored anytime soon.
I recommend the NordicTrack X24 to any walker or runner who wants to maximize their incline training because you won't find many treadmills like it.
