Updated: December 12, 2023
This treadmill comparison of the Peloton Tread vs the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill is not just about the treadmills. It’s a competition between their training platforms. With the Tread providing the notorious Peloton content and the 2450 offering iFIT content, these two treadmills represent some of the best digital training content available. Beyond what the content offers, it’s also about how each treadmill integrates its native content and what it has to offer for runners and walkers who decide not to subscribe. With two of the most recognizable names in the home fitness industry represented, I cannot wait to dive into this comparison.
Peloton Tread Highlights
- Peloton content provides a new take on treadmill training with imprecise speed and incline adjustments and music-enhanced classes
- The console rises with the deck during incline training to keep the monitor at a comfortable height.
- The Peloton Tread’s dials and jump buttons make adjusting the speed and incline intuitive and smooth.
- The 23.8-inch touchscreen display is vivid and anti-glare.
- The Tread has a headphone jack and a USB-C charging port.
NordicTrack 2450 Highlights
- iFIT excels at outdoor content, allowing walkers and runners to virtually tour locations around the world.
- The 2450 has a 3.6 CHP motor, which is great for daily running.
- The 2450’s running deck is soft and bouncy for an almost effortless underfoot feel.
- The NordicTrack 2450 has a -3% to 12% incline/decline range.
- The 2450 has a folding deck to save you space when it’s not in use.
- The 2450 has an automatic fan.
- The NordicTrack 2450 has a few training options for non-subscribers.
Peloton Tread Treadmill Specs
- Footprint: 68” L x 33” W x 62” H
- Deck Size: 20” x 59”
- Motor Size: 3.0 HP
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Product Weight: 290 lbs (in box)
- Speed Range: 0 to 12.5 mph
- Incline/Decline Range: 0% to 12%
- Cushioning: firm
- Step-Up Height: 8”; low deck height
- Warranty: 5-year frame; 3-year motor and belt; 12 months parts and labor
- Ceiling Height Requirement: user height + 20”
NordicTrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill Specs
- Footprint: 78.5” L x 35.6” W x 65” H
- Deck Size: 20” x 60”
- Motor Size: 3.6 CHP; a sufficient motor for heavy use or multi-user households
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Product Weight: 303 lbs
- Speed Range: 0 to 12 MPH
- Incline/Decline Range: -3% to 12%
- Cushioning: soft
- Rollers: 1.9 precision machined and balanced non-flex rollers
- Warranty: 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor
Treadmill Comparison of The Peloton Tread vs NordicTrack 2450
Build Quality
Frame
I certainly have to give props to Peloton for being the treadmill to really set the z-shaped frame trend. It’s been a trend that many brands have adopted to make their treadmills look sleeker and more modern. The NordicTrack 2450 is one such treadmill that has adopted the Peloton Tread’s style. One key difference between these sturdy treadmills is the attachment of the uprights. The Peloton’s uprights are attached to the deck, so the console lifts when the deck is inclined. The 2450’s uprights are not attached to the deck and are instead attached to the stabilizers beneath the deck. Though both designs are great, I have to give it to Peloton for the originality. The Tread feels very stable, and I like that I am not towering over the console when I train at the top of the incline.
Motor
The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 has a 3.6 continuous horsepower motor, whereas the Peloton has only a 3.0 HP motor. Thus, the Peloton Tread only just makes it into our running treadmill category. While the Peloton Tread performs well, the NordicTrack 2450 might stand the test of time better than the Tread, particularly when subject to heavy use or shared among a household of users. For the Peloton Tread’s price, we would expect a stronger motor.
Running Surface
The Peloton Tread has a bold, dashed red line down the center of the belt. It’s meant to keep you centered, but it just looks fast and stylish. But when it comes to running surfaces, it’s not style that customers really care about; it’s cushioning. Though I love a firm running deck for myself, I am well aware that many treadmill shoppers are looking for the best cushioning. If that’s the case for you, the 2450 is the better treadmill option. The 2450 has a softly cushioned 20” x 60” running deck. The Peloton’s 20” x 59” firm running deck just can’t compare if you want to maximize shock absorption.
Folding/Storage
The NordicTrack 2450 is a folding treadmill that uses hydraulic assistance to lower the treadmill deck to the ground. The Peloton Tread is a non-folding treadmill. I recommend having a dedicated location for either of these treadmills. While the 2450 can be rolled around while folded and the Tread can be lifted, it’s much more practical to keep these treadmills in one location when possible. The 2450 has the advantage for users tight on space. The folding deck saves you space when the treadmill is not in use.
Incline/Decline
Both treadmills have a maximum incline of 12%, but the NordicTrack 2450 also declines to -3%. The Peloton Tread does not decline. I also really like how the 2450 uses the incline and decline settings to create an immersive iFIT workout by mimicking the terrain shown on the screen. The NordicTrack 2450 offers the most incline variety.
Features & Accessories
Treadmills with premium training content often focus on adding to the training experience that content creates. The features highlight the Peloton and iFIT content. Both treadmills have minimal consoles, but the Peloton Tread takes this design to the extreme. The NordicTrack 2450 has more of the common features you would expect to find on a treadmill.
Console Overview
The Peloton Tread’s console is little more than a screen on the handrail. There are a few more physical features attached to the stability bar, but it is overall very minimal. The 2450’s console is a bit more substantial and does not shy away from physical buttons like the Peloton Tread does. The NordicTrack 2450 has a OneTouch button for every speed and incline level. In the place of buttons, the Peloton Tread uses two spinning knobs. There is a button in the center of the knobs (the jump button) that rounds up to the next speed or incline level. While the Peloton Tread sacrifices precision, which may infuriate some users, I really like this method. It feels smoother and more intuitive than the traditional buttons.
Screen
The NordicTrack 2450 has a 22-inch HD touchscreen. The Peloton has a 23.8-inch touchscreen display that is crisp and beautiful. The screen shows very little glare, so it’s almost always easy to see the onscreen content. While I really like that the NordicTrack 2450’s screen tilts and pivots for off-treadmill viewing, the Peloton’s screen quality makes it the winner in my book.
Speakers
Both treadmills have great speakers. If there is a difference in quality, I don’t think you are going to notice it while you are training. The audio on these treadmills is clear and loud so you never miss training instructions. The music also sounds great.
Bluetooth
The Peloton Tread and NordicTrack 2450 can pair to your headphones. It’s a simple process that helps you keep others around you happy and undisturbed. Bluetooth also enables the Peloton Tread and NordicTrack 2450 to connect to compatible heart rate monitors. The treadmills should be able to pair with most of the same devices.
Storage
The NordicTrack 2450 and the Peloton Tread are both a little light on storage. They have two cup holders apiece. Neither treadmill has a tablet rack, which I miss, because the screens do not show very much content without a subscription. Without a tablet rack, it is very hard to stream third-party content.
Other Features
Because both treadmills use the iFIT platform, they have the same heart rate monitoring capabilities. They can pair with Bluetooth heart rate monitors. My Garmin Forerunner 245 paired easily. Heart rate training on iFIT treadmills is fantastic, because the workouts can automatically adjust to keep you in the right heart rate zone with ActivePulse technology.
Performance
When it comes to performance, these treadmills diverge in their tactics. The NordicTrack 2450 delivers that plush and premium running surface you would expect. All of the features converge to make training as hands-free as possible. The NordicTrack 2450 feels like a treadmill built for long runs and recovery runs. It is smooth and a little bit bouncy underfoot. For some users, it may actually make running feel easier, especially compared to running outdoors. In many ways, the NordicTrack better meets the expectations of what a high-end running treadmill should feel like.
The Peloton Tread goes a different route. The firm running deck delivers a more road-like underfoot experience. This is great for runners who are preparing for road races. The Tread doesn’t have a motor hood, because the motor is located beneath the deck. It feels a little odd–almost like you might step off the front–but it actually safely eliminates stepping on the motor hood. As someone who chronically hits the motor hood while running on a treadmill, I really like this feature. The Peloton doesn’t make running feel easier, and it doesn’t prioritize a hands-free workout. However, I do like the dials that adjust the speed and incline. They are easy to hit while running, though it is much harder to select an exact speed. The Tread is better for interval or Fartlek-style runs thanks to this imprecision.
Subscription & Content Options (iFIT vs Peloton)
Peloton and iFIT (the digital fitness platform that provides content to the 2450) could not be more different. Peloton has built a brand around live and on-demand studio classes. The NordicTrack 2450, however, excels at on-location, worldwide, on-demand content. iFIT trainers explore trails while Peloton trainers customize their workout playlists. Both platforms have dabbled in what the other is best at, but I’ll concentrate on each brand’s best offerings.
Peloton Tread Content
Peloton almost makes running feel alien to me–someone who has been a runner for over a decade. By using training methods more common to exercise bikes, Peloton makes you rethink how a running workout is performed. When I’m cycling, I don’t think twice about cranking up the resistance or going after a high rpm. Bringing that same energy to the treadmill is strange but exciting. The dials encourage me to leave my notions about what pace I can hold behind as the instructor asks if I can give just a bit more. The music helps me forget about my mileage goal for the day and stay in the moment.
Peloton provides treadmill classes that are infused with music and energy. The instructors, the leaderboard, and the high fives all encourage me to go for gold. It’s hard to make a sport I’ve been doing competitively for over a decade feel new, but Peloton almost manages it. Peloton allows you to stack classes so you can pair a treadmill workout with some strength training to round out your entire routine. It’s not only a lively experience; it’s effective
NordicTrack 2450 Treadmill Content
If there’s a beautiful trail somewhere around the world that you have been dreaming of hiking or running, there’s probably an iFIT video for it. iFIT will automatically adjust the incline to match the terrain, so you feel like you are running alongside your coach. The speed settings are preset, but adjustments to the speed will teach iFIT your fitness level. iFIT will then adjust your current workout and future workouts to be more attuned to you. iFIT also provides my favorite heart rate training with automatic speed adjustments to keep you in the right heart rate zone.
iFIT has Feed.FM radio, so you can listen to music while training, but it’s not matched to the class like Peloton. Instead, you can select stations you like or concentrate on the information the iFIT trainer is sharing. Many of the classes offer insight into the faraway destinations you are virtually exploring. iFIT also offers classes for most other types of cardio equipment and strengthening and yoga.
Without Content
Peloton offers very limited options without a subscription. The Tread will operate, but it won’t do much more than that. The 2450, on the other hand, offers a few sample iFIT classes and more visible metrics when training in manual mode. Both 20+ inch touchscreens feel a little wasteful if you are not a subscriber, but I have to declare the 2450 the winner. The 2450 feels like a premium treadmill even without training content, but the Peloton Tread feels like a more affordable machine.
Bottom Line Review: Peloton Tread vs NordicTrack 2450 Treadmill
This comparison of the Peloton Tread vs the NordicTrack 2450 reveals what fierce competitors these treadmills are. I see two factors that may decide which treadmill you want to choose: content preference and underfoot feel. The NordicTrack 2450 excels at virtual outdoor content and has a soft, bouncy running deck. The Peloton Tread has studio classes with custom playlists and a firm, sporty running deck. There’s no right or wrong, but we are inclined to choose the 2450 over the Peloton Tread, because it delivers what consumers expect from a premium running treadmill when you consider the machine alone.
