Top incline trainer in our Best of 2026 Fitness Tech Awards · Smart Home Gym category · Best Incline Value Pick
After 5 weeks walking, running, and incline training with the X22i and its iFIT-powered SmartAdjust features — here's our full verdict. Read our testing methodology.
Cardio Equipment & Smart Fitness Editor · Tested April–May 2026 over 5 weeks · Methodology
The NordicTrack Commercial X22i is the incline trainer that raised the bar — and it's still the machine we reach for when someone wants genuinely challenging incline-based cardio at home. Five weeks of walks, interval runs, and iFIT guided sessions later, it remains the most capable incline-training treadmill you can buy without spending significantly more.
The 40% incline is the headline feature, and it still impresses every time. Walking at 40% feels closer to hiking a mountain than using a treadmill, and combined with the -6% decline, the X22i covers a training range no standard treadmill comes close to. The SmartAdjust™ technology auto-adjusts your speed and incline based on workout history and heart rate, making every session feel genuinely calibrated to where you are in your fitness journey rather than a one-size program.
The 22" Tilt & Pivot HD touchscreen looks great during iFIT sessions, and processor cooling kept visuals sharp even after extended high-incline workouts that typically push the hardware harder. The Google Maps™ integration lets you run routes anywhere in the world in a way that turns a hard treadmill session into something surprisingly immersive. iFIT trainers automatically control your incline and speed through live and on-demand classes, which removed any mid-workout fussing with controls.
On the hardware side, the 4.0 CHP DurX motor felt powerful and quiet across the testing period. The 22" x 60" running deck has generous cushioning — notably softer than NordicTrack's Commercial and EXP series — and the dual AutoBreeze™ fans kept things comfortable during longer high-intensity sessions. The steel frame felt absolutely rock solid even at maximum incline angles, which matters when 40% puts real lateral forces on the structure.
The honest caveats: at 417 lbs in the box, the X22i is a machine you move exactly once. It does not fold, so plan your space carefully. The step-up height is significant, which could present a challenge for users with balance or mobility restrictions. And the iFIT subscription at $39/month is a genuine ongoing cost. That said, for runners and walkers who want the most extreme, most immersive incline training available at home — at a price that undercuts many less capable competitors — the X22i is still the one to beat. We awarded it Best Incline Trainer Treadmill in the 2026 Best Fitness Tech Awards. Browse our full fitness equipment reviews or treadmill category.
Scored across our 5-dimension rubric — read our testing methodology for how we calculate weighted scores.
The 22" Tilt & Pivot HD touchscreen is bright and responsive with strong processor cooling, though it is restricted to iFIT content with no third-party streaming apps.
iFIT trainers remotely control incline, decline, and speed in real time. SmartAdjust's heart-rate-based auto-adjustment made every session feel intelligently personalized.
Exceptionally solid steel frame, a 22" x 60" cushioned deck, and a 4.0 CHP motor that ran quietly across the full testing period including sustained 40% incline sessions.
The -6% to 40% incline range is unmatched in home fitness. The 12 MPH top speed and sled-push manual mode add training versatility that far exceeds standard treadmills.
At ~$2,999 plus a $39/mo iFIT subscription, the X22i is a serious commitment, but the hardware capabilities and iFIT content depth are hard to match at this price point.
Top incline trainer in our Best of 2026 Fitness Tech Awards · Smart Home Gym category · Best Incline Value Pick
The honest breakdown after 5 weeks of incline training, iFIT sessions, and interval running. See our methodology.
Everything in your NordicTrack Commercial X22i purchase, plus our tips on what to pair it with.
Full details from NordicTrack, verified during our testing period.
NordicTrack X22i vs the X32i step-up and top non-NordicTrack competitors — based on our testing and published reviews.
| Feature | NordicTrack X22i | NordicTrack X32i | Peloton Tread+ | Bowflex Treadmill 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,999.00 | $3,999.00 | $6,695.00 | $2,299.00 |
| Our Score | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| Display | 22" Tilt & Pivot HD touchscreen | 32" Tilt & Pivot HD touchscreen | 23.8" swivel HD touchscreen | 22" HD touchscreen |
| Incline Range | -6% to 40% auto-adjust | -6% to 40% auto-adjust | 0% to 15% auto-adjust | -5% to 20% auto-adjust |
| Top Speed | 12 MPH | 12 MPH | 12.5 MPH | 12 MPH |
| Smart Training | SmartAdjust™ + iFIT trainer control | SmartAdjust™ + iFIT trainer control | Peloton IQ form tracking + trainer control | JRNY auto-adjust + trainer control |
| Best For | Serious incline trainers who want max incline range and iFIT immersion at the best value | Users who want the largest display available with the same incline capabilities | Runners who want Peloton's premium content ecosystem and movement-tracking camera | Budget-conscious buyers who want auto-adjusting incline without a premium price |
The X22i is sold through NordicTrack directly and a wide range of authorized retail partners. All prices verified June 2026. Best ways to save: NordicTrack's seasonal Deal Days promotions, 0% APR financing for 36 months, HSA/FSA eligibility, and bundled iFIT membership discounts.
Everything you need to know before buying the NordicTrack Commercial X22i.
NordicTrack runs structured seasonal promotions — including Summer Deal Days, Black Friday, and New Year — where the X22i is frequently discounted by $200–$500 off its MSRP. The current deal-days code often stacks with already-reduced pricing, so checking NordicTrack.com during promotional windows is the most reliable path to savings.
Bundling an iFIT membership at checkout also unlocks an additional $100 off your order total, which is effectively a free discount as long as you plan to use the platform. Monthly iFIT memberships don't qualify, so opt for an annual or multi-year plan if you're committed to the ecosystem.
The X22i (~$2,999) and X32i (~$3,999) share the same motor, incline range (-6% to 40%), speed range (0–12 MPH), and SmartAdjust training features. The key difference is the display: the X22i has a 22" Tilt & Pivot touchscreen while the X32i steps up to a massive 32" screen. If screen size matters for immersive iFIT scenery runs, the X32i is worth the extra $1,000. If you're focused on training performance, the X22i delivers identical capabilities for less.
Technically, no — the X22i can be used in manual mode without an iFIT subscription, which lets you control speed and incline yourself. However, the 22" touchscreen is largely unused in manual mode, and SmartAdjust, live classes, on-demand workouts, Google Maps runs, and trainer-controlled sessions all require iFIT. The iFIT Pro Membership costs $39/month and auto-renews; a 30-day trial is typically included with purchase.
The X22i's footprint is 70.2" L x 39.6" W (roughly 5'10" x 3'4"), and because it does not fold, that space is permanent. Safety guidelines recommend at least 6–8 feet of clearance behind the treadmill for safe dismounting at speed. The machine also rises to 71.6" H at full height, so ceiling clearance matters — make sure your space clears at least 8 feet with an additional foot of clearance above the highest point of the incline arc.
Moving the X22i is a serious undertaking. At 417 lbs in the box, you'll need at least 2–3 strong people plus dollies and ramps to relocate it. The treadmill does have front transport wheels that let you tilt and roll it on hard flooring, but moving it between floors is not practical without professional movers. NordicTrack strongly recommends deciding on the final placement before delivery and white-glove setup.
Buy the X22i if: incline training is your primary goal, you want the broadest incline range available (-6% to 40%), and you prefer a lower price with 0% APR financing and no mandatory subscription tier just to access core features.
Buy the Peloton Tread+ if: you're already in the Peloton ecosystem, you want the movement-tracking camera for off-treadmill strength tracking via Peloton IQ, and you value Peloton's content production quality and instructor roster above all else. In our testing, the X22i's incline capabilities and SmartAdjust training made it the stronger pick for incline-focused users, while the Tread+ is the better choice for runners who want Peloton's coaching ecosystem and are willing to pay a premium for it.