The Elite series of treadmills are specially designed for Runners or those who want a higher grade of fitness 'goodies' while working out.
It offers a strong 3.0 HP motor, extra long 60" belt, adjustable cushioning, iPod port with advanced speaker system, 22 built in workouts and iFit card reader for even more workouts.
Is it right for your workout needs? Here's a review of the Nordic Track Elite Zi to help you decide:
Quick Stats:
Price: $1199 (Sale + Free Shipping)
Motor: 3.0 HP Commercial Pro Motor
Speed: 0 -12 MPH
Incline: 0-12%
Treadbelt: 20 x 60"
Folding: Yes
350 lb Weight Capacity Deck
Lifetime Motor Warranty, 1 Year parts and Labor
Strengths:
1) Strong 3.0 HP motor - This is a great motor power at this price and high enough to support the extra long 60" belt (if you a have a lot of belt with low motor power, you can quickly burn out your motor.) Plus it's covered by a lifetime motor warranty which should also give you some peace of mind.
2) Music Port for Your iPod or Mp3 player - You can plug your iPod or MP3 player into the built-in audio jack and listen to your favorite music or audiobooks while you workout. This is a fun feature to have that can make your workouts more enjoyable
3) Intermix Acoustics™ 3.0 Equalized Sound System - This is a more advanced speaker system - with clearer sound - than previous models and features a pair of 3" high excursion drivers.
4) Adjustable Cushioning Reduces Impact By Up To 33% - A good cushioning system is essential to your treadmill - especially if you plan on using it frequently. This system reduces impact on your joints by up to 33%, as compared to road running.
And it's also adjustable - so you can choose a firmer feel, a softer feel or something in between. This is a great feature if there's more than one person using the treadmill as everyone has different preferences.
5) Work Out With Jillian Michaels from 'The Biggest Loser' - The Elite Zi has an iFit card reader. iFit cards come with 8 weeks of personal trainer designed workouts - each card focusing on a specific goal like weight loss or performance. You just insert the card into the console reader, and it picks up where you left off.
Nordic Track has teamed up with Jillian Michaels (from the TV show 'The Biggest Loser') to make specialized iFit workout cards. You actually get Jillian coaching you through your workout. Very cool.
6) 22 Built-In Workouts - In addition to the iFit cards, you get even more built-in workouts with the Elite Zi. The 20 personal trainer workouts automatically adjust the incline and speed of your treadmill, depending on your goal - aerobic, weight loss or performance.
You also get 2 heart rate workouts that help you stay in your target heart rate zone by increasing or lowering the speed when you need to raise or lower your heart rate. You can also create and customize up to 4 workouts for future use.
Weaknesses:
We would have like to see a longer parts warranty on the treadmill - parts and labor are only covered for 1 year. However you can get extended warranty coverage upon checkout.
We also would have liked to see a higher incline - 15% instead of 12%.
Overall Conclusion: Recommended
The Nordic Track Elite Zi treadmill is an impressive new addition to the Nordic Track lineup with all the solid basics of a great treadmill plus a little more advanced technology added in.
The console is much more club-like and the speaker system is a step up from older models with clearer sound. Runners will love the extra long 60" belt, stable feel and strong motor.
Plus there's so much to do with this treadmill (listen to your iPod, create your own workout programs, plug in an iFit card and listen to the personal trainer guiding you through the workout) - it's hard to get bored.
Overall, not a commercial machine but still a high value buy. And you can't beat the current sale price.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can get the NordicTrack Elite Zi direct from the Nordic Track manufacturer. You can get Free Shipping and also save on sales tax which will also save you a few hundred dollars.
