Since using the new NordicTrack Commercial 1250 I’ve come to put it into my “Goldilocks” box of treadmills, those which are neither too big nor too small, but just right for most users. It reminds me a lot of the NordicTrack EXP 10i but with a longer track and bigger motor. Serving as the entry-level model of the brand’s commercial-grade series of treadmills, the Commercial 1250 leads in at $1,799 as opposed to the highly ranked Commercial 1750 at $2,199 and Commercial 2450 at $2,799. With a 30-day trial of iFit included in the purchase, users can hop aboard and start earning the burn from day one. The newly refreshed model for 2023 includes a plethora of new features versus its older incarnations. Built with a 10″ tilt-and-pivot high-definition (HD) touchscreen, this model offers premium audio speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity for headphone and heart rate connectivity. If you’re shopping around for the holidays, check out the NordicTrack lineup’s Black Friday sales going on now right here. 

Built to work with iFit, the treadmill offers automatic trainer control where the machine or live professionals can control the resistance during the workout. This matches up with ActivePulse Technology where a Bluetooth heart rate monitor can do the same thing, automatically adjusting the machine to match a cardio zone. Google Maps Workout Technology allows users to stroll the globe, and a quiet drive incline system keeps it all quiet. Now for the other side. Like other machines manufactured by iFit, which includes ProForm and Freemotion, the screen only works with the company’s app. The treadmill will run without the $39 per month system, but all of the other features like automatic trainer control go with the program. For a complete review of iFit, read here. My recommendation is if you’re going to invest in an iFit-enabled treadmill, just figure on using the app that goes with it. Otherwise, consider a different brand, like Horizon, which has treadmills with more varied programming. 

Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The NordicTrack Commercial 1250

At TreadmillReviews.net, we bring you comprehensive reviews of treadmills so you can decide which one is right for you. Our staff thoroughly test all the treadmills we review. We install them, walk on them, run on them, and try out all of the features. We get to know each and every treadmill we review extremely well. Our reviewers log miles on the deck. We listen and record the sound of the motor, we test and measure the incline/decline, try out all aspects of the console and try the treadmill’s features, such as iFit.

Every treadmill we review undergoes the same rigorous process. That way we can compare and contrast them and give you an honest review of what we think. This particular treadmill has been around for many years, and we’ve done previous reviews of the NordicTrack Commercial 1250. So, in this review, we also  compared it to the previous models.

Our reviewers are treadmill and fitness experts. Brian, the author of this review, is a competitive bodybuilder, and is a 7-time national qualifier in both men’s bodybuilding and classic physique within the NPC competitions. He has coached and been coached on cardiovascular training, HIIT, and nutrition, particularly as it pertains to weight loss for competitions. He is an expert at treadmills, has been on this treadmill, and you can trust his opinion on all of the treadmills he reviews.

In Brief

The 2023 NordicTrack Commercial 1250 is the perfect mid-sized treadmill with a “Goldilocks” combination of features for users of all levels. Not too big, not too small, priced just right. The biggest selling points include its connectivity with the iFit workout app and 10″ touchscreen, automatic trainer control, and incline/decline options. It also sports a 20″ x 60″ tread belt, which is really the beginning of the units designed for jogging and running as opposed to walking and hiking. The biggest downside is that if you opt out of the $39 per month iFit program, the screen’s value falls flat. Measuring 78.5″x 35.6″ x 64.7″ with an in-box weight 281.6 pounds, the treadmill sports up to 300 pounds and folds quite easily with terrific front wheels. One thing I love about folding treadmills is how much easier they are to clean, lubricate, and relocate it necessary.

NordicTrack Commercial 1250 Treadmill – Pros & Cons (2024) - Key Specs:

In-Depth Review of the NordicTrack Commercial 1250

Why We Like It

The Commercial 1250 brings a 3.0 CHP motor which is perfect for jogging and hard walking workouts, including High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). If you’re comparing this to the NordicTrack EXP 10i, you’ll notice the 1250 brings a 20″ x 60″ tread belt as opposed to the 20″ x 55″ and 2.75 CHP motor.  If you’re a larger runner or perhaps looking for serious distance training, you’ll want to consider this. For more information about motor sizes you can read our review here. A folding treadmill, this model closes up and down easily with a SpaceSaver Design and a simply lift action. For more information on how to fold up treadmills, you can read here. The tread belt runs atop 1.9″ precision machined and balanced non-flex rollers, which are a little smaller than your pricier units, but adequate for most people.

In terms of performance, the Commercial 1250 offers great options including -3% and +12% decline/incline and speeds of 0-12mph. Equipped with a fan and integrated tray, the unit can support up to 300lbs in user weight. The machine comes with a 10-year frame warranty, with two years for parts and one year for labor. If you’re shopping a treadmill, new or used, check out our Five Step Buying Guide here for useful tips.

It Comes With A Terrific 10″ Console

As far as usability goes, the 10″ HD touchscreen works like a charm but doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. I have no problem seeing and working with this size of screen at all. In addition to the tilt/pivot feature, this console comes equipped with premium audio speakers and Bluetooth for both headphone and heartrate connectivity. As an iFit-enabled treadmill, it’s designed to sync with ActivePulse Technology where the machine can self-adjust resistance in keeping with your heartrate, as well automatic trainer control by way of the trainers or program. One thing to keep in mind with these iFit treadmills is their screens don’t work with other programs, like Hulu, just iFit. 

The NordicTrack Commercial 1250 brings a 10″ HD touchscreen designed to work with iFit. Photo by Brian Boyce

Great Decline/Incline Features

This treadmill inclines up to 12% and declines down to -3% with ease. When hiking up to the max I’ve had no problem with incline speed and can usually ramp up in about one second per level. Whether I’m using this for hiking, walking, or running, it’s difficult to imagine not getting as good a burn as I need from 12% incline. The value to decline training is when you’re looking for that real-world feel of hills, going both up and down. With a max speed of 12mph it’s doubtful you’ll outgrow this.

The NordicTrack Commercial 1250 offers both -3% decline and 12% incline.

Comfort-Sized Home Treadmill

I’m 5’10 and float between 165 and 205 pounds in between bodybuilding seasons. This treadmill fits me just fine, even if I want to stride out for a run on the 20″ x 60″ track. Measuring 78.5″x 35.6″ x 64.7″ it fits easily in a spare bedroom such as the one in which I’ve placed this one. This unit here happens to be in an upstairs room and so far I haven’t had any problem with noise or rattling the ceiling down below. One big downside to larger units like the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is they’d be a little too heavy for an upstairs bedroom and frankly they’re just larger in general. If what you’re looking for is a good mid-sized unit, the 1250 fits the bill.

The NordicTrack Commercial 1250 is a smaller unit, but still comfortable users of most sizes.

What We Like:

• The Motor

  The Commercial 1250 offers a 3.0 CHP motor and reaches speeds of up to 12 mph without a problem. This works for running as well as walking or hiking.

• iFit-enabled

  The iFit program is built for connectivity. The program and/or live trainers can assume control of the machine and adjust both the speed and incline/decline during workouts. It’s also incredible deep in terms of programming, with tens of thousands of on-demand programs as well as nutrition plans.

• Audio

  Bluetooth audio capabilities let you listen to your favorite playlists via a set of premium speakers. You can also use this with Bluetooth headphones.

• Cooling Options

  This treadmill comes equipped with dual AutoBreeze fans to help with comfort.

• Weight Capacity

  Given the price and size, I’m happy with the 300-pound user weight max.

What We Don’t Like:

• iFit-dependent: Yes, the machine can work without iFit, but it’s just not as much fun. The screen will take you to a manual mode but you lose all of the automatic trainer functions associated with iFit.

This Treadmill Could Be For You If You Want:

• A commercial-grade treadmill at a reasonable price
• A folding treadmill easy to move about the area
• The benefits of a -3% decline and +12% incline for training
• Cushioning for joint protection with an option to disable to mimic outdoor road running

Our Verdict:

We’re really excited to see NordicTrack offering the Commercial 1250. The 2023 season appears to be bringing a smaller-is-better approach to the treadmill market and frankly there’s good points to that. If you’re looking for a great commercial-quality treadmill but don’t need a giant monstrosity in your living room, this could be it for you. This is particularly the case if you’re having a hard time deciding where to place the unit and like the mobility a folding unit can bring. If you want a tread belt on which you can both run and jog with great interactive programming by way of iFit, this is a winner for sure.

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