Peloton Tread vs NordicTrack 2450: There’s An Obvious Winner

Dimensions/Storability

A treadmill is a large piece of fitness equipment, especially high-powered ones built for running. Although the NordicTrack 2450 and Peloton Tread vary a little in size and differ in their storability, it is a good idea to have a designated spot in your home for whichever one you choose.

The 2450 is a little larger. Its dimensions are 77.3” L x 37” W x 63.4” H versus the Peloton, which is 68” L x 33” W x 62” H.

The Peloton Tread is more compact, but the 2450 folds up. The deck folds up and locks into place. There is a hydraulic lift assist in the deck, so you don’t have to lift its entire weight. If you can lift 40-50 lbs or so, you should be able to fold the deck.

Once folded, the 2450 can be moved.

It has two transport wheels, so you have to tip it back to move it. It isn’t the easiest to move, and some people might not be able to move it. This treadmill weighs 332 lbs when it is delivered in the box, so it is heavy. I can move it, but I don’t want to move it far.

The Peloton Tread is 290 lbs, and it doesn’t fold.

Even though it’s smaller than the 2450, it’s harder to move. You have to lift the back of the deck to engage the front wheels and roll it around, but it is heavy.

I’d rather not move either treadmill, but I’d rather move the 2450 when needed than the Tread.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

Both of these treadmills come with large attached touch screens. To access all of the content on the screen, you need to pay for a monthly subscription. The subscription that you’re paying for on the NordicTrack 2450 is for iFIT, and you’re paying for the Peloton All-Access Membership on the Peloton Tread.

If you’re not interested in using the subscription content on either treadmill, you can still use them. They both offer a couple of featured trainer-led workouts and manual mode.

I would highly recommend subscribing to the training content on whichever treadmill you decide to buy; it is really half the experience of what each treadmill provides. iFIT is $39 per month, and Peloton is $44 per month.

Here is what you get with each membership.

iFIT

iFIT is a complete training subscription with thousands of on-demand workouts. They are led by instructors and filmed in professional studios and areas all over the world. iFIT is known for its outdoor workouts. We haven’t encountered another training subscription with content quite like iFIT.

The camera follows the trainer as they walk through cities, run across beaches, and hike up mountains.

iFIT has classes available on every continent. iFIT also films in races like the Boston Marathon. You follow one of the instructors as they run the race and guide you through.

There are series that often involve workouts filmed in the same place and led by the same instructor. These have different goals, so you can take the workouts in order and progress your fitness over the course of a few weeks or months.

iFIT offers treadmill and mat classes to take from the 2450’s screen. There are also cycling, elliptical, and rowing workouts. The iFIT app gives you access to all the workouts on different machines. There are some mat workouts, but I wish there were more.

SmartAdjust and ActivePulse

The way iFIT is integrated with the 2450 is one of my favorite aspects. In each workout, the treadmill automatically adjusts to match the instructor’s cues and terrain. SmartAdjust makes each workout feel customized to your fitness level. Once you take a few iFIT workouts, it remembers your effort level and adjusts the speed based on what it thinks is right for you.

When you’re taking an outdoor workout, the incline and decline automatically adjust to match the terrain. So, when you see the instructor running up and down hills, the 2450 adjusts so it feels like you’re running outside with them.

ActivePulse is another feature that makes for hands-free training. It adjusts the 2450 based on your heart rate to keep you within specific heart rate zones. Talk about customized workouts!

You’ll need to use NordicTrack’s armband (sold separately) or a compatible tracker like a Garmin watch to use this feature.

We don’t see automatic adjustability like this very often. You can adjust the 2450 yourself, but I prefer setting up the chart so I know when the treadmill will adjust and following along. I never have to wonder where my speed and incline should be adjusted to.

Create Your Own Workouts

iFIT also has a create feature to create customized interval workouts and set time, distance, and calorie goal workouts. A standard lap track is displayed on the screen, and 2450 automatically adjusts.

Streaming Apps

When you subscribe to iFIT, you can access Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Spotify on the 2450’s touchscreen. You just need to log into your account for each app and start streaming.

I like the way the apps are integrated into iFIT.

I can still take an iFIT workout, but mute the instructor, watch a Netflix show, and let the treadmill adjust for me. I can also listen to Spotify during iFIT workouts.

Since iFIT doesn’t incorporate music into their workouts, I like being able to listen to what I want on Spotify. If you don’t want to use Spotify, iFIT uses a feed.fm feature with a few different stations that have preset playlists of songs. You can skip a few songs per hour. The music is fine, but having Spotify and the other apps is nice.

AI Coach

iFIT has an AI Coach that is in beta testing. You text on your phone with iFIT’s coach, “Tailor,” who will recommend and schedule iFIT workouts for you to take based on your training goals. This feature is helpful for getting ideas on what iFIT workouts should do, but it could use some updates. It is being beta-tested, so we anticipate more updates of it in the future.

All of these features are really nice to have on the 2450 with iFIT.

Peloton All-Access Membership

Peloton has a library of live and on-demand trainer-led studio workouts. Peloton nails its trainer-led content. The instructors are like mini-celebrities who have different personalities and significant social media followings.

It is the instructors who are at the heart of Peloton and what makes the brand so popular.

There’s a leaderboard on the screen, and during live workouts, the instructor shouts out usernames during class. You can also give and receive virtual high-fives on the leaderboard.

The camera points at the instructor as they walk, run, or hike on one of Peloton’s treadmills. There are multiple cameras for different viewpoints, and sometimes, workouts have participants who are taking the class in person in the background.

The classes are professionally filmed.

Each class has a curated playlist of music that you listen to with the instructor. They pick the music and program the workout, which helps add energy to the class.

There are outdoor-filmed workouts, but the library is small compared to the studio classes Peloton has and to iFIT’s library. Instructors lead some, and an instructor narrates some as the camera moves through the course. Peloton now offers workouts through the route of the New York City Marathon and Bad Water Race. A camera moves through the course while an instructor narrates.

Even the outdoor workouts have set playlists, most likely picked by the instructor. Peloton also has a radio feature with fresh and fun playlists to listen to in the background of some of the workouts.

There are different collections of themed workouts, classes with different training goals, and workouts you can find that feature the same musician(s).

You can take treadmill and mat workouts from the Peloton Tread.

Peloton has workouts in a variety of disciplines, including cycling and rowing. There is an extensive library of yoga and strength training workouts, too. I like using the Peloton app for these workouts.

Auto-Incline

Peloton has an Auto-Incline feature that adjusts the incline of the Tread based on the instructor’s cues during the workout. You can turn this off and adjust the incline whenever you want.

The speed doesn’t automatically adjust. Instead, the instructor gives you a range in mph of where to adjust the Tread during class.

Streaming Apps

Peloton includes access to streaming apps when you subscribe to their membership. Netflix, Max, Disney+, YouTube TV, and the NBA app are available to stream with your respective login for each app.

There are also Peloton Originals. These are different docuseries following some of Peloton’s instructors. There is one on Becs Gentry as she prepared to compete in the Olympic Trials.

Lanebreak

Peloton has a fun gamified workout feature if you want to take a break from following along with an instructor or watching Netflix.

Lanebreak features six different lanes for your avatar to move through as you change your speed and incline. Your goal is to hit the targets in the lane to collect points. Each game is structured as a workout with a built-in warm-up, working portion, and cool down.

NordicTrack 2450 vs. Peloton Tread Console

The NordicTrack 2450 and Peloton Tread have similar console layouts. Both are streamlined for a clean look and feature a touchscreen. These designs encourage you to use the touchscreen on each treadmill.

NordicTrack 2450 Treadmill Console

The 2450 has an adjustable 24” touchscreen. It tilts up and down and pivots to either side.

When pivoted, you can take treadmill bootcamp and mat classes easily from the treadmill’s screen.

There is some screen glare, but it is minimized and not noticeable when you’re in one of iFIT’s outdoor workouts. When the screen is dark, the glare is more apparent.

The console is very streamlined and includes minimal adjustment buttons. There are the standard start, stop, incline, and speed buttons. These adjust the speed by 0.1 and the incline by 0.5%.

On the screen, there are numbered buttons to adjust the speed and incline more quickly. Some adjustment dials on the side handles, like the ones on the Peloton Tread, would be nice. It can be hard to use the screen’s buttons while running.

The screen is easy to use and reach while walking, but it would be nice for more functionality on the console to adjust the treadmill.

The speakers are clear and offer a lot of volume. The fan is also effective. It has multiple settings for airflow. The vents are adjustable, but they hit my neck. I’m 5’1”.

The cup holders hold my 40 oz HydroJug steady. There isn’t a device rack for a phone or tablet, so I just put my phone in one of the cup holders. There isn’t connectivity to the treadmill besides Bluetooth headphones and a heart rate monitor. This keeps you more locked into iFIT on the screen when you subscribe.

One thing I was super impressed with was how steady and non-shaky the console and touchscreen are.

Peloton Tread Console

The Peloton Tread comes with a 23.8″ touch screen. So let’s say it’s around 24″. It’s clear and easy to see, but it doesn’t adjust much. The screen on the Tread does not pivot to either side. There are very few adjustment buttons found on the console off the screen. The only button on the console is the stop button placed on the front crossbar handle above the safety key.

The roller dials on the side handles are convenient, and they are what I prefer to use to adjust the speed and incline while running on the Peloton Tread.

You roll them forward or back to increase/decrease speed and incline by 0.1 speed and 0.5% incline. You can also press the middle of the dial to adjust the speed by one mph and the incline by 1%. I like the feel of these knobs, they have a good texture, and they’re well-placed to adjust the Tread easily.

You can also program three preset speed and incline levels on the screen during class to adjust the Tread quickly. This feature essentially does the same thing as the screen buttons on the 2450 but with a bit fewer increments to choose from.

The screen is bright with minimal glare.

Peloton includes anti-glare on the screen. I can see my reflection in the screen a little bit when it is dark, but once I’m watching content, there isn’t a glare on the screen.

There isn’t a fan built into the console, so if you want some airflow, you’ll need to use a separate fan. We would like to see a fan built in, especially at this price point. There is a small storage tray attached to the horizontal handle. It has two cup holders and a small tray. I can place my phone and 40 oz water bottle here, and neither move while running.

The screen shakes a little bit, though, while running at high speeds. It isn’t too distracting, but it is more so than the 2450.

The Peloton Tread also has a screen lock feature. When the treadmill is unused, the screen and treadmill lock after 10 seconds. A passcode that you create upon getting the treadmill is used to unlock the screen and deck. This is for safety.

Build Quality

Both the Peloton Tread and NordicTrack 2450 are premium treadmills that are priced as such. They were both around $3,000 at the time of writing this.

Overall, the Peloton Tread is stable, but the 2450 is a little more so. It handles up to 350 lbs, versus the 300-lb limit that the Tread has. The NordicTrack is better for larger folks.

The differences don’t stop at the weight limits, though. They differ a bit in aspects of their constructions.

NordicTrack 2450 vs. Peloton Tread Frame

Each treadmill has a steel frame and uprights to support the deck and console.

This design has become popular in recent years on treadmills, but it started with the Peloton Tread.

The handles on both treadmills are functional. I prefer the luxurious coating on the Tread’s handles over the textured plastic overlay on the 2450. But the side and front handles on both treadmills are well within reach when you need balance assistance.

NordicTrack 2450 vs. Peloton Tread Motor

These treadmills differ a little bit in terms of motor power and training options. The Peloton Tread has a 3.0 HP motor. It handles running and performs well, but this size motor is smaller than what most premium home treadmills have.

The NordicTrack 2450, on the other hand, has the most powerful motor we see on home treadmills.

It is a 4.25 CHP motor. Both motors handle running, but with this extra motor power, we recommend the 2450 for heavy use, like marathon training. It’s not that the Tread couldn’t handle marathon training, but its motor power isn’t what we typically recommend for it.

The 2450 probably needs a bit of extra power for its 14 mph max speed. It also inclines up to 12% and declines to -3%. The Peloton Tread has a 12.5 mph max speed and a 12.5% incline. It doesn’t decline.

The Tread offers plenty of training options, but the 2450 includes more.

It is nice to have more speed to choose from and the decline feature.

The 2450 is also slightly faster to adjust the speed and incline than the Peloton Tread. It is only about 3 seconds faster to adjust from 1 mph up to 12 mph, but currently, the 2450 is the fastest treadmill to adjust its speed. Both treadmills are great for interval training.

Both are also pretty quiet. They aren’t the most quiet, but they’re around the equivalent of a dishwasher. Motorized treadmills make noise, but these two aren’t disruptive and are appropriate for most homes.

NordicTrack 2450 vs. Peloton Tread Deck

The decks are spacious for running. The 2450’s deck is a little larger. It’s 22” wide and 60” long. The Peloton Tread is 20” wide and 59” long. If you want more room to run, I would look into the NordicTrack.

Since the motor is under the deck on the Tread, there is plenty of room and no motor hood to worry about hitting your feet on. The 2450’s motor hood is shallow enough that I don’t hit it while I run.

The big difference in the decks is the deck cushioning, the give in the deck that helps absorb the shock from your joints. NordicTrack has the softest deck cushioning on home treadmills. The 2450 is one of the softest decks to run on.

The Peloton Tread has much less cushioning in comparison.

It feels firm. Firm decks can be good for road runners who prefer running on a surface that feels more similar to concrete outside. Soft cushioning is helpful if you have joint issues and sensitivity. I would look into the 2450 if you prefer running on a softer surface.

Warranties

NordicTrack offers an impressive lifetime motor warranty, which helps instill confidence in the 2450’s powerful motor. Ten years for the frame, 2 years for parts, and 1 year for labor are also included. Peloton includes less, with only 5 years for the frame, 3 years for the motor, and 1 year for most original components and the touchscreen.

Assembly is included with the delivery of the Peloton Tread, though you will have to pay extra for assembly when purchasing the NordicTrack 2450.

Should You Buy the Peloton Tread or the NordicTrack 2450?

As much as I love Peloton’s trainers and studio classes, the overall features and treadmill quality of the NordicTrack 2450 make it my overall pick.

The comfortable deck cushioning, foldable design, higher motor power, faster max speed, larger deck size, and a -3% decline are just some of the reasons why I think the 2450 is a better buy than the Peloton Tread. Not only will the 2450 work in more homes because it folds up, but it’s just as quiet and even slightly faster to adjust than the Tread for interval training.

iFIT also has a lot of thoughtful features integrated into the trainer-led workouts. The library offers more outdoor-filmed workouts and hands-free adjusting for workouts, unlike what most subscriptions offer. You can even take structured iFIT workouts led by instructors or ones you create while you stream from apps like Netflix.

Of course, if you love Peloton’s content and want a treadmill with which to use Peloton’s membership, then you should buy the Tread. It is one of two treadmills where you can access all of Peloton’s features, like Auto-Incline, streaming apps on the screen, and Lanebreak.

As I said, you can’t go wrong with either treadmill; they are both excellent representations of each brand. However, this new version of the NordicTrack 2450 has set the bar higher for home treadmills in multiple ways and is backed by a lifetime motor warranty.

Peloton Tread vs NordicTrack 2450 Q&A / FAQ

What treadmill is just as good as the Peloton?

Our team has tested treadmills from several different brands, and we’ve found the NordicTrack 2450 to be our pick over the Peloton Tread. It has a faster max speed, more motor power, a declining range, softer deck cushioning, and folds up.

iFIT, the training subscription available on the 2450, offers thousands of outdoor-filmed trainer-led workouts, streaming apps, customized workouts, and automatic treadmill adjustments in each workout.

What is the difference between the NordicTrack and the Peloton Tread?

The NordicTrack treadmill uses iFIT training content, primarily filmed outdoors, whereas Peloton’s training content is mostly filmed indoors in a studio. Peloton’s content is centered on climbing the leaderboard and jamming to music, whereas NordicTrack’s content is centered on heart rate training and conquering the terrain replicated by the treadmill’s automatic incline.

Can you watch TV on the NordicTrack 2450?

Yes, iFIT includes access to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Spotify on the NordicTrack 2450 with a subscription.