NordicTrack S 3000 Institutional Treadmill (NTL29105) is designed for light commercial use. It is equipped with a 5.0 horsepower motor (or, as NordicTrack calls it, “5.0 HP Commercial Drive System”) designed to provide more quiet, efficient, and durable workouts. The machine has the DuraSoft shock absorption system that, according to the manufacturer, reduces impact on the user’s joints by up to 28%.
The walking surface of this treadmill is large. The treadbelt is 20 inches wide and 60 inches long, which is longer than average. Being over 6 feet tall, I always appreciate a long belt that allows me to go full stride.
The machine has two side handles and two small front handles. I personally never use the small ones unless I want to check my pulse: most treadmills today have pulse sensors installed into the front handles. Except for that, I find no use for them: they are too far away so I have to lean forward considerably if I want to hold on to them.
The maximum speed of NordicTrack S 3000 is 12 miles per hour, which is the highest I’ve seen on a treadmill so far, and probably much faster than most users need. The majority of the machines I have been on or looked at only go up to 10 or 11 miles per hour, and only some will go up to 12. I guess it’s a plus for a serious runner, but amateurs like me won’t be using the high speed very much.
Like all treadmills, this machine has the Incline feature that lifts the front part of the walking deck, making you walk uphill vs. on flat surface. NordicTrack S 3000 has the incline range up to 15%. Both the speed and incline are set up by pressing buttons on the console. Another option is to use pre-programmed workouts that will automatically change your speed and elevation. This treadmill has 13 of such workouts of varying intensity. Except for the speed and incline control buttons, the console has a screen that displays your speed, time, distance, calorie count, and pulse (if you place your hands on the pulse sensors). The console also has two bottle holders.
The machine is iFit compatible. If you are not familiar with the iFit technology, check out their website, iFit.com. They offer a variety of pre-programmed workouts designed by personal trainers, with music that will go along with the changes of speed & incline and a trainer’s voice that tells you about the particular program. The iFit workouts come on CD’s and videos, and they also can be downloaded from the website.
NordicTrack S 3000 comes with a lifetime warranty for the motor, 4 year warranty for rollers, 2 year warranty for parts, and 1 year warranty for the belt, deck, and in-home labor. The machine retails for $3499.00. You can save a thousand bucks and buy it from the NordicTrack website for $2499.00. They also offer free shipping for this machine.
