Nordictrack X22i vs Proform 9000 Treadmill – Which is Best for You?
Wondering about the difference between the Nordictrack X22i vs Proform 9000 Treadmills?
How do they really stack up? And which is the best choice for you?
You’re not alone. These are two popular, premium-grade treadmills in the their respective lineups.
They both offer you great training benefits like HD touch-screen, full-color consoles, iFit world and studio workouts, strong motors and extra long running belts.
The Nordictrack X22i is part of Nordictrack’s “Incline Trainer” series – high incline treadmills built to help you burn calories faster in less time.
The Proform 9000 treadmill is part of Proform’s “Pro” series – premium treadmills built with higher-end construction – designed to be runner-friendly and tougher than Proform starter treadmills
But there are some pretty big differences between them that you should know before you buy.
This post will cover the main differences between the Nordictrack X22i vs Proform 9000 treadmills. So you can choose the best machine for your home gym:
Nordictrack X22i vs Proform 9000 – Price
As of this writing, the Proform 9000 treadmill has the edge here. While prices tend to jump around, you can usually get it for about $1999 with Free Shipping here.
The Nordictrack X22i incline treadmill comes in higher at around $2999 with Free Shipping here.
So is the extra money worth it on the X22i treadmill? Here are some of the differences between the two treadmills to help you decide:
Nordictrack X22 or Proform 9000: Incline
The Nordictrack X22i incline trainer has a big advantage here.
It gives you from 0 to 40% inclines – which is incredible.
What’s the benefit to higher inclines?
Well, according to the manufacturer, you can burn up to 5 times more calories with a 40% incline vs 0 incline walking. So you can burn calories faster in less time – and see results quicker.
Even if you use the high inclines for building occasional high-intensity intervals into your training, you’ll still be getting a higher-calorie burning workout on this treadmill.
Another benefit?
Walking at a higher incline (at slower speeds) is also great if you have shin splints or bad knees.
It’s lower impact (since you’re not pounding down on the deck). You can walk slower at higher inclines and get a lower impact workout – while still burning a lot of calories.
What about the Proform 9000 treadmill?
It gives you up to 12% inclines. This is ok – but it’s not even close to what you get with the Nordictrack X22i treadmill.
Also, at this price point, you would expect at least a 15% incline (see the Nordictrack 1750 treadmill – which is a similar price and gives you up to 15% inclines). So the incline on the Proform 9000 is a bit of a letdown here.
Proform 9000 vs Nordictrack X22i: Decline
The Nordictrack X22i also gives you a benefit here as well.
Both treadmills give you decline (where the treadmill deck angles down – like you’re walking downhill).
Decline is not something you find on a lot of other brands and it’s a great way to add some crosstraining to your workout.
The Proform 9000 treadmill gives you up to 3% decline – which is pretty good.
The Nordictrack X22i treadmill goes one better with up to 6% decline.
So again, you get more crosstraining options with the Nordictrack X22i vs the Proform 9000 treadmill when it comes to incline and decline.
Construction Differences
There are some differences in construction that some people might miss. But they have repercussions for the longevity of your treadmill.
For example, the Nordictrack X22i is designed with larger 2.5 inch rollers whereas the Proform 9000 has smaller 1.9 inch rollers.
Larger rollers help to reduce static friction on the belt and improve the life of your treadmill.
Another difference?
Machine weight. Other things being equal or similar, a heavier machine helps to give you more of a feeling of stability – especially when you pick up the pace.
The Proform 9000 treadmill comes in at a decent 263 pounds.
The Nordictrack X22i incline treadmills comes in at a whopping 417 pounds. So overall, it’s going to feel more stable (although it will be harder to move around).
Another difference: console speakers
Both treadmills come with Bluetooth-friendly audio speakers. The Proform 9000 gives you 2-inch speakers whereas the Nordictrack X22i gives you upgraded, larger, 3-inch speakers for clearer sound.
Nordictrack X22i vs Proform 9000: Folding
A lot of people want a treadmill that folds up for easy storage. It’s also easier to clean around as dust and dirt built up under the deck.
The Nordictrack X22i – because of the limits of a high-incline trainer – does not fold up (although you can separate the base from the main console to make it easier to move in 2 pieces).
The Proform Pro 9000 treadmill does fold up with a locking mechanism and wheels on the bottom for easier movement.
So if you want a folding treadmill – the Proform 9000 treadmill is the clear winner in this category.
Bottom Line?
So what’s the bottom line when comparing the Nordictrack X22i vs Proform 9000 home treadmills?
It really comes down to what you’re looking for in a home treadmill.
The Proform 9000 treadmill is the more budget-friendly option. It also folds up for easier movement.
And you still get everything you need for a fun, immersive workout like the full-color, HD-screen with iFit workouts, responsive studio workouts, incline, decline and more.
The Nordictrack X22i gives you advantages when it comes to training and calorie burning however. You get a much higher incline of up to 40% – which gives you a lot of room to grow over the years. You also get a deeper decline for better crosstraining.
Plus it’s built with higher-end construction and it’s heavier to add a bit more stability to the machine.
So it really depends on what you’re looking for.
Regardless of which treadmill you choose, if you use the links below you can get Free Shipping and a special iFit offer on either treadmill.
Click Here for a Special Offer on the Nordictrack X22i
Click Here to Save on the Proform 9000
Related:
Nordictrack X22i vs X32i Incline Trainer – Which is Best For You?
Nordictrack X22i Incline Trainer Review – Worth Your Money?
