NordicTrack Elite 9500 PRO Treadmill Review

Properties

Model	NordicTrack Elite 9500 PRO
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the treadmill's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	Rating: 90.8%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$2,999.00
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the current best price. Note: MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.	$1,999.00
Speed Treadmill Speed is measured in Miles Per Hour (mph). Average running speed is 5-9 mph.	0 - 12 mph
Incline Treadmill Incline measures the angle of the deck, and how steep it is relative to the floor (0% is flat, and 15% is like a steep hill).	0 - 15%
Visit Site After carefully evaluating each online retailer that offers this Treadmill, this is the website we recommend purchasing from.
Motor The Treadmill Motor is what turns the belt as you run. We recommend at least 2 HP (Horsepower) motors, 2.5+ HP for jogging, and 3.0+ HP for running.	4.0 CHP
Deck Treadmill Deck dimensions are measured in inches: Width x Length. The wider and longer the deck, the safer it is (55-60 inches long recommended for running).	22" x 60"
Belt The Treadmill Belt is the surface you run on. The thicker the belt, the less impact on your joints. At least 2-ply (1 inch) recommended.	Quadflex Precision Calibration (2-Ply)
Folding? Some treadmills are designed to conserve space by folding up. This is a convenient option, but some features might be reduced.
Programs Treadmill Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	30
Max. Weight Treadmill Max User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.	375 lbs
Heart Rate Heart Rate programs allow you to track how many times your heart is beating per minute (bpm), and some control the workout for you.	CardioGrip™ Monitor w/ Polar® Wireless Strap
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this treadmill will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	80" x 38" x 72"
Display Treadmill Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	10" Full Color Touch Screen
Easy Fold Up Easy Fold Up is a feature that makes folding your treadmill much easier. Some manufacturers include a one-button fold feature.
Pulse Grips Pulse Grips are handles you can hold while exercising to monitor your true heart rate.
Cooling Fans Treadmill Cooling Fans are designed to help keep you cool during an intense workout.
Accessory Tray Some treadmills include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.
Music Ready Treadmills that are music ready allow you to plug a music-playing device (iPod, smartphone, etc.) directly into the machine.
Sound System Treadmills that include a sound system allow you to listen to your MP3 player/iPod through built-in speakers (no headphones).
Quick Controls Quick Controls allow you to select speed, incline and even workout programs with the touch of a button (usually on the handles).
iFit iFit is an online service that lets you map and simulate runs from anywhere in the world, and track your progress wirelessly!
Built-in TV Treadmills that have a TV built in make it easier to get through your workouts by focusing on the TV while you're exercising.
Warranty The warranty is a very important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs by the manufacturer.	Frame: Lifetime Deck: Lifetime Motor: Lifetime Parts: 5 Years Electronics: 5 Years Labor: 2 Years
Best Deal We do not sell Treadmills; we are a free Treadmill Reviews service. This link goes to our top-rated retailer for the NordicTrack Elite 9500 PRO

10 Comments

1. Sean

   December 9, 2012

   Does the 9500 Pro have the same software issues as 1750? I am really looking at this but with software issues and slow costumer service I’m leaning a little toward the LS 13.0 T. Any help would be great and thanks,
   Sean

2. Kyle

   December 11, 2012

   Hi Sean,

   Yes, it has iFit and Android like the 1750.

   The LS13.0t is a great alternative because it has Livetrack (to replace iFit’s functionality), it has almost the same overall rating, and it will save you $1,700.

   The motor and deck aren’t quite as large as the 9500, but for the price it’s a logical replacement to consider for sure.

   Hope that helps!
   Kyle

3. Trista

   March 29, 2013

   This product does not have the capability to watch tv. Just received ours last week, and although it is fantastic as a treadmill, and you can access some basic sites, it will not open or load video to watch tv through the internet. I have found a lot of other sites with people trying to find a workaround for this issue by downloading an app, but the memory is too small. If you have found another way to watch tv, please share!

4. Kyle

   March 29, 2013

   Hi Trista,

   Thanks for the feedback! We’ve been updating the NordicTrack models lately, so this clarification was added to our review.

   They were pushing the touch screen tablet and “HD Video workouts” features, but it’s good to hear firsthand that it’s not easy to download the apps for watching TV (like Hulu and Netflix) to the Android device.

   To watch live TV channels, I’ve heard good things about the INVU treadmill TV. There are also TV Stands if you have a small TV you would like to use.

   For those readers interested in buying a NordicTrack that comes with a TV, the 2450 has a TV in addition to the touchscreen.

   Thanks again for your help Trista! Have a great weekend,
   Kyle

5. Mike

   April 1, 2013

   I’ve been comparing this model and the Sole F85. What are your thoughts on which model is better?

   Thanks in advance!
   Mike

6. Kyle

   April 2, 2013

   Hi Mike,

   You’re looking at two very nice treadmills, so you’ll probably be happy either way honestly.

   That said, we’ve heard many complaints about the Android technology malfunctioning in similar NordicTrack models, and more issues with shipping and customer support than with Sole.

   The machines themselves are pretty close though, so the biggest things to consider are:

   - Price: The 9500 is about $200 more than the F85
   - Features: The F85 has less programs and no iFit
   - Quality: Warranties are similar, but the F85 is higher rated
   - Support: Sole definitely wins in this area
   - Issues: The F85 changes speeds slowly, but the 9500 has more bells and whistles that can fail

   Personally, I chose the F85, It’s in my basement right now, and it’s what my wife and I train on all the time.

   I hope that helps with your decision!

   Have a great day,
   Kyle

7. Mike

   April 3, 2013

   Thanks for your quick and informative reply, Kyle! I just have a couple of follow-up questions for you, if you don’t mind. In my research, I’ve read similar complaints on both models. But I’m wondering if any of these issues may have possibly been resolved in the latest 2013 versions of the treadmills? i.e. The F85′s slow speed changes and the 9500′s Android issues.

   Also, do you happen to know if the firmware on the 9500 is upgrade-able? Since it is wi-fi enabled and runs on Android, you’d think that it can be upgraded to newer versions of the software. But I’ve contacted NordicTrack, and nobody there seems to know if this is the case. Perhaps this is an example of NordicTrack not having the same quality of customer service as Sole, as you pointed out!

   Thanks again, and have a great day!
   Mike

8. Kyle

   April 3, 2013

   No problem Mike! Happy to help.

   To the best of my knowledge, the Android issues are still occurring on some machines, and since the browsing capabilities are so limited, I haven’t heard of anyone successfully downloading any updates. The malfunctioning issue has still been reported in 2013, but not everyone who has mentioned it has pointed out which year/model they have, so it’s tough to tell if the problem is likely on the new model.

   As for the F85, the time it takes to change speeds is by design. The engineers did this for safety reasons, though most fellow F85 owners I have talked to would rather it change quicker. Personally, I am totally used to it now, so it’s a minor “con” for sure.

   Have a good one!
   Kyle

9. Cathy

   April 21, 2013

   Help
   I am looking at all these treadmills and starting to get confused!
   Whats important to me is. CHP >3.5, Great warranty, touch screen. Speakers, ipod compatibility And one touch speed and incline controls. Not that concerned with tv or internet because theres already a tv in the room and i have an ipad!! Also that ifit seems to cause a lot of probls
   Thanks cathy

10. Kyle

    April 22, 2013

    Hi Cathy,

    It can be overwhelming, huh? I’m happy to help make the search easier for you!

    Thanks for providing the details…that helps a ton.

    Alright, based on your list, I would recommend the same treadmill my wife and I have trained for the past 2 years: the Sole F85.

    It has a 4.0 CHP motor, an excellent warranty, speakers, and iPod compatibility, a very high customer satisfaction rating, one touch speed and incline controls, and it’s the same price as this one.

    After using it consistently for 2 years, the only minor complaint I have personally is that the speed changes pretty slowly (takes a few seconds to go up to 6-8 mph from 3-4 mph for instance). I got used to that pretty quickly, and most other F85 owners I talk to did also. Just wanted to point that out.

    I hope that helps! Let me know if there’s anything else I can do,
    Kyle

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