What to Wear
Toning Major Muscle GroupsNordic Track Incline Trainers
Walking is an underappreciated form of exercise. It burns calories, improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthens bones and increases muscle strength and endurance. But still, it doesn’t burn as many calories as running, which might be the reason it doesn’t always get the credit it’s due. When you’re looking to burn the most calories in the least amount of time, walking just doesn’t cut it.
So what’s a non-running woman to do when she wants to get in a quick, calorie blasting workout? Walk on an incline of course.
Why walking on an incline is a good thing
Just by increasing walking incline to 25 percent, calorie burn is almost tripled. Anyone who’s tinkered with the settings on a health club treadmill to see how many calories they burn at different speeds and elevations can tell you the higher the incline the more calories burned. For some people it makes more sense to walk at a speed of only 4 mph, but burn calories as if they were running at 7 mph.
But most treadmills max out at an incline of between 10 and 15 percent. That’s where the Nordic Track Incline Trainer comes in. The X5 and X10 look like regular treadmills, but they offer a whole lot more - incline that it, with levels up to 30 and 50 percent respectively. And with 2-ply 20” by 52” or 56” belts and DuraSoft impact absorption, they do it with comfort in mind. With such a wide variation of incline levels, it only makes sense that quick-touch incline be included to eliminate the need for constant pressing of up and down arrows. Users can go from an incline of 25 to 1 with the touch of a single button.
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Features and specs |
X5
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X10
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Speed range
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Up to 10mph
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Up to 12mph
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Incline
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0 - 30%
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0 - 50%
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Treadbelt
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20 x 52”
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20 x 56”
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Workout programs
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23
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25
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Motor
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2.0hp (continuous)
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3.0hp (continuous)
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Folds up
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Yes
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Yes
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Avg. price
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$1600
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$2000
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Weight capacity
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300 lbs
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300 lbs
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Warranty
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Lifetime motor, 1 yr. parts and labor
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Same
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Heart rate sensors
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Handlebar and chest sensor
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Same
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Fan
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2 speeds - 4 and 6 mph
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Same
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Space saver folding and base wheels
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Yes
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Yes
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iFit compatible
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Yes
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Yes
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Cardio cables
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Yes
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Yes
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Is high incline walking for everyone?
If you’ve never used a treadmill on 15 percent incline, do so before you ever consider buying an incline trainer. Most people will do just fine and find themselves extremely challenged with 15 percent. If you’ve had a lot of experience with incline walking on treadmills and outdoors (hiking) and can’t get enough of it, Nordic Track’s incline trainers might be perfect for you.