I’ve asked this in the past, but got almost no responses.
I know that a good number of lurkers here own Treadmills with “iFIT” features - particularly treadmills from CostCo and Nordictrac.
Anybody care to review it for us or let us know how it’s working for you? It sounds like a great feature with potential killer-app status (training on the same elevation profile as a target race sounds awesome!) but I’ve heard nobody raving about it.
Is it easy/hard to use? Does it work well?
I’m looking forward to a reply on this as well. I just started my winter prep by dropping cash on a Costco treadmill. I held back on ordering the ifit features though to see how it goes.
I’m looking forward to a reply on this as well. I just started my winter prep by dropping cash on a Costco treadmill. I held back on ordering the ifit features though to see how it goes.
I asked this question 6 months ago, and no replies then either.
This doesn’t bode well for the alleged killer app, considering thousands of people have the feature on their TMs…
I have a NordicTrack treadmill and it has the iFit feature. I have not used all the features on it, but here is what I can say so far.
Pros:
Track workouts on computer (manual and set workouts).
Preset maps/routes
Custom routes and maps - this is probably the coolest feature as I can create a route or download one from Google maps. Recently I traveled to a race that I was unable to see the course ahead of time. So I downloaded the run course and ran it a week prior to the race. It was cool to feel the elevation changes without having to be there.
I haven’t used the preset workouts because G. Michael’s doesn’t do it for me. I suppose if I was looking to get in shape this would be a cool feature too.
Very easy to switch from preset workouts to manual workouts and the iFit system still tracks your progress. Kind of like my Polar HRM but with speed and distance.
Cons:
Occasionally the WiFi won’t pick up. May be because my modem is on the 3rd floor and treadmill is in the basement.
Other than the mapping feature I suppose you could do all the features without the iFit system.
Every time I turn the WiFi system on, annoying music comes on (drives me nuts).
Hope this helps.
I got one of the ifit 1.0 treadmills that uses the chirps into the audio in port to set speed and incline.
The ifit people are not at all forthcoming about their protocols and are very good at stranding the previous generation. I have an ifit 1.0 compatible treadmill, the ifit portion of it is pretty much dead in the water and there is no upgrade path for it.
Also keep in mind, many fewer people own treadmills than own say, trainers. And those treadmills cost a lot more and are not upgradeable.
So while the new comutrainer software that comes out will see people buying at and reviewing it. Just because ifit 3.0 is out, I can’t upgrade my ifit 1.0 treadmill. And I am not all that likely to sell my $2,000 treadmill just to get the new application.
That might account for why there aren’t any reviews of it.
I’m in the industry and sell several brands of treadmills, although none with ifit. I have never even met someone who raved about it for any reason.
That being said, there are hundreds of other treads on the market in every price range that allow you to create custom workouts if that is what you are looking for. The Vision Fitness premier console is available on any of their treads and is incredibly easy to use.
-Physiojoe
That review doesn’t seem unbiased but it does mention a monthly subscription fee to iFit but not the cost which, according to a quick search, is $10/mon.
I thought it was pretty balanced. I think I’m going to hold on and see how it takes hold.