NordicTrack A2350 Treadmill Review

The NordicTrack A2350 treadmill is one of their most popular budget models. For the price it offers some decent features, and is one of the better values at this price range. However, it has limitations. I often get negative reviews from individuals who buy budget models and expect too much for the money.

In general, treadmills under $1,000 are designed primarily for walking. If you plan to jog, you want to consider models in the $1,000+ range. If you plan to run, then you need to pay in excess of $1,500.

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Note: As of 11/18/09 the NordicTrack A2350 was selling for $699 with shipping. A good deal on a budget treadmill. Go to www.NordicTrack.com for the lastest price.

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For the price the NordicTrack A2350 treadmill has a decent array of features:

IFIT technology- At an addition all cost you purchase workout cards that focus on different categories of fitness goals like weight loss, performance, wellness and body shaping. Certified personal trainers design each of these workout routines. Each card consists of 24 workouts. The programs control the speed, incline and duration of your exercise. During the workout, you get audio coaching from a trainer who will provide recommendations on how to optimize your performance and results.

10 Workout Programs - Not an extraordinary selection of programs, but you get a nice selection of five weight loss programs and five classic workouts like hill training. Each program controls and the speed and incline, but does not have audio coaching.

Console and Display - You get a five window display that gives you multiple feedback simultaneously. You can also adjust speed and incline by selecting the 1-10 buttons, rather than having to scroll up and down.

Built-in Sound System - This is not the premium system that you find in their higher end model. Still, the sound is adequate and you can plug in your iPod.

DuraSoft Advanced Cushioning - This innovative deck allows you to adjust the level of shock absorption. Depending on your preference, you can have more or less shock absorption. At the softest level you can reduce impact by as much as 33% over walking outdoors.

2.25 Continuous Duty Motor - Like the treadmill as a whole, this motor is adequate for walking. It probably can handle light jogging, but once again, I would not recommend this treadmill for anything but walking.

The warranty includes 12-year motor coverage. The parts and labor is only for one year. Considering this is a budget treadmill built with budget components, I would recommend you increase the warranty by another year or two.

Our Review - NordicTrack A2350 Treadmill

The NordicTrack A2350 comes with a nice selection of features, but remember this is a budget treadmill. It should only be considered for walking and moderate use. Also, I would not recommend this treadmill if you are over 225 lbs. regardless of their stated 300 lb. weight limit.

There are better treadmills on the market, but if your budget is limited, I can comfortably state that NordicTrack makes some of the best budget treadmills on the market.

To learn more go to www.NordicTrack.com

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The Cheater's Guide to Buying Nordictrack Treadmills

It's a fact. Treadmills burn more calories than any other piece of fitness equipment.* In test after test, treadmills consistently burn more calories than steppers, rowers and exercise bikes. There simply isn't a more effective cardiovascular workout. Besides high marks in the calorie-burning column, the healthy benefits of walking and running are well documented as well.

When buying a treadmill, here are some things to keep in mind:

Price: The price of a treadmill is determined by the motor size, deck and frame size and the quality of workout features in the console. NordicTrack has the most innovative features to keep you entertained and focused on your goals. A solid walking treadmill with basic features and adequate power can be purchased for $599 to $799.00. To get enough power for serious running plan to spend $799 and up. If you want to ad features like TV's, extra long decks and Commercial Strength motors you'll spend $999.00 plus.

Motor: The continuous-duty rating is the motor's true continuous horsepower, not just the "peak" horsepower. Actually a 2.0 continuous-duty HP motor is more powerful than a 2.0 HP motor not rated as continuous duty. For a reliable motor, look for a treadmill with at least 2.0 continuous-duty CHP. Walkers up to 300 lbs. can get by with a 2.0 CHP motor while runners will want to have a 2.5 CHP or stronger.

Belt and Deck: All NordicTrack Belts are at least 20" wide and 55" long and can accommodate all but the tallest runners. Many NordicTrack Treadmills have belts that are 60" long to accommodate the longest strides. The width of the belt should be at least 18", although wider belts allow for more comfortable strides. Likewise, longer decks allow for a more comfortable stride. NordicTrack's Two-ply belts are stronger and less likely to curl at the sides.

Speed: Most treadmills run from 0 to 10 mph. Treadmills designed for more serious jogging or running go up to 12 mph. Some treadmills offer one-touch speed buttons to adjust speed quickly and easily and prevent runners from having to stand on the side rails while they press and hold the speed up button.

Cushioning: Treadmills usually absorb some of the force from the impact of your feet. Some use cushioning under the belt, others have cushioning in the belt itself. NordicTrack features the following cushioning types.

* DuraSoft Advanced™ Adjustable Cushioning reduces impact by up to 33%, as compared to road running, with this full-length, adjustable cushioning system. Now, with virtually limitless settings, it's easier than ever to select the perfect cushioning for you. Whether you want a firmer, street-running feel, a softer, beach-like feel or anywhere in between.
* DuraSoft III™ reduces impact on your joints from 26% to 33%, as compared to road running. This 5-position, adjustable cushioning that delivers the perfect balance of comfort and joint protection based on your preferences.
* DuraSoft™ Adjustable Cushioning reduces impact on your joints from 19% to 33%, as compared to road running, DuraSoft has 5-positions that deliver the perfect balance of comfort and joint protection based on your preferences.
* Reflex™ Cushioning is the first treadmill deck to react twice with each stride. This arc-shaped deck first responds to the user's stride by flattening to absorb the impact by nearly 40% compared to running on the road. Then the Reflex springs back to its original arc shape, propelling the user into the next stride. You'll see the difference in the unique arc-shaped deck and you'll feel the difference when you work out.

Incline: The average incline ranges from 0% to about 10%. The most high-tech treadmills can raise the incline with the push of a button. Some higher end treadmills can reach up to a 12% incline, allowing you to burn more calories. Walking at a high incline burns more fat calories than jogging at a flat incline. NordicTrack Treadmills feature QuickIncline; that allows you to select the incline you want with one touch of a button instead of slowly scrolling to the right incline with an up or down arrow.

Control Panels: Electronic feedback displays of speed, time, and distance are generally standard on most treadmills. Some also display calories burned, heart rate, incline or workout history. Most treadmills offer preset and/or custom programs you can design yourself. Control panels range from a simple display to fully programmable consoles with customizable workouts, Games and other high-tech features. Some of the high-tech features include built-in TVs, MP3 ports with speakers and built-in personal trainers that serve to entertain and motivate you through your workout.

Heart Rate Monitors: Many treadmills include some type of electronic heart-rate monitor. Chest-strap monitors tend to be the most accurate. Hand-grip sensors are very convenient heart rate monitors that enable you to stay in your target heart rate without having to stop and manually take a pulse. Many of our high-end Treadmills have heart rate programs that will monitor you heart rate and adjust the speed and incline of your treadmill to keep you in a target heart rate zone.

Frame: Low carbon, welded steel with a protective coating to avoid rust is the way to go. Avoid weaker materials and bolted frames. All NordicTrack treadmills feature this heavy duty frame system and have a lifetime warranty.

Hand Rails: Some treadmills are designed with a handlebar in front, some with side rails. The location is a matter of preference.

Warranty: Look for at least 90 days on the motor, parts and service warranties. All NordicTrack Treadmills have at least 1 year Parts and Labor on all parts and 12 Years coverage on the Motor. The frames are warranted for the life of the product.

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Nordictrack Treadmills: Raffle prize never received

MURRAY, Utah (ABC 4 News) – It's a promise that hasn't been kept. A Murray woman says she won a treadmill in a raffle but it's been several months and she still hasn't received it. Fed up, she called ABC 4 to take action.

Mary Grace Francisco won the treadmill from Nordic Track back in August and has been trying to claim her prize ever since. The event was the Hess Cancer Foundation half marathon on August 29th. Francisco ran the race. When she finished, she was given a certificate saying she won a treadmill with information on who to contact to claim her prize. She says, “They told me that I won a treadmill but I’ve never received it.”

She says her frustration is growing and she feels she's run out of options. Organizers with the Hess Cancer Foundation don't have answers for Francisco, and her calls to Nordic Track have not been returned. Francisco says, “Once they tell you and then you don't get it, it's kind of disappointing ya know?”

So ABC 4 took action, first calling the Hess Cancer Foundation. Travis Hess says Nordic Track promised the treadmill and was responsible for delivering it. He says, “I'm just going off of the word of Nordic Track that they were going to deliver the goods. If it goes into the new year then we'll just look into purchasing it for her.”

Nordic Track was our next call. When our call went unanswered we visited their headquarters in Logan. A Nordic Track representative would not go on camera, but says Francisco’s treadmill is loaded on a courier and will be shipped to her in the next few days.

We followed up with Francisco Monday afternoon - after we talked with Nordic Track. She says they've set up an appointment for her treadmill to be delivered Wednesday.

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Universal Capital Management Announces the Addition of Innovation Industries to Its Portfolio

GetaGrip(TM) Is Next in a Long Line of Fitness/Exercise Products Invented by Innovation Founder and President William Wilkinson


Universal Capital Management, Inc. (OTCBB: UCMT), a Wilmington, Delaware business development company that provides management and strategic growth resources to emerging growth companies, is pleased to announce the addition of Innovation Industries to its portfolio.

Innovation Industries has a lengthy and impressive history of developing and marketing exceptional consumer products and is a leader in fitness and exercise equipment products. The company's Founder and President, William Wilkinson, is the leading inventor of fitness/exercise equipment and holds over 200 domestic and foreign patents.

Mr. Wilkinson is the inventor of Step aerobics/aerobic steps and co-founder of Step Reebok, which started the modern fitness movement. He was also the lead developer of products for Nordic Track and invented Total Body/dual action exercise machines popularized in the mid 90s. In addition, he co-developed, with National Media of Philadelphia, PA, the Bruce Jenner line of fitness equipment which included the PowerWalk Plus treadmill.

GetaGrip(TM) is his latest invention, a first-to-market game changer with virtually no competition in today's marketplace for a total hand/grip, wrists and forearm workout. Not only does the product fall within an industry that has proven to be recession-resistant -- the fitness industry, but it is also endorsed by the Chief Surgeon at the National Hand Center and A-list celebrities.

"Everyone who tries GetaGrip(TM) feels it working right away," says Michael Queen, CEO of Universal. "This product is a blockbuster, and we are pleased to be working with Will and Innovation Industries to assist in bringing GetaGrip(TM) to market. Due to the way we've structured our contract we believe this arrangement will enhance Universal's cash flow and create additional pools of investment cash."

About Universal Capital Management, Inc.

Universal Capital Management, Inc. is a publicly traded business development company under the Investment Act of 1940. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for its shareholders to diversify risk by investing in a fund that assists its portfolio companies to grow and increase in value. Please refer to the company's website at http://www.unicapman.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will include words, such as Universal Capital Management, Inc. "expects," "should," "believes," "anticipates" or words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe UCM's future plans, objectives or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including the financial performance of UCM and the valuation of UCM's investment portfolio, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Although UCM believes the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, they cannot give any assurance that their expectations will be attained. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating any forward-looking statements. Certain factors could cause results and conditions to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. New factors, risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time that may affect the forward-looking statements made herein. These forward-looking statements are only made as of the date of this press release and UCM does not undertake any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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Gadget Lab Hardware News and Reviews Zero-Gravity Treadmill: Like Running in Space

Everyone knows you don’t need a treadmill in space, right? You just find a free section of the cylindrical wall of your spaceship and run around that, 2001-style.

But when you get back to Earth, you need to exercise your atrophied muscles and get the blood pumping again. But how do you stand up on those weak and skinny legs? An anti-gravity treadmill, that’s how. And it isn’t just astronauts that can’t bear their own weight: injured athletes and accident victims also need to regain strength slowly. The answer is the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill M310, a newer, cheaper version of the company’s $70,000 machines.

It works like this: The astronaut, or other user, slots themselves into a big plastic bag which inflates around their lower-half and supports up to 80% of their weight. This stops the joints from a-knocking while they exercise, much like doing aerobics in a swimming pool. The difference is that they are not in the water, and so movement is not inhibited, and you don’t feel like you’re running through treacle.

The M310 costs $24,500 and, like others in the range, will support runners of up to 400 pounds (it’s useful for weight loss, too). The base model goes up to 8mph, and the full-on, NASA-budget version will hit 18mph. That might sound fast, but one other neat side-effect of being squeezed inside a giant bubble is that you can’t fall off the back, however much you crank up the speed.

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