Nautilus T618 Comprehensive Buying Guide Product Review
Nautilus T618 treadmill is the topmost model in its collection of inexpensive home treadmills for runners: The Performance Series of Nautilus. You will be surprised by its high quality at a price of only $1499. It has several outstanding features that offer excellent value for money, including a 3.5 HP motor, advanced cushioning, wireless HR monitoring, and a large workout area. Besides, its frame comes with soft drop folding technology for quick storage between workouts, and its console features several interactive training programs.
The best element that sets Nautilus T618 apart from its competing models is the feature of virtual outdoor training. The treadmill can automatically integrate the Run Social app through Bluetooth connectivity. The Run Social app lets you run or walk through scenic locations globally with other trainees, or you can work out alone if you prefer.
Apart from standard fitness data feedbacks, You can push your workouts further with fitness, compare, and pacer readings. Moreover, Bluetooth connectivity helps you to sync your workout data quickly. You can connect the treadmill with popular fitness apps like Nautilus Trainer, My Fitness Pal, and Google Fit. What’s more, it offers an excellent warranty for the components, a 3-speed cooling fan, and integrated speakers.
Salient Features of Nautilus T618
26 Workout Programs
Nautilus T618 has 26 preset workout programs, emphasizing interval training, weight loss, or cardio endurance. If you want to experience immersive streaming visuals on the Run Social app, you may connect your smartphone with the treadmill through Bluetooth. The treadmill gives a fitness score at the end of each workout to help you gauge your fitness progress. Your treadmill offers four user profiles to help you track workout progress in the long term and get more accurate data on calories burnt and other fitness parameters.
Twenty-six programs include standard weight management, heart rate training, and interval training. In the usual programs, you can automate the incline and speed of the tread belt for achieving fitness goals like interval training, endurance, and weight management. You can see fitness metrics like calories burnt, heart rate, etc., on two wide backlit LED screens for easy reading.
Mixed Reality
Similarly, You can access Run Social programs from iPad or iPhone. It is popularly referred to as the Mixed Reality platform, combining interactive videos of actual life routes with user Avatars. You can see your avatar moving at the same pace through those scenic videos. It is a social platform to motivate you and put more effort into routine workouts by adding a spirit of competition. You can also plan a virtual run with your family and friends or share any route with other users globally.
High-Quality Track and Belt System
The surface area of its track measures 60″ x 20″, which is spacious enough to accommodate long strides of runners. The Tread belt moves over large diameter rollers of 2.75 inches. These rollers are more extensive than a typical home treadmill, helping extend belt life and minimize operational noise during workouts. At current prices, the tread belt is of high quality – 2.5 mm thick and three-ply. Competing models have tread belts with single-ply and thinner material, making a lot of noise and wearing out fast.
High Capacity Motor
Nautilus T618 works quietly with a 3.5 CHP motor that can provide enough power for an average runner and comes with 15 years warranty. Although users with heavier bodies and marathon runners may prefer treadmills with up to 4 CHP, a 3.5 CHP motor also provides ample power for a typical runner.
Rebound Cushioning
It can minimize the impact on your knees and other joints because you get softer landings due to rebound cushioning. It is firm at the push-off points but soft at the landing zone at the front part of the track, deflecting the impacts.
15% Incline
You can electronically adjust the incline level of the workout surface up to a maximum of 15 percent, powered by a secondary motor. It will help you simulate outdoor training and add variety to your workout routine.
Larger Display
Nautilus T618 shows your workout progress on two blue backlit LCDs of 5.5 x 3.75-inch dimensions. You can also work out with full-color programming if you connect the treadmill to a smartphone or a tablet PC.
Media Rack
There is a media shelf on this treadmill to hold the tablet and smartphones during workouts securely. While the mobile device can track your fitness data, the tablet will run apps for multitasking, training guidance, and entertainment.
HR Monitoring
There are contact grip pulse monitors in-built into its handrails. Moreover, your treadmill is also compatible with a wireless chest strap for wireless heart rate monitoring to keep you in the targeted zone. Unlike several competing models, it includes the chest strap in the package, and you need not purchase it separately.
Accessory Tray
You get maximum storage space with an accessory tray beneath the console of Nautilus T618. A towel rack and water bottle holder, and two storage cups on either side add to your convenience during workouts.
Safety Mode
There is a large “STOP” button on the machine for use during an emergency. You may also use a retractable cord on the lanyard cord for safety which can stop the belt if you ever lose balance while running.
Integrated Speakers
Nautilus T618 has two small speakers mounted on either side of the treadmill. The integrated speakers have a decent sound quality, ensuring groovy entertainment when performing workouts and listening to your favorite playlists.
Foldability
You can fold the treadmill deck upward to save space after you finish your routine workouts. You have to push it into a vertical position, and when you release the deck, it gently and slowly falls back into its normal posture.
Warranty and Trial
The Nautilus T618 treadmill is sold directly from the factory with a warranty of 15 years on frame and motor, five years on electronics and parts, and two years on labor. At its current price point, such a handsome warranty is exceptional. If you buy from Nautilus directly and are not satisfied with the product, you can return the treadmill within six weeks. Since you have to pay for shipping and other expenses, the trial is not entirely free of cost.
PROS OF NAUTILUS T618
- The workout surface area is quite spacious, with 20 x 60-inch dimensions.
- Advanced cushioning ensures that your workouts are low impact and friendly to your joints.
- Nautilus T618 has a powerful 3.5 CHP motor powering a top speed of 12 miles per hour.
- You can use quick control buttons to automate incline changes up to a maximum of 15 percent.
- There are 26 preset workout programs with four user profiles to help you customize to your family member and friends.
- Your treadmill is foldable, helping you to conserve space by folding it vertically. A hydraulic system helps you in folding and lowering the deck.
- Your treadmill has a strong frame, cushioned deck, and powerful motor to support a user weight capacity of 350 pounds.
- Run Social app compatibility ensures a novel experience of Mixed Reality training.
- Belt rollers with 2.75-inch diameter ensure that your treadmill is durable and operates quietly with a three-ply tread belt.
- Other Benefits of Nautilus T618 are Bluetooth connectivity for wireless data sharing, a water bottle holder and towel rack for convenience during workouts, a media shelf to hold your smart device securely, and a chest strap to monitor your heart rate wirelessly.
CONS OF NAUTILUS T618
- The machine with a total weight of 253 pounds seems to be heavier and difficult to move around.
- Nautilus could give a lifetime warranty on the motor and frame but provided only 15 years warranty, so one needs to be cautious. Most competing models offer a lifetime warranty, and this one seems to be below average.
- The default display is too primary. You have to use Run Social on a tablet PC for engaging workouts.
Machine Specs of Nautilus T618
Dimension (inches): 78 x 37.6 x 62.8 (L x B x H); Item Weight: 253 pounds; Speed: 0 to 12 miles per hour; Deck Area (inches): 20 x 60; Incline: 0 to 15%; Motor: 3.5 CHP; Preset Programs: 26; Folding Deck; Heart Rate Monitoring: Contact Grips or Chest Strap (included); User Weight Capacity: Maximum 350 lbs; Accessory Tray; Media Rack; Cooling Fan; Bluetooth Speakers; Display: LED (5.5″ x 3.75″); Quick Controls; Ceiling Height: User Height + 20 inches (Step up: 9″, Max Incline: 6″, Safety Margin: 5″); Warranty: Frame & Motor: 15 years; Parts: 5 years; Labor: 2 years
Final Words
Nautilus T618 is a well-equipped machine under $1500 for runners; Its key highlights range from a console with Mixed Reality training options to a well-cushioned deck. It is a decent folding treadmill offering an excellent combination of safety, tracking, training guidance, and performance features. You can use the treadmill for a multi-user household or as an avid runner for several years, giving the same performance as other competing models with non-folding frames. Although you need to be wary of getting a 15 years motor warranty in place of a lifetime, overall, it is a good deal for runners.