After searching for a good price point on a treadmill, on Amazon PRIME day (July 15, 2019), I finally pulled the trigger and purchased a NordicTrack 6.5Si, which I had delivered to my home. I'm an older guy who works in an office and previously could never seem to get enough cardio. Though I've heard stories about how the average treadmill becomes a coat hanger after six months, I was determined to never let this happen to me. I looked at several pre-owned units that were for sale on various classified ad websites and also a number of new units on the major reseller websites. After carefully considering all the collective info, I eventually decided on the NordicTrack 6.5Si as the best value for the money to meet my goals.
Delivery
The unit was delivered on-time and no parts were missing upon receipt. I'm SUPER GLAD I had the unit delivered because there is a small set of cement steps leading to the entrance to my home and the shipping carton was very long (5+ feet) and extremely heavy. Two large men took a fairly long time to negotiate the cement steps/doorway area into my home and were greatly relieved to finally be able to set the unit down once inside my home.
Assembly
Though I'm fairly mechanically inclined, it took 9-hours with only a few breaks (far longer than expected) from the time I slit open the carton to the time I tightened the last bolt on the treadmill for use with only a few breaks, so plan your full Saturday or Sunday accordingly. The project wasn't technically difficult, and instructions were clear"”just a significant number of time-consuming steps involved in the assembly process. Also, there's a point toward the end of assembly in which YOU WILL DEFINITELY REQUIRE a second person to assist for a few minutes. No human can simultaneously bear the weight of the entire treadmill deck (belt area) while tightening the underneath bolts that are attached to the frame, unless, of course, your arms happen to be five-feet long and you can also bench-press 300-lbs. Trust me, I tried to accomplish this alone for a long time beyond what I can describe and still failed.
Workout
The next day, though I was still pretty sore from assembling the treadmill, I changed my routine to include getting up ½-hour earlier for my treadmill workout; bio break; two glasses of water w/a handful of raw spinach; then force myself onto the treadmill regardless if I'm tired/sick/lazy"¦.As part of this, I also made a stalwart commitment to NEVER miss a treadmill day"”no matter what. For the first couple months, my treadmill routine strictly comprised "Manual" mode in which I manually shifted between treadmill Speed 4 with the incline feature on Level 4, then to Speed 5 w/no incline, then to Speed 7.5 w/no incline, and repeat this cycle for 30-minutes. After a while, my body adjusted to running on the treadmill five times p/week, and I started to mix it up twice a week or so with the available On-Demand workouts to prevent boredom. These modules are interesting to watch and run the gamut from fairly easy novice to insanely challenging expert level. Though I also purchased the upgrade for a personal trainer package, I have not yet tapped this function to date, since I'm still not ready for that high-intensity level of cardio (suspect some of these pro trainers must be T-800 model Cyborgs). Astonishingly, between following Mark Wahlberg's diet (older ripped guy, right??), along with a very light weight-training/push-ups/sit-ups regimen, I'm actually starting to get ripped"”despite in my ever multiplying 50+ years"¦. Doesn't matter if it's raining or 100-degrees outside, every day I get my cardio. Never thought I'd see my abs again, but right now I can probably squeeze out a four-pack. I'm convinced the treadmill is the key to this, since nothing else has really changed in my routine, save for the treadmill portion.
Treadmill Operation
Overall, the NordicTrack 6.5Si is a great little unit and I'm super-happy with the investment. Precise and well-crafted, the unit smoothly folds upright to reduce the footprint in my living space. The console immediately synced with my home WiFi. Graphics/audio on the 10-inch monitor are crystal clear. However, the console's operating controls must have been designed by a millennial or someone else with 20/20 vision, because I can't see the 8-point font displayed in white on the control buttons without reading glasses, which I don't like to wear when I'm running on a treadmill. Moreover, the issue is exacerbated by tiny control buttons that are way too small on the touch screen. It's like trying to hit a tiny moving target while running. Inevitably, I'll hit the wrong speed or incline button, which is a distraction from my workout. It would be great if some day NordicTrack can add a voice activation function, so users don't have to push buttons whatsoever while working out.
The On-Demand modules are interesting, and the aesthetics are breathtaking. Sometimes, it kind of takes the sting out of a challenging run, since the vibe feels like you're running next to a pro trainer on a beach or through the woods in some exotic location. There are countless varieties/workouts/levels to choose from. That said, I wish there were a few in which the trainers didn't speak at all. Most of them won't stop yacking, which is disruptive when I'm trying to get my head in the zone. Also, it could just be me, but I was unable to find a headphone jack or any way whatsoever to sync my Sony XM wireless headphones to the treadmill. The only option I could find was to play audio or my own music through the treadmill's built-in speaker system. This is not a plausible option for me, since I'm not confident other people in my home would like to listen to Slipknot or the equivalent cranked for a 1/2-hour every morning. As a work-around I usually listed to music on my iPhone with headphones and turn the sound off on the On-Demand modules.
The motor/belt have worked perfectly with plenty of power under constant change. However, the console software frequently gets "hung-up" while updating and I have to reboot at least once a week. In fact, a couple weeks ago I had to perform a "hard reset," which was a hassle because it seriously delayed my only window to work out in the morning and killed my routine.
Overall, I couldn't be happier with the NordicTrack 6.5Si. For me, selecting a treadmill was a big investment decision, which, fortunately, turned out to be the right one.

Brief background on me, so you can compare your running style and needs to mine in your decision for this treadmill or another:
"¢ My details: mid-40s, 5'1", small to medium build.
"¢ Running history: I've been consistently running 3 miles 4-6 times a week for over 20 years
"¢ Speed: At the moment, 8:30 to 8:45 minute miles (I'd like to get back to 8:00 to 8:15 minute miles, though)
"¢ Style: Almost entirely treadmill running, which has allowed me to avoid major injuries and strains.

When the gyms closed due to the pandemic I was forced to take my running outside, which left my feet, ankles, and knees aching. I knew I needed a treadmill. I am a treadmill fanatic, having run on many over the years. I am very picky about what I like and don't like and knew what I wanted: a durable treadmill with good shock absorption which would stand up to almost daily use. I ended up choosing the NordicTrac T Series with the 5-inch screen. I have had this treadmill for over two weeks now and have run on it almost every night since I got it. It meets and exceeds my needs in almost every way.

Pros:
"¢ Running is very comfortable, the shock absorption is very good--I noticed a difference right away in how my legs and feet felt compared to running outside. It has been comfortable every night I have run on it, no aches or strains.
"¢ It sits flat--I absolutely hate running on a treadmill that is slightly inclined when it is supposed to be at a 0 grade. If you've ever experienced this you know what I'm talking about.
"¢ The size is comfortable, plenty of room on the belt--but I am short so take that into consideration.
"¢ The screen allows me to track my distance in either laps (.25 miles per lap) or with a standard distance tracker. I'm a total nerd about tracking my pace and this shows distance to the thousandths spot rather than the more usual tenths and hundredths (i.e. it shows you have run 1.457 miles rather than 1.45 or 1.4). It's dumb, but I love this feature.
"¢ The speed and incline buttons are intuitive and user-friendly in their positioning on the console.
"¢ It's very easy to fold up and pull down.
"¢ You can crank it up for a hard run or interval training. I have it up to 8 mph on occasion and there is no wobble or shake.
"¢ The range of incline is good and the movement up and down is smooth. If inclines are your thing you should have plenty to work with here.
"¢ The price was right--for a treadmill of this caliber it was a great deal. Higher-end commercial-grade treadmills can be upwards of two grand or more, and this was less than half that.

Cons:
"¢ During assembly there were a couple of times where the screws almost or just didn't quite fit where they were supposed to. We "fixed" it by brute force and a drill, but it was frustrating at the time.
"¢ I do wish this version had a fan, but you can always purchase one to attach to the treadmill if you need one.
"¢ The heart-rate monitor is useless, but whatever.

Unknowns:
"¢ I haven't tried the speakers. I watch my tablet or listen to music/podcasts on my phone and use headphones. The shelf for your tablet is really nice though, for what that's worth. UPDATE: I tried them, they're pretty terrible. Definitely don't rely on them. They are too quiet and the sound quality is pretty bad.

To summarize, this is a worthwhile investment if you want a solid treadmill for your running routine (or if you're looking to make running part of your daily life). I'm extremely happy with it and will be using it for my daily run from here on out.

UPDATE:
I've been using the treadmill about 5 times a week or so since I bought it a couple of months ago, so I thought I would update on how it's holding up (if that is useful). Overall, still sturdy and comfortable. Still very kind to my knees and ankles, which is important to me. No issues with shaking or squeaking.

Two issues I do notice:
1. the belt has a tendency to slide to one side or the other while running, so I have to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get chewed up by sliding too far. Adjusting the belt does help but it still does slide. For whatever reason, once the machine seems to be warmed up and I am running faster, the sliding is much less of a problem. (Also, as a side note, the last home treadmill we had was far more prone to sliding than this one--it may just be something endemic to home treadmills).
2. On occasion when I switch the treadmill on it goes all the way through an incline cycle. By this I mean the platform raises itself as far as it can and then lowers itself again. Then it's fine and I start my run.

I would not deduct from my original rating for these issues. It's still a great treadmill and I'm so happy not to have to go to the gym right now!

This is a great treadmill for the money. It is very simple and doesn't have all the bells and whistles a 'gym' type treadmill would have but it works great for my needs.

Assembly: It was very easy to put together - for one person, with an occasional second person to hold a piece in place for a few minutes.

iFit: I see a lot of reviewers talking about iFit and being required to activate your machine with iFit before use. This is not true. Yes, a sign does come on the treadmill telling you to activate with iFit - but if you hold down the iFit button on the NordicTrack console you can bypass this - which is exactly what I did.

Workouts: Without iFit, the treadmill has 20 different workouts with set times of 20 or 30 minutes plus a manual setting for different speeds and inclines which is all I needed.

Heartrate Monitor: The heartrate monitor does not work properly on this treadmill so if you need that I would not buy this machine. I use an Apple Watch, I didn't need that feature.

Noise: The treadmill is very quiet, it does not squeak as I have seen in other reviews and the belt does not catch on the sides as I have seen in other reviews.

Design: It's sturdy, seems to be well bilt. Many reviewers felt the cover on the motor itself is too far back which causes them to kick the plate while running or walking, this will happen if you walk too close to the plate or try to hold on to the treadmill while using it. It is my understanding that you should not hold on to a treadmill while using it, so I am far enough back on the belt that I don't kick the plate. If you need to hold on due to balance issues, this is probably not the one for you.

Connectivity: I have connected my iPad to the console and the sound comes through the speakers (the speakers are just OK in my opinion). Side note for non iFit users: YouTube offers lots of different perspective walks, hikes and runs you can play in unison with your workout using your ipad or phone.

All in all I give this one 4 stars. I will come back and re-review should anything change.

This review is for the NordicTrack T 6.5 Si Treadmill + 1 Year iFit Membership (WORTH IT!) with the 10-inch screen.

I have owned this treadmill for 5 months 1 day as of the current date/writing of this review (May 9, 2020).

This is the first treadmill I have ever owned (I actually bought it as a gift to my girlfriend) and it has been awesome! She loves it too, of course.

Assembly: 4/5 - The assembly was interesting, to say the least, but with the help of my girlfriend, it took us between an hour or two to finish. I'm pretty sure it was much closer to two hours. I do not think it is possible to assemble by yourself but kudos to you if you manage to get it assembled on your own. Then again, try it by yourself and you'll be so worked up from not having an extra 30 pairs of hands to help that you'll be ready to run 30 miles when it's all said and done. I personally would not recommend it, though. You, in some instances, need someone to hold the upper half of the frame while the other is screwing stuff in to anchor it all together. I mentioned the assembly was interesting earlier in the sense of how everything eventually came together so perfectly. There's always one or two small hiccups with getting a screw hole to align...maybe it is just me but that seems to always be expected when I put anything together. I do recall having a slight issue where some wires on the right-hand side needed to be tucked away. I think we were able to rig it so they stayed put so no real big issues there - they are actually run through/inside the right bar that stands vertically touching the floor. The only bar connecting the bottom of the treadmill to the top...it's maybe at a slight 20-degree angle. Anyways, those particular wires are used to connect either the speakers, monitor, or both. Either way, you have to have them. I rate the instructions and everything assembly related a 4/5 deducting one star because you need a second person. As far as how well written the instructions goes and the lack of wtf's that DIDN'T happen, much (which is good by the way), I rate that a 5/5.

Quality: 5/5 - I personally think the quality of the treadmill, build materials, the built-in 10 inch screen, speakers, and any other random odds and ends to be pretty good quality. There is a lot of plastic but it all feels solid and sturdy and should last for many, many years to come.

Noise: 5/5 - I think the noise is about as quiet as you can make a treadmill. Then again, if you're running in place on something suspended off the ground then there are bound to be thuds with each step...I speak from firsthand experience. The speakers get quite loud so that's good noise if you are playing music or watching some of the iFit videos which will be discussed further down but not TOO far in-depth since I want to keep my review specifically on the treadmill itself. Yes, I realize iFit is more...fit...to be in the feature section below yet here it is. :)

Features: 4.5/5 - If you want some good bells and whistles without dropping three grand on a Ferrari-like treadmill this is absolutely more than enough. Especially if you're like me and have never owned a treadmill before. It is a 10-speed treadmill with 10 levels of incline that increment from being flat (0.0) all the way to (45-degree angle upwards maybe?)10.0 at 0.1 increments. The iFit membership I think is stunning! Running in another country or hillside with a trainer all while enjoying the scenery (don't wimp out on monitor size or this is less enjoyable) while getting a good workout makes using this treadmill so much more enjoyable/pleasant. I'm not sure what the little orange/yellow cushion things are called but they are there as support for your joints. When you land, from jogging or running, they squish down to reduce the impact on your knees and other joints. I thought they looked silly but now that I know how well they work and what they are for I don't think they are so funny anymore. The other features you can more easily see from viewing the posted pictures. Cupholders, how big the speakers are, buttons, other little knickknacks. I have not had to use the folding feature of the treadmill to "tuck" it away in a corner but I did enjoy playing with the feature when putting it together. I have only used it honestly like 2-3 times and from what I could tell it works well. I do like that there is a "no slam" feature where if when you are letting it down and it slips it won't come crashing down. It will catch itself and slowly lower itself down automagically safe and sound...so that's neat. I docked half a point because the heartbeat sensor(s) you put your hands on don't really work all that well. I don't expect them to be 100% perfect or accurate by any means but I found that I have to, more of than not, situate my hands jusssst the right way for it to start giving me a readout. No biggie for me personally, since I have a Fitbit watch, but for anyone out there who is curious...it doesn't work very well for me personally. You might not have any issues with yours but I do with mine. Again, no deal-breaker for me by any means.

iFit Membership: 5/5 - This I am going to briefly touch on and recommend everyone visit the NordicTrack website under the iFit section. I would post a link but I don't know if Amazon filters those out or not so I'll leave it up to you to learn your way around google. There is a TON of information there if you are interested for more information. Our purchase included the 1-year free iFIt membership. I am pretty certain that alone is a $300 value. What I like about it the most is that my girlfriend and I have created our own accounts and can share the membership. This way I can track my workouts and she can track hers on our own unique accounts. Logging in and out is pretty seamless (couple touches and you're logged in). I believe once you login once it doesn't log you out automatically so it's a matter of swapping accounts based on who is about to workout. You can keep track of things such as what days we worked out on, what workout we did, for how long, calories burned, and a LOT more. The membership is honestly a really great idea though. Just make sure you have your treadmill somewhat close to your modem or router (for Internet). Like most things nowadays...the videos need to be streamed while you are viewing them. Aka, you need to be online and connected to the Internet. So be aware of your placement when deciding where to put your treadmill.

I hope this review has helped anyone on the fence as to what they want for their next treadmill.

Happy treading!

Let me begin with now that the process is complete. I love the treadmill, but as other reviewers noticed the process had some bumps. First I had set up a three hour window when it was going to be delivered on a Monday, they tried to deliver it on a Saturday, then rescheduled the Monday for a Tuesday all through automated phone calls never able to speak to a live representative. Very frustrating. The delivery drivers were lovely, very kind, but when they delivered it, the box was covered in a red paint/clay no idea what it was. They didn't know what it was. They apologized, but it got everywhere on my hardwood floors on our clothes on my couch is still stained my deck that they brought it in through, so definitely some problems with the delivery company!

The box itself is huge a quick warning. Make sure you look at the dimensions in the product description not on the pictures, on the pictures it says length is 55 product description. It's 74 that could be a problem if someone misses that.
It took me and my elderly mom an hour and a half to get it out of the box, it's a lot of pieces and you do need strength. If you're patient it works- you must have a socket wrench. There's no way around that and a screwdriver. I would highly recommend, watching the directions on the QR code provided. It was such a great visual, and better than , the paper instructions. Like others, I canceled the iFit subscription before it even began, after plugging in the red button press the iFit button for 30 seconds until it beeps and you see the zeros. Treadmill works great!