NordicTrack Vault Review: Is This The Best Connected Home Gym for You?
NordicTrack
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Key Features:
- 61.5-inch rotating reflective surface with a 32-inch smart HD touchscreen
- Durable carbon steel frame
- Comes with a selection of fitness equipment
- Includes hanging shelves for all-in-one storage
There are two main obstacles when it comes to working out at home: limited space and a lack of instruction. The NordicTrack Vault solves both of those problems. At first glance, it looks like your typical standing mirror. But behind that reflective surface is not only an HD touchscreen that beams trainers into your living room via the iFIT fitness app, but a door that opens to shelving for exercise essentials, including dumbbells, kettlebells and resistance bands.
The Vault is a piece of at-home exercise equipment that wouldn’t look out of place in your living room, but can easily turn that space into a versatile training area. So how does it compare to competitors like Tonal and Tempo Studio? Read on to learn more about the Vault’s pros and cons, who it’s best for and whether it’s worth the investment.
How NordicTrack Vault Works
NordicTrack
Essentially a gym in a box—albeit a very tall, sleek box—the NordicTrack Vault is 1) a portal into the vast workout world of iFIT and 2) a way to store fitness equipment out of sight.
The 61.5-inch reflective surface hides a 32-inch touchscreen; when you tap any part of the 400 square inches of that touchscreen, it will take you to the iFIT library, where you can choose from hundreds of home workout classes. The point of integrating the screen into the mirror is that it allows you to watch a trainer demo-ing the exercises and use your reflection to mirror their form.
The mirror also acts as a door to vertical storage where you can stash dumbbells, kettlebells, yoga blocks, resistance bands and more. And it rotates 360 degrees, so you can always keep the trainer in view no matter what kind of space you’re working with.
The Pros of NordicTrack Vault
- Small footprint with a lot of storage
- Comes with a free 30-day iFIT membership
- Great warranty compared to competitors
- Freestanding, so no wall mounting is required
The Cons of NordicTrack Vault
- No real smart features
- Very heavy and difficult to maneuver
- Doesn’t allow access to iFIT’s full class library
Who the NordicTrack Vault is Best For
The NordicTrack Vault is a high-quality option for anyone looking for an all-around at-home fitness solution—especially those who are short on space. Because it comes with multiple training accessories, it enables users to participate in strength training, yoga and HIIT classes (to name a few) without having to purchase those items separately—and if you already have dumbbells and kettlebells, you can opt for the more affordable Standalone model. Considering the sheer number of iFIT classes available, the Vault guarantees workout variety to stave off boredom, and the class options rival those offered with a gym membership.
Who the NordicTrack Vault is Not Best For
If you’re looking to lift heavy, the Vault probably won’t be enough for you. It doesn’t come with heavy weights or support barbell training (each shelf supports 90 pounds of weight). And while iFIT does offer cardio-based classes, it’s not going to be as good of an experience as you’d get on one of NordicTrack’s treadmills, bikes or ellipticals. While the Vault is a connected fitness device, it doesn’t offer nearly as many smart mirror training options as competitors, so if you’re someone who wants customized workouts or a personal trainer, you’d be better off looking elsewhere.
NordicTrack Vault Specs
NordicTrack
Footprint
The NordicTrack Vault is 24.25 inches wide, 14 inches deep and 72.65 inches high.
Weight
The Vault, which has a carbon steel frame, weighs 258 pounds, not including the weight of any fitness products stored inside. Because of its weight, it can’t be wall-mounted; instead, it comes with a standalone base.
Display
The front of the Vault is a 61.5-inch x 22.5-inch reflective fitness mirror with a built-in 32-inch smart HD touchscreen. The mirror can rotate 360 degrees.
Speakers
The Vault uses dual three-inch digitally amplified speakers to create an immersive sound experience. It also has Bluetooth audio capabilities, which allows you to connect your own headphones.
Price
There are two model options when buying the NordicTrack Vault. The Complete version, which includes all workout accessories, retails for $1,999 (that includes free standard delivery). The Standalone version, which doesn’t include workout accessories, costs $1,499 (and also includes free standard delivery). Both come with a 30-day iFIT subscription that auto-renews at $39 a month plus tax.
Assembly
Any purchase of the Vault comes with free standard delivery. But if you’re not up for handling a 258-pound mirror on your own, you can add delivery to your room of choice plus assembly for an additional $199.
Warranty
NordicTrack offers a 10-year warranty on the frame, two years for the parts and one year for labor. You can also add a three-year warranty extension for $179.95 and a three-year maintenance plan for $259.99.
Working Out With the NordicTrack Vault
NordicTrack
iFIT Classes
The Vault’s 32-inch touchscreen gives you access to a huge library of on-demand studio classes and workouts, from weightlifting and strength training to pilates, yoga and interval training. When you do a trainer-led workout, you can use the oversized reflective surface to mirror their form in real time.
Reflective Training Workouts
You know how studios have mirrors so you can check to see if your form is on point? Proper form reduces the risk of injury and helps you get more out of every rep. That’s why the front of the Vault is a rotating 61.5-inch mirror. As you work out, you get immediate visual feedback, whether you’re looking to match the form of an iFIT trainer or DIYing your own workout.
NordicTrack Vault Complete vs Standalone
The Vault Complete is the whole package, and includes an exercise mat, two yoga blocks, three loop bands, three super resistance bands, five to 30-pound dumbbells, 20- and 30-pound kettlebells, premium shelves, hanging shelves and a cleaning towel. The Standalone Vault is $500 cheaper, but only comes with hanging shelves and a cleaning towel; you’ll have to stock it with your own equipment. The rest of the specs—including the touchscreen and mirror features—are the same.
NordicTrack Vault vs Mirror
Like the NordicTrack Vault, the lululemon Studio Mirror (starting at $1,495) hides a screen behind its reflective surface. You can either mount it on a wall or lean it against one, and at 52.25 inches x 21 inches, it’s even less obtrusive than the Vault. The Mirror doesn’t have an integrated touchscreen display; instead, it’s controlled via an iOS app. For $39 a month, you can stream live and on-demand classes with Mirror trainers. But what makes the Mirror unique is the built-in camera, which (if enabled) allows the trainers to see you and provide real-time form feedback during classes. You can even sync an Android watch or Apple Watch to the Mirror via Bluetooth so trainers can help you hit your target heart rate zone. You can also work one-on-one with trainers for an additional $40 per session, bringing personal training into your home.
NordicTrack Vault vs Tonal
Tonal ($3,495) sets the bar for smart at-home strength training. This wall-mounted machine is based around a digital console with two adjustable arms. There’s no mirror involved, but the 24-inch touchscreen allows you to browse live and on-demand workouts. The arms use electromagnetic resistance to provide up to 200 pounds of resistance, and the machine uses A.I. to automatically adjust the weight—i.e. if you’re struggling to finish a rep, it will decrease the load. It also has technology that tracks and analyzes your movement patterns to deliver real-time form guidance.
NordicTrack Vault vs Tempo Studio
The Tempo Studio ($2,495) looks more like an easel than a mirror, but its 42-inch screen sits atop a storage cabinet that holds 75 pounds of weight plates (plus two dumbbells and four collars). Behind that screen is a motion sensor camera that tracks your joints to create a 3D skeletal model, so you can watch your form in real-time without a reflection. As you work out with one of the live or on-demand classes, the machine uses A.I. to generate personalized coaching notes that pop up on the screen to help improve your form. It’s a significantly smarter home gym option than the Vault, but it’s nowhere near as sleek, and doesn’t offer quite as much workout equipment storage.
NordicTrack Vault FAQs
How much space do you need for the NordicTrack Vault?
The NordicTrack Vault’s footprint is 24.25 inches wide, 14 inches deep and 72.65 inches high. Beyond that, you should have enough space to place a workout mat on the floor in front of the device and to move around safely while performing exercises.
Can I keep my NordicTrack Vault in the garage?
The NordicTrack Vault user manual advises keeping it indoors, away from moisture and dust, and it stipulates that you should not put it in a garage or covered patio. If you do so, it may void your warranty.
Will the NordicTrack Vault work without being connected to the internet?
The Vault works via WiFi, so you do need an internet connection to access any of the trainer-led classes. (Without WiFi, it’s essentially just a mirror and storage closet.) There is Bluetooth connectivity, as well, so you can pair your headphones or heart rate monitor.
Can you use the NordicTrack Vault without a subscription?
You do need an iFIT subscription to access workout classes on the NordicTrack Vault. If you don’t purchase the $39/month subscription after the 30-day free trial runs out, you can still use the device as a mirror and storage, but you’ll be missing out on what makes the Vault such a versatile at-home training option.
Can you watch TV on the NordicTrack Vault?
No, you can't watch TV on the NordicTrack Vault—it only streams from the iFIT app.
Final Thoughts: Is the NordicTrack Vault Worth It?
For anyone looking to build out their home gym, the NordicTrack Vault does so in one package—and one that fits even the smallest spaces. While it’s pricier than the lululemon Mirror, the cost is justifiable thanks to the included accessories. But if you’re looking for a “smart” mirror that provides real-time form cues or personalized training, there are more high-tech options that will better serve your needs.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
