Nautilus T614 Treadmill Review: Any Downsides? Read It Here!

For more than 40 years, Nautilus has been making high-quality home fitness equipment. The T614 Treadmill has become a popular model for its durability, reliability, and affordability. If you’ve been looking at the T614, you’ve likely wondered if this is the right machine for you. Does it come with the features you need or want? Will it last and be dependable? Is it worth the money?

In this Nautilus T614 Treadmill review, we’ll cover all the aspects of this machine that you need to know to decide if this is the right machine for you.

With all the different options on the market, you can be sure you will have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

However, if you’re pressed for time…

Click here to see today’s price for the Nautilus T614.

What Are the Features of the Nautilus T614 Treadmill?

The T614 is Nautilus’s entry-level treadmill. It comes with all of the features one comes to expect from a quality machine, and at an affordable price. It will not have some of the premium features of other models, but for its price range, it is a solid and quality machine.

Motor

The Nautilus T614 comes with a 2.75 CHP (Continuous Duty Rating) motor.

These motors are considered light commercial grade, which delivers high performance and are usually found in models designed for health clubs where they receive a lot of use. So, you can be sure that it will deliver the kind of performance that you will get from heavy-duty equipment.

The motor will drive the belt strongly enough to allow you to run anywhere from 0 – 12 miles per hour.

Therefore, the T614 is great for those looking for a strong walking treadmill and should fit the needs of most runners. Some treadmills will go up to 15 miles per hour, but only those seriously training for competitions should need to worry about these kinds of speeds.

Incline

If you want a more intense workout, the T614’s running deck can be inclined from 0 – 12%, up to 15.1 inches. By inclining the machine, you are forced to step up as you run. This simulates going uphill or going up stairs, which everyone knows is more strenuous. By adjusting the incline even slightly, you can significantly increase the effectiveness of your workout. The console features six quick select settings that will adjust the incline at just the touch of a button.

Folding Deck

The running deck on the T614 features a 1.5mm, 1 ply belt that is driven around 2.5 inch crowned rollers. This provides for a smooth running surface with great traction to ensure that your feet will not slip off the deck.

Nautilus has also equipped this model with their StrikeZone™ cushioning system, which provides extra shock support to reduce the stress on your joints, knees, and back. Walking and running can be a high-impact activity on these areas, which makes the use of treadmills like the T614 with shock support systems highly desirable for those wanting to work out while reducing stress on sensitive areas.

Like many treadmills on the market today, the T614’s deck can be folded up for easy storage and transport. The lift support will make it easy for almost anyone to lift up the deck so that it can be moved out of the way. The SoftDrop™ folding system will allow the deck to slowly drop to the floor.

Most people prefer to leave the treadmill as is throughout their workouts, but if you have limited space, the ability to lift the deck out of the way is a great convenience. When the deck is up, you can tilt the treadmill onto transport wheels equipped with the supports. This makes it possible to move the treadmill if you need to relocate it for any reason.

Levelers

The frame of the deck comes with levelers so that you can ensure that the deck is level even if the floor is not. The levelers are adjusted by unscrewing a bolt to tilt the machine one way or the other. This is a great way to make sure that you have a safe and enjoyable workout.

What Are the Dimensions of the T614?

The T614 is 2.9 feet wide and 6 feet long. You will want to make sure that you have at least 1 – 2 feet clearance all the way around the treadmill for safe operation. It is 4.8 feet high, but you should consider your own height plus about 8 inches to calculate if you will have enough clearance height for the machine.

The running deck has a size of 20 inches by 55 inches, which should be enough room for people of average height. The machine weighs around 200 lbs. and has a maximum recommended weight allowance of 300 lbs. So, this machine is not made for oversized people, but will be good for anyone within these parameters.

What Features Are Offered on the Console?

At the center of the console on the T614 is a vibrant backlit LCD display that provides continuous readouts of all the major metrics during your workout. The central display has a bar-graph type chart that tracks your workout and shows you the varying levels of intensity throughout the workout. This lets you know exactly where you are in the progress of your exercise and what is still to come.

The console can be programmed with two unique user profiles which can be used to create specific workout programs. This is a nice feature if you have more than one person who will be using the treadmill.

At the top of the console are achievement lights. These goals can be customized and will flash every time you hit your mark. This can be a great way to motivate yourself and push yourself to the next level. The display will also flash the different metrics and goals that you have reached along with when you last reached that goal.

Around the outside of the console are two sets of quick-set buttons that allow you to start up a workout without having to program the console or choose one of the pre-programmed workouts. On the left side are pre-set incline settings that will adjust the incline on the deck at set intervals. On the right side are pre-set speed buttons that will automatically start the deck at a predetermined speed.

At the bottom of the console are adjustment buttons for the both the speed and incline so that you can fine tune your workout as you go. This is a good feature for when you find you need to back off during a workout or when you really want to push yourself more than the program is set for.

Handle Bars

Extending out from the console are two handlebars that are ergonomically designed to provide you with support as you get on or off the treadmill. These are also useful for those who need the provided stability and who are still getting used to walking on a treadmill.

Two central handlebars also feature electronic heart rate monitors that are wired to the console. When you place your hands on these metal pads, the T614 will read your heart rate and give you feedback. This is particularly useful to ensure that you are exercising within safe levels and not overexerting yourself.

USB Ports

The console comes with a USB port so that you can connect with either NautilusConnect.com or myfitnesspal.com in order to track your workouts. This is a powerful tool to see your overall progress of your exercise routines, set goals, and watch how you have improved over time.

The USB port can also be used to charge your mobile devices so that you do not have to worry about your mp3 player, tablet, or phone dying while you are working out.

Other Features

The console comes with two trays which can easily be used to hold either your listening devices like an mp3 player or your water bottle. Keeping a water bottle handy is a great way to make sure you do not have to stop your workout just to stay hydrated or quench your thirst.

It also features speakers so you can plug your mp3 player, tablet, or another portable device into the console and listen to your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks while you work out. This can be a great way to alleviate the boredom that sometimes comes while exercising on an indoor machine.

And if you do want to use your tablet computer to watch television shows or movies, the console has a ledge designed specifically for holding tablets. This keeps your device in the perfect position all throughout your workout.

What Workouts Can I Do on the T614 Treadmill?

The T614 comes with 22 different workout programs, some pre-programmed, and some of which you can set up yourself.

The quick goal settings will allow you to enter either a distance, time, or calorie goal that you can work towards. This is a fast way to get in a good workout without having to worry about intensity or incline.

The heart health program focuses on hitting your target heart rates so that you can maximize your workout for optimal performance of heart health. You will have to use the heart rate monitors fairly often for this function to work, which some people might find awkward.

The weight control programs aim at burning fat effectively. There are three different programs to choose from in this category, whether it’s just a straight fat burn, a speed burn, and an intense incline burn. These can be very challenging and a great way to really push your exercise routine.

The interval programs will alternate metrics between times of high and low intensity. You can choose to do an incline interval training program, a speed interval training program, or one which is a combination of both. These can be good ways to do exercise programs which give you periods of rest so that you can recover between the times of intense workout.

The training programs feature highly intense programs for those wanting to really push themselves. These range from an endurance program to heavy endurance to marathon training. Those who are serious runners will find these programs very useful.

Finally, you can program your own training session. You can set the treadmill to increase and decrease speed and incline to your own unique parameters. Those who really like full control over their workouts will love this option.

How Is the Nautilus T614 Treadmill Assembled?

However you end up purchasing the T614, you will need to assemble the treadmill once you get it home or have it delivered. Nautilus has designed the T614 to be easy enough to assemble so that anyone should be able to do it.

They include a multi-tool which has both a Philips screwdriver and an Allen wrench – everything you will need to put the treadmill together. You will need to make sure that you follow the instructions correctly to ensure excellent performance from the treadmill and to guarantee that you do not void your warranty. If the treadmill becomes damaged due to user error, Nautilus will not warranty the unit.

To put the treadmill together properly, make sure you lay out all the parts beforehand and account for all the parts you will need. There is nothing more frustrating than getting halfway through the assembly process only to discover you are missing a part.

You should also note that one person can put this treadmill together, but it will be much easier if at least two people work together. Holding the pieces in place while trying to tighten the screws and bolts can be somewhat difficult.

If you are familiar with putting together basic pieces of home furniture, you should have no trouble assembling this treadmill. It should take anywhere between 1 to 2 hours depending on your level of experience and how many people are working on the assembly.

Are There Any Downsides to the T614?

One of the possible downsides to the T614 is that it is not a very large machine. The surface area of the deck will be somewhat short for those that have a longer stride. Those over 6 feet tall might have a hard time being comfortable on the deck.

Also, even though it is not a complete deal breaker, it is now becoming more and more standard for quality machines to feature Bluetooth connectivity. It would be a nice feature to include the ability to sync your portable device with the console. Unless you absolutely need this feature, however, most people will be content with the cable connection.

You also will not get much power out of the console fans. They do provide some air movement, but if you really want to stay cool during your workout, you should plan on having another high-speed fan in the room to get the air flowing properly.

While the T614 can be moved when it is folded up, you will find that it is rather awkward to move on the rollers. You should consider having more than one person available to help if you ever need to relocate the treadmill.

The multi-tool offered by Nautilus is sufficient to put the machine together, but you might find it somewhat difficult to get enough leverage since it is such a small tool. You might consider having extra tools available to make the process easier.

What Kind of Routine Maintenance Is Required on the T614?

Some equipment requires more general maintenance than others. You should consider whether you are able to keep up with your machine in order to ensure that it will work for many years. This is also important to ensure that your warranty does not become void due to negligence.

Luckily, Nautilus has designed this treadmill so that it requires only minimal regular maintenance. At least once a month you should double check that all the screws and bolts are still nice and tight. They can become loosened naturally because of the vibrations of the machine.

At least once every three months or after 25 hours of use (whichever comes first), you will need to lubricate the belt on the deck with an appropriate silicone-based lubricant.

What Is the Warranty Offered by Nautilus on the T614 Treadmill?

Nautilus offers a fairly competitive warranty on the T614. Like most warranties that are listed as “limited liability,” the warranty only covers problems that are caused by manufacturer errors or parts defects. So, if you damage the treadmill or if something happens to it due to improper assembly, it will not be covered by Nautilus.

Both the frame and the drive motor are warrantied for 10 years. This is somewhat standard since these are highly reliable parts. All other parts and the electronics are warrantied for two years. To warranty electronics for two years goes beyond what many other manufacturers offer, so this is a nice plus.

In addition, Nautilus includes one year of labor for any repairs that need to be done to get your treadmill up and running.

Nautilus will determine whether your product needs to be repaired or replaced, and they may choose to simply replace your entire treadmill. If this option is taken, they will likely give you credit towards the purchase of another treadmill. This is usually only done if the treadmill happens to go out of production. So, it is rather unlikely that this will happen.

Lastly, you should note that the warranty is only valid for the original purchases. If you sell or give away the treadmill, the warranty will not transfer. This is a good reason to only purchase the T614 new. That way you can be sure you are protected against any problems with the unit.

Where Can I Buy the T614 Treadmill?

Nautilus does not sell their treadmills directly to consumers, so you will find their products in many sports and online retailers. Shopping online can be a great option in order to avoid having to figure out how to get a bulky and heavy box home from a department store.

If you order the treadmill from Amazon, it often qualifies for free shipping so you do not have to worry about paying for the extra convenience of home delivery. This also gives you the option of buying Amazon’s extended protection plans, which are highly affordable and offer some great perks. These often include in-home service and coverage beyond the manufacturer’s warranty.

Who Is Nautilus?

Unless you are a part of the fitness world, you probably haven’t heard of Nautilus before. But for those in this world, Nautilus is a well-known brand name. While you may not have heard of Nautilus, you likely have heard of some of the other brand names owned by the company: Bowflex, Schwinn, and Universal Gym Equipment.

The company was founded in 1986 with the acquisition of a lap pull over machine invented by Arthur Jones. The machine bore some resemblance to the nautilus mollusk, hence the name of the company. The company began specializing in their own lines of home fitness equipment and acquiring other product lines to market. They have sold their lines of products primarily through infomercials, catalogs, and other retailers rather than operating their own stores.

The company was founded in Vancouver, Washington but is now headquartered in Portland, Oregon. It was awarded in 2013, 2014, and 2015 as one of the “Top Work Places” by The Oregonian. They have also won multiple awards from the American Heart Association for having Fit-Friendly Worksites.

Our Verdict

If you are looking for a quality treadmill that has all the basic features and some nice perks, the T614 is a great option. It is highly affordable for the features it comes with, so it is great for those who do not need a premium machine.

Unless you are interested in only having the highest-end model treadmill, the T614 should meet your needs. Nautilus is a company with a proven track record and you can be sure that this treadmill will give you many years of quality home fitness.

Take a look at Amazon’s competitive pricing of the Nautilus T614 Treadmill…