NordicTrack faced multiple class action lawsuits alleging deceptive practices with its iFIT subscription service, though the most prominent “bait and switch” claim involves the sudden cancellation of live fitness classes. In May 2022, NordicTrack abruptly ended all live class offerings for iFIT subscribers without warning or refund, despite customers having purchased bikes and treadmills specifically marketed with access to these live training sessions. This action prompted the Pollock Cohen LLP law firm to file a class action lawsuit on July 8, 2022, in New Jersey federal court on behalf of affected customers.
The core issue centers on how NordicTrack marketed and then eliminated a key subscription feature that customers relied on. When customers purchased NordicTrack equipment, the promotional materials emphasized live fitness classes as a primary benefit of the iFIT subscription. However, on May 27, 2022, the company discontinued all live classes without providing refunds to existing subscribers, arguing that on-demand content remained available. This shift raised significant consumer protection questions about whether the company’s original representations constituted false advertising and breach of contract.
Table of Contents
- What Happened With NordicTrack’s Live Classes Cancellation?
- Were There Other NordicTrack Subscription Disputes Beyond Live Classes?
- What About the Horsepower Misrepresentation Settlement?
- How Can Customers File Claims in These Settlements?
- What Are the Limitations of These Settlements?
- What Should You Do If You Own NordicTrack Equipment?
- What Does This Mean for Future NordicTrack Customers?
- Conclusion
What Happened With NordicTrack’s Live Classes Cancellation?
The live classes cancellation represented a dramatic shift in what NordicTrack customers believed they had purchased. Subscribers had paid for equipment and ongoing subscriptions partly because marketing materials prominently featured live, instructor-led fitness classes as a core offering. These classes differed fundamentally from pre-recorded content—they offered real-time interaction, real-time motivation, and the experience of working out alongside other participants and a live instructor. When NordicTrack eliminated this feature, many customers felt they had been misled about what their subscription included.
The lawsuit alleged that class representatives had suffered harm because the cancellation reduced the value of their iFIT subscriptions without any corresponding refund or credit. Customers who had specifically chosen NordicTrack equipment because of the live class feature found themselves with a stripped-down subscription offering only on-demand videos. The case sought $5 million in damages, though the lawsuit was eventually dismissed through voluntary withdrawal by the plaintiffs. The reason for the voluntary dismissal remains unclear from public records, though such dismissals often occur following settlement negotiations or after determining that litigation strategy requires adjustment.
Were There Other NordicTrack Subscription Disputes Beyond Live Classes?
While the live classes case received the most attention as a potential “bait and switch,” NordicTrack also faced separate class action settlements involving other subscription-related issues. The console defect settlement (Balfour v. iFIT), approved on December 2, 2024, addressed a different but equally troubling problem: defective touchscreen consoles that rendered machines inoperable after mandatory iFIT software updates. In this case, the issue was less about deceptive marketing and more about product defects that undermined the core functionality of the equipment itself.
The console settlement reflected how subscription products create unique consumer vulnerabilities. Once a customer purchased a NordicTrack treadmill or bike, they became dependent on iFIT’s software ecosystem. When the company pushed mandatory software updates that broke the touchscreen interface, customers couldn’t access their machines or subscriptions at all. The settlement offered remedies including free repairs, refunds for previously paid repair costs, or 20% subscription discounts—but these solutions didn’t fully restore what customers had originally expected to receive. The claim deadline for the console settlement is May 6, 2025, which means affected customers must file claims by that date or lose their compensation eligibility.
What About the Horsepower Misrepresentation Settlement?
A third major settlement involved NordicTrack treadmills sold with misrepresented horsepower specifications. The Barclay v. iFIT settlement targeted approximately 1.55 million purchasers of NordicTrack and ProForm treadmills bought between November 2015 and January 2020. The class action alleged that NordicTrack overstated the motor horsepower of its treadmills, which directly affects performance, durability, and resale value.
A customer who paid $1,500 for a treadmill marketed as having a 3.75 horsepower motor might have actually received one with significantly lower power and capability. This settlement illustrates how subscription-based fitness equipment disputes extend beyond just the software and services—the underlying hardware itself became subject to consumer protection scrutiny. Horsepower affects how the machine handles heavier users, the smoothness of the running experience, and long-term reliability. If NordicTrack systematically misrepresented this specification across millions of units, it represented a fundamental failure to deliver the product customers believed they were purchasing. The claim deadline for the horsepower settlement is June 12, 2025, making it an active settlement where claimants can still file.
How Can Customers File Claims in These Settlements?
Understanding which settlement applies to your situation is the first practical step. If you purchased a NordicTrack or ProForm treadmill between November 2015 and January 2020 and the machine doesn’t meet its advertised horsepower, you may qualify for the Barclay settlement. If you experienced console defects requiring repairs or if software updates rendered your machine’s screen inoperable, the Balfour console settlement likely covers you. For the live classes cancellation, the situation is more complicated because that case was voluntarily dismissed, meaning the litigation path is closed—though customers might explore other remedies or file complaints with state attorneys general.
When filing a claim in an active settlement, timing matters critically. Settlement administrators typically require proof of purchase (receipts, credit card statements, or order confirmation emails) and documentation of the defect or issue. For the console settlement, you may need repair receipts or screenshots showing error messages. For the horsepower settlement, your purchase documentation and the product specifications from the treadmill manual serve as primary evidence. Delays in filing cost money—missing the May 6, 2025 console settlement deadline means losing eligibility entirely, and the June 12, 2025 horsepower deadline approaches quickly as well.
What Are the Limitations of These Settlements?
No settlement fully compensates customers for the inconvenience, disappointment, and lost utility of their machines. The console settlement offers a 20% subscription discount—meaning if you pay $99 monthly for iFIT, you might get $20 off temporarily. However, this discount is far less than the $1,000–$2,000 customers originally spent on equipment that became unusable. For the horsepower settlement, relief typically includes cash payments or refunds, but the amounts depend on how many total valid claims are filed.
With 1.55 million potential claimants, even if the settlement pool is substantial, each individual claim’s value diminishes significantly. Additionally, these settlements typically require claimants to release future claims against NordicTrack and iFIT related to the same issues. Once you settle, you surrender your right to pursue individual litigation or join future class actions based on the same facts. For customers who feel the settlement amount is unjust, this represents a meaningful limitation—you’re trading your legal rights for what may turn out to be less compensation than you deserved. This dynamic mirrors most class action settlements: they serve more as partial justice mechanisms than full remedies.
What Should You Do If You Own NordicTrack Equipment?
Start by documenting your equipment’s condition and any issues you’ve experienced. If your console has malfunctioned, take screenshots or videos of error messages and note the date you first experienced the problem. Gather your original purchase receipt, equipment serial number, and any service records if you’ve paid for repairs. This documentation becomes essential when filing claims—settlement administrators need proof that you actually owned the equipment during the relevant time periods.
Visit the official settlement websites to check your eligibility. The iFit Console Settlement website and the treadmill horsepower settlement site allow you to search whether your equipment qualifies. Do not rely on third-party claim management companies that charge fees to file on your behalf—legitimate settlement claims are filed directly with the administrator at no cost to you. Be wary of any website or service that guarantees a specific payout amount or charges upfront fees.
What Does This Mean for Future NordicTrack Customers?
These class actions and settlements signal regulatory pressure on subscription fitness equipment companies to be honest about features and specifications. NordicTrack has faced significant reputational damage and legal costs from these disputes, which incentivizes more transparent marketing practices going forward.
However, the voluntary dismissal of the live classes case also demonstrates how difficult it can be for consumers to sustain litigation against major corporations, even when the underlying complaint seems straightforward. For prospective NordicTrack customers, these cases serve as a cautionary reminder to scrutinize what features are promised, whether they’re documented in writing, and what recourse exists if the company changes or eliminates those features after purchase. The existence of multiple active settlements in 2025 suggests that NordicTrack is still dealing with the fallout from its practices, and consumers considering purchasing their equipment should factor in this litigation history when comparing brands.
Conclusion
NordicTrack faced multiple class action challenges alleging deceptive subscription practices and defective products, with at least two active settlements providing compensation opportunities for affected customers. The live classes cancellation case captured headlines but was eventually dismissed, while the console defect and horsepower misrepresentation settlements remain open with approaching deadlines. Customers who owned NordicTrack or ProForm equipment and experienced these issues should act quickly to file claims, particularly before the May 6, 2025 and June 12, 2025 deadlines arrive.
To protect your legal rights, gather your purchase documentation and check the settlement administrator websites to confirm your eligibility and file your claim. Missing settlement deadlines means forfeiting compensation entirely—there are no extensions for late claims. If you believe NordicTrack or iFIT treated you unfairly but don’t qualify for these specific settlements, consider filing a complaint with your state’s attorney general office, which can help other consumers and potentially trigger additional enforcement action.