https://www.wired.com/story/nordictrack-ifit-treadmill-privilege-mode/

Skip to main content
Open Navigation Menu

To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories.

Close Alert
WIRED
Locked Out of 'God Mode,' Runners Are Hacking Their Treadmills

  * Backchannel
  * Business
  * Culture
  * Gear
  * Ideas
  * Science
  * Security

More

To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories.

Close Alert
Sign In

Search

  * Backchannel
  * Business
  * Culture
  * Gear
  * Ideas
  * Science
  * Security

  * Podcasts
  * Video
  * Artificial Intelligence
  * Climate
  * Games
  * Newsletters
  * Magazine
  * Events
  * Wired Insider
  * Coupons

Matt Burgess

Security
11.19.2021 07:00 AM

Locked Out of 'God Mode,' Runners Are Hacking Their Treadmills

NordicTrack customers were watching Netflix using a simple
trick--until the company blocked their access.

  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  
   
    To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories
    .

Illustration of treadmill with panel opened up to show wires and
motherboard
NordicTrack owners aren't giving up the fight just yet.Illustration:
Sam Whitney; Getty Images

  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  
   
    To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories
    .

JD Howard just wanted to watch cloud security tutorials. Howard, a
construction industry worker on sabbatical, spent $4,000 on a
NordicTrack X32i treadmill, lured in by its 32-inch HD screen and the
opportunity to exercise body and mind. His plan was to spend his time
away from work exercising while watching technical videos from
learning platforms such as Pluralsight and Udemy. But his treadmill
had other ideas.

Matt Burgess is a senior writer at WIRED focused on information
security, privacy, and data regulation in Europe. He graduated from
the University of Sheffield with a degree in journalism and now lives
in London. Send tips to Matt_Burgess@wired.com.
Senior writer

  *  

Topicshackingtechnologysoftwarefitness
WIRED
WIRED is where tomorrow is realized. It is the essential source of
information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant
transformation. The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is
changing every aspect of our lives--from culture to business, science
to design. The breakthroughs and innovations that we uncover lead to
new ways of thinking, new connections, and new industries.

  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  

More From WIRED

  * Subscribe
  * Newsletters
  * FAQ
  * Wired Staff
  * Press Center
  * Coupons

Contact

  * Advertise
  * Contact Us
  * Customer Care
  * Jobs

  * RSS
  * Site Map
  * Accessibility Help
  * Conde Nast Store
  * Conde Nast Spotlight
  * Do Not Sell My Personal Info

(c) 2022 Conde Nast. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes
acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie
Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Wired may earn a
portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as
part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on
this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or
otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Conde
Nast. Ad Choices