Treadmill Review 2009
The followng is a synthesis of information provided from ConsurmerSearch.com. They, in turn, have sythensized reviews from multiple sources
Best Among Cheap Treadmills
Golds Gym 450
Few professional reviewers pay much attention to super-cheap treadmills, but TreadmillDoctor.com does rank the Gold’s Gym 450 alongside other models. TreadmillTips.com’s review doesn’t refer to any testing, but it does a better job outlining the Gold’s Gym 450’s features than TreadmillDoctor.com does. Nearly 400 users post mostly positive reviews for this treadmill at Walmart.com, but they often post soon after purchase, so these reviews don’t shed any light on the Gold’s Gym 450’s durability over the long term.
The Gold’s Gym 450 has one thing going for it, reviews say: It’s cheap. Experts find little else to praise about this treadmill, although one reviewer points out that it does include some nice features for a machine at this price point, such as a quick-set speed control and power incline. Reviews recommend the Gold’s Gym 450 more often than other under-$500 treadmills, such as the ProForm 380E (*est. $400), which has a slightly weaker motor and lower user weight limit. Owners say the Gold’s Gym 450 works well for walking, and the belt is both short and narrow. Experts are leery of this treadmill’s short warranty (5 years motor, 1 year frame, 90 days parts and labor). They are more likely to recommend spending a little more for a sturdier treadmill, such as the Gold’s Gym Maxx Crosswalk 650 (*est. $600).
Best-Value Treadmill for Walking
Golds Gym Maxx Crosswalk 650
Expert testers at TreadmillDoctor.com and Consumer Reports rate treadmills on several measures and then clearly rank the best models. TreadmillTalk.com’s review is based on other experts’ and users’ opinions, rather than on its own testing. The Gold’s Gym Maxx CrossWalk 650 gets plenty of user feedback at Walmart.com, giving some insight into how this treadmill performs for its owners.
The Gold’s Gym Maxx CrossWalk 650 is the least expensive treadmill that experts recommend with any enthusiasm. Unlike other budget treadmills, such as the Gold’s Gym 450 (*est. $375) — which reviews say probably won’t be especially durable — the Maxx CrossWalk 650 comes with a lifetime warranty on its frame and 25 years on its motor. Reviewers are impressed with upscale features such as adjustable cushioning and quick-set speed and incline controls. However, experts and users find fault with some features, such as the hand-grip heart rate monitor that fails to work properly in several reviews. The one-year parts-and-labor warranty is relatively short, and the Maxx CrossWalk 650 isn’t recommended as often as the more expensive Sole F63 (*est. $1,000) with its heftier warranty. Reviews also recommend the CrossWalk 650 only for walking, saying the 1.75-hp motor isn’t powerful enough for running.
Best Value for Walking and some jogging
Sole F63
TreadmillDoctor.com and Consumer Reports test the Sole F63, score it on several measures and rank it against other treadmills. Reviewers at TreadmillSensei.com, TreadmillTalk.com and About.com make only brief comparisons between the Sole F63 and other treadmills, and they do not mention testing the F63 themselves.
If you mostly walk or jog on your treadmill, reviews suggest you probably don’t need to spend more than $1,000. Experts are most likely to recommend the Sole F63, which has the best warranty in its price range (lifetime motor and frame; three years deck, electronics, belt and rollers; and one year labor). You won’t find a warranty like that on cheaper treadmills like the Gold’s Gym Maxx CrossWalk 650 (*est. $600), reviews say. However, if you plan to run a lot on your treadmill, critics say you may want to step up to the Sole F80 (*est. $1,500), which offers more speed, a more powerful motor and bigger rollers than the F63.
Best All-Around Treadmill
Sole F80
A variety of specialty treadmill-review websites, including TreadmillDoctor.com, TreadmillSensei.com, TreadmillTips.com and Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com, weigh in on the Sole F80, as do owners posting at Amazon.com. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports does not include this treadmill in its comparison tests, nor is it tested by Runner’s World.
All of the sources we consulted are in solid agreement about the Sole F80 folding treadmill, calling it the best treadmill in its price range. This machine has a generous 350-pound weight limit with big rollers that help reduce wear and tear. One especially credible reviewer praises the Sole F80’s hydraulically-assisted folding action, which makes it easy to store. Its belt is comfortably wide (20 inches) but only 55 inches long, so although the F80 is sturdy enough for running, reviews say tall runners may want to step up to the Sole F85 (*est. $1,750), which has a longer belt. The Sole F80’s warranty (lifetime motor, deck and frame; five years electronics, belt, rollers and labor; and two years in-home service) is one of the best at this price. If you don’t think you’ll do much (or any) running on your treadmill, reviews say you probably don’t need to spend so much. Consider the Sole F63 (*est. $1,000) or Gold’s Gym Maxx CrossWalk 650 (*est. $600) instead.
Best Heavy-Duty Treadmill for Daily Runners
Landice L7 Cardio Trainer
TreadmillDoctor.com and Consumer Reports both subject the Landice L7 Cardio Trainer to expert testing and rank it against other treadmills, but neither provides much information about the model’s features. Runner’s World gets runners to test treadmills, and it provides more detailed test results, but it does not score or rank models. The review at TreadmillSensei.com is longer than the others; it is based on the reviewer’s personal experience with the L7 Cardio Trainer. About.com includes the L7 Cardio Trainer in a list of the best $3,000-and-up treadmills, but it provides almost no information about the treadmills on the list.
If you run on your treadmill every day, experts say the heavy-duty Landice L7 Cardio Trainer) is well worth its relatively high price. Its powerful 4-horsepower motor and inch-thick running deck are built for abuse, reviews say, and you won’t find the L7 Cardio Trainer’s warranty (lifetime frame/parts/wear items, one year labor) on even the best mid-priced treadmills, such as the Sole F80 (*est. $1,500). The L7 Cardio Trainer doesn’t fold up or have that many bells and whistles, but critics are more likely to recommend the more basic L7 Cardio Trainer than any other upscale treadmill. They mostly like the features it does include, such as a wireless chest strap heart rate monitor, which is optional on the less expensive Landice L7 Pro Trainer (*est. $3,000). Another less expensive Landice, the L7 Pro Sports Trainer (*est. $3,000), does include the monitor, but reviews more often recommend the L7 Cardio Trainer with its additional built-in workout programs. More than one review cautions buyers to read the fine print on the Landice warranty, to make sure they don’t do anything to invalidate it.
Best Treadmill for Incline/Decline Training
PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR
We found the best review of the PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR at Runner’s World, which conducts thorough tests of various models. (Since Runner’s World is aimed at serious athletes, it considers treadmills in a higher price range). TreadmillDoctor.com, an online retailer of treadmill accessories, also reviews this model, and we supplemented these analyses with reports from Treadmilltips.com and Bodybuilding.com. Consumer Reports also includes the PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR in its latest roundup of treadmills.
The PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR treadmill is unique in that it features a negative incline (down to a -3 percent grade), helpful for those who want to strengthen the fronts of their legs by simulating downhill running. A wide range of programs includes six “Virtual Reality” courses that automatically adjust the incline along the route. The PaceMaster treadmill has a wide and long 20 by 60-inch belt and a high user weight limit of 400 pounds, so it’s appropriate for heavier individuals. Although there’s a lot of competition in this price range, reviews say the negative incline really sets this model apart. If you are a more occasional runner that doesn’t need the decline feature, you can spend less by considering the Sole F80 (*est. $1,500) or F63 (*est. $1,000), both of which have a 15-percent incline but no decline.
All of the treadmills reviewed above can be purchased at considerable savings from Treadmill Bargains 4U at http://www.treadmillbargains4u.com.
About the Author
The writer operates a blog and store, Treadmill Discounts 4U, selling treadmills and ellipticals at http://www.treadmillbargains4u.com. He has another store featuring a full line of exercise equipment at http://heartsmartexercise.com
