Treadmill Reviews Get the best value for your money.

14Apr/081

What Constitutes a Walking, Jogging or Running Treadmill?


Below is a question for a reader, and my response on what I consider a Walking, Jogging or Running Treadmill.  It is important that you define your fitness goals and buy the proper treadmill.  Too often people buy budget treadmills that are not adequate for their goals. 


Hi.  I am in the market for a treadmill - and your reviews have been a great assistance in my selection process.  Thanks for the great site!!!One question I have - many of the reviews are rated for walkers, joggers, and/or runners.  How would you classify the difference between these three types of users?  For example, walking 3 mi/hr or less, jogging 6 mi/hr or less, runners more than 6 mi/hr?

Thanks.

-Stratis


Hi Stratis,Thanks for the compliment, let me see if I can answer your question.There are three factors to take into consideration when buying a treadmill.

  1. How many hours will you use the treadmill a week, which also factors in how many users? Of course, the more you use a treadmill the more wear and tear on all the parts.
  2. How much does the user weigh?  If the user(s) are exceptionally over weight, once again that is a strain on the components.  For heavy individuals you will also want a relatively thick deck.
  3. Will you use it for walking, jogging or running? Jogging and running means the treadmill will be running at higher speeds, and there will be much more impact to the deck.

Here is how I would classify treadmills.  I tend towards the conservative side. 

Walking Treadmill - Usage about 3-5 hours per week.  Models under $1,000.

Jogging Treadmill - Usage 5-7 hours per week.  Models in the $1,000 - $1,500 range.

Running Treadmill - Usage 7+ house per week.  Models going for over $1,500.

I hope that helps, and please send a review once you have made your decision.

Fred

13Apr/080

Life Fitness T5-0 Treadmill Review

Life Fitness T5-0 treadmillI recently made a trek to the big city to check out the Life Fitness treadmills.  In particular, I tried out the Life Fitness T5-0, which is their mid-range home treadmill.  A very impressive machine that ran extremely smooth, and was very quiet. 

I spoke to Brandyn Strother, at US Fitness, and out of the various brands on the floor he had the most positive reviews of this particular model.  He mentioned that the Life Fitness T5-0 was a low maintenance machine, and that the company customer service was one of the best.

However, we both agreed that the design of the console was abit annoying.  You can find out why and learn more a my Life Fitness T5-0 Review. 

9Apr/080

Treadmill Purchase in Canada

Here is a question for a new treadmill buyer...

Hello,I have read carefully through your treadmill reviews and have noted the recommendations and rankings.  I am in Canada, so the pricing is quite different, especially with the January sales on.  As a result, it is a bit tough to directly apply rankings which are presumably based on regular

U.S. pricing.  I have found some seemingly very good deals here and wonder which of them you think best, so I have converted the pricing to what it would cost in U.S. dollars.

Treadmill

Treadmill

Regular

Today's Price

 Savings

 Savings

Source

Make

Model

US Price

in Canada

 $

%

Nordic Track

Apex 6500

 $  1,899

 $         1,687

 $      212

11%

Sears.ca

PaceMaster

Gold Elite

 $  2,199

 $         1,776

 $      423

19%

Fitness Depot

Sole

F80

 $  1,499

 $         1,588

 $      (89)

-6%

Fitness Superstore

Bodyguard

T240

 $  1,999

 $         1,783

 $      216

11%

Treadmill Factory

Life Fitness

T3.0

 $  2,199

 $         1,667

 $      532

24%

Fitness Source (flyer price)

PaceMaster

Bronze

 $  1,699

 $         1,428

 $      271

16%

Fitness Depot

I am looking for a solid, very dependable machine.  I will use it for walking and my girlfriend for jogging and it is possibly that I might return to jogging after a 25 year absence but am unlikely ever to get very serious about running.  I know that there are cheaper machines appropriate for walking but I want good quality and weighing 210lbs at present, something that will handle my weight and 6’0” height easily. Fold-ability would be nice also but not at the expense of quality.Which would do you recommend most highly?

Thanks, Karl

8Apr/080

Smooth 5.25 vs ProForm iLog 750

This was a recent question from a visitor to the site ...

Been reading your site so much I am getting a headache :)   Great information, but I am driving myself crazy going back and forth over several models.  I am not sure if you answer advice questions so if you don't, I understand that reply.  I am a first time treadmill purchaser so I want to stay under $1000 in case it ends up collecting dust like many do.  It would only be used for walking and jogging by 2 individuals both 5'11" (210lbs being heaviest) 3-4 times a week.  I am not as concerned with ipod capable or someone having 24 workouts over 15.  I just want a good reliable machine.  I know the smooth 5.25 is very highly recommended, but a couple others I was looking at had larger motors or pads, which may be important for multiple users.  Any advice would be appreciated.  Here are the 3 I have narrowed:

Smooth 5.25

ProForm 11.5

Proform iLog 750

Thanks!