The reality is they raised the price on a couple of models, so there is no real bargain.  However, you can get the lowest price they have ever offered on the Smooth 5.65 treadmill, Smooth 7.35 treadmill and the Smooth 9.45ST treadmill. You need to use coupon code "july4".  All prices include shipping and a 2-year labor warranty.  Ends Monday, July 5th.

In addition to the coupon discounts, Smooth regularly has special deals that can either be price reductions, upgraded inroom deliveries or extended warranties. Go to the Smooth Discount Treadmill Coupons page for the latest deals.

The demonstration was conducted by Jim Mugford, Director of Quality Control and Accounts Management. That's a mouthful, but he does a nice job demonstrating one of the best treadmills at the $1,000 price range.

Click here to see the Smooth 5.65 Video.

Click here to see

I often get inquiries as to which is better a Sole treadmill or Smooth treadmill.  First, I have to confess that I use to work for Smooth several years ago, however, I believe both brands offer quality equipment at a value price.  Here are some considerations.

Both Sole and Smooth offer 2-year labor, 5-year parts and lifetime motor warranties on most of their models. This says something about the durability of their machines.  They would go broke with that kind of warranty if these treadmills did not hold up.

Sole sells online and through Dick's Sporting Goods.  That means if you have a Dick's in the area you can try one out.  Smooth online sells online.  Actually they have some retailers in limited areas.  Although I believe that the Smooth treadmills a excellent machines, if a reader contacts me for advice I will often suggest they go to Dick's and see for themselves.  Although, the service and the expertise of the salespeople at Dick's is rather poor.

Smooth has a better deal on their entry model.  They are currently selling the Smooth 5.45 for $899 with shipping.  The Sole F63 is selling for $999.  The Smooth 5.45 comes with a 2-year labor warranty.

The Sole F80 is one of the best values at $1,500.  It has a superb service record.  Their Sole F85 is a solid contender at $2,000.  However, Sole sells through other online resources and, as I mentioned, through Dick's.  This limits them from running special offers and discounting their models.

Smooth primarily sells online and direct.  They are constantly running sales and offering incentives like free in-room delivery.  Also, their two top treadmills, the Smooth 9.45ST and Smooth 9.45TV come with lifetime parts warranties. 

So which is better, Smooth or Sole Treadmills?

If they continue selling the Smooth 5.45 at $899 with 2-years service, I may opt for that.  At $1,500 the Sole F80 is the winner, as is the Sole F85 at $2,000.  The Smooth 9.45ST with the lifetime warranty has some nice features and is a good buy at around $2,300.  The Smooth 9.45TV, with a 15" flat screen TV, is the best TV equipped treadmill on the market.

• 5% OFF any treadmill $1000 and above.  Offer is not valid with other coupons.
• Save $300 on the Smooth 9.45ST Treadmill. Total cost $1,999 with shipping. Click Here
• Save $200 on the Smooth 9.45TV Treadmill. Use coupon code "Smoothtv" at checkout. - Click Here
• Save $200 on the Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill. Use coupon code "smooth76" at checkout. - Click Here
• 2-Year Labor Warranty on All Products - If there is a problem with your Smooth Treadmill for the first two years, it is not your problem. The industry standard is typically 1-year coverage for labor. A $100 value.

I particularly like the discounted offer on the Smooth 9.45ST.  The treadmill comes with a powerful 3.0 HP motor, an extra long 60" treadbelt, one of the best shock absorption decks in the industry, heart rate control and their patented motion control.  You can check out my review at Smooth 9.45ST.

Smooth Fitness has been one of the more agressive treadmill sellers.  They are offering some serious discounts, extending warranty coverage and including attractive freebies. Here are a list of specials that extend until the end of March '09.  They also have daily specials found on their site.

• Discounts on the following Smooth Treadmillsmodels:
• 2-Year Labor Warranty on All Products - If there is a problem with your Smooth Treadmill for the first two years, it is not your problem. The industry standard is typically 1-year coverage for labor. A $100 value.
• 5% off any purchase of $1488.
• Free In-Room Delivery
• Tturn-Key Delivery for only $99. Your unit is unloaded, placed and assembled in the room of your choice.

Get the details at my Smooth Treadmill Review page.

I was just contacted by Keith Menear, VP of Marketing and Sales for Smooth Fitness. He wanted to alert me of their upcoming Black Friday Sale, running from 11/26/2008-12/1/2008. In addition to lowering prices to their lowest level ever, they are offering the following incentives to get people to buy.

2-Year Labor Warranty on All Products - This is an exceptional offer. The industry standard is typically 1-year coverage for labor. During this special offer you get a full 2-years of service. That means in the next two years if your treadmill or elliptical breaks, Smooth Fitness will send a technician with the parts to repair your machine.

FREE Inside Delivery on Products Costing $1977 or more – Smooth Fitness normally charges $79 for this service. You get two delivery professionals place your equipment in the room of your choice (more than 2 flights of stairs will cost extra). Their typical treadmill weighs 250 lbs. or more. In general, I always recommend people get inside delivery. What most customers are not aware of is that the free delivery service often means your 250 lbs. treadmill or elliptical is dropped off at the curb and you are responsible for getting it in the house.

5% Discount on All Treadmills and Elliptical Trainers - This can add up to a $50-$150 savings. You must use coupon code “smooth5.” Code cannot be combined with other offers.

The bottomline, with the discounts in pricing and the above added incentives you just are not going to get a better deal on a Smooth treadmill or elliptical trainer. In fact, this promotion may be some of the best deals around. Although the current sale on several NordicTrack treadmills is also impressive.

Click here to go to SmoothFitness.com
.

Also click here to see my Smooth Treadmill Reviews.

Once last note, if you are looking for a good value on a budget elliptical trainer. They are dropping the price on their Smooth Fitness 2.0 to $699. I believe that includes shipping.

Although similar in many ways to an elliptical trainer, it has several unique features that make it more of a hybrid.  In fact, when I talked to Smooth about their new product, they did not call it an elliptical, but rather a "Dynamic Motion Trainer."

The Smooth Agile DMT expands upon the limited elliptical motion of a cross trainer by offering twelve distinct motions.  This variety allows you to exercise more muscle groups, and tone more of your body. 

Elliptical trainers are often touted as providing a total body workout.  That is a false assumption.  Although you do work out both the upper and lower body, you are exercising very limited parts of each. 

The variety of motion found on the Smooth Agile DMT allows you to concentrate of different muscles, consequently you are able to tone parts of your body you may have unintentionally ignored in the pass. 

By mixing up both the forward and reverse motion of the Agile, you can build and tone your quadriceps, glutes, calves, hamstrings, arms, shoulders, chest and back. 

Another benefits of the Smooth Agile DMT is the fact you get a more intense workout in less time.  So often I noticed how people in the gym are just going through the motions on an elliptical trainer.  They are barely breaking a sweat.  The Dymanic Motion Training of the Agile get your cardio going and burns calories more efficiently. 

Furthermore, the DMT design further reduces the strain and stress to your joints.  Elliptical trainer definitely have less impact than a treadmill, however, the continual repetitive motion does strain your knees and ankles.  With the Smooth Agile you get a more intensive workout without increasing the impact by changing up the motion.

Here is the downside of the Smooth Agile DMT - it is not cheap.  Price varies from $3,500 - $4,000.  However, you are getting a commercial grade machine that weighs 390 lbs.  This is not the kind of fitness toys you find at sporting goods stores. 

For those that can afford a machine that will give a thorough physical workout in a minimal amount of time, the Smooth Agile DMT is worth considering.   You can check out my complete review at my Elliptical Trainer Review site. 

That is why people quite often have a distraction when they run on a treadmill, like reading, listening to music or watching TVs.

Icon Fitness has dominated the TV treadmill market with their ProForm, NordicTrack and Epic brands. However, the flat screen TVs are usually 7"-8".  You strain to watch them. In fact, Landice is selling an 8" TV option with their treadmills for a whopping $850.  Ouch!

Smooth came out with their Smooth Fitness 9.45TV treadmill.  Without the TV, you would find this model to be a solid running machine with a 3.0 Hp motor, 60" long treadbelt, and advanced shock absorption.  They added a new twist to the TV. It is 15", giving you a much bigger screen.  In addition, it is external to the console.  With the Icon products, if the TV goes out you have to replace the entire console, which can be very expensive.

If you are looking for a running treadmill and want to be entertained, the Smooth 9.45TV is worth considering. 

Update:  As of 3/23/09 the Smooth 9.45TV treadmill has proven to be a solid performer with an excellent service record.

• 60" Treadbelt
• 3.0 HP Continuous Duty Motor
• Swing Arm Shock Absorption System
• Sound System with Audio Input Jack

These features improve the quality of the 6.45 as a jogging/running machine in comparison to the 6.25.

As mentioned, one of the most attractive features of the Smooth 6.26 has been the reliability.  The treadmill has an excellent service record. If the Smooth 6.45 is basically the same machine, with several upgrades, hopefully it will also prove to be a low-maintenance treadmill.

The current price of the 6.45, as of 5/19/08, was $1,799.  I suspect that price will occasionally drop, when they have it on sale. Click here to read my detailed review and ratings on the Smooth 6.45 treadmill. 

Note:  As of 3/23/09 the Smooth 6.45 treadmill has had a solid performance and service record.  I have yet to receive any negative reviews.  The feedback I get from the company is that service issues have been minimal.  Since launching the Smooth 6.45, the company has also introduced an upgraded version the Smooth 6.45 M, which includes built-in speakers.