Smooth Treadmill Review & Ratings

  Treadmill Articles

Quality and durability are the most important considerations when buying a treadmill, which is what Smooth Treadmills are all about.

When I was at the Smooth Fitness Corporate headquarters, I met with their upper management. In our discussions they talked about the focus of Smooth, which is to build quality machines at a very competitive prices.

Equally important, they back it up with exceptional customer service and extensive warranties. In fact, all their treadmills are covered with an industry leading 2-year labor, and their high-end treadmills have lifetime parts coverage.

Note: Smooth Fitness runs daily specials on their treadmills. Go to www.SmoothFitness.com for the latest deals. Below are additional offers...

• Save $50 on the Smooth 5.45 — Use coupon code "Smooth545" ($899 with free shipping) — See Review
• Take $100 OFF the Smooth 6.45M — Use coupon code "Smooth645m" ($1,449 with free shipping) — See Review
• Take $100 OFF the Smooth 7.6 — Use coupon code “smooth76” ($1,699 with free shipping) — See Review

Smooth Fitness was the first to sell quality treadmills online, and since then they have led the pack. Their success recently ranked them as the 11th largest e-retailer in the sporting goods category, according to Internet Retailer's Top 500 Guide.

They only sell direct and online. There are other companies that sell direct, but their prices are inflated in order not to undersell their retail dealers. And although the savings is not anywhere near what Smooth suggests on their site, you do get more for your money.

When you buy from Smooth you are getting a treadmill from the experts on Internet sales, service and fulfillment. That is an important factor when making a costly purchase like a treadmill.

When buying a treadmill, you want to consider the entire package, and not just the lowest price. If you have a problem or issue with your treadmill, you want a company that stands behind their products.

In general, Smooth treadmills have an excellent track record, and this is reflected in their extensive warranties. All their treadmills come with a lifetime warranty on the motor, and two year service. Their entry model, the 5.45 has a 3 year parts warranty, all other models have 5 year parts coverage. A treadmill company cannot provide this type of warranty unless their product can withstand strenuous use. Otherwise they would go out of business from costly repairs.

Smooth treadmills start at $999 and go up to $3,000. All prices include shipping. Depending on your fitness goals, here are some recommendations...

Walking - Smooth 5.45 Treadmill - Folding
Jogging - Smooth 6.45M Treadmill - 60" Belt
Running - Smooth 6.75 Treadmill - New for 2010
Running - Smooth 9.35 HR Treadmill - Hydra Suspension
Running - Smooth 9.45 ST Treadmill - Lifetime warranty
Running - Smooth 9.45TV Treadmill - Lifetime Warranty with 15" Flat Screen TV

You'll find that each model comes with motors, rollers and treadbelts that are more than adequate for their tasks. They use quality components, which result in fewer service calls and reduced noise. I personally owned a Smooth treadmill, and found it fairly quiet, even when I cranked up the speed and incline.

Note: I highly recommend you purchase the extra inside delivery option for $99. The standard delivery for most treadmill companies is curbside. Take my word for it, you do not want to have to move a Smooth treadmill into the house. They are some of the heaviest, and consequently stable, machines available.

Smooth Treadmill Reviews

The Smooth Fitness treadmills have received numerous ratings and reviews. Below is a partial list of independent groups and businesses that reviewed Smooth Treadmills.

• Runner's World - Ranked as Top Ten Treadmill
• Prevention Magazine - Called "Best Bargain"
• Epinions.com - Average 4-5 star rating (5 is the highest)
• Bizrate.com - Ranked "Positive" in all categories of service and product quality.
• ConsumerGuide.com - "Best Buy" rating
• About.com - "Top Pick" - budget treadmill and mid-range
• ConsumerSearch.com - "Best Treadmills"
• Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com - "Best Buy" on Smooth 5.45.

Customer Review - True Story

I was making one of my seasonal treks to the big city to check out the latest fitness equipment. I stopped at a Sears, which sells NordicTrack and ProForm treadmills and ellipticals.

While looking over one of the machines a woman comes up to and asks, "Do you want to know about treadmills." At first I thought she worked for Sears, and then I realized she was a customer. I mentioned that I review fitness equipment.

Well, she immediately starts telling me about her treadmill, which is a Smooth 5.45. She mentioned how it is used by three of her family members on a regular basis, and has endured the abuse. In fact, a couple of users were jogging on it.

She further explained that after the great experience with the treadmill, she bought a Smooth elliptical trainer, and she as been equally impressed with it.

The point of this story is this woman was so satisfied with her Smooth Fitness Equipment she had become an advocate for the company. Now that is an endorsement.

High Ratings from Prominent Consumer Ratings Magazine

A popular consumer ratings magazine gave the Smooth 9.35 HR and the Smooth 6.45 "Excellent Ratings" for ergonomics, and "Very Good" for construction and exercise range.

"Best Bargain" Rating from Prevention Magazine

Prevention Magazine, rated several popular treadmills. They called the Smooth 5.0 (Now the Smooth 5.45), "Best Bargain and Control Panel."

Smooth Rates in Runner's World "Top 10 Treadmills"

Runner's World rated the Smooth Treadmill as one of the Top 10 Treadmills! Smooth earned high ratings for stability, which Runner's World considered the most important treadmill attribute.

Our Review of Smooth Treadmill

While I was at the corporate headquarters I talked to Jim Mugford, head of their customer service department. I asked him how they were handling the seasonal surge. He said that service calls were at a minimum and that most calls were in regards to delivery questions. Basically, he said we just don't get allot of service calls since are machine have few service issues. And if this was any indication, while we talked there were no phone calls in the customer service area.

I thought that was the best statement as to the quality of the Smooth treadmills. If you match features to features with other brands you may get a better deal. However, if you are looking for a solid and durable machine, the Smooth treadmills are some of the best values out there.

Built with Quality Components

A treadmill is the sum of the parts that combine to make it an excellent product. Large plastic consoles and 'gee whiz!' gadgets do not necessary reflect value. Check reviews and ratings, in addition to customer comparison sites. Before you buy, make sure you are getting a treadmill that is built to last.

As we previously mentioned, the generous warranties on the Smooth models is a reflection of quality. And although all treadmills have some service issues, Smooth generally has a good service record, and that includes their entry model the Smooth 5.45.

Sufficient Treadmill Motors

When shopping for a treadmill, you want to compare the continuous duty horsepower rating of the motor. Continuous-duty horsepower is a measure of sustained power during regular use. Without adequate horsepower, the treadmill will struggle and the motor will burnout prematurely. Smooth Treadmills come with motors built to match and exceed your exercise requirements. Even their budget model has a powerful 2.5 hp motor, which is more than adequate for a treadmill primarily built for walking. All their models are backed with a lifetime motor warranty.

Larger Rollers

Smooth equips their treadmills with 2.5" rollers. Larger rollers make for a larger contact surface against the belt, and results in less revolutions. The larger rollers extend the life of the rollers, bearings, belt and motor. This makes for smooth, quiet, static free motion designed to reduce the need for service.

Excellent Warranties

The warranty on a treadmill is a reflection of the quality of the components. If a company backs their treadmill for 90 days, they obviously don't expect it to last for the long run. As mentioned above, Smooth offers a lifetime warranty on their motors. All their treadmills comes with a one year labor warranty. If it breaks in a year they fix it. They have 5 years parts warranty on all models, excluding the 5.45, which is 3 years.

Good Customer Service

When you purchase from Smooth Fitness, you are not only buying a quality treadmill, but also an exceptional customer service team. Because of the constant impact that treadmills are subjected to, they occasionally need service. You want to be certain you purchase your treadmill from a company that backs their machines and responds to their customers.

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