The Reebok brand earned its well-deserved popularity and achieved incredible staying power over the last 125+ years by creating game-changing innovations in athletic shoes.
The following Reebok facts are essential must-knows for today’s fitness enthusiasts:
- The company we recognize today as Reebok began in Great Britain in 1895, when Joseph William Foster invented the world’s first spiked running shoe.
- British Olympian Harold Abrahams won gold in the 100m at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris while wearing a pair of J.W. Foster’s spiked shoes.
- In 1958, J.W. Foster’s grandsons introduced the name “reebok” into the family business to honor the speediness of an African gazelle… and a memorable name-brand was born.
- In 1981, the Oscar-Winning film, Chariots of Fire, immortalized Harold Abrahams’ 1924 (Reebok-shoe-wearing) Olympic performance.
- Reebok introduced the first athletic shoes designed specifically for women in 1982.
Ever since its meteoric rise in popularity in the United States during the early 1980’s, Reebok has maintained significant and favorable brand awareness. Today, Reebok continues to be a well-known and popular brand for consumers of fitness clothing and accessories worldwide.
But did you know Reebok also sells treadmills? Indeed, they do.
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Who Makes Reebok Treadmills?
Team member Fred testing equipment ICON Headquarters
Reebok treadmills are built by Icon Fitness, which also builds NordicTrack, ProForm, Weslo, and Gold’s Gym. All the Icon Fitness brands are assembled at the same facility in Logan, UT. In fact, these brands use many of the same components.
It’s worth noting that Reebok treadmills are not as widely available as they once were. You won’t find Reebok treadmills available for purchase through the Reebok US corporate website, but you will find them for sale online from retailers like Amazon and Walmart.
Should You Buy a Reebok Treadmill?
Members of our review team have visited the Icon Fitness manufacturing facility, where Reebok Treadmills are built, several times. After talking to the executives there one-on-one, our perspective is that there are some Reebok models sold through retailers like Amazon and Walmart which can be a real bargain and a good value.
However, it’s also worth noting that Icon Fitness invests most of their resources into their NordicTrack and the ProForm brands.
What that means is, if you’re looking for the latest technology and manufacturing innovations applied to your treadmill’s components including motors, decks, displays, and interactive features, you may not find everything you’re looking for on the Reebok models.
For example, NordicTrack and ProForm offer models with full-color displays including HD touchscreens as large as 10” with full internet connectivity. Reebok features LCD displays, which, on some models, are adjustable to reduce glare. And some Reebok treadmill models—but not all—are Bluetooth enabled.
For workout planning and tracking, all Reebok treadmills will integrate with the Reebok Fitness app, which also works across with Apple Watch and across the spectrum of Reebok fitness equipment. Additionally, the Reebok treadmill models that are Bluetooth enabled will work with Icon’s innovative iFit technology, a subscription-based digital tool that is explained more detail in other posts.
If you choose a Reebok treadmill that is Bluetooth enabled, you can always start tracking your workouts with the Reebok app, then add on an iFit subscription later, as your workout goals expand.
Another point of comparison among brands is deck cushioning. Reebok offers its Air Motion cushioning system, while Nordic Track offers QuadFlex cushioning, which represents an improved technology for shock absorption. The more intense your workouts are or are expected to be, the more important deck cushioning is for preventing and mitigating impact-related injuries. Our assessment is Reebok treadmills provide adequate cushioning, but only you can answer the question of whether it will be enough during the course of your training.
All in all, if you’re looking for a functional, sturdy treadmill from a brand you know and trust, and you’re willing to settle for a machine that may not have all the newest and fanciest features, you probably can find some excellent deals on Reebok treadmills, especially with Amazon Prime.
Reebok Treadmills vs. NordicTrack and ProForm
If you’re considering buying a Reebok treadmill, we recommend that you carefully consider the components listed below. And since Reebok treadmills are built by Icon Fitness, we recommend that you evaluate these same components in comparable Icon-built ProForm or NordicTrack models as well. Once you’ve made your decision, then you can focus on getting the best price.
Motor — Compare the continuous duty horsepower rating for each model you’re considering. Among the Icon brands, it will vary from approximately 2.5-3.5 horsepower. You’ll find that all the motors in ICON Fitness products come with a lifetime warranty, which speaks to their durability.
Running Surface — Compare the length and width of the running surfaces. The Reebok treadmill running deck measures 130cm, or a little more than 51” long. Many of the ProForm and NordicTrack treadmills come with a 60″ running deck length. The extra length is attractive for taller individuals or for runners with longer strides.
Folding – Reebok treadmills fold for space-saving storage when not in use. In fact, the Reebok iRun series treadmills are positioned as “compact” treadmills, ideal for small spaces. Most Nordic Track models fold, and all the treadmills in the ProForm brand fold as well. The ease with which a particular model folds and unfolds, as well as its folded dimensions, will be key considerations in your final decision, especially if your workout space is small.
The NordicTrack Commercial x22i Incline Trainer is one of their most popular treadmills.
Workout Programs — In addition to the built-in programs on the Reebok machine, you’ll be able to plan and monitor your workouts by integrating the Reebok App. The Reebok Fitness App syncs across other Reebok devices and your Apple Watch. And, if your Reebok treadmill model of choice is Bluetooth enabled, and you’re subscribed to Icon Fitness’ iFit platform, you’ll be able to take advantage of world-renowned interactive personal training technology. Nordic Track and ProForm treadmills are iFit compatible. Learn more about iFit here.
Warranties — You’ll want to compare the warranties among the three Icon-built brands. In the past, Icon Fitness offered poor warranty coverage, but over the years, they have improved their warranties brand by brand to include some of the best manufacturer warranties available.
You’ll find Reebok Treadmills generally come with a 1-year parts and labor warranty (lifetime on motor), while several of the NordicTrack and ProForm models come with 5-year parts and 2-year labor coverage.
When purchasing from a retailer, such as Amazon or Walmart, it’s important to note that the retailer may offer warranties or guarantees on purchases that are distinct from those the manufacturer offers. Some retailer warranties are very good, and some may not be worth the money, so be sure to read the fine print carefully.
Consumer Reviews
Satisfied customers who purchased the Reebook Jet 100 treadmill on Amazon in the last couple of years describe the treadmill as sturdy, easy to assemble, and able to accommodate the longer strides, despite the 51” deck length.
One 5-star reviewer said:
“I temporarily moved into a vacation home for three months and due to COVID… After a lot of research I chose this [treadmill] bc it had the auto (not manual) incline, which is really important to me. Most of the other treadmills in this price range had manual inclines of maybe two levels. This one has 12 levels of automatic incline. I also considered the length of the deck bc I wanted to make sure I was able to get a long stride in without feeling like I was going to fall off the end of it and this fit the bill there as well. I like that it is bluetooth equipt as well. All in all, I don’t have any complaints about this machine. I feel it was a good choice after researching A LOT of machines.”
Another 5-star reviewer wrote:
“I purchased this treadmill after my gym closed due to Covid 19 — and I am SO happy. It is very heavy, and I had to pay to have it moved into my house and assembled. But it was worth the wait, and I use it every day (more often than I went to the gym). I haven’t taken the time to learn how to use all of the bells and whistles, but I will. I am VERY pleased and happy with my purchase. If you are new to treadmills, the incline will become an important feature. I highly recommend this treadmill.”
The Bottom Line
We admire the staying power and historical significance of the Reebok brand. And we appreciate Reebok treadmills for what they are.
But we prefer the Nordic Track brand treadmills for home use. That’s because Nordic Track treadmills have a better selection and a wider variety of innovative features. They’re also more widely available from different sellers both in-store and online. Other companies just can’t match the specs and features found on most NordicTrack treadmill models, and the company is able to offer these quality machines– with all their innovative features– at a value price.
That’s right, a value price.
While the Nordic Track treadmills do have a higher price point than the Reebok treadmills, we’ve noticed that when Nordic Track treadmills are on sale, there are some excellent values to be had out there.
As ever, when you’re shopping for a treadmill, the decision is yours. But we encourage you to check out the NordicTrack models for yourself before you invest.
This article was written by Lane Therrell and published on Wednesday, 16 March 2022.
Reebok FAQs
How long do Reebok treadmills last?
The average treadmill from Reebok can last up to 10 years, but keep in mind there is generally only a 1-year parts and labor warranty on their machines.
Does Reebok made good treadmills?
Reebok makes overall solid treadmill machines, with recent updates to their technology features. However, there are better options out there from the same parent company ICON, like the brands NordicTrack and ProForm.
Do Reebok treadmills have cushioning?
Reebok treadmills feature ZigZag cushioning, which provides a very bouncy deck. Runners who enjoy a running surface that mimics the road may not enjoy this.
