Treadmill Reviews & User Guide
The popular NordicTrack Commercial Series
If you're looking for a treadmill, our unbiased reviews will help you find the right machine for your budget. There's a wide choice of models suitable for the home and, at first look, it can appear daunting. But this is where we're here to help. You can pay anything from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand, so you can appreciate the difference in features, quality, durability and reliability.
But the price tag isn't necessarily a guide to getting the best from your treadmill. If you're planning to run five times or more a week, then you will have to be prepared to spend more than if you're an occasional user. And now there's more to a home treadmill than first meets the eye. Many come with installed fitness software, of these, a number include online features and access to a personal trainer - just list Peloton does for exercise bikes.
You can either plug them in and run in splendid isolation, or you can join an online running community and run with people from all over the world - the ultimate virtual gym!
Our treadmill reviews cover all the advantages and disadvantages of these features so you can make an informed choice. You only have to check out the secondhand fitness equipment selling on eBay to see just how many people make the wrong choice! Don't be the person that spends a small fortune on a treadmill only to end up with it gathering dust in the corner of your room with your clothes hanging from its rails. Do your homework and get it right first time.
Do this, and you'll have a fantastic marvel of modern design and engineering that will get you fit and healthy - without getting wet.
But the price tag isn't necessarily a guide to getting the best from your treadmill. If you're planning to run five times or more a week, then you will have to be prepared to spend more than if you're an occasional user. And now there's more to a home treadmill than first meets the eye. Many come with installed fitness software, of these, a number include online features and access to a personal trainer - just list Peloton does for exercise bikes.
You can either plug them in and run in splendid isolation, or you can join an online running community and run with people from all over the world - the ultimate virtual gym!
Our treadmill reviews cover all the advantages and disadvantages of these features so you can make an informed choice. You only have to check out the secondhand fitness equipment selling on eBay to see just how many people make the wrong choice! Don't be the person that spends a small fortune on a treadmill only to end up with it gathering dust in the corner of your room with your clothes hanging from its rails. Do your homework and get it right first time.
Do this, and you'll have a fantastic marvel of modern design and engineering that will get you fit and healthy - without getting wet.
Quick Guide - Popular Treadmills by Price
Here's our quick guide to the top-selling treadmills by price bracket. Note. our star rating is leveled across all treadmills so you compare across the board. For example, a 45% score in the budget category is a good score as you couldn't expect a $500 machine to compare too favorably with a $3,000 model. A 75% rating in the top price range is not such a good score as we don't believe it offers good value for your buck.
Under $500
While there is a good choice of treadmills in the budget range, you can't let your expectations get too high. For this price you can get a basic machine with a few features that will be up to the task. But if you're an experienced runner looking to run for miles at a time when the weather ain't so good, then you have to be prepared to spend at least $750 for something that can deliver.
Here's two very commendable treadmills available for a good price.
Here's two very commendable treadmills available for a good price.
Sunny T4400 :
Rating
4.5/10
Top 10 seller - the Sunny T4400
The Sunny Health & Fitness T4400 has consistently been in the top ten sellers for over a year. It's a compact machine with a maximum speed of 9 mph so suitable for the novice/ intermediate user but not for the serious (or larger) runner.
For the price yet you get a pretty good machine with a few usual features including 9 built-in workout programs, handrail controls to select speed, an LCD screen, one-touch buttons of the console for speed and incline setting, plus a smart phone/ tablet holder.
This is a folding model and has a handy 'soft drop' system - you open the base and it will slowly unfold to the horizontal position.
The T4400 doesn't set the home fitness world on fire, but it does offer a good start-up machine for those new to treadmill training.,
For the price yet you get a pretty good machine with a few usual features including 9 built-in workout programs, handrail controls to select speed, an LCD screen, one-touch buttons of the console for speed and incline setting, plus a smart phone/ tablet holder.
This is a folding model and has a handy 'soft drop' system - you open the base and it will slowly unfold to the horizontal position.
The T4400 doesn't set the home fitness world on fire, but it does offer a good start-up machine for those new to treadmill training.,
Xterra TR150 :
Rating
4.5/10
Xterra may not be the best known name in treadmills but they certainly came good with this one. The TR150 has a reasonably-sized running deck for a budget model (16" x 50"). It also comes with 12 pre-set programs, again, pretty impressive for a treadmill costing well under $500.
The top speed of 10 mph delivers a decent workout but the incline settings are a bit of a disappointment. This is where the budget part kicks in. The incline is adjusted manually, that means you have to get off to change it. But the difference between the 3 levels are barely 1,5 degrees it's hardly worth the bother.
If you're not inclined to run on an incline (see what we did there!), this is a good buy for those new to indoor running. The programs have enough variation to keep things interesting so you're more likely to use it often. It folds and unfolds nice n' easy, and takes up little space when you're done.
The top speed of 10 mph delivers a decent workout but the incline settings are a bit of a disappointment. This is where the budget part kicks in. The incline is adjusted manually, that means you have to get off to change it. But the difference between the 3 levels are barely 1,5 degrees it's hardly worth the bother.
If you're not inclined to run on an incline (see what we did there!), this is a good buy for those new to indoor running. The programs have enough variation to keep things interesting so you're more likely to use it often. It folds and unfolds nice n' easy, and takes up little space when you're done.
$500 - $1,000
LifeSpan Fitness TR1200i:
Rating
8.0/10
LifeSpan TR1200i offers great value
LifeSpan's TR1200i sneaks into this price-bracket by $1 but is easily one to catch the eye. This model comes with some great features including being able to enter your age and weight - this makes the calories measurement more accurate. The large color screen gives you a choice of how you want your workout data displayed so you can track your performance at a glance - a nice touch.
Another useful feature is what LifeSpan call 'Intelli-step' - a built-in function of the running deck that counts your steps, which they claim is more accurate than a pedometer. The TR1200i also comes with a heart-rate sensor, although a chest strap is not included. All the data can be recorded by the BlueTooth connectivity and sync'd with your Smartphone health app. A top speed of 11 mph, 15-levels of incline and the large selection of built-in workouts provide plenty of variety to get you into shape. Very good value for money in our view.
Another useful feature is what LifeSpan call 'Intelli-step' - a built-in function of the running deck that counts your steps, which they claim is more accurate than a pedometer. The TR1200i also comes with a heart-rate sensor, although a chest strap is not included. All the data can be recorded by the BlueTooth connectivity and sync'd with your Smartphone health app. A top speed of 11 mph, 15-levels of incline and the large selection of built-in workouts provide plenty of variety to get you into shape. Very good value for money in our view.
NordicTrack T-Series 6.5s:
Rating
7.5/10
Budget version of the T6.5S
Please note, this is the cheapest option of the T6.5S. with the smallest screen - going for the bigger screens can push the price over the $1,000 mark. But even with the lowest spec, NordicTrack's entry-model of their T-Series range offers very good value.
The one-touch controls make it easy to select speed (max 10 mph), and incline (up to 10%) - good enough to challenge any runner. It comes with 20 pre-set workout programs with enough variation to prevent boredom - the bane of all home exercisers.
The Smart-Response Drive system is smooth and quiet and comes with a good warranty.for peace of mind. NordicTrack are a big name in treadmills with years of experience and innovation, including iFit training software. The T6.5S is a great introduction to indoor running and should last for many years trouble-free use.
The one-touch controls make it easy to select speed (max 10 mph), and incline (up to 10%) - good enough to challenge any runner. It comes with 20 pre-set workout programs with enough variation to prevent boredom - the bane of all home exercisers.
The Smart-Response Drive system is smooth and quiet and comes with a good warranty.for peace of mind. NordicTrack are a big name in treadmills with years of experience and innovation, including iFit training software. The T6.5S is a great introduction to indoor running and should last for many years trouble-free use.
$1,000 - $2,000
Nautilus T618:
Rating
8.5/10
Well worth a look, the Nautilus T618
The T618 makes it easily to any list. Nautilus is a well-established brand in the treadmill market and this model contains many features that make it stand out,. Firstly, the belt is a good size measuring 20" x 60" which caters for all runners whatever your size or stride length, The 3.5 CHP motor is powerful, quiet and smooth and easily delivers a top speed of 12 mph (that's a sprint for most!), plus it has an incline of up to 15%!
Another great plus is the Nautilus RunSocial via BlueTooth allowing you to complete virtual runs in locations from all over the world.
Oh, and if that's not enough, it comes with 26 pre-set programs, built-in speakers and a heart rate monitor with sensors in the handles or chest strap. All-in-all it's a great buy for the price.
Another great plus is the Nautilus RunSocial via BlueTooth allowing you to complete virtual runs in locations from all over the world.
Oh, and if that's not enough, it comes with 26 pre-set programs, built-in speakers and a heart rate monitor with sensors in the handles or chest strap. All-in-all it's a great buy for the price.
LATEST REVIEWS:
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It's a bit of a workhorse, but the Xterra TR300 does have some good points.
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Take a look at the ProForm Carbon T7 - comes FREE when you subscribe to iFit 3-year Family Membership.
It's a bit of a workhorse, but the Xterra TR300 does have some good points.
We're big fans of this brand, see what we think of the LifeSpan Fitness TR4000i
Check out the heavy duty, waling treadmill, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7643....
About Me
Hi, I'm Roy Palmer and I love to run and row. I coordinate this website, either testing out models myself or using home treadmill users around the world who share their experiences of their machines. I'm also an athletics coach and teacher of The Alexander Technique with over 30 years experience in competitive sport and coaching. You can read more about me here.
If you can't see a treadmill you'd like us to review, please let me know.
My other website is about rowing machines - see RowingMachine-Guide.com if you're looking to buy a rower.
Hi, I'm Roy Palmer and I love to run and row. I coordinate this website, either testing out models myself or using home treadmill users around the world who share their experiences of their machines. I'm also an athletics coach and teacher of The Alexander Technique with over 30 years experience in competitive sport and coaching. You can read more about me here.
If you can't see a treadmill you'd like us to review, please let me know.
My other website is about rowing machines - see RowingMachine-Guide.com if you're looking to buy a rower.
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