Incline Trainers

Some treadmills offer incline plus decline to simulate downhill running

Most treadmills in the $800-and-up price range can motor-adjust between 0 percent and 10 to 15 percent grades. These adjustments simulate walking or running uphill, changing muscle recruitment and making any workout more challenging. It's harder to find treadmills that also decline, or tip down in front to simulate downhill travel. Running downhill works your muscles differently than running uphill, and if you're going to be racing downhill you should practice at a similar downhill grade beforehand. Runners who do extensive indoor training for outdoor events, such as marathons and 10K races, find this feature particularly important.

If you want a decline feature, one of your best bets is the PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR (*Est. $2,500), which adjusts between a 3 percent decline and 12 percent incline. This treadmill is powered by a 3-chp motor and has a spacious 20-by-60-inch running surface, a 350-pound weight limit and a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour. The PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR comes with a variety of workout programs, including five heart-rate programs and six virtual-reality courses, including the Appalachian Trail and Tahoe Rim. The treadmill is covered by a lifetime frame warranty, 12-year motor warranty and five-year parts warranty; labor is covered for one year.

The PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR gets high marks in a recent independent test, and Runner's World magazine recommends it for downhill training. "If you dread the monotony of treadmill running, the latest Pro VR (upgraded with a more durable deck and belt) offers some much needed variety," says Lisa Jhung at Runner's World. The editors at TreadmillDoctor.com call the PaceMaster a good value, mainly because of the decline feature. "It is hard to believe that they only want $2,500 for it," they write. However, a few reviewers think the PaceMaster Platinum Pro doesn't feel as sturdy as pricier treadmills. In a treadmill review for the Los Angeles Times, endurance runner Roy Wallack states that the treadmill is "not as solid feeling" as the other treadmills he tested in this price range. Testers at Runner's World also report that the frame shakes a bit at high speeds.

Wallack also recommends the folding LifeSpan TR2000 (*Est. $1,500). This treadmill adjusts between a 5 percent decline and 10 percent incline; this already-rare feature is even rarer at the under-$2,000 price point. The TR2000's 2.5-chp motor has a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour and a user weight limit of 350 pounds, and at 20 by 56 inches, the running surface is significantly shorter than that of the PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR. LifeSpan provides a lifetime warranty for the frame and motor, five years for parts and one year for labor.

Reviewers love the TR2000's compact design, which places the motor underneath the treadmill deck instead of in front of it. Most say it feels sturdy, comfortable and easy to use. TreadmillDoctor.com calls the LifeSpan TR2000 "a good choice" if you're looking for a space-saving, decent-quality unit. In his Los Angeles Times review, Wallack reports that he felt the belt slip while running at fast speeds on the decline. "I weigh 180 pounds; the salesman told me he recommends this one for runners 165 or less," Wallack says. It appears that the theoretical 350-pound weight limit applies mainly to walkers.

The Precor 9.35 (*Est. $4,500) is very expensive in comparison, but it still earns a couple of positive recommendations. It adjusts between a 2 percent decline and 15 percent incline; other features are similar to the Precor 9.31, including a 3-chp motor, 22-by-56-inch running surface and lifetime warranty for the frame and welds. (Parts and wear items are covered for 10 years; labor for one year.) The Precor 9.35 has a host of workout programs, including five heart-rate programs and four interval workouts, and comes with a wireless heart-rate monitor.

Runner's World magazine gives the Precor 9.35 a positive review, although editors note that tall testers would have preferred a longer running belt. It isn't overly loud, and the treadmill adjusts quickly to any incline or decline changes. "We especially love how it keeps track of our personal bests in pre-programmed courses and lets us use our PRs to create a virtual pacer," editors write. Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com says the Precor 9.35 is a solid treadmill that "will withstand the most strenuous use."

One expert reviewer also likes the inexpensive NordicTrack X3 Incline Trainer (*Est. $1,100) for incline training. This treadmill boasts a maximum 40 percent incline (but no decline), a 2.8-chp motor and a maximum speed of 10 mph. Fred Waters at Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com recommends the X3 for a "killer workout," adding that "the price is right," although the 20-by-50-inch belt is too short for running. TreadmillDoctor.com warns that if you choose this machine, "you must really like walking up hills."