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Landice L7 Cardio Trainer

*Est. $3,700

Reviewed

December 2011

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

Sturdy and powerful
Good for serious runners
Lifetime, assignable warranty
15 percent incline
Powerful motor

Cons

Warranty loopholes
Smallish and difficult-to-read console

Our Analysis
Specs

Experts say that if you run on your treadmill every day, the heavy-duty Landice L7 Cardio Trainer is well worth its high price. The L7's powerful 4-horsepower motor and inch-thick running deck are built for abuse, and you won't find the Landice L7 Cardio Trainer's assignable lifetime warranty, which even covers wear items, on even the best mid-priced treadmills. However, more than one reviewer cautions buyers to read the fine print on the Landice warranty to make sure they don't accidentally invalidate it.

The Landice L7 Cardio Trainer doesn't fold up or have that many bells and whistles, but reviewers praise it for its programmability. The few features the L7 does have, like the wireless chest strap heart-rate monitor, are of definite use for serious runners. If you don't need quite as many workouts, you can save some money by opting for the Landice L7 Pro Sports Trainer (*Est. $3,500), which is exactly the same treadmill with a slightly different console.

The Landice L7 receives generally positive reviews from both TreadmillDoctor.com and ConsumerReports.org. The Landice L7 Cardio Trainer was also one of several treadmills evaluated by runners for Runner's World. About.com includes the Landice L7 Cardio Trainer in a list of the best $3,000-and-up treadmills, but it provides almost no information about the treadmills on the list.

Our Sources

1. TreadmillDoctor.com

TreadmillDoctor.com assigns the Landice L7 Cardio Trainer high scores for walking area, reliability and quality. The reviewers also note that the L7 Cardio Trainer and L7 Pro Sports Trainer are the same machine with different consoles, and describe Landice treadmills as "solid," while criticizing the company for a recent price increase.

Review: Landice L7 Cardio Trainer, Clark and Jon Stevenson

2. ConsumerReports.org

ConsumerReports.org tests nearly 30 treadmills, including the Landice L7 Cardio Trainer, and ranks them from best to worst. A chart displays test results and ratings for characteristics like reliability, usability and ergonomics, but no further comments are made on individual models.

Review: Treadmill Ratings, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Feb. 2011

3. Runner's World

Runner's World magazine tests eight upscale treadmills, including the Landice L7 Cardio Trainer, but models are not rated or ranked. The review praises the Landice L7 Cardio Trainer's ruggedness and stability, but notes a few minor flaws; one tester wishes the treadmill's 20-by-58-inch running surface were longer.

Review: Gear Review: Treadmills, Lisa Jhung, Jan. 2, 2008

4. About.com

Wendy Bumgardner, About.com's guide to walking, picks eight $3,000-and-up treadmills (including the Landice L7 Cardio Trainer) that are recommended by other reviewers. The treadmills are not ranked or compared, and each gets only a brief description. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Review: Top 8 Quality Home Treadmills, Wendy Bumgardner, June 13, 2010

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