Landice L7 Pro Sports Trainer

Bottom Line

There's no disputing that the Landice L7, which comes with four different console options, is built solid as a rock. The 58-inch deck may be a little short for runners taller than 6 feet, but this treadmill is otherwise perfect for the dedicated athlete.

Performance

Stable, solid and powerful. The L7's 4 horsepower continuous-duty motor is one of the most powerful you'll find on any home treadmill. "This motor is guaranteed to run effortlessly under the most strenuous workouts," writes Fred Waters of Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com, adding that it's "one of the quietest motors on the planet." Reviewers say the unit's cushioned, inch-thick deck is supportive without feeling spongy.

TreadmillDoctor.com gives the Landice L7 scores of 8 for power, 7.2 for noise and 8.15 for walking area out of 10 possible. It has a maximum speed of 12 mph, a 400-pound weight capacity, and adjusts between 0 and 15 percent incline. The 20-by-58-inch deck is long enough for serious runners, although the manufacturer says those over 6 feet tall might prefer a longer belt.

The L7 Pro Sports Trainer draws excellent ratings from a major consumer research organization for its safety and ability to accommodate exercisers of different sizes. Runner's World editors praise the L7's stability, even while running up a steep incline at top speed. It comes with a choice of two shock-absorption options in addition to four different consoles, which determine the price. The basic Pro version typically retails for about $3,500; the Executive version, which comes with all the program options and best display, costs about $4,400.

Ease of Use

Advanced programmability. Some users complain that the Landice L7's console is overly complex, but the majority agrees that its detailed programmability is one of the unit's best features. Testers with Runner's World say they find it "incredibly easy to create a workout that mixes up a wide range of speeds, elevations and time intervals."

The L7 earns a "very good" score for its ease of use from a leading consumer research organization. Standard features include a personal cooling fan, accessory rack and iPod pocket, and optional add-ons include a built-in television with DVD player, a bracket for mounting your own television or monitor, and a tablet bracket.

The most basic Pro console comes with two user-defined programs and five preset programs while other consoles offer increasingly more program options as you work your way up the price scale. The type of display changes with the model choice up to a computer-animated video display. Wireless and handgrip heart-rate monitoring are optional on the Pro console but standard on most others, and the Cardio Trainer and Executive consoles include multiple heart-rate control programs.

The Landice L7 weighs more than 300 pounds. Waters of Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com warns, "You will want this machine delivered and installed by professionals that are former fullbacks."

Durability

Solid and stable. TreadmillDoctor.com criticizes Landice for raising the prices on its units while other competitors lower theirs. However, editors acknowledge that "Landice makes one of the most solid treadmills on the market," giving it scores of 8.4 and 8.2 out of 10 for reliability and quality, respectively. The L7's construction is praised by other sources, too, including Waters, who describes it as "solid as a boulder."

Customer Service

Lifetime warranty? The Landice L7 Pro Sports Trainer comes with a bumper-to-bumper warranty on all parts, including wear parts, but an older user review posted at Epinions.com suggests there are a few loopholes. He says that according to the fine print, the warranty is void if you don't purchase the treadmill from the closest dealer or if you live farther than 50 miles away.

This review is too old to bear much weight, but considering the major investment this treadmill represents, it's worth double-checking the fine print on the warranty before you buy. TreadmillDoctor.com gives the Landice L7 Cardio Trainer an enviable score of 9.5 out of 10 for its warranty coverage. In addition, the L7's warranty can be assigned to a new owner, something that's just about unheard of in the fitness equipment industry.