Treadmills: Ratings of Sources
Total of 19 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
2009 Treadmill Best Buy Awards
by Editors of TreadmillDoctor.com
Our Assessment
TreadmillDoctor.com is an online retailer of treadmill accessories; treadmills themselves aren't sold directly. The ratings are brief, but it's clear that these folks are crazy about treadmills, and there… are by far more reviews here than anywhere else. An explanation of testing and ratings criteria can be found on their FAQ page. This is one of the few sites that keep up with new models in all price categories.
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2. ConsumerReports.org
Feb. 2009
Treadmills
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment
ConsumerReports.org tests 29 treadmills starting at $500. Testers use a rotating drum to simulate a year's running on each treadmill, and then they inspect the units for wear and tear. Editors also rate… each treadmill's ease of use, ergonomics and more. Although editors rank the treadmills from best to worst, 10 out of 29 are recommended, and all models performed within a narrow range of good to excellent.
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Insider Training
by Lisa Jhung
Our Assessment
Over 20 testers do 100 miles on the treadmills tested in this recent report from Runner's World magazine. Only three treadmills are tested, although Runner's World magazine provides more commentary on each… treadmill than ConsumerReports.org does. Tester comments are also included. The reviews are decently balanced, and while there are no overall ratings, it appears that each treadmill leaves a favorable impression.
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Gear Review: Treadmills
by Lisa Jhung
Our Assessment
Runner's World magazine tests eight higher-end treadmill models, including the Landice L7 Cardio Trainer, the PaceMaster Gold Elite Fold-Up and the FreeMotion Incline Trainer i7.7. Models aren't ranked or… rated, but reviews include useful details like the fact that shorter testers felt cramped by the extension bars on the expensive True Fitness Excel 9.0. The Landice L7 Cardio Trainer and the PaceMaster Gold Elite Fold-Up get good reviews, although one tester says the Landice's running belt should be longer.
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America's Healthiest Fitness Buys 2009
by Taylor Dahl, Jacquelyne Froeber and Josh Rutledge
Our Assessment
Health magazine picks its favorite workout gear and equipment in this brief article. Products were tested and evaluated by an expert panel, although it's not clear how many treadmills were evaluated. The Lifespan TR4000i is named the best treadmill, but it only receives a brief overview with little balanced analysis.
2009 "Best Buy" on Treadmills
by Fred Waters
Our Assessment
This site rates and reviews more than 100 different treadmills, picking five for this list. Treadmills get individual write-ups, which are critical and steer buyers away from underperforming treadmills. It should be noted that the author of this site, Fred Waters, is a former executive from Smooth Fitness, which is disclosed on the "about us" page.
Four That Go the Distance
by Roy M. Wallack
Our Assessment
Roy M. Wallack, an endurance runner, cyclist and fitness journalist, recommends four "moderately priced" treadmills (from $1,600 to $2,900) in this roundup. The treadmills are not rated or ranked, but Wallack lists what he likes and dislikes about each model, with brief references to his own testing.
How to Shop for Exercise Equipment
by Angie Marek
Our Assessment
Predicting that a slow economy will result in steep price cuts on fitness equipment, SmartMoney magazine asks Olympic decathlete Bryan Clay to test workout machines. The article explains what Clay looks for in a treadmill and gives a couple of recommendations, but it doesn't say how many treadmills didn't make the cut -- or even if any others were tested.
Best Budget Treadmills
by Wendy Bumgardner
Our Assessment
In these short write-ups, About.com's guide to walking Wendy Bumgardner quotes TreadmillDoctor.com and Fred Waters (who runs Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com) in this list, so most of what's here is also… available on those two sites. Even though the article has been updated recently, most of these picks are from the 2006 and 2007 model years. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
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Exercise Equipment: Your Ultimate Guide to Treadmills and Ellipticals
by Chris Freytag
Our Assessment
In this brief guide to treadmills and ellipticals, Chris Freytag gives advice on what to look for in a good-quality treadmill. The standards given are pretty minimal: 1.5 horsepower, a 16-inch belt and a frame made of steel rather than plastic. Two models -- the Image 17.5S and the NordicTrack ViewPoint 3000 -- are recommended.
Fitness Road Test: Cardio Machines
by Editors of Prevention magazine
Our Assessment
In this slideshow, Prevention editors reveal their favorite three treadmills, but they don't mention any runners-up or even if any other treadmills were tested. Each model gets a two-sentence write-up that talks about what testers liked. No criticism is included.
Treadmills
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment
Amazon.com sells several different brands of treadmills, and shoppers can read owner ratings and reviews for more than 60 models. However, most treadmills have collected only a handful of reviews. However, a handful of treadmills attract a good number of reviews and maintain positive ratings.
Treadmill Reviews
by Contributors to Buzzillions.com
Our Assessment
Buzzillions.com compiles owner-written reviews from various online retailers, including Dick's Sporting Goods, Sports Authority and Best Buy. Some treadmills only receive a few reviews, but other models -- like the Sole F80 -- attract a good number of reviews. Most comments are brief, but pros and cons are clearly noted.
Treadmills
by Contributors to Sears.com
Our Assessment
Sears.com carries a variety of popular treadmill brands including NordicTrack, ProForm and Horizon. Customer feedback at Sears.com varies based on the treadmill, but treadmills from NordicTrack and ProForm get decent coverage. Many of the top-rated treadmills at Sears.com have been discontinued by their manufacturer, but they are still in stock here.
Exercise Machines and Weights
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Our Assessment
Walmart.com sells more than 20 treadmill models by half a dozen brands, but most models get only a few reviews from consumers (at least so far). Three Gold's Gym treadmills get the best reviews, maintaining ratings of more than four stars (out of five) with more than 25 reviews posted for each. Some models get hundreds of reviews.
16. Choice magazine
Oct. 2007
Buying Guide: Treadmills
by Editors of Choice magazine
Our Assessment
Choice, an Australian publication similar to ConsumerReports.org, asks an ergonomics expert and an Olympic athlete to test four treadmills in four different price ranges. The tests are thorough and unbiased. Although none of the models are available in the U.S., this is a good resource for Australian buyers.
17. Which? magazine
Dec. 8, 2008
Exercise Equipment
by Editors of Which? magazine
Our Assessment
Which? magazine is the British equivalent of ConsumerReports.org in the U.S., and its editors take product testing seriously. Before being rated and reviewed, treadmills were inspected, assembled,… transported and test-driven by university experts in engineering and sports science. Twenty-four pieces of exercise equipment are tested in the most recent report, including several treadmills. Most of the models included in the report aren't sold in the U.S., but Which? is an excellent resource for British shoppers.
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Treadmills Reviews and Prices
by Editors of Consumer Guide
Our Assessment
Editors here review 13 treadmills, awarding CG Best Buy awards to three. Although models are given ratings for performance, there are very few references to any actual testing. Since there are no bylines, we don't know anything about the qualifications of the reviewer.
Untitled
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Our Assessment
Users post reviews and ratings of treadmills here. Hundreds of models are listed (including outdated models), but unlike Amazon.com and other retail sites you can't sort the treadmills by rating, so it's extremely difficult to find the best-rated brands. Many treadmills get only one or two ratings each and many get none.
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