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In this report

See Also

Treadmill Rating Sources

Total of 15 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. ConsumerReports.org
As of October 2012
Treadmills
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org tests 49 treadmills, including both folding and non-folding models. Testers use a rotating drum to simulate one year of running on each unit, then inspect them for wear and tear. Editors rate each treadmill's ease of use, ergonomics and more. Full details are available to subscribers.
2. Runner's World
Jan. 10, 2012
Tread Lightly
by Brian D. Sabin
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentRunner's World publishes a roundup of treadmill reviews every couple of years. Unidentified testers evaluate 13 of the newest units, and select the seven that offer the "coolest features and smoothest rides" at the best prices. Evaluations are well rounded and objective, and occasionally list tester comments along with basic specs. However, the treadmills aren't assigned comparative scores nor listed in any discernible order.
3. Runner's World
Jan. 12, 2010
Rise of the Machines
by Lisa Jhung and Sean Downey
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentRunner's World tests nine treadmills with the help of 14 staffers. Each gets a short analysis, but they aren't rated or compared. There's also no bottom-line advice on which treadmill is best. Units from Precor, True Fitness and Landice earn recommendations, along with several other brands.
4. TreadmillDoctor.com
As of October 2012
Treadmill Best Buy Awards
by Editors of TreadmillDoctor.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentTreadmillDoctor.com is a fitness equipment services company with divisions for parts, extended service plans, on-site service and consulting. The company repairs treadmills, but doesn't sell them directly. This is one of the most prolific treadmill review sites on the Internet, and an explanation of their testing and rating criteria is available on the FAQ page. While a chart lists each product's scores, ratings are no longer explained.
5. Runner's World
Jan. 28, 2009
Insider Training
by Lisa Jhung
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMore than 20 testers log 100 miles on the treadmills evaluated in this report. Although only three units are reviewed, Runner's World provides more commentary on each treadmill than ConsumerReports.org and TreadmillDoctor.com. The reviews are quite balanced, and each treadmill leaves a favorable impression.
6. Amazon.com
As of October 2012
Treadmills
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAmazon.com sells several different brands of treadmills, and shoppers can see user reviews and ratings for more than 60 models. Notable units earn 4 stars out of 5 or better after more than 50 owner evaluations. Just one manual model, the Phoenix 98510 Easy-Up, makes the cut. The LifeSpan TR100-DT scores an unusually high 4.8 stars out of 5 from about 35 users; the unit with the next highest rating is the Smooth Fitness 7.35, with 4.4 stars out of 5 from about 65 owners.
7. Treadmill-Ratings- Reviews.com
Oct. 30, 2012
2012 " Best Buy" Treadmills
by Fred Waters
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis site rates and reviews more than 100 different treadmills, but only the top models receive a mention on the Best Buy list. Individual write-ups are critical and steer buyers away from underperforming models. Site author Fred Waters is a former executive of Smooth Fitness.
8. DicksSportingGoods.com
As of October 2012
Treadmills
by Contributors to DicksSportingGoods.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentDick's Sporting Goods offers about a dozen treadmill brands, but most receive just one or two user reviews, if any. One model, the LiveStrong LS8.0T, earns 4 stars out of 5 or better after feedback from about 10 owners. As of 2011, the Sole F80 also received a high rating, but Dick's no longer carries Sole treadmills.
9. Sears.com
As of October 2012
Treadmills
by Contributors to Sears.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentSears.com carries a variety of popular treadmill brands including NordicTrack, ProForm and Horizon. Most get just a handful of comments from owners, although six models receive 4 stars out of 5 or better from 10 or more users. The ProForm CrossWalk 395 and NordicTrack T5.7 receive the most feedback, about 60 each, but the AFG 3.1AT gets the highest rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 after about 15 reviews. The Weslo Cardio Stride 2.0 is a manual treadmill.
10. Los Angeles Times
Nov. 17, 2008
Four That Go the Distance
by Roy M. Wallack
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWallack, an endurance runner, cyclist and fitness journalist, recommends four "moderately priced" treadmills costing $1,600 to $2,900 in this roundup. The units aren't rated or ranked, but Wallack lists what he likes and dislikes about each with brief references to his own testing.
11. SmartMoney.com
Dec. 31, 2008
How to Shop for Exercise Equipment
by Angie C. Marek
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPredicting that a slow economy will result in steep price cuts on fitness equipment, SmartMoney Magazine asks Olympic decathlete Bryan Clay to test workout machines. This older article explains what he looks for in a treadmill and gives a couple of recommendations, but doesn't specify how many units didn't make the cut or if others were tested.
12. Walmart.com
As of October 2012
Treadmills
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWalmart.com sells dozens of treadmills from six brands, most costing less than $1,000. Less popular models attract only a handful of reviews while more popular units often receive hundreds. Standouts get a rating of 4 stars out of 5 or better after feedback from at least 100 users. The Weslo Cadence G40 scores 4.3 stars out of 5 after more than 600 owner reviews.
13. About.com
Oct. 21, 2012
Best Budget Treadmills
by Wendy Bumgardner
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentIn these short write-ups, About.com's guide to walking quotes TreadmillDoctor.com and Fred Waters, who runs Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com, so most of the content found here is also available on those two sites. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
14. Buzzillions.com
As of October 2012
Treadmill Reviews
by Contributors to Buzzillions.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBuzzillions.com compiles owner reviews from various online retailers, including Amazon.com, Sears.com, Dick's Sporting Goods, Sports Authority and Best Buy. Although we already evaluate user feedback from some of those sites, it remains an excellent resource for obtaining a quick, overall impression of user opinions on almost any treadmill. Most reviews are brief, and editors pick out pros and cons to provide a good consensus on each model.
15. Choice magazine
Sept. 3, 2010
Treadmills Buying Guide
by Rebecca Ciaramidaro
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentChoice, 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 evaluations are thorough and unbiased, but none of these models are available in the U.S.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  
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