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TreadmillsYou are here: Health & Fitness >> TreadmillsUpdated January 2007Reviews say that with treadmills, you generally get what you pay for. Fitness experts recommend that serious runners start shopping for treadmills at the $2,000 mark, although less expensive treadmills are fine for walking. Editors at Runner's World agree; the best treadmills for running are priced over $2,000. For our report, we paid close attention to what reviews are recommending in the range of $1,000 to $2,000. That money should get you a good warranty with at least a full year of in-home labor coverage, plus better construction and more features than you'll find on cheap treadmills. Reviews suggest that frequent runners or households with more than one runner should consider spending even more. Best treadmills, $1,000 to $2,000In years past, we've seen good reviews for Smooth treadmills. Although we did not see as many reviews for them this year, we didn't find any evidence that their treadmills are not still good choices. This company's treadmills are sold mainly online, so one drawback is that you can't try them out in person. TreadmillDoctor.com says that since this company has grown so large so quickly, customer service has suffered. We did read a small number of complaints about unresponsive service at Epinions, but overall, owners seem happy with their treadmills. The Smooth 5.25 (*est. $1,000) is a standout in its price range. The display panel is highly readable, and it folds up to save space. The Smooth treadmill has six programs and a heart-rate monitor on the handgrip. At 52" x 20", the Smooth's belt is shorter than those on more expensive models, and it has a comparatively low 275-pound capacity. However, this treadmill is backed by a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, and five years on all other parts, with one-year in-home labor coverage. Reviews say this is a good-quality treadmill mainly for walking. Heavier individuals will need a treadmill with a higher weight limit, and taller people may need a longer belt. The upgraded Smooth 6.25 treadmill (*est. $1,600) is a better choice for occasional runners. This treadmill is a step up from the Smooth 5.25 (above) and has both a longer 54" x 20" belt and slightly more power, with a 2.75-hp motor. Like the Smooth 5.25, it folds for storage and has a handgrip heart-rate monitor (with optional chest strap), but it also has two more preset programs, for a total of eight. The relatively low weight capacity of 275 pounds makes this treadmill more appropriate for lighter runners. TreadmillDoctor.com says the Sole F80 (*est. $1,500) is "The best treadmill under $1,500" although we had a hard time finding it in stores for that price. The Sole F80 has a 55" x 20" belt, a bit longer than both Smooth treadmills above, and a higher 335-pound weight capacity. The Sole treadmill also folds for storage, and it has the useful feature of speed and incline controls on the side rails. It has a lifetime warranty on the frame, deck and motor, along with five years on other parts and an impressive two years on labor. It has six preset programs, a 2.5-hp motor and handgrip heart-rate monitor, with included chest strap. For ConsumerSearch Fast Answers, we've included the Sole F80 as the best value mainly for walking and the occasional run. If you've stayed in a Hilton hotel recently, you might have used a Sole treadmill; Hilton now has in-room Sole treadmills in many of its hotels. This Sole treadmill has the best warranty in its price range. We found some good reviews for Vision Fitness treadmills, but this manufacturer has been subject to a recent recall for some of its console panels, which could speed up unexpectedly. The Vision Fitness T9200 Simple (*est. $1,400) doesn't have a heart-rate monitor or any preset programs to help vary your workout. Vision Fitness does offer a lifetime warranty on the frame (with one-year labor), and the treadmill has a 325-pound weight limit. TreadmillDoctor.com says the T9200 is a good "starter" treadmill. One reviewer also recommends the step-up Vision Fitness T9500 Deluxe (*est. $2,000), which has an orthopedic belt to cushion your run. The Bodyguard T240 (*est. $1,900) is cited as the best treadmill in the $1,500 to $2,000 range by TreadmillDoctor.com, though we did not see this brand tested elsewhere. The Bodyguard T240 has a 57" x 20" belt, a 350-pound weight limit and six programs, with an optional chest-strap heart-rate monitor. This treadmill's greatest strength, according to reviews, is its quality construction, which is backed by a superb warranty for this price range -- lifetime on the motor, ten years on parts and three years labor. This company also makes Polar heart-rate monitors. We found a good review for the Keys Ironman 320t (*est. $1,000) . TreadmillDoctor.com says the list price of $1,500 isn't very competitive, but we found this model pretty substantially discounted in stores. The folding Ironman treadmill has a 2.5-hp motor, an included chest-strap heart-rate monitor, handgrip pulse sensors and a 350-pound weight limit. The belt measures 56" x 20." The frame carries a lifetime warranty along with ten years on the motor, two years on other parts and a one-year labor warranty. The Bowflex 7 Series (*est. $1,500) is made by Nautilus. Here again, TreadmillDoctor.com says this treadmill isn't much of a deal at its $2,000 list price, but we found it in several stores for about $500 less, making it a lot more appealing. We also found a couple dozen good reviews for this model at Amazon.com. The Bowflex has a large 60" x 20" belt. This folding treadmill has handgrip pulse sensors plus a heart-rate monitor, along with a 3-hp motor (good for this price range) and 300-pound user weight capacity. The frame has a 15-year warranty, along with ten years on the motor, two years on other parts and one year labor. If you can find it on sale, the Bowflex treadmill competes with the Sole F80. The Sole has a longer warranty period and slightly higher 335-pound weight limit, along with a 15 percent incline. The Bowflex has a larger 3-hp motor (2.5-hp on the Sole) and 5-inch longer belt, but a shorter warranty and 12 percent incline adjustment. Treadmills for runnersIf you can spend more, you generally get features tailored more to running than walking, plus better build quality to take the pounding of running. Experts say that if you plan to run on your treadmill, you should start looking at about $2,000. Not as many of these are folding treadmills, however. In general, a non-folding model is a more stable choice for runners. The PaceMaster Gold treadmill (est. $2,200) is one of the best you can buy in the $2,000 price range. It's sturdy, with a 400-pound capacity and a 60" x 20" running surface, so it's good for serious runners. The PaceMaster treadmill has an interactive heart-rate monitoring system that adjusts your workout to keep you in your target zone. The PaceMaster also offers nine intensity levels. The PaceMaster Gold treadmill has a 3.0-hp motor, which is the same as some club-quality treadmills. A folding version of this model is the PaceMaster Gold Foldup (*est. $2,500). PaceMaster has a 40-year reputation for quality, and although Consumer Reports does not include PaceMaster treadmills in its tests, other treadmill reviews say you get a lot of bang for the buck with the PaceMaster line, which also includes the Bronze (*est. $1,800), the Silver XP (*est. $2,000) and the Platinum (*est. $2,300). For the extra $200 above the Gold, the Platinum treadmill offers e-courses and extra electronic features. Runner's World highlights the PaceMaster Platinum VR (*est. $2,400), which is one of the few treadmills with a negative incline (up to -3%) -- useful for runners training for hilly races. Running downhill strengthens the fronts of your legs, while neutral and uphill running strengthens primarily the backs of your legs. This model's Constant Effort Compensation mode adjusts speed to incline so that your effort level stays the same. The Gold and Platinum PaceMaster treadmills have a 400-pound user weight capacity and a standard warranty of 15 years on the motor, five years on other parts and one year labor. The Smooth 9.25HR (*est. $2,400) treadmill wins good reviews as well. The Smooth treadmill has a power fold, so you just flick a switch to pack it away. It has a longer 62" x 20" running surface. This Smooth treadmill also has a handgrip pulse monitor with a heart-rate control program and a higher weight capacity of 400 pounds. Runner's World magazine is the best review source if you're a runner. Over 100 testers checked out ten 2007 treadmills, and another ten last year. The focus is mainly on stability and workout control. None of the tested treadmills are rated, but all get comments geared to regular runners. The Nautilus T718 (*est. $4,500) won last year's Best New Product rating at TreadmillDoctor.com, and it’s also featured in a review at Runner's World. It has a 60" x 22" belt, 400-pound user capacity and 15 programs. If you're preparing for a specific race, you might find it on this machine. The T718 has four training-specific courses preprogrammed in its memory, including the annual Bolder Boulder run. It has a powerful 3.0-hp motor, touch and chest-strap heart-rate monitor, handlebar touch-sensitive controls and convenient power plug-ins in both the front and rear. Testers at Runner's World thought the belt's claimed "SuperSoft" construction was indeed softer than standard treadmill belts. A less expensive model, the Nautilus T518 (*est. $3,350), has a 375-pound weight limit and a narrower 60" x 20" belt. It has memory for a personal training log, but it doesn't include half-marathon, marathon or specific race programs. We found several reviews for the NordicTrack S3000 (*est. $2,700). This model is notable for its stability, as judged by testers at Runner's World, making it a good pick for big and tall runners. It's also quiet, with an easy-to-use control console. NordicTrack calls this an "institutional" treadmill. It has a 5.0-hp motor, much more powerful than other home treadmills. Be aware that this treadmill requires a 20-amp outlet. Otherwise, features are pretty standard for the price: a shock-absorbing deck, 12 mph maximum speed, 15 percent maximum incline, heart-rate monitor (with included chest strap), a 60" x 20" belt and a 350-pound user weight limit. The motor is warrantied for a lifetime. Other parts have a two-year warranty. The belt carries a one-year warranty with one year labor. For several years, reviews have recommended Landice treadmills for serious runners. The Landice Road Runner L8 (*est. $4,500) earns kudos from Runner's World for styling, a generous 63-inch deck length and both smooth and quick acceleration. TreadmillDoctor.com and other reviews like the less expensive Landice L7 Pro Sport Trainer (*est. $3,000) , which shares the L8 treadmill's lifetime parts warranty (with a one-year labor). Be aware that contributors to Epinions note loopholes in the warranty that might make it invalid. For example, if you live more than 50 miles from the closest dealer, or if you buy from any dealer, then find out there's a dealer closer to you, your warranty may be invalidated. Assembling the treadmill yourself may also invalidate the warranty. The Landice L7 treadmill has a top speed of 12 mph, with a 15 percent grade incline, along with both preprogrammed and user-programmable workouts. The L7 comes in several varieties, all sharing the same deck and 3-hp motor and differing mainly in the console. The top-of-the-line L7 Executive Trainer (*est. $4,700) has a color screen displaying scenery, a running track and various charts to track your progress, including a calendar. The entry-level L7 Pro Sport Trainer (*est. $3,000) does not include a heart-rate monitor, but the step-up model, the L7 Cardio Trainer (*est. $3,900), does. We read some criticism for the console on the Sports Trainer and Cardio Trainer models; some testers say the small console is hard to read. Landice includes a lifetime warranty on all parts and one year labor. The Life Fitness T3-0 (*est. $2,200) is highly rated at TreadmillDoctor.com as the best in its price range. This model is also the favorite of Meb Keflezighi, who tested five treadmills for an article in SmartMoney magazine. Keflezighi especially likes the cushioned deck and customizable controls. The Life Fitness treadmill can save settings for different family members. You can program four personalized workouts with your favorite speed and incline settings. This treadmill has up to a 15 percent incline and top speed of 12 mph. The belt measures 58" x 20" and there's a 400-pound user weight limit. The warranty is pretty standard for the price range: a lifetime warranty on the frame, ten years on the motor, five years on other parts and one year labor. Like most in this price range, it has an included heart-rate monitor. The Life Fitness T7-0 (*est. $4,500) is recommended in one treadmill review, which says the 22 programs are great for runners who crave variety. The Life Fitness treadmill has a 60" x 22" orthopedic belt with adjustable levels of cushioning. Reviews say this orthopedic belt is durable and less likely to cause problems compared to others. However, some testers at Runner's World were a little overwhelmed by all the workout options offered by this machine. Runner's World and other reviews give a high rating to the heavy-duty Precor M9.35i treadmill (*est. $4,000). Its sturdy construction makes it feel like a health-club treadmill, reviews say, earning this model high marks for ergonomics. It has a good-sized running surface with a 57" x 20" belt and an array of features that include a heart-rate program. The Precor treadmill has a one-inch-thick deck and controls that are so touch-sensitive that you don't have to push on them. It's worth noting that some testers found its dot-matrix display panel challenging to read. The Precor treadmill's maximum speed is 11 mph, and its frame has a lifetime warranty, with a ten-year warranty on all parts and one year on labor. True Fitness treadmills are consistently praised in reviews for their durability, smooth and quiet performance, easy maintenance and shock absorption. In its latest report, Runner's World named the True Z5.4 HRC (*est. $4,000) as a top treadmill for serious runners. If you're a competitive athlete who's willing to spend close to $4,000 or more for a treadmill, reviews say a True treadmill may be worth the investment. This year, Runner's World also tests the True PS100 (*est. $2,200). Testers like its program which automatically adjusts speed to keep you in your heart-rate zone. The True PS100 has a 3.0-hp motor, a 60" x 22" belt and a 300-pound weight limit. Treadmill for incline trainingMost treadmills have an adjustable incline that raises the front of the belt up to about a 15 percent grade. This simulates walking or running up hills. Some fitness experts say walking up a steep incline is a great way to shape leg, hip and gluteus muscles. The NordicTrack Incline Trainer X5 treadmill (*est. $1,600) can go as high as a 30 percent grade -- twice the incline of most models. TreadmillDoctor.com says this NordicTrack treadmill provides "one of the best workouts you can get," and testers for Prevention magazine say that although this is one of the heaviest, bulkiest treadmills, they would "make room" for it. The NordicTrack X5 has a 300-pound weight limit and a 52" x 20" belt. It is also iFit compatible, so you can download workout programs from the Internet. The X5 has a large footprint (81" x 64"), but it folds up to about half that size. It has both handgrip and chest-strap heart-rate monitors, as well as optional resistance cables for an upper body workout, a nice feature that isn't commonly available on treadmills. If you really want to push it to the max, the NordicTrack Incline Trainer X10 (*est. $2,000) has up to a 50 percent incline. However, reviews say that the 30 percent incline of the X5 is plenty for most people. There's a one-year warranty on parts and labor. Budget treadmills under $1,000If you blanch at the thought of paying so much for a treadmill, there are some well-received models that cost less, but treadmill experts aren't as enthusiastic about these, especially when it comes to durability. Still, even if they need to be replaced sooner, cheaper treadmills may be worth considering, especially if you plan mainly on walking. We found several less expensive treadmills fitting this description. The good news is that quality and value in the upper part of the budget range is getting better. The Image 19.0R folding treadmill (*est. $600) has a 2.8-hp motor, which is more powerful than some in this price range. The belt measures 55" x 19", which is a fine size for most walkers, but reviews say you should try out a treadmill in the store before taking it home. For instance, tall folks with long strides may find 55 inches too short. The Image 19.0R treadmill has a 10-mph maximum speed and a 10 percent adjustable incline, plus it folds up for storage. You even get a heart-rate monitor and eight exercise programs. The Image treadmill has a 300-pound weight limit, which is higher than some other models in this price range. The Image 19.0R is made by ICON Health and Fitness, which also makes NordicTrack, Reebok, Weslo, ProForm and HealthRider fitness equipment, as well as other brands. Remember, though, that you get what you pay for. While the Image 19.0R may seem like a sure choice because of the price, nearly every review says that treadmills this inexpensive simply don't hold up over the long haul. This is reflected in the Image warranty, which is good for only 90 days. Consumer Reports says it might be worth considering an extended warranty on these inexpensive treadmills, which will cost you about $100 for a two- or three-year service plan from the retailer. Wholesale stores like Costco and Sam's Club are now selling cheaper treadmills exclusive to the store, including the popular ProForm and Epic treadmills (also made by ICON). Sam's Club sells the ProForm C525 (*est. $500), which TreadmillDoctor.com singles out as the best under-$500 treadmill. They also like the Epic 425MX (*est. $800) , sold at Costco. Unlike most other inexpensive ICON treadmills, the Epic 425MX has a 3.0-hp motor, a 350-pound weight limit and a longer one-year labor warranty. However, we found this treadmill to be continually out of stock. Most other inexpensive ICON treadmills offer only a 90-day warranty on parts, and reviews warn that, in general, these inexpensive treadmills have lower-quality parts that won't last as long as higher-end treadmills. Important Features: TreadmillsReviews say to consider the following when shopping for treadmills:
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
* Also see our Comparison Chart.
As you can see in our Consensus Report, reviews most often recommend treadmills in the $2,000 to $4,000 price range, but there are some notable treadmills that cost less, including models from Sole and Life Fitness.
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If you live in a small apartment, you may want to choose a folding treadmill that can easily be put away. In general, most inexpensive treadmills, like the Image 19.0R in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers, offer this feature. The Sole F80 is a folding treadmill, as are most Smooth treadmills. If caché is important to you in a treadmill, consider a Woodway treadmill. One of these was purchased by the White House in 2001 for President Bush after the Clinton treadmill burned out. (The government got a $2,500 discount.) Woodway machines are usually sold to health clubs and fitness centers, but Oprah Winfrey and Cal Ripken Jr. reportedly own them, too. The Woodway Desmo S (*est. $9,800) is listed at TreadmillDoctor.com as a good treadmill over $4,000, but with the admission that it has a "heart-stopping price tag." Controlling the intensity of your workout with heart-rate monitoring is the latest rage in treadmill workouts. This usually works by means of a chest strap, headband, handlebar grip or thumb sensor (experts don't recommend the last method). More manufacturers are including heart-rate monitors as part of their standard package -- true even for inexpensive models, like the Image 19.0R in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers. Even if you go for a model without a heart-rate monitor, these can be easily purchased separately. See our report on heart-rate monitors for information on available models. Fitness-equipment experts say you burn about the same number of calories on virtually any cardio machine. Some fitness professionals say elliptical trainers are a good alternative for those looking to minimize joint stress. See our separate report on elliptical trainers for more information. Stair steppers and exercise bikes are other examples of aerobic exercise machines; the highlighted links will take you to our reports on them. iVillage has a general buyer's guide article for treadmills. Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com has a buyer's guide that details how various treadmill components affect your workout, along with general articles about treadmill buying. You can find detailed treadmill specifications and features at manufacturers' websites: Image, ProForm HealthRider, Weslo and NordicTrack (all made by ICON Fitness) Advertisement
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© 2008. ConsumerSearch, Inc. A service from 
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ConsumerSearch and ConsumerSearch.com are registered trademarks of ConsumerSearch, Inc. Other trademarks or service marks on this site are the property of their respective owners. ConsumerSearch is not sponsored by any source reviewed, and we accept no consideration or payment for including, excluding, or ranking any reviews, products or services in our reports.
* Pricing information is approximate as of the time this report was written and is based on observed market selling prices and/or list prices. Actual selling prices may differ.
