Treadmill Consumer
Ratings

Treadmill consumer ratings - we have researched our data from such authorities as TreadmillDoctor.com, Runner's World and Prevention magazine and put the finishing touches to this report in October 2006 producing not only the most informative, treadmill consumer ratings but also the most up-to-date.

Thinking about buying a treadmill? Well, there are many several things to consider before making your purchase. Motor size, running area, maximum running speed, user weight, electronic displays. These are things which you need to take into account before buying.

Prices of treadmills and build quality vary wildly. You can wander into a discount store and come out with a treadmill for under $350. Unfortunately many of these treadmills are unreliable make a lot of noise and are difficult to use. Some are actually dangerous!

Treadmill consumer ratings advises that recalls have been issued for Horizon Fitness Paragon, Quantum, and Omega models for a rapid acceleration problem. The company had 15 reports of users losing their balance and falling off.

Luckily, there are much better options available today, with features and prices to suit most people.

Are you a serious indoor runner? If you are then expect your treadmill to take some punishment, treadmill consumer ratings and other reviewers top-rate the heavy-duty Smooth 9.25HR Treadmill.

Its over engineered design would make it at home in a gym or health club, earning this model top marks for ergonomics, a huge running area, and a multiplicity of features including a heart-rate program.

The Smooth 9.25 HR has a thick deck and 400lb weight limit, as well as light weight controls. The quality of the unit is obvious. It's more like the units found at professional gyms, well built, solid, stable and, best of all,...QUIET!

The Smooth 9.25 HR has a maximum speed is 12.5 mph, and its frame and motor have a lifetime warranty! There is five-year warranty on electronics and one year labor.

You may shudder at having to pay so much for a treadmill. Well there are some models that cost less, but treadmill consumer ratings is less enthusiastic about these, particularly regarding reliability.

On a limited budget? Well, TreadmillDoctor.com recommends the Smooth 5.25 which they advice as being outstanding value for the money. Its display panel is highly visible, plus it folds thus saving space. Prevention magazine says this Smooth model is “a great starter treadmill.”

The hand grips incorporate both the incline and speed controls. This makes adjustments safe and easy. As you’d expect in a cheaper model, the Smooth treadmills running surface is smaller than more expensive machines, and it has a 275-pound user weight capacity.

However, its lifetime motor warranty is unparalleled in the treadmill industry and would be a big incentive to any prospective buyer. Smooth’s Web site tells us that the Smooth 5.25 is its top-selling model.

Landice are another respected manufacturer of high end treadmills. Their L7 Club Pro Sports Trainer received two nominations in our Consensus Report, and also has a listing in Runners World list of Top Ten treadmills.



What to look for :

If you are a serious runner, or weigh more than 180 lbs, go for a treadmill with a 2 hp plus motor. A DC-driven motor gobbles less power, and is cheaper to put right if it fails. Experts say you should stay well clear of manual treadmills due to potential damage to joints.

The treadmill belt should be 18 inches or greater in width and 48 inches long. Prevention Magazine walking editor, says that a smaller belt forces the average walker to shorten their stride.

Have you got long legs? If you have then you must have a belt longer than 48 inches. The American Council on Exercise recommends a 49-inch belt.

The deck should be quarter-inch thick or greater. Quality decks are low-impact and absorb shock by flexing when your foot strikes the belt. If you have injuries like shin splints or recurring back/foot problems, this feature is essential.

The display panel should show all the necessary information at once, preferably in large, easy-to-read numbers. A scanning display, which rotates the readouts through one window, can produce a feeling of disorientation because you have to keep your eyes on the panel while you work out. Make sure the display shows speed, distance covered, incline and time elapsed.

Push-button controls are better than dials or switches. Sliding switches can be imprecise and stubborn to move. You should be able to push control buttons while you're running.

Welded frames are sturdier than bolted frames. The less jarring and jiggling, the better. Although frames are generally made of steel, treadmills costing $2000 and up (for example, the PaceMaster ProElite) are sometimes constructed of aircraft aluminum. These models absorb shock, are light and easy to move, and don't rust.

Some exercisers think handrails are a nuisance because they impede arm movement, but experts say they're necessary for safety. Rails should be long enough for you to reach without having to walk too close to the front of the treadmill. Note that some models, like the Life Fitness T3, don't have side handrails at all.

Beginners should look for an incline of at least 10%. A treadmill's maximum incline should suit your fitness level. According to the American Council on Exercise, beginners will do fine with an incline of up to 10%, but advanced exercisers may want a treadmill capable of 15%. Test the machine's stability during incline mode before you buy.

Walkers need a speed capability of 5 mph, runners need 8 to 11mph. The starting speed should be slow (0.1 to 0.5 mph) to avoid injury.
Look for a safety key if you have kids. Children and pets should not be able to start the machine by accident. Experts say refrigerator magnets can start some machines that use a magnetic key.

Go for a model with a panic button or automatic shutoff. If you slip or get into trouble, the power should cut off instantly by means of a button you push or a tether attached to your clothes.

Read the fine print on the warranty. If you're heavier than the warranty specifies, the contract may be void. The frame should have a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.

Other components should come with a warranty of one to three years for parts and labor. Avoid 90-day warranties. Finally, make sure you can return the treadmill if it doesn't suit you.

A much-touted report on dieting in "Consumer Reports" includes a survey of people who lost weight and kept it off. The survey found that exercising at least three times a week—rather than dieting—was their most successful weight-loss strategy.

Maybe that's why half of American adults have some sort of exercise equipment in their homes. Treadmills are the best-selling home fitness equipment in the U.S.

The Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association says that in 2000, more than 40 million Americans owned one.



A few facts about the current market may help you in your purchasing decision. Icon Health & Fitness now produces HealthRider, Image, NordicTrack, ProForm, and Reebok treadmills. Icon also developed iFIT.com technology, which streams workouts from its fitness training Web site, iFIT.com, to the company’s Internet-compatible treadmills.



Consensus Report:

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks Model
3 Smooth 5.25
2 Landice L7 Club Pro Sports Trainer
2 Smooth 6.25
2 Smooth 9.25HR

1 each HealthRider R60, Image 15.0R, Precor M9.31, Sole F63,
Smooth 9.25HR


Alternative Considerations:

If you live in an apartment, you may want to choose a folding treadmill that can be easily put away. In general, most inexpensive treadmills, like the Smooth 5.25 offer this feature.

If you can't afford to pay even $800 for a treadmill, there are other options, but experts say you will sacrifice quality. Some inexpensive Weslo models receive good mentions in the reviews we read.

The Image 15.0R is the sub-$500 pick from Treadmill Doctor, but even though it’s named a best buy, it was still rated “below average” overall on the site.

Finally, treadmill consumer ratings says if you're only going to walk, not run, on your treadmill, you can sacrifice some of the gadgetry of the fancier machines, and settle for a less powerful motor and lower speed capability.



New innovations :

Consumer Report Treadmill says 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). You may have to pay a bit more for models with this capability. Most reviewers, including Runner's World, say this is a worthwhile investment for serious exercisers.








This product guide Treadmill Consumer Ratings is provided to enable the consumer to make an informed choice and find the best treadmill in terms of price and specification.

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