Horizon LS780T Treadmill Review

Horizon Treadmills are my favorite budget treadmills on the market right now. HorizonFitness offers the best treadmills for the buck you can possibly find and the quality is unmatched by any other manufacturer that sells treadmills in the under $1000 category. However, there are better Horizon Treadmills than others. Does the Horizon LS780T Treadmill measure up to other Horizon Treadmills? Read the rest of my treadmill review and judge for yourself!

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Horsepower
The Horizon LS780T Treadmill comes with a 2.0 HP motor. That’s pretty much standard for this price range, what’s worse is that the Horizon T91 Treadmill comes with a motor just as powerful but costs $50 less. I’m a little disappointed with that fact. There’s not even much more on the Horizon LS780T Treadmill to justify the 8% price increase as the rest of my horizon treadmill review will reveal.

20” x 50” Running Area
The Horizon LS780T Treadmill has a 20” x 50” running area. Once again, this is identical to the Horizon T91 Treadmill and definitely not worth paying an extra $50 for. You’re definitely going to notice a pattern in my Horizon LS780T Treadmill Review.

Speed and Incline
The Horizon LS780T Treadmill has a 10 MPH top speed and a 10% maximum incline. Once again the Horizon LS780T Treadmill matches up exactly with the Horizon T91 Treadmill. Do you still think it’s worth paying an extra $50? I think not.

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Final Analysis
I could go on a lot more about how the Horizon LS780T Treadmill is exactly identical to the Horizon T91 Treadmill but it’s not. The Horizon LS780T Treadmill is different, it has a blue console. Okay, I’m a huge fan of the color blue and paying an extra $50 might be worth the cost to someone like me, but it’s probably not worth it to you. I strongly suggest you check out the Horizon T91 Treadmill before you pull the trigger on the Horizon LS780T Treadmill. If you’re still hell bent on buying it, do yourself a favor and Click here to get it directly from Horizon Fitness.

Horizon Treadmills are my favorite budget treadmills on the market right now. HorizonFitness offers the best treadmills for the buck you can possibly find and the quality is unmatched by any other manufacturer that sells treadmills in the under $1000 category. However, there are better Horizon Treadmills than others. Does the Horizon LS780T Treadmill measure up to other Horizon Treadmills? Read the rest of my treadmill review and judge for yourself!

Horsepower
The Horizon LS780T Treadmill comes with a 2.0 HP motor. That’s pretty much standard for this price range, what’s worse is that the Horizon T91 Treadmill comes with a motor just as powerful but costs $50 less. I’m a little disappointed with that fact. There’s not even much more on the Horizon LS780T Treadmill to justify the 8% price increase as the rest of my horizon treadmill review will reveal.

20” x 50” Running Area
The Horizon LS780T Treadmill has a 20” x 50” running area. Once again, this is identical to the Horizon T91 Treadmill and definitely not worth paying an extra $50 for. You’re definitely going to notice a pattern in my Horizon LS780T Treadmill Review.

Speed and Incline
The Horizon LS780T Treadmill has a 10 MPH top speed and a 10% maximum incline. Once again the Horizon LS780T Treadmill matches up exactly with the Horizon T91 Treadmill. Do you still think it’s worth paying an extra $50? I think not.

Final Analysis
I could go on a lot more about how the Horizon LS780T Treadmill is exactly identical to the Horizon T91 Treadmill but it’s not. The Horizon LS780T Treadmill is different, it has a blue console. Okay, I’m a huge fan of the color blue and paying an extra $50 might be worth the cost to someone like me, but it’s probably not worth it to you. I strongly suggest you check out the Horizon T91 Treadmill before you pull the trigger on the Horizon LS780T Treadmill. If you’re still hell bent on buying it, do yourself a favor and Click here to get it directly from Horizon Fitness.

Proform 570 Crosswalk Treadmill Review

The Proform 570 Crosswalk Treadmill was once one of the most popular treadmills out there. At the moment the Proform 570 Crosswalk Treadmill is either out of stock or discontinued, more than likely discontinued. Proform pushes out new models so frequently it’s really hard to keep up. I actually wrote this Proform treadmill review a few months back and never published it. So, with about a 3 month delay, here’s my Proform 570 Crosswalk Treadmill Review.

1.75 Continuous Duty HP Motor
Most treadmills that cost more than $600 have a 2.0 HP motor. Anything less than that and you’ve got yourself a slow walking treadmill at best and a pile of junk at worst. In short, the motor alone would be enough to get me to turn my nose and run the other way. But there are more reasons to hate the Proform 570 Crosswalk Treadmill.

Warranty
My philosophy for judging a treadmill is “if a manufacturer trusts it, so do I”. The best way to tell if a manufacturer trusts the fitness equipment it makes is by examining the warranty. If the warranty covers a long period of time, chances are that manufacturer does not expect you to call up a few months later complaining that the motor blew out. I can’t say the Proform trusts many of the treadmills it makes because a large majority of their treadmills are backed by a pathetic 90 parts and labor warranty. Honestly, you can do way better! EVERY OTHER TREADMILL BRAND OFFERS A 1 YEAR PARTS AND LABOR WARRANTY for treadmills that cost more than $599.99. Don’t settle for less. Check out the Horizon T91 Treadmill, it’s comfortable, has a decent warranty, and has a 2.0 continuous duty HP motor.

Final Analysis 1 / 5
Please don’t buy the Proform 570 Crosswalk Treadmill. It’s really a piece of junk. The only reason why Proform is able to sell treadmills with inadequate motors and short warranties is their marketing machine. I Proform’s marketing department props! They have managed to sell poop in a bag!

Sole F63 2009 Treadmill Review

Sole Treadmills are one of my favorite brands of treadmills. In fact, if someone handed me $1500 to choose any treadmill I wanted I would probably end up with a Sole Treadmill. But the Sole F63 Treadmill is not a $1500 treadmill, it’s a $1000 treadmill. In my Sole F63 Treadmill I’ll examine how the Sole F63 Treadmill holds up to other treadmills in its class. Read on for a detailed look at the Sole F63 Treadmill.

2.5 Continuous Duty Motor
Like many other treadmills in the $1000 range the Sole F63 Treadmill comes with a 2.5 Continuous Duty Horsepower motor. That makes the Sole F63 Treadmill’s motor average. By the way, a 2.5 HP motor is powerful enough for just about anyone. In fact, it could probably support as many as two different users a day without presenting any major service problems. The motor is also strong enough to prevent a common treadmill problem, slippage. Slippage in turn can cause users to slip; it can be a real safety hazard, not to mention it can throw off your rhythm during a workout routine.

10 MPH Top Speed
I’m a little disappointed with the top speed of the Sole F63 Treadmill. I would estimate that half the $1000 treadmills on the market have a 10 MPH top speed and the other half have a top speed of 12 MPH. If you want to do any sprinting, that’s going to be an issue. However, for most people 10 MPH is going to be fine for what they want to use it for. If you do want the 12 MPH top speed for a $1000 you’re probably going to have to sacrifice on something like running area or programs

2.5” Rollers
People frequently neglect to examine roller size when doing their treadmill buying research. The treadmill belt wraps around the roller and keeps the treadmill belt turning. Larger rollers turn less, which means they’ll last longer. Most treadmills in this category have 2” rollers, and you’ll have to spend about $600 more to move up to 3” rollers. So, the Sole F63 Treadmill’s 2.5” rollers are excellent!

Fitness Programs
Unfortunately, Sole Fitness has neglected to develop a lot of fitness programs for the Sole F63 Treadmill. There are only 6 fitness programs and that’s not enough for me to get excited about. 6 fitness programs is average at best.

Warranty
The Sole F63 Treadmill is covered by a 1 year labor warranty and 3 year or greater parts warranty. This is definitely one of the better treadmill warranties around, save for the Smooth Fitness 5.45 Treadmill

Final Analysis 3.5/5
The Sole F63 is one of the more comfortable treadmills for less than a $1000, but it lacks many other features like a high top sped of 12 MPH or a wide range of treadmill programs. Ultimately, the comfort factor is the most important factor so I’m still giving the Sole F63 Treadmill decent marks.

NordicTrack T9 CI Treadmill Review

The NordicTrack was released by Icon Fitness, parent company of the Proform, Weider, and Weslo fitness equipment brands. The NordicTrack T9 CI Treadmill is NordicTrack’s entry in the $1000 price range. There’s some stiff compeititon in this price range and I’ll cover all the pros and cons of owning this treadmill in my NordicTrack T9 CI Treadmill Review.

20” x 60” Running Area
I’m really impressed with the 20” x 60” running area. More often than not, treadmills with a 20” x 60” running area cost several hundred dollars more than the NordicTrack T9 CI Treadmill. When it comes to size, the NordicTrack T9 CI is just about as big as it gets. In fact, you’ll have to spend several thousand dollars to get a treadmill with a larger running area.


2.5 Continuous Duty Motor
Buying a motor with a good amount of horserpower is incredibly important. The motor is what drives the treadmill belt and a weak treadmill motor is subject to slipping which in turn can make the user slip. Second, a weak motor is probably not going to last a long time. A weaker motor has to work harder to achieve the same speed as stronger motor which means the weaker motor is going to give out sooner. The NordicTrack T9 CI’s is built with a 2.5 continuous duty horsepower motor, strong enough for just about anyone doing any type of workout imaginable.

12 MPH Top Speed
Most treadmills in this price range have a top speed of 10 MPH, and that’s great for most people. However, if you require a bit more zest during a workout the extra two miles of speed can prove challenging and enjoyable. I think I can do about 2 minute long sprints at 12 MPH before my body says “no more!” I couldn’t even begin to imagine running 12 MPH for an extended period of time.

Adjustable Treadmill Deck Cushioning
Adjustable deck cushioning is a revolutionary idea in the treadmill world. Users can adjust the firmness of a treadmill’s shock absorption system to customize the feel of a treadmill. It’s a very handy and useful feature, especially if you’re using this treadmill to train for an event. Users can adjust the firmness to mimic the feel of a race course.

Fitness Programs
The NordicTrack’s fitness programs are its strongest point. Fitness programs are important because they can mix up fitness routines, preventing the body from becoming too accustomed to a workout, reducing the efficiency of a workout. There are 12 fitness programs in all and the best part is users can purchase memory cards with fitness programs created by Jillian Michaels of Biggest Loser fame. I’m a huge fan of the ifit feature and wish a similar feature would be made available on more treadmills and elliptical machines.

Warranty
NordicTrack offers a 1 year parts and labor guarantee. 1 year parts and labor is standard for just about every treadmill under a $1000. The only other treadmill with a better treadmill is the Smooth Fitness 5.45 Treadmill

Final Analysis 3.5 / 5
NordicTrack is definitely one of Icon Fitness’ more ambitious brands. The NordicTrack Treadmill brand is perhaps Icon’s best treadmill brand; the NordicTrack T9 CI Treadmill definitely reinforces that notion. The motor is very powerful considering the cost, the running area is extremely large, and the adjustable cushioning system enables users to customize the firmness of the treadmill deck. Overall, this is a great showing from NordicTrack.

NordicTrack T7 SI Treadmill Review - Best Fitness Programs

Hello Readers,

I’m going to try a different way of doing this for my NordicTrack T7 SI Treadmill Review. Instead of editorializing I’m going to make this more of a presentation. I’ll skip my life story and I’ll just stick with the facts. NordicTrack is subsidiary of Icon Fitness. Icon Fitness is the man behind the curtain for many treadmill brands including ProForm, Gold’s Gym, and Weslo. I’m not a huge fan of all if Icon Fitness’ brands, namely Proform and Weslo, but NordicTrack Treadmills are generally of much better quality. Let’s take a look at the NordicTrack T7 Treadmill.

2.5 Continuous Duty Horsepower
The NordicTrack T7 Treadmill has one of the most powerful motors in this price range. The stronger the motor, the longer the motor is going to last. Even if the motor is covered under a lifetime warranty, it’s still a good idea to buy a treadmill motor that won’t poop out on you because it takes a few days to get a treadmill tech out and fix a treadmill. All that down time can disrupt a regular routine!

20” x 55” Running Area
There are other treadmills with running areas identical to the NordicTrack T7 Treadmill, which means the NordicTrack T7 Treadmill comes up average. Other common running area sizes in this price range are 18” x 60” and 20” x 52”. If running area is a huge concern for you do some research and find a treadmill with a running area that suits your personal tastes.

Innovative Feature: DuraStride Adjustable Cushioning
This is a particularly unique and innovative feature. Users can adjust the firmness of the treadmill deck to suit personal needs. If you’re training for a marathon the treadmill deck can be adjusted to more accurately reflect the conditions of a race. My hat is off to your for this one NordicTrack!

12 Programs
Another strongpoint of the NordicTrack T7 SI Treadmill is programs. Way too often a treadmill manufacturer neglects to add challenging and diverse program sets. I’m glad to say NordicTrack has not neglected to add a wide range of fitness programs to help users achieve results as fast as possible.

If the built in programs are not enough, users can purchase ifit cards that provide audio coaching from well known fitness professionals including Jillian Michaels. It’s like being on the Biggest Loser without losing your privacy!

Warranty
NordicTrack offers some ridiculous amount of coverage on the motor and frame just like every other treadmill manufacturer. Truth is, treadmill buyers should pay attention to the parts and labor warranty. Parts and labor are covered for a full year and that’s just about all you can ask for in a treadmill that costs less than a $1000. There’s an extended warranty available for about $90 at checkout.

Final Analysis: 4 stars out of 5
The NordicTrack T7 Treadmill is not the best treadmill out there, but it’s still a good treadmill. It stays about even with most treadmills in this price range but blows every other treadmill out of the water when it comes to programs. The exclusive ifit training option is an excellent feature and enables users to train with famous fitness experts like Jillian Michaels without going on or watching a reality show!

Smooth Fitness 5.45 Treadmill Review - Best Treadmill Ever!!!

Hello readers,
Click Now Get $100 Off The Smooth 5.45 Treadmill

It's not all that often that I get to talk about a treadmill that just blows me away. So, when I say that the smooth 5.45 treadmill is the absolute best treadmill out there for less than $1000 you know that I'm telling the truth! My top treadmill list 2009 is going to have to be revised to put the smooth 5.45 treadmill at the top of the thousand dollar category! I'll explain in my smooth 5.45 treadmill review why this is the best value you're going to find on the entire Internet when it comes treadmill!

There are a lot of really good reasons to own the smooth 5.45 treadmill. First, the Smooth 5.45 Treadmill is also incredibly comfortable. The Smooth Fitness 5.45 Treadmill is designed with Smooth’s patented Swing Arm shock absorption system and has demonstrated the ability to reduce the impact during running and walking. Reducing the impact of working out makes it easier for your body to recover and causes significantly less pain in joints. Next, the running area is wide and spacious with a full 20" x 55” treadmill belt. Running area is important because it adds to the comfort level of the treadmill. If you don’t believe me, go to Wal-Mart and try out the Weslo Cadence G40 Treadmill like I did. I kept stepping on the side railing and tripping up! If a treadmill is uncomfortable, nobody is going to use it!

The Smooth 545 Treadmill is also great for runners. Users can reach speeds of up to 10 MPH, nothing to sneeze at. Think about it, 10 MPH means you’ll run a mile every 6 minutes! Most people won’t be able to sustain a 10 MPH hour pace for more than a couple minutes. Back in high school, my fastest mile was 6:50 and I’m not anywhere near that these days and I work out regularly! Unless you plan on training for sprinting, 10 MPH is plenty of speed.

If that’s not enough for you, I’ll give you the two most compelling reasons to buy the Smooth 5.45 Treadmill. Smooth offers a 30-day money back guarantee and a 3 year parts and 2 year labor warranty! That’s phenomenal! If you buy a treadmill and it’s not comfortable or it doesn’t get used for whatever reason, just send back the treadmill and get your money back. It’s that simple. The 3 year parts 2 year labor warranty is unprecedented! You’ll really have to spend at least $500 or $600 more to see a warranty that comes anywhere near that kind of coverage. THIS IS THE BEST WARRANTY YOU WILL FIND FOR LESS THAN $1000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This treadmill is going to last for years, and if it doesn’t, Smooth Fitness is going to fix it for you on their dime! That’s a really incredible guarantee. If you want the best treadmill under $1000, you’ve found it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click Here to Read User Reviews of the Smooth 5.45 Treadmill

BodyGuard T460X Treadmill Review - Discontinued

Hello Readers,
I was getting ready to post another excellent treadmill review of the BodyGuard T460X Treadmill. Unfortunately, that model has been discontinued. The BodyGuard T460X was one of the most expensive treadmills on the market and retailed for about 5 grand! If you’re looking for a quality high end treadmill, I suggest checking out my Sole Treadmill Reviews, they can be found on the sidebar. Sole Treadmills are one of my favorite treadmill brands and they’re extremely comfortable!

Eclipse 1100 HRA Elliptical Trainer Reivew

Hello Readers,

I can’t think of a single elliptical trainer I would buy for under $600. The motion doesn’t feel right and I live in California, where it is sunny outside almost every day of the year. There’s not much of a reason to use a low grade elliptical trainer when there are beaches, mountains, and nice sidewalks to use if I can’t afford one of the better elliptical trainers out there. But, I understand that in much of the country snow blankets the streets or it is hot enough to cook eggs and bacon without a stove. For those of you who must suffer the insufferable, the lowest of the low end elliptical trainers may be your only option. To serve that segment of the population, here is my Eclipse 1100 HRA Elliptical Trainer Review.

The Eclipse 1100 HRA Elliptical Machine is designed by Fitness Quest, a leader in the low end fitness equipment sector. Fitness Quest has been making strides in the mid-range category, but has a lot of catch up to do if it wants to compete with the big boys like Horizon Fitness and Schwinn. One thing the Eclipse 1100 HRA Elliptical does well is programs. You’ll get 12 whole programs which is double or more what you can expect with a lot of other elliptical trainers in this price range.

Well, that’s about it for the positive. Yeah, seriously. The motion is bad and you’ll probably feel cramped with a clumsy feeling stride. I really wish I could tell you that you’re getting an amazing piece of fitness equipment for an incredible price, but I can’t. It just wouldn’t be honest. As a matter of fact, I would prefer a Tony Little Gazelle to the Eclipse 1100 HRA Elliptical Trainer. Better yet, check out a Merit Treadmill, you’ll feel much more comfortable on a Merit Treadmill, I promise!

Horizon SXE 7.7 Elliptical Trainer Review

This model has been discontinued!

Click Here To Buy A Better Elliptical for $200 Less Direct From Horizon Fitness
Hello Readers,
I’ve been gone for a while. I’ve been doing some prep work for video reviews. A video post takes much more time to make than a text post. I hope you appreciate them when they come out! But it’s time to write another elliptical machine review. The Horizon SXE 7.7 Elliptical Trainer was made to be sold in Sears stores and I believe it’s only available at the Horizon Fitness website right now. Does the Horizon SXE 7.7 Elliptical merit your hard earned dollars? Read on, and find out.

A lot of elliptical trainers utilize a terrible knob system to adjust resistance levels. Knob resistance adjustment is clumsy, and often times break down without a delicate touch, a touch I’ve yet to acquire! So, when I found out that the Horizon SXE 7.7 Elliptical Trainer uses a motorized system to adjust resistance I was ecstatic! It’s so much simpler to press a button than mess with whatever zany contraption an engineer thought up on a Denny’s napkin at 2 in the morning. Furthermore, the Horizon SXE 7.7 Elliptical has 10 different resistance settings or levels, I can’t say that’s the most I’ve ever seen in this price range, but that’s definitely within the above average range.

The fitness programs are impressive as well. The Horizon SXE 7.7 Elliptical Trainer has 15 different fitness programs ranging from fat loss to calories burned. If you have a fitness goal, chances are there’s a program on the Horizon SXE 7.7 Elliptical Machine that will help you reach it! Fitness programs are also great for people new to cardiovascular based training and weight loss.

As far as comfort goes, the Horizon SXE 7.7 Elliptical Machine is pretty good, but not the best out there. If you plan on spending $1300 there are definitely better options out there like Sole Ellipticals. Horizon Fitness dominates the category under $1000, but tends to get beat by elliptical trainers in the higher price categories.

Oh, a couple last notes. The Horizon SXE 7.7 Elliptical Machine comes with a built in MP3 player. That’s a really cool ad-in that seems to be proliferating across the fitness industry. You’ll need to buy a $5 adapter cord, but you can probably find it cheaper if you look hard enough.

Review Your Treadmill - Get Paid!

Yes, you read that right. Spend 5 minutes reviewing a treadmill on your blog and I'll give you $10! Here's how: Write a 300 word or more post telling me why you like or hate a treadmill, any treadmill. Post this link somewhere inside the post Treadmill Reviews When you're done email treadmillmaster@gmail.com and I'll send you $10 via PayPal. It's that simple! (In most cases, I deliver via PayPal within 24 hours of verification.)

You can also enter my Top Rated Treadmill contest where I will award one lucky person with a Horizon T91 Treadmill just for linking to me! (Or a $500 Amazon.com gift certificate if you live outside the continental United States. Just leave a comment in this blog telling me where the link is and you're entered!

Reebok 8700 ES Treadmill Review

Treadmill Review: Reebok 8700 ES Treadmill
Treadmill Rating: 3 stars out of 5 for being just about average at everything
Price: $799

Hello Readers,

This time I’ll be talking about the Reebok 8700 ES Treadmill. Reebok Fitness Equipment is manufactured by Icon Fitness, the parent company of Treadmill and Elliptical trainer brands like Proform Fitness Equipment and Image Fitness Equipment. Some of Icon Fitness’ equipment is poor at best, but the Reebok Treadmill line seems to be much better in general than other treadmills and elliptical trainers manufactured under the care of Icon Fitness. Let’s examine how the Reebok 8700 ES Treadmill stacks up to other treadmills in the $800 price range.

The Reebok 8700 ES Treadmill is equipped with a 2.5 Continuous Duty HP motor. This is going to pretty much going to set the tone for this treadmill review, but a 2.5 HP motor for a treadmill that costs $800 is very average. In fact, I can’t think of any treadmill in this price range with more or less horsepower.

One thing I will note is the considerable amount of fitness programs. The Reebok 8700 ES Treadmill comes with 14 programs! That’s actually far above average and I would like to congratulate Reebok Fitness Equipment for being willing to put in that extra effort to deliver an excellent treadmill. Fitness programs are essential to effective cardio routines! Another category this Reebok Treadmill excels at is speed. If you plan on doing some running you’ll be able to sprint by at up to 12 MPH. Most treadmills in this price range have a top speed of 10 MPH, so once again Reebok, going the extra mile is much appreciated!

Overall, this is a decent treadmill by a treadmill manufacturer that more often than not gets it wrong. Icon Fitness is full of treadmills and treadmill brands that consistently underperform. The Reebok Fitness Equipment brand seems to defy this general rule of thumb. Even though this is a decent treadmill, I still wouldn’t buy it because there are a lot better treadmills out there, more often than not for much less than the Reebok 8700 ES Treadmill.

Smooth Fitness 5.45 Treadmill Review

Treadmill Review: Smoth Fitness 5.45 Treadmill
Treadmill Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Price: $999

Hello Readers,

It’s time to write my Smooth Fitness 5.45 Folding Treadmill Review. I haven’t really touched on Smooth Fitness equipment in on my treadmill review blog, and I’m kind of sorry I haven’t. Smooth Fitness generally manufactures decent equipment and many of their treadmills and elliptical trainers are strong contenders for my coveted Best Buy list.

Any treadmill manufacturer would be happy to produce a treadmill as fine as the Smooth Fitness 5.45 Treadmill. There are many things to like about this treadmill and I’ll start with the most spacious reason. The 20” x 55” deck feels very roomy. Many treadmills in the $1000 price range have significantly smaller running surfaces. The large deck adds quite a bit to a strong comfort factor, the most important thing to be considered when buying a treadmill. I name comfort as the most important factor in choosing a treadmill because if you buy a treadmill that isn’t comfortable, no matter how expensive or inexpensive, it’s never going to get used.

Another factor contributing to the comfort level afforded by the Smooth Fitness 5.45 Folding Treadmill is a stable frame. This treadmill weighs about 210 lbs. ensuring that this treadmill is solid and won’t suffer from that horrible treadmill syndrome I call The Shakes. The Shakes can ruin any running routine with loud vibrations that ultimately ruin the frame of your treadmill.

The last thing I really, really like about the Smooth Fitness 5.45 Treadmill is the warranty. Smooth Fitness will back this treadmill with a 3 year parts and 1 year labor warranty. Other treadmills in this price range offer a signifcanlty shorter 1 year parts and labor warranty. Sure, I wish the labor warranty matched the parts warranty but I’ll definitely take the two extra years worth of parts coverage for the same price or less than the cost of equivalent treadmills.

Overall, the Smooth Fitness 5.45 Treadmill is an excellent piece of cardio fitness equipment. This treadmill fitness equipment is comfortable because of a well made shock absorption system and a spacious running area. This treadmill also has a significantly better warranty than other treadmills in this price range and quality. Finally, the price is right. The $999 price tag is just right for this treadmill!

Image 17.5S Treadmill Review

Treadmill Review: Image 17.5S Treadmill
Treadmill Rating: 2 stars out of 5 for an incredibly short parts and labor warranty
Price: $599

Hello Readers,

It’s another blistering day in the San Gabriel Valley, just outside Los Angeles. I’ve finally given in to Mother Nature and turned on the AC at about noon. I’ll be running it all day today to ward off this horrible heat, which gives me a great segue way in to my Image 17.5S Treadmill Review. How do you ward off bad treadmill purchases? Easy, you read my Image 17.5S Treadmill Review.


Image Fitness Equipment is a member of the Icon Fitness Equipment corporation. If you have not heard of Image Fitness Equipment, you’ve probably heard of the sister company ProForm. Proform designs and supplies Sears Proform Treadmills. Image Treadmills are not all that different from Proform Treadmills. As a general rule of thumb, stay away from any Sears Proform Treadmills and Proform Treadmills in general. There are a couple gems in Proform’s line, but there’s a lot more fool’s gold than gems in the Proform Treadmill product line. Ughhh, off topic again.

One thing to the Image 17.5S’s credit is speed. Users can run at up to 10 MPH. Many treadmills in the $600 price range have top speeds of 8 – 9. In all my years of fitness equipment industry experience, this is an above average top speed for the price. If you plan on doing some running with your treadmill, 10 MPH is a pretty fast pace to keep for any serious amount of time. I know, I’ve done it, and it nearly killed my heart!


The Image 17.5S Treadmill includes 6 programs. I can’t really go off on a rant about 6 fitness programs, but I certainly can compare it to other treadmills in this price range that offer far more fitness programs like the Horizon T91 Treadmill. Six fitness programs is okay, but there are treadmills with a lot more fitness program options out there, and options are good!

I could go on for probably another six pages listing reasons why the Image 17.5S Treadmill is inferior to the Horizon T91 Treadmill, but I won’t. I think all you really need to know is the warranty. A treadmill warranty tells you exactly what’s on the inside of any treadmill. If a treadmill has a good warranty there are good parts underneath the hood, at the very least the treadmill manufacturer believes the treadmill has good parts underneath. If the treadmill warranty is bad or too short, then the treadmill probably has bad parts underneath. Unfortunately, the Image 17.5S Treadmill has an incredibly short 90 parts and labor warranty. That’s pathetic. If you’re paying $600 for a treadmill I would expect, no, demand parts and labor coverage for at least an entire year!

I implore you, please check out the Horizon T91 Treadmill before you decide to buy the Image 17.5S Treadmill. I’m certain you be glad you did!

Stamina INMotion II Manual Treadmill Review

Manual Treadmill Review: Stamina INMotion II Manual Treadmill
Treadmill Rating: 0 out of 5 because I would rather just walk or push a lawn mower
Price: $139

Hello Readers,

There’s a definite theme going here with the next couple of posts. I’m going through manual treadmills. Basically I’m letting all my readers know that a going for an actual walk….or pacing inside your house is a thousand times more preferable to spending a couple hundred bucks on a manual treadmill.

Sunny Manual Treadmill Review

Manual Treadmill Review: Sunny Manual Treadmill
Manual Treadmill Rating: 0 stars out of 5 for being a manual treadmill
Price: $179
Hello Readers,
Well, I don’t like wasting your time or mine with crappy fitness equipment so this is going to be a really short treadmill review. The Sunny Manual Treadmill should not be bought under any circumstances. If you think you want a manual treadmill for walking don’t buy it. I would rather just go out for a walk than use the Sunny Manual Treadmill. I really don’t understand how manual treadmills have a market.

Treadmill Buyer's Guide

Hello Again,

My name is Johnny and I’ve been selling, marketing, and writing about treadmills since 2004. I’ll be going on my 5th year in the fitness equipment industry in August 2009. I started writing treadmill reviews for the general public a few years back, issuing fatwas against poorly made, but all too often, very well marketed fitness equipment and steering you towards the better treadmill choices out there. Well, I realized I’ve been handing out fish to my readers all these years and I’ve decided to teach my readers HOW to fish. There are so many treadmills out there I can’t possibly review them all between school work and my job. So here is my Buyer’s Guide to Choosing a Treadmill.

Treadmill Motor Rating: CHP, THP, and PHP Explained!
At the core of every great treadmill is a great motor. There’s an easy way to determine if a treadmill is using a quality motor, check the horsepower rating. Make sure the horsepower rating listed is the Continuous Duty rating. There are several ways this will be phrased in a treadmill description including: 2 HP continuous, 2 HP continuous duty, and 2 CHP Motor.

Other treadmills, more often than not, the ones you shouldn’t buy will list the Peak Horsepower Rating or PHP. The PHP rating is always going to be higher than the Continuous Duty rating and is a great way to bloat your treadmill specifications if you’re trying to pawn a low grade treadmill off on an uneducated treadmill buyer.

The difference between Peak Horsepower and Continuous Duty Horsepower is simple. Peak Horsepower is the most horsepower a motor can possibly generate. Continuous Duty rating will tell you how much horsepower a treadmill motor will generate at a constant rate. Continuous Duty Ratings are better for judging the quality of a treadmill than Peak Horsepower Ratings because the Continuous Duty Rating measures how much power a treadmill motor will output under normal, prolonged workout routines. If you take one thing away from this guide, take away the difference between Peak Horsepower and Continuous Horsepower.

To make things easier, here’s a schedule of how much Continuous Horsepower to expect when in each price range:

If you Pay:
$400 – $599 1.75 CHP
$600 – $1000 2.00 CHP – 2.5 CHP
$1000 – $1500 2.5 CHP – 3.0 CHP
$1500 – $2000 3.0 CHP or more



Warranty
Warranty is next on my priority list. I’ve learned from experience in the fitness industry that treadmill manufacturers who know they have quality equipment will back their products with generous warranties because they know they’re not going to be responsible for expensive treadmill repair bills. The standard treadill warranty length is one year parts and labor. If you’re looking at a treadmill with anything less, chances are you should probably kick the dust off your feet and move on. Treadmills in the $1200 or greater range should have parts and labor warranties of 2 years or more.

Here’s something a smart treadmill buyer should be aware of. Treadmill Motors and treadmill frames are often covered for ridiculous amounts of time, it’s not unheard of to see a treadmill motor or frame backed for as long as 30 years to life! You would do well to ignore these guarantees when choosing a treadmill. Motor and frame warranties are mostly fluff. The real meat and potatoes of a warranty are the Parts and Labor portion. Parts and labor cover almost everything on the treadmill and are often the most expensive items in a treadmill repair.

Here’s a chart to help you know how much warranty you should expect

Under $600 – Less than one year. *
$600 - $1350 – 1 years parts and labor
$1350 - $1650 – 2 years parts and labor
$1650 – and beyond – 3 – 5 years parts and labor

Fitness Programs
Fitness programs are much more subjective than things like horsepower and warranty. One good rule of thumb is the more fitness programs included with a treadmill the better. You can often spot a shoddy treadmill just by the amount of programs it has. Anything fewer than 8, unless you’re shopping in the under $600 category and it’s probably not a treadmill you want to invest your hard earned money in.

Heart Rate Control
Treadmills with heart rate control generally cost $1000 or more. Heart rate control is expensive, but it’s worth it. Heart rate control enables users to set a specific heart rate and use a wireless chest strap or heart rate watch to stay within the specified heart rate. The treadmill will automatically adjust speed and incline to keep your heart within that heart rate range.

Different heart rates better for achieving different kinds of results. For example, you can burn more fat running at 75% of your maximum heart rate. If you’re trying to lose weight, it might be more advantageous to try staying within a specific heart rate range rather than trying to run as fast as you can.

Running Area
Running area is key to comfort. If your treadmill is not comfortable you won’t use. I don’t know how much more simpler I could put it. Larger running areas make for more comfortable treadmills. Here’s a list of what you should expect in each price range:

$600 - $1000 – 55” x 18”
$1000 or more – 60” x 20”

Speed and Incline
I mashed these two together because they’re the simplest of the factors to consider when choosing a treadmill. Incline ranges from 5% - 15%. A good treadmill will have an incline of 10% or more no matter the price. Treadmill speeds range from 6 MPH to 12 MPH. A good treadmill no matter the cost will have a speed of at least 8 MPH. A treadmill that costs $1200 or more should have a top speed of no less 12 MPH.

If you’re worried about speed, don’t be too concerned with it. A treadmill with a top speed of 8 MPH is incredibly fast! Most people stay within the 4 – 6 MPH range. 12 MPH would make you Olympic sprinter material!

Comfort
Finally, we have comfort. Comfort is the most important factor to consider when choosing a treadmill. If a treadmill isn’t comfortable you won’t use it. Period. In my many years of selling treadmills I’ve found the brands that tend to be most comfortable to treadmill users are Bowflex, Horizon Fitness, Sole, Spirit, Star, Trac, and Matrix. These companies cover the wide spectrum of low end to high end treadmills and if you stick with one of these brands you’re going to get an excellent treadmill.

Well, that concludes my Treadmill Buyer’s Guide. I hope you take your time buying a treadmill and find something you love that fits inside your budget. Remember, pay attention to Continuous Duty Horsepower, Parts and Labor Warranty, and the comfort a treadmill offers and you’re going to make a good choice.

Horizon T90 Treadmill Review

Hello Readers,

This isn't so much a treadmill review as it is a treadmill price alert. The Horizon T90 Treadmill is on sale for about $540! That's 10% off the normal price of $599. I know I haven't written a full, proper review of the Horizon T90 Treadmill yet, but I know for a fact this is one of the better treadmills on the market right now. If you're looking for a treadmill deal, this is what you've been waiting for. I"ll post a link to my Horizon T90 Treadmill review once I've written it.

Bodyguard T240 Treadmill Review

Treadmill Review: Bodyguard T240 Treadmill
Treadmill Rating: 1 star out of 5 for being completely and utterly outclassed by just about every other treadmill in the $2000 price range
Price: $1999
Hello Readers,

I’m reeling from a The Hat binge. I just had about 2 lbs. of chili cheese fries and pastrami. It looks like I’ll be anchored to my computer chair for the next couple of hours while I digest my meal. I might as well work on some treadmill reviews. I’ve decided to write about the Bodyguard T240 Treadmill because it is built like how I feel….horrible. I’m sure the people at Bodyguard mean well, truth is they’ve just been outdone by a lot of other treadmill companies out there. I’ll explain why I feel this way.
One of the first things I look for is horsepower. The Bodyguard T240 Treadmill is equipped with a 2.75 HP motor. That’s a pretty powerful motor for a treadmill, but it’s not all that powerful when you consider other treadmills that retail for about two grand. If I were to pony up this kind of cash I would expect a 3.0 horsepower motor and nothing less, it’s not even unheard of to have a 3.5 horsepower motor. In fact, I’ll point out a treadmill with a 2.5 horsepower motor for $1999, the Sole F85 Treadmill.
Okay, so the Bodyguard T240 Treadmill isn’t the most powerful treadmill on the market right now. I’m still willing to give this treadmill a chance. It has a 20” x 57” running area. That’s huge right? WRONG! There are treadmills that retail for about $1000 with equal or greater running areas. Once again the Bodyguard T240 Treadmill seems to be behind the curve.
It’s really starting to feel like finishing up a complete review of the Bodyguard T240 Treadmill is going to be a waste of my time. That’s because it is. I don’t really see why I should spend time talking about how the Bodyguard T240 Treadmill has a lower speed range than other treadmills that retail for 2 grand, and a small, hard to read console. I could talk about the fact that I would prefer to pay a $20 monthly membership to 24hour fitness than use the Bodyguard T240 Treadmill. I really would say all that, but I’m not going to waste my time. I don’t even think I need a conclusion for this paragraph.

I put the Bodyguard T240 Treadmill and the Sole F85 side by side. Click on 'em both and see for yourself which treadmill you would rather buy.

Proform 675 Treadmill Review

Treadmill Review: Proform 675 Crosstrainer Treadmill
Treadmill Rating: 1 star out of five for sucking so bad I can hardly bring myself to review it
Price: $619

Hello Readers,
I can’t promise this is going to be a nice, detailed treadmill review. There’s a good reason, there’s not much to say about this treadmill aside from the fact that Horizon Fitness delivers a thousand times more treadmill for about $20 bucks less. If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a million times. I’m not here to help you find a mediocre treadmill, or a good treadmill, or even a great treadmill. I’m here to help you find the BEST treadmill for what you plan on spending! That’s exactly why I’m going to advise you take advantage of my 5 years in the fitness equipment industry and avoid the Proform 675 Crosstrainer Treadmill.

If I haven’t convinced you not to buy this treadmill yet, here’s some more food for thought. You get a 1.3 horsepower motor. That’s…well…I wouldn’t pay more than $400 bucks for a treadmill with a motor that weak. The Proform 675 Crosstrainer makes it look like Proform isn’t even trying! Geesh! In STARK contrast, the Horizon T91 Treadmill is equipped with a 2.0 horsepower motor and yes, that makes a huge difference in performance and longevity of your treadmill.

Next I want to talk about running area. I like a lot of space. I mean, a lot, like the wide open spaces of Middle America space. Space is why I would go with the Horizon T91 Treadmill before I would come anywhere near the Proform 675 Treadmill. The Proform has a 17” x 50” running compared to T91’s 20” x 50” running area. Yes, this makes a difference. Maybe if you’re under 5’5” that couple inches don’t mean all that much, but for most of the population you’re going to notice and be bugged by the difference!

My third complaint is warranty. If I’m going to invest $600 in a treadmill there is no reason I should pay for any defects that occur in the product for at least a year. Unfortunately, Proform has not seen fit to back the quality of this treadmill with it’s own money by including a decent warranty. I don’t know why, perhaps it is a well made treadmill and will withstand quite a bit of abuse, but if I were looking for at readmill I wouldn’t want tot ake that chance. As a matter of fact, I would be much more inclined to buy a treadmill like the Horizon T91 Treadmill that is backed by a 1 year parts AND labor warranty.

Finally, my last complaint is over price. The Proform 675 Treadmill is about $20 more than the Horizon T91 Treadmill. Really, it should be about 250 bucks less. You’re not really getting anything near the quality offered by the T91 and if you still insist on buying this treadmill, I hope it goes well for you. I have links to the Amazon.com product pages for both treadmills just below this sentence. You check them out and decide for yourself.

Magnum T21CH Treadmill Review - Sort of

Treadmill Review: Magnum T21CH Treadmill
Treadmill Rating: ??? because I have almost no experience with this treadmill
Price: $A lot!

Hello Readers,

It’s not that often I run across a treadmill I can’t talk about at length…but I’m going to try to talk about the Magnum T21CH Treadmill anyway because I’m just that kind of guy! I remember Magnum Treadmills being in our list of vendors back at the fitness shop and I know I’ve sold a couple Magnum Treadmills here and there, but they were definitely not a top seller. So, I invite you, the reader to step up and share anything you know about this treadmill in the comments. I leave it to you, my loyal fans to help your fellow treadmill enthusiasts make an excellent treadmill buying decision. The floor is all yours guys.

P.S.
One thing I do know is that the Magnum T21CH Treadmill is definitely a professional grade treadmill. This is probably overkill for the average consumer!

Proform C525 Treadmill Review

Treadmill Review: Proform C525 Treadmill
Treadmill Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5 for being outclassed by the Horizon T91 Treadmill.
Price: $649

Hello Readers,

If you live in California like I do you know that In-N-Out is a Californian institution. They have the best burgers I’ve ever had the pleasure tasting and I couldn’t imagine a life without In-n-Out’s secret sauce! It’s amazing. Simply put, In-n-Out outclasses every competitor out there! That’s kind of how I feel about Horizon Fitness. When it comes to treadmills in the $600 - $1000 price range Horizon Treadmills are simply better. Unfortunately, the Proform C 525 Treadmill is one of the treadmills that have been outclassed and I’ll tell you why.

This is going to read more like a comparison than a review, but that’s okay. I know I’m helping you. First thing I want to point out is horsepower. The Proform C 525 Treadmill is equipped with a 1.75 HP motor. That’s fine. That’s actually average. But, I’m not here to help you find an average treadmill, I’m here to help you find the best treadmill you can possibly afford!!! In comparison, the Horizon T91 Treadmill has a 2.0 HP motor and believe me, that extra power makes all the difference. Treadmills with more powerful motors are going to last longer because they don’t have to work as hard, it will also be able to handle heavier users and reduce the chance of belt slippage. Belt slippage can be dangerous! It can make you trip and fall!

The Proform C 525 Treadmill is also equipped with a 19” x 50” running area. Once again, I have no complaints….unless I compare it to the Horizon T91 Treadmill. In comparison, the Horizon T91 Treadmill is equipped with a 20” x 50” running area. Sure, 1”, big woop. Actually, that makes a huge difference. If you had both of these treadmills side by side I’m sure you would choose to run on the HorizonT91 Treadmill as opposed to the Proform C 525 Treadmill. One inch makes a huge difference!

The last nail in the coffin for the Proform C 525 Treadmill is price. The Proform C 525 Treadmill costs about $50 more than the Horizon T91 Treadmill! Yes, I said $50! What would you do with an extra $50? A whole lot, that’s what I would do. That’s 5 trips to the movies, 20 used books I’ve been looking for, or another game I won’t play for more than an hour for my Nintendo Wii! There’s absolutely no reason to buy the Proform C 525 Treadmill. If you can think of any, I encourage you to email me or post something in the comments. I always welcome opposing views….though I doubt there will be any.

Weslo Cadence C44 Treadmill Review

Treadmill Review: Weslo Cadence C44 Treadmill Treadmill Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 for outclassing almost every other treadmill in $400 price range
Price: $389
Hello Readers,

Today I want to talk about what could make my Best Buy list in September 2009. I got to say, I really like the Weslo Cadence C44 Treadmill and I’ll cover all the reasons why. Bear in mind that I’m not saying this is the best treadmill out there. By all means, if you can afford something in the $600 range I strongly recommend upping the ante. However, if you’re strapped for cash and need a treadmill for the least amount of money you can possibly spend this is definitely the treadmill for you.

First off, the Weslo Cadence C44 Treadmill comes with a powerful 1.3 CHP motor. That’s pretty much all I could ever hope for in a treadmill that costs as little as the Weslo Cadence C44 does. In comparison, my other favorite in this price range, the Merit 720T and it comes with a 1.25 HP motor. The more horsepower the better the treadmill. Treadmills with greater horsepower have an easier time handling heavier users and frequent use because they don’t have to work as hard to push a treadmill belt. That means the Weslo Cadence C44 Treadmill is probably going to last longer.

Another cool feature I really like is that the Weslo Cadence C44 Treadmill can reach speeds up to 10 MPH. That’s practically unheard of. In fact, it is unheard of! Treadmills that cost hundreds of dollars more have top speeds between 6-8 MPH, they wouldn’t even dream of a 10 MPH top speed. My hat is off to you Weslo!

Just one last note about the Weslo Cadence C44 Treadmill, it doesn’t have much of a warranty. If you’re paranoid about things breaking you’ll definitely want to add the Amazon extended warranty or upgrade to something like the Horizon T91 Treadmill or the Horizon Evolve Treadmill. These treadmills offer quite a bit more features and space and are backed by a 1 year parts AND labor warranty.

Lifecore LC-985VG Elliptical Trainer Review

Elliptical Trainer Review: Lifecore LC985VG Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 for being pretty much a standard elliptical trainer
Price: $999
Hello Readers,

The Lifecore LC 985VG Elliptical Trainer is one of the more innovative elliptical trainers on the market. Just because something is innovative doesn’t mean it’s worth buying. Take the students at Sakarya University for example. They have built THIS CAR and it gets over 1,000 miles to the gallon! That’s incredible! For such a wonderful car, how much it cost? What!? Impossible! This car cost $170,000 to make! Tack on profit, destination and handling, and an iPod plug-in feature and we’re talking a $250,000 or a quarter million dollars! It’s okay though, I’ll help you sort out the difference between hype and substance. Just read my review!

The Lifecore LC 985VG Elliptical Trainer claims to have earned top ratings from a “Leading Consumer Magazine”. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you which magazine they got that from. I do know one thing for sure, it’s definitely not Consumer Reports. In reality, I don’t care which magazine rated the elliptical trainer. They’re not in the industry like I am. They haven’t spent hours reviewing service issue reports that explain how and why fitness equipment broke down. I know my stuff when it comes to fitness equipment. I can’t say the same for consumer magazines that will play around with an elliptical trainer or treadmill and never think about it again. Consumer magazines are great jumping off points for your treadmill or elliptical trainer research, just be sure to do some cross referencing with websites like mine!

Ughh, I got sidetracked again. Anyway, I think my point is the Lifecore LC985VG is all hype and nothing real. Sure, it includes 12 programs and a decent 1 year labor warranty, but that’s pretty much standard for the $1000 price range. There’s also the resistance wheel. That’s the cool, new, exciting, different thing on the Lifecore LC-985VG Elliptical Trainer. You can gradually increase resistance with a scrolling wheel rather than locking something in to place and rigidly adjusting resistance. Well, that’s about it. I’m going to hit the pool! Later guys!

BH Fitness X4 Elliptical Trainer Review

Elliptical Trainer Review: BH Fitness X4 Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 for being decent all around
Price: $939

Hello Readers,

Well, today is shaping up to be a run of the mill, mediocre day. I’m actually kind of bored and thinking about how I could be hunting squirrel with a shotgun or discovering oil if I had only been born in Texas. Sigh. Unfortunately that is not my life. I’ve decided to share a mediocre elliptical trainer with you guys as a symbolic elliptical trainer review to emphasize just how mediocre my life is today. I present the BH Fitness X4 Elliptical Trainer.

If I looked up the word average in the dictionary I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw a picture of the BH X4 Elliptical Trainer. It’s perfectly average in every way: average 20” stride length, average 16 resistance levels, and an average amount of programs. I’m also certain this elliptical trainer is a Caucasian male, makes 40k a year, lives in a house with a white picket fence, and has a wife and two children who all go to church on Sundays. Yup, average. There’s not a whole lot more I can say about the BH Fitness X4 Elliptical Trainer other than that. But I’ll try.

On cool thing is that the BH Fitness Elliptical Trainer comes with a wireless chest strap. Many elliptical trainers and treadmills with heart rate control force you to buy a chest strap or heart rate monitor to take advantage of this feature. The included wireless chest strap alone will save you at least $30 if not a $100 or more. BH Fitness definitely deserves some street cred for that!

Before I conclude my review of the BH Fitness X4 Elliptical Trainer I want to mention that BH Fitness is a merger of Bladez Fitness and BH Fitness. If you’re set on buying a Bladez Elliptical Trainer, go ahead and check out BH Fitness, you’re probably going to like what you see. Just do some research first, check out a few different elliptical trainers and I’m sure you’ll find something you can afford with the features and comfort level you need.

Stamina Cardio Performance Series EX 3.0 55-1900 Elliptical Trainer Review

Elliptical Trainer Review: Stamina 55-1900 Cardio Performance Series EX3.0 Caged Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Rating: 3 stars out of 5 for unique features but lacking a decent warraty
Price: $699

Hello Readers,

Stamina Fitness is known for the lowest of the low end products. Stamina’s pilates products are actually pretty good and I always got a lot of good feedback from customers who bought the inversion tables. However, I’m a little skeptical when I see Stamina Fitness introduce a $700 elliptical trainer. It’s…well, it goes against everything I’ve ever thought about Stamina, I promise to try and leave my prejudice against Stamina Fitness behind during my Stamina Cardio Performance EX3.0 55-1900 Elliptlcal Trainer Review.

One thing I was extremely pleased to see was the amount of fitness programs. There are 15 programs on the Stamina Fitness EX 3.0 Elliptical Trainer to be exact. That’s simply incredible. Including that many fitness programs on an elliptical trainer tells me Stamina Fitness has put some thought and effort in to building this elliptical trainer. Maybe this elliptical trainer is not so bad after all?

Here’s another thing that impressed me about the Stamina Cardio Performance Series EX 3.0 Elliptical Trainer. This elliptical trainer is designed with an adjustable stride. The three stride settings are 17.5”, 19”, and 20”. I generally like to see longer stride lengths because longer stride lengths are generally more comfortable for the greater population. However, having the option to shrink or expand the stride length is a powerful feature and one I wish more elliptical manufacturers would develop and perfect. I can’t say the Stamina EX 3.0 Elliptical is going to be the most stable out there, you’re going to have to judge for yourself if the tradeoff in convenience and stability is worth being able to adjust your stride.

Well, it was seeming as though Stamina Fitness had hit a home run with the Stamina Cardio Performance Series EX 3.0 Elliptical Trainer until I came to the warranty. Stamina Fitness says it guarantees this product for as long as five years, but that’s more fluff than substance. The real truth is this elliptical is covered with a 90 parts warranty and that’s about it. If it breaks after 91 days you’re pretty much on your own. That means you got $700 riding on luck. Honestly, I would rather put $700 bucks down on all the hard-ways on a craps shoot because at least I have a shot at winning more than what I gambled and had fun doing it!

Overall, the Stamina Cardio Performance Series EX 3.0 Elliptical Trainer has some really cool features that I really would like to see in a lot more elliptical trainers in this price range. Truth is, it’s partially priced so low because the warranty is garbage. Fitness equipment manufacturers can sell things for a lot less money if they didn’t have to worry about things like returns, labor, an satisfied customers. I suggest you stay away, unless you find some of the unique features like the adjustable stride so compelling you just have to have it.

Ironman Adventure Elliptical Trainer Review

Elliptical Trainer Review: Ironman Adventure Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Rating:
Price: $699

Hello Readers,

It’s really hard writing treadmill reviews and elliptical reviews in the summer. There’s just so much I would rather be doing….like playing video games. Ah yes, 10 hours straight of Call of Duty on X-Box Live sounds awesome right now. Unfortunately for me, but good for you I’m a disciplined treadmill reviewer and I’m not leaving my chair until I have written my Ironman Adventure Elliptical Trainer Review.

The Ironman Adventure Elliptical sure does look like an adventure. A buddy of mine back at the treadmill shop used to joke about making a mech-warrior elliptical for arcade games where you pilot a robot by walking on an elliptical trainer. I still think it’s a great idea. Go ahead and take it anyone! The Ironman Adventure Elliptical Trainer looks like it would make a great Mechwarrior Elliptical!

All fun and jokes aside, the Ironman Adventure Elliptical Trainer is an excellent elliptical trainer on paper. It has a 21” stride length, pretty much unprecedented for an elliptical trainer under a $1000, let alone for retailing at $650. There’s also 16 resistance levels and if you’ve read more than a couple of my elliptical trainer reviews you’ll know by now that I’m impressed when I see anything over 12 resistance levels for elliptical trainers in the $600 - $1000 price range.

So, what’s the catch? Well, first off the programs are lacking. But that’s not really my main complaint. My main complaint is that Keys Fitness, the parent company of Ironman Fitness hasn’t been paying their bills and filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend any treadmill no matter how good the motion is or how great the features are if the company is going bankrupt. I worked at a company that was going bankrupt once, and believe me, work ethic plummets immediately! So, unless you see this elliptical trainer for about $300, and that’s very unlikely, I would definitely stay away from it.

Diamondback Fitness 500EF Elliptical Trainer Review

Elliptical Trainer Review: Diamondback Fitness 500EF Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Rating: 2 out of 5 for being outclassed by other low cost elliptical trainers.
Price: $449

Hello Readers,

It’s time to write my first review of a Diamondback Elliptical Trainer. These days anything “snake” reminds me of Oliva Munn’s brother who was bit by a copperhead snake and almost died! Oh no’s! (Yes, Olivia Munn is one of the nerdettes I cyber stalk, please just let me be.) Let’s jump right in to my elliptical trainer review shall we?

After pouring over the Diamondback 500EF Elliptical Trainer I have concluded I don’t like it and there’s a lot of reasons why I don’t. First of all there are no programs. Merit Treadmills are in the same price range and they offer at least few, however symbolic they are. I see no reason why Diamondback Fitness couldn’t pack in something. In my opinion the lack of fitness programs shows a lack of effort. I really would like to see fitness equipment that retails for under $600 show a tremendous amount of effort because it tells me they did everything within their power to deliver the most they possibly could while staying under budget. The lack of programs just makes the Diamondback 500EF Elliptical Trainer look contrived.

There are much better elliptical trainer options for less than $600. I suggest checking out the Merit 715E Elliptical Trainer. It has somewhat of a warranty, resistance levels, and a decent stride length. Ultimately the choice is yours, do your research and you’ll find something you want at a price you can afford.

Precor EFX 5.17i Elliptical Trainer Review

Elliptical Trainer Review: Precor EFX 5.17i Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 for being extremely the extremely innovative CrossRamp feature but lacking pretty much everything else
Price: $2599

Hello Readers,

Is anyone who lives in SoCal tired of this god forsaken heat? I am! It’s ruining my running routine! I just want to run during the day but it’s just too damn hot! I suppose that’s why I got a treadmill, so I will be insulated from a lot of the weather Southern California decides to throw at me. As a matter of fact, the only time I wasn’t able to run due to weather since I bought a treadmill was when a thunderstorm knocked out my power. Anyway, I thought it’s high time I get one of the heavy hitters up on the site. I present to you my Precor EFX 5.17i Elliptical Trainer Review.

Coming in at just under $2600 the Precor EFX 5.17i Elliptical Trainer is one of the titans of the fitness industry. You’ll find Precor units in many gyms and my membership at 24 Hour Fitness tells me these elliptical trainers are pretty darn popular. I’m going to be honest, when you spend $2600 bucks on an elliptical trainer you’re going to get a good piece of fitness equipment. The motion of the Precor EFX 5.17i is amazing. It’s smooth, you don’t get any of the bumps or scrapes associated with lesser elliptical trainers.

What makes the Precor EFX 5.17i different from all it’s competitors? Simple, the adjustable CrossRamp. The CrossRamp is actually unique to Precor units and very innovative. Adjusting the CrossRamp will enable users to isolate and work out specific muscles. That’s particularly useful to women, who may want to sculpt perfect thighs. (My personal favorite thighs are Chun Li’s from Street Fighter II Turbo)

When it comes to stride length I’m left wanting more…in a bad way. The Precor EFX 5.17i has a 19” stride length. Honestly, I really do like to see at least 20” worth of stride length, and a company gets even more brownie points if they add an adjustable stride length feature. The stride length just isn’t enough for me if I’m paying more than two grand for an elliptical trainer.

Overall, this is an excellent piece of fitness equipment. When you spend a couple grand on an elliptical trainer it’s hard to go wrong. However, the Precor EFX 5.17i Elliptical Trainer is probably not “the best of the best of the best”. Though I will say the innovative Crossramp does make the Precor EFX 5.17i a very attractive option for some, particularly women.

Horizon EX77 Elliptical Trainer Review

Elliptical Trainer Review: Horizon Fitness EX77 Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Price: $999

Hello Readers,
Well, it’s time to finish up the Horizon Elliptical lineup as of July 14th, 2009. I’m sure there will be a plethora of elliptical trainers coming out this fall, possibly August, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. Alright, let’s get right in to it! Here is my Horizon Fitness EX77 Elliptical Trainer Review.

There’s a whole hell of a lot to like about the Horizon EX77 Elliptical Trainer. First of all you get a lot of fitness programs. Fitness programs are important to everyone who has a fitness goal to reach. Fitness programs help keep you at a specific heart rate range to improve things such as weight loss or cardiovascular endurance. There are 14 programs in total and if that’s not enough you can program 2 custom programs yourself and save them.

Another thing I often rail against is resistance levels. Many elliptical trainers often fail to include a wide range of resistance levels. I don’t know why, they just do. Simply put, resistance levels are crucial to people are who just starting out and even more important when you decide it’s time to increase the intensity of your workout. Lots of resistance levels allow you to gradually increase the intensity of a workout so things don’t go from easy to impossible with the flip of a single switch.

Another thing I really like about the Horizon EX77 Elliptical Trainer is the adjustable stride. I would be happy with an 18” stride length in a $1000 elliptical trainer. Horizon Fitness has gone a couple steps further and added an adjustable stride length feature and you can adjust the stride length from 18” – 19”. One inch may not sound like a lot of space but trust me; you’ll definitely notice a 1” difference. Adjust your driver seat one notch, that’s about an inch. Then try and drive and notice the difference. It’s the same thing with an elliptical trainer. That one inch can mean the difference between something comfortable and something you’ll just use to hang your coat on.

One last thing I like is that the there’s an audio-in jack and built-in speakers. That means you can plug in your ipod and not be confined to headphones. It’s nice, especially if headphones make your ears sore like me!

Overall, the Horizon EX77 Elliptical is my favorite elliptical for less than a $1000. You’re probably not going to find a better combination of features and comfortable, smooth motion without spending a significantly greater amount of money. If you have a $1000 to spend on an elliptical trainer I definitely recommend going with the Horizon E77 Elliptical Trainer. Go ahead, do some research, I know you won’t find another elliptical trainer that compares in the $1000 price range.

Smooth Fitness CE 7.4 Elliptical Trainer Review

Elliptical Trainer Review: Smooth Fitness CE 7.4 Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Rating: 2.5 out of 5 because you can find a lot better elliptical trainers for a lot less money!
Price: $1999

Hello Readers,

Well, I know most of my treadmill reviews and elliptical reviews are mostly positive. It’s not because I’m trying to suck up to one company or another. NO! It’s because I really don’t like to spend time talking about elliptical trainers and treadmills that suck. I think my time is much better spent helping you all find elliptical trainers that are actually worth buying. But I always try to fit in a couple duds for good measure, at the very least you’ll know what to avoid when a commission hungry salesman tries to sell you the treadmill or elliptical with the highest price tag rather than trying to help you find fitness equipment that suits you best. Here is my Smooth Fitness CE 7.4 Elliptical Trainer.

First thing I’ll touch on is the stride length. You get plenty of stride length for your buck and stride length really isn’t the problem. In fact, most elliptical trainers come with 20” stride lengths, still many others in this price range utilize adjustable stride length systems that enable users to custom tailor the stride length to something that suits them best. Point is, 21” is good.

Here’s where all the problems start. The Smooth Fitness CE 7.4 Elliptical Trainer comes with 16 resistance levels. Sure, 16 sounds like a lot, but not when you compare it to other elliptical trainers in this price range and class. Honestly, I wouldn’t settle for anything less than 20 resistance levels if I’m shelling out two grand! Other treadmill manufacturers like Sole Fitness includes at least 20 resistance levels on elliptical trainers that cost several hundred dollars less. Smooth Fitness you can better!

What’s next on my list of complaints? Programs. The Smooth Fitness CE 7.4 Elliptical Trainer comes with 8 fitness programs. I’m sure that sounds like a lot if you’re the layperson, but not for someone like me who has been in the industry for many years now and spends his time researching and comparing fitness equipment on a daily basis. I know better. If someone asks you to pay more than a thousand bucks and the treadmill or elliptical trainer has less than 10 programs, you know you’re getting swindled! You can definitely do better!

My last complaint is against the warranty. If you buy a treadmill or elliptical trainer up to about $1500 it’s reasonable to expect a 1 year parts and labor warranty. That’s exactly what the Smooth Fitness CE7.4 Elliptical Trainer offers. The problem is, this elliptical trainer costs about 2k! I really do expect parts and labor to be covered for at least 2 whole years if I’m going to shell out this much cash for an elliptical trainer.

I’ll make my conclusion short. Don’t buy it. Yes, it’s comfortable, but it’s not much else. You can do better if you check out some of the Sole Treadimlls, Star Trac Treadmills, or Matrix Treadmills that are available for sell. Just do some research, I’m sure you’ll find something better than the Smooth Fitness CE 7.4 Elliptical Trainer.