Pro Treadmill Reviews

Are you having trouble finding a treadmill? Just can’t seem to find a treadmill you feel comfortable making a full stride on? Well, I have a fix for you! I’ve tried out many treadmills in my time and I am also a tall person. I am 6’1″ tall and I have suffered from this problem myself. So, here are three top treadmills for tall people like yourself. To make this list you had to have a larger than average running area AND be a strong treadmill all around.

Smooth 7.35 Treadmill
Click Now to Buy the Smooth 7.35

Not only is Smooth Fitness one of my favorite brands, but they also have the best treadmill for tall people. The Smooth 7.35 Treadmill has a very large 62″ x 20″ running surface. If you’ve been doing any amount of research you will notice that treadmills tend to top out at a 60″ x 20″ running surface. The extra 2 inches really makes a huge difference to tall people. You’ll feel a longer, more natural stride in your step when you’re running.

In addition to having a large running area you need everything else to go with it. The Smooth 7.35 Treadmill has 20 fitness programs, a five-year parts and two-year labor warranty, and a comparatively low price of $1500. The Smooth 7.35 Treadmill is the best way of getting the largest running area for the least amount of money.

Sole F85 Treadmill
Click Now to Buy the Sole F85


The Sole F85 Treadmill did not make it to the top of my list because it sells for $500 more in the running surface is 2 inches shorter than the Smooth 7.35 Treadmill. However, the Sole F85 Treadmill is one of the most comfortable treadmills I’ve ever used. Sole F85 Treadmill also has a large 60″ x 20″ running surface that should be suitable for running for most people under 6’3″. I also like the Sole F85 Treadmill because it is manufactured by Sole Fitness and has an excellent reputation for manufacturing long-lasting fitness equipment.

Landice L870 Treadmill
Landice Treadmills

The Landice L870 Treadmill is a monster! Built for professional use this treadmill has a monstrous 22 inch by a 63 inch running surface and can accommodate users as heavy as 500 pounds. The only downside to this treadmill is that the price tag is also monstrous; nearly $4000. If price is not an object for you and I would definitely recommend getting this treadmill.

Elliptical Trainer Review:Horizon Fitness EX67 Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Rating:Buy
Price:$799
Click Now For User Reviews

Comfort
I tried the Horizon EX67 Elliptical Trainer yesterday and I don’t have to go back to my notes to remember this elliptical trainer because it really stood out in my mind. I really enjoyed my time on the Horizon EX67 Elliptical Trainer and compared very strongly so that elliptical trainers in the same price range. The 14 pound flywheel really does a great job at keeping the motion very fluid and smooth. As usual, Horizon Fitness has managed to manufacture yet another stellar piece of fitness equipment for the less than $1000 price range.

Features
The Horizon EX67 Elliptical Trainer has plenty of features to. I really liked the built-in speakers and iPod compatibility. The ability to play the iPod is usually not found on treadmills that cost less than $1000 so I applaud Horizon Fitness for making a great effort to pack in as many extras as their profit margins will allow. There’s also plenty of programs including terrain based routines that simulated hills and outdoor conditions.

One really big difference an industry veteran like me will notice is the warranty. Lots of other manufacturers back their equipment with a 90 day parts and labor warranty. The Horizon EX67 Elliptical Trainer is backed by a full one-year parts and labor warranty. I always say attention to the warranty because it tells me how much a manufacturer trusts its own product. In most cases, if a manufacturer can back its fitness equipment for a year or more it means the manufacture builds and designs quality treadmills, elliptical trainers, and home gyms.

Final Rating
I really like the Horizon EX67 Elliptical Trainer. It has tons of features like iPod compatibility and built-in speakers, plenty of fitness programs, and an impressive one year parts and labor warranty. If you’re looking to buy good fitness equipment on a budget the Horizon EX67 Elliptical Trainer is one of the best bargains around. I rate the Horizon EX67 Elliptical Trainer a very strong buy.

Elliptical Trainer Review:Horizon EX-57 Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Rating:Strong buy for the budget conscious
Price:$499
Click Now to Buy the Horizon EX67 Elliptical

I don’t know anyone else who is willing to spend their entire summer vacation hunting down and trying out elliptical trainers. I suppose this is what makes me myself. Today I spent about three hours traveling to, trying out, and now writing about the Horizon EX57 Elliptical Trainer. By the time I’m done I will have spent nearly 6 hours just to do the initial research for a handful of treadmills and elliptical trainers. I digress. You really want to know about the Horizon EX57 Elliptical Trainer. Let’s get started.

Comfort
I normally don’t expect a lot from elliptical trainers that retail for less than $599. Most of the elliptical trainers in the low hundreds do not feel any better than that travesty the Tony Little Gazelle that retails for about $150 bucks. I would generally rather walk than buy one of the elliptical trainers that retail for just a couple hundred dollars. However, I will say that when I tried out the Horizon EX57 Elliptical Trainer for myself that I actually kind of liked the feel of this elliptical trainer. Shocked and surprised are the two most accurate words I can use to describe my reaction to the Horizon EX57 Elliptical Trainer. The flywheel which is largely responsible for how smooth the elliptical trainer performs is surprisingly large for the price range. I did not get the floor falling out from under me feeling that I do with other elliptical trainers that can retail for a couple hundred dollars more. Another thing I’m really impressed with is the 18 inch stride length. An 18 inch stride length is common to elliptical trainers that retail for about $600 or more, it is not common and elliptical trainers that sell for about 500 bucks.

Just one quick thing. Do not buy the Horizon EX57 Elliptical Trainer and expect to get the same type of comfort and performance you can expect from the Sole E25 which is a much more expensive machine. I’m strictly speaking in terms of how comfortable the Horizon EX57 Elliptical Trainer is compared to other elliptical trainers in a similar price range.

Features
The Horizon EX57 Elliptical Trainer does a pretty good job with fitness programs considering the price range. They’re much more in-depth than anything you’ll probably find on similarly priced elliptical trainers. In addition to some pretty standard time and calorie-based workouts there are terrain and hill programs. The best thing about the Horizon EX57 Elliptical Trainer is that it has a full one-year parts and labor warranty. This is so important that I’m going to say it again and bold it. The Horizon EX57 Elliptical Trainer has a one-year parts and labor warranty! The warranty really makes the Horizon EX57 Elliptical Trainer hard to beat for the price range.

Final Rating
If you plan on just using the Horizon EX57 Elliptical Trainer for some casual cardiovascular exercise to supplement a normal routine, are a very light person to begin with, or are extremely budget conscious the Horizon EX57 Elliptical Trainer just might be the elliptical trainer for you. I don’t recommend elliptical trainer in this price range for a majority of people because the majority of people require something a little more durable. However, if you are a penny pincher the Horizon EX57 Elliptical Trainer is a very strong buy.

The treadmill salesman is a cunning and clever creature. Indigenous to the United States and a close relative of the used car salesman, the treadmill salesman preys on unsuspecting consumers with lies and high-pressure sales tactics to lock in a sale. Unfortunately, my fitness career has forced me to cross paths with several unscrupulous treadmill salesmen. I’ve witnessed these tactics being used at fitness retailers I have worked at or at companies I’ve done a little reconnaissance on. If you have been looking for a treadmill and contacted a salesman there is a good chance one or more of these tactics have been used to get you to buy a treadmill. Here is a list of the most common lies you will hear a treadmill salesman use to get you to buy a treadmill. I hope this helps someone out there.

Out of Stock – Bait and Switch
Did you see a great deal on a treadmill and just had to have it? Did someone call you about 24 hours later informing you “that item is temporarily out of stock; we’re sorry for the inconvenience. We can give you a deal on a better treadmill for less than what paid to make up for it.” If you ever heard this, you were probably the victim of a bait and switch scam. Salesman and companies that pull this scam usually don’t have permission to sell the treadmill you wanted to buy and are trying to steal sales from competitors who probably brand their products better.

I Use that Treadmill
Another popular lie used by treadmill salesman is the “I use it everyday” lie. Treadmill salesmen use this lie to gain your trust by giving the impression that they have experience with a treadmill when they in fact do not. The worst case of this was probably someone I worked with for about three weeks. This person had not used the treadmill or done any sort of exercise in general for at least a year. Yet, when I heard him talk with customers he was anything from a “certified personal trainer” to a “marathon runner”. He would then explain that he used this or that treadmill to train clients or explain how instrumental that treadmill was in training for the Los Angeles Marathon. Customers, like a good story with their treadmill, and they bought his story quite literally.

I’m not saying that all treadmill salesmen lie when they say they used a product. I didn’t. Rather, just be careful and fact-check too good to be true stories.

I’m Not Working on Commission
I have only worked at companies that do not work on commission. However, my former duties at a treadmill shop required me to go to competitors stores to check things like pricing and talk to some of the floor staff to get a better idea of what other companies were doing. I often got a spiel from salespeople saying “I have no reason to lie to you; I’m not working on commission.” On one occasion I ran into one of these salespeople at fitness industry event who worked for a different company. He recognized me and asked him “Do you still work for ___________ ___________?” he said no and mentioned that he works for another company that pays a lot more commission than ____________ __________. If a salesman brings up commission first, he or she is probably about to lie.

Don’t get discouraged. There are ethical people out there like me who are willing to help you out with your treadmill purchase. If you have any questions or want unbiased treadmill advice or ratings, just check out my site or send me an email: treadmillmaster@gmail.com. I always have time to help people out! Wait, that makes me sound like I have no friends. I MAKE time to help people out!

*What’s different from this review and the hundreds of others online is that I have used this treadmill. You are getting a genuine treadmill review from someone who actually used the Sole F85 Treadmill.
Treadmill Review:Sole F85 Treadmill
Treadmill Rating: Buy if you have a large family / group of people who plan on using this treadmill
Price: $1999

Click Now to Buy From Amazon.com and
Click to Buy The Sole F85 Treadmill Directly From Sole Fitness
(Usually the cheapest option.)

Comfort
When I tried out the Sole F85 Treadmill I did not get the “I’ve just been clubbed in the back” feeling I get when I run on pavement. The belt didn’t skip at all either, even at higher speeds. I also realized the Sole F85 feels exactly like the Sole F80 Treadmill. In fact, I couldn’t distinguish a difference between the two when I compared the two side by side. If you plan on doing some serious jogging and running the well designed shock absorption system of the Sole F85 Treadmill is definitely going to keep the stress on your body down to a minimum.

Console
I often hear from inventors and engineers that simple designs are the best designs. In fact, I heard that from Jamie Heinemann on Mythbusters last night. Sole Fitness has taken this mantra to heart and built some of the simplest and easiest to use treadmill consoles. Dedicated buttons for speed and incline are very common. However, Sole Fitness goes a step further and includes large easy to press buttons for fitness programs and other vital functions. Many other treadmills have screen-based menu systems that force you to scroll forever through an endless list of options. The Sole F85 Treadmill’s console makes it incredibly easy to step on your treadmill and get started right away.

Features
The Sole F85 Treadmill has 10 fitness programs. Considering the thousand dollar price tag I find 10 fitness programs to be a little short. In response to increasing popularity of interactive games the treadmill industry has responded with features like interactive fitness programs and marathon simulations. The Sole F85 Treadmill does not have any of these “21st century” features built into the programs and I must say I am kind of disappointed about that. Right now, Icon Fitness has the best fitness programs and interactivity features out there.

Specifications
The Sole F85 Treadmill has a 20″ x 60″ running area, a 12 MPH top speed, and 15% incline. I would expect nothing less from a high end treadmill like the Sole F85 Treadmill. The real story here is the 3.5 horsepower motor. For most people, most people meaning under 300 pounds a 3.5 HP motor is simply more power than you’ll ever need in a residential grade treadmill. Treadmills with motors this powerful are usually designed to handle multiple users, heavy users, or people training for marathons. If you plan on using this treadmill to run for an hour or two every other day this treadmill is simply overkill. However, if you like this treadmill and are open to the idea of saving a few hundred dollars then check out my review of the Sole F80 Treadmill. They’re very similar to each other in features and comfort.

Final Rating
The Sole F85 Treadmill is a stunning piece of equipment. Above all, the Sole F85 Treadmill is an incredibly comfortable treadmill that makes running as easy as it ever will be in Earth gravity. However, I definitely expected more in terms of features from the Sole F85 Treadmill for the $1999 price tag. For most people this treadmill is going to be far more treadmill than they will ever need. If you want a great treadmill but are still budget conscious I encourage you to check out the Sole F80. These two treadmills are very similar in everything except price.

Getting ready to make another trip to a treadmill store to test out some treadmills. Yes, I’ll be the strange looking guy who makes the floorperson take out the treadmill keys today. All for the best quality treadmill reviews!

Treadmill Review: Horizon T102 Treadmill
Treadmill Rating: 5 for being comfortable and including lots of features
Price: $799
Click Now For User Reviews

Hello, my name is Johnny and I actually used this treadmill in real life. Unlike a lot of other websites, I’m not just rewriting product descriptions. I’ve actually used this treadmill and have a REAL opinion about it.

Comfort
I know I will probably repeat this in just about every treadmill review I do; comfort is the most important thing when choosing a treadmill. If your treadmill is not comfortable you will not use your treadmill. When I ran on the Horizon T102 Treadmill I felt like this treadmill had a perfect balance between firm and soft. I didn’t feel like I was running on pavement and I did not feel like I was running on a trampoline.

Specifications
Most of the specifications of the Horizon T102 Treadmill are pretty average for the $800 price range. I would like to note that the Horizon T102 Treadmill’s motor is significantly stronger than most other treadmills that sell for $800. This treadmill comes equipped with a 2.5 CHP motor compared to most other treadmills that have a 2 or 2.25 CHP motor. It might not sound like much, but if you do anything from light jogging to serious running you’ll definitely notice a difference in performance between a 2 and 2.5 CHP motor. The Horizon T102 Treadmill can also reach speeds up to 12 mph which is about as high as you will find on any treadmill unless you’re willing to spend several thousand dollars more to buy professional grade fitness equipment.

Console and iPod Compatibility
The console is easy to use. The buttons are not as large as I would like them to be but they’re large enough. There are dedicated buttons for speed and incline which means you only have to press a button one time to set the speed or incline you desire. The console display itself is bright and orange. Normally, when I say bright orange it’s an insult but this I mean it as a compliment. Sometimes console displays can be dark and murky and hard to read. The orange lighting makes it easy to see and track things like the time you have spent running and calories burned.

The Horizon T102 Treadmill has excellent iPod compatibility. There is an auxiliary input jack at the bottom right of the console. There are even built-in speakers so you don’t have to wear headphones when using this treadmill. I brought my iPod shuffle along when I tried out this treadmill and know for fact that the speakers can be pretty loud, at least loud enough to drown out the sound of the motor and pounding of my feet when I was running.

Features
Aside from 12 fitness programs and a fan, there is one feature worth talking about. The Horizon T102 Treadmill comes with the PerfectFLEX Plus Variable Cushioning System. This is just a fancy way of saying that users can adjust the firmness of a treadmill deck. Users can adjust the firmness of a treadmill by using sliders on either side of the treadmill deck. A lot, and when I say a lot I mean at least 80% of the treadmills I’ve tried out over the years have sliders that get stuck. One thing I noticed right off the bat is that the sliders on the Horizon T102 Treadmill do not get stuck and make a very smooth transition from firm to soft. However, when I used this feature I did not notice much of a difference between firm and soft. Heavier users will probably notice a greater difference in deck firmness than I did.

Overall
I rate this treadmill a very strong buy. There many good reasons to own this treadmill among them being excellent iPod compatibility and built-in speakers that work amazingly well, a very strong motor for the price range, and a well-designed console. But what really sticks out in my mind when I think of the Horizon T102 Treadmill is the comfort I felt while using this treadmill. This is one of the more comfortable treadmills I’ve used that retail for less than $1000. If you’re looking to buy a treadmill to do some walking and light jogging I strongly suggest you check out the Horizon T102 Treadmill.

By Direct from Horizon Fitness (Usually cheapest)
Save $200 plus FREE Shipping on Horizon Fitness T102 treadmill

Buy From Amazon.com

Elliptical Trainer Review: Horizon E1201 Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Rating: 3/5 for the console display being loose but having very smooth motion for the price range
Price: $1299

What I Thought When I Tried out the Horizon E1201 Elliptical Trainer
The Horizon E1201 Elliptical Trainer sticks out firmly in my mind because when I tried out the Horizon E1201 Elliptical Trainer console was very loose. The base of the console that holds up the support beam was not assembled properly or is the defective. Unfortunately, I don’t have $1000 lying around to buy the Horizon E1201 Elliptical Trainer and take it home with me to figure out exactly what’s going wrong, all I know is that when I use this elliptical trainer there was something wrong with the console.

As far as motion goes the Horizon E1201 Elliptical Trainer is awesome. This elliptical trainer has a 19 inch stride length and a well-balanced flywheel that makes working out on the Horizon E1201 Elliptical Trainer a very enjoyable experience. Even when I was peddling at higher speeds I didn’t hear any scraping or grinding noises. That’s a good sign you’re elliptical trainer is going to last a long time. If it were not for the console being very loose and shaky it would be one of the best elliptical trainers out there in the thousand dollar price range.

Features
Even though the console itself was shaky, I like the way the buttons were laid out in the brightness of the LED display. To someone like me who’s been exercising on treadmills and elliptical trainers for years I know it’s like to be stuck on an elliptical trainer with a small console. You don’t know what you’ve done, you don’t know what you need to do, and if you do need to change something about your workout it can be hard to do so. You can even control your iPod through the console.

Final Analysis
The Horizon E1201 Elliptical Trainer would be a great elliptical trainer if the console was secure and stable. Once again, I don’t know if this is a widespread issue and if it is please let me know in the comments. But, the motion is smooth and fluid. I am going to give the Horizon E1201 Elliptical Trainer and average 3/5 for its mix of really good and really bad.

Elliptical Trianer Review: Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer
Elliptical Trainer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 for a decent feel and excellent features
Price: $399.99

Yes, I know its Sunday and I should probably be out doing something like hiking or drinking beer at a beach in Mexico. Instead, I decided to dedicate this Sunday to writing treadmill reviews. It’s been about six days since my last trip to Dicks’ Sporting Goods and I have about 20 pages of notes about treadmills and elliptical trainers that need to be typed up and posted to my treadmill review website. Hopefully there’ll be some time after I’m all done to watch Family Guy or play some Call of Duty.

How the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer Feels
When I tried out the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer elliptical it left a very strong impression on me. Have you ever been on a roller coaster? You know that feeling you get when you’re in the very front seat and you suddenly move over an edge in going to freefall? That’s the feeling I kept getting on the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer. When my foot got to the top of the stride it would suddenly go into freefall. It was as if there was nothing there to catch it. I do not like feeling as though I’m on a roller coaster when working out on and elliptical trainer.

The other thing I noticed about the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer was the resistance. The resistance can be very strong. I’m not quite sure because I’m not an engineer but it would seem to me the strong resistance of the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer is related to the roller coaster feeling. More importantly, I did not notice any major shaking and the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer seemed to be on balance when I tried it out.

Features
Proform is one of the better companies out there when it comes to special features. The Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer comes with iPod compatibility and built-in speakers so you don’t have to wear headphones. This is great for somebody like me who loves to listen to music or catch up on podcasts while I’m working out. The Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer also comes with 12 workout programs which is generally unheard of in elliptical trainers that retail for less than $400.

One thing I’m not particularly fond of is the 90 day parts and labor warranty. As a rule of thumb in the fitness industry does not produce elliptical trainers with a one-year parts and labor warranty that retails for less than $600. When it comes to warranty the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer is average for its price range.

Final Analysis
The Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer definitely has some feel issues but nothing major. The resistance can be a little strong but that can be a good thing for the right person. Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer also has features that you won’t be a little find in elliptical trainers this cheap from other brands. Ultimately, the Proform ZE3 Elliptical Trainer is an average elliptical trainer in the $400 price range.

If you really need a cheap elliptical trainer I suggest going with something by Horizon Fitness. For about $200 more you get a substantial improvement in features and feel. Check out the Horizon Fitness EX-58 Elliptical Trainer. It retails for $599 delivered on Amazon.com and is one of the best elliptical trainers in the $600 price range.

I Bought a Treadmill, Now What?
Part I

I’m going to answer a question that many treadmill review websites can’t because most of them have not spent years in the fitness equipment industry like I have or don’t own fitness equipment like I do. If you’re about to buy fitness equipment or recently placed an order for a treadmill you’ll want to read this article. In my “I Bought a Treadmill, Now What?” series I will tell what you what your treadmill salesman probably didn’t you and everything you need to know to make your treadmill last for years and get the most out of your investment. Hold on tight and prepare for all your pressing treadmill questions to be answered!

Do I Need to Buy Anything Else?
The first time I was asked “Do I need to buy anything else for my treadmill?” I did not have an answer. I hated not having an answer. That same day I went to the showroom during after-hours and started using our fitness equipment. I didn’t want to add fluff to the order just to make a couple extra dollars. I wanted to know what people actually needed to get the absolute most from their treadmill. After about an hour of surveying the showroom kicking some ideas around with the owner over the next couple weeks we came up with three things that will help you, a brand new treadmill owner keep your treadmill running for years to come.

Surge Protector: As far as I know there is not another so-called “Treadmill Buyer’s Guide” that mentions buying a surge protector. This is probably because they never bought a treadmill or taken countless trips to treadmill retailers like I have. If they did, they would notice that every treadmill on the showroom floor is plugged into a surge protector. A surge protector guards against sudden jolts of electricity that can fry electronics. If your treadmill falls victim to a power surge you can say goodbye to that beautiful $1500 Sole Treadmill that could have lasted you more than a decade. Surge protectors are a cheap form of insurance for your treadmill. You can shop for surge protectors on Amazon.com by clicking here..

Treadmill Mat: People often ask me “do I really need a treadmill mat?” The answer is a simple no. Your treadmill will work with or without a treadmill mat. But, buying a treadmill mat is a good idea anyway. If you’re going to set your treadmill up on carpet a good treadmill mat will prevent your treadmill from making deep markings in your carpet by spreading out the weight of the treadmill over a large area. A treadmill mat will also reduce the amount of dust and lint associated with carpets, and this greatly contributes to the longevity of your treadmill. Treadmill mats are also great idea for hard surfaces. A treadmill mat will provide a sticky surface that will prevent a treadmill from sliding during workouts and consequently scraping of your for.

If you want to keep your carpet in pristine condition and your treadmill stuck in one place buy a treadmill mat. You can shop for treadmill mats on Amazon.com by clicking here.

Treadmill Lubrication Kit: Chances are your treadmill needs to be lubricated. There are a couple treadmills out there that do not need lubrication so check your treadmill manual to see if you have one of those unique treadmill models. There should also be something in your treadmill manual about how often your treadmill needs to be lubricated. If you’ve lost your treadmill manual check the manufactures website or call their customer service center. Amazon.com does sell treadmill lubrication gets and you can shop for them by clicking here.

Buying a surge protector, a treadmill mat, and lubricating your treadmill on time will keep your treadmill running for a decade or more.

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at treadmillmaster@gmail.com or leave a question in the comments. I answer as many e-mails as I possibly can and if I can answer your question I more than happy to do so.

Sincerely,
Johnny
Pro Treadmill Reviews

http://protreadmillreviews.com

treadmillmaster@gmail.com