It seems the FTC says I need a disclaimer page. Well I am here to let you all know that I am not doing this for free. I make money just about every time you click over to a website that sells fitness equipment or other products and you buy something. Let’s face it, money is what makes the world go round and if I didn’t make any money from this site I would have to be out delivering pizzas or something.
The good news is it never costs extra money to buy for my links. My commission, if any, (That’s right, sometimes I reccomend equipment I will never receive a dime for helping to sell.) is already built into the price of the equipment that you see on the website. Some of the people I maintain a business relationship are SmoothFitness.com, Amazon.com, and Bowflex.com. The most important thing you should take away from this disclaimer is that I am not compensated based on how I rate fitness equipment and I have not received compensation of any kind for favorable or negative reviews.
I think that covers just about everything that I need to say about what I am legally required to say. If you have any other questions about how I am compensated go ahead and shoot me an e-mail at treadmillmaster@gmail.com.
I know I’ve fallen off track with this treadmill review blog. But I’m back to get things rolling again. My hiatus has given me time to think about the direction I want to take this blog in.
My first started this blog I felt much the same way I fell when I got my first fitness equipment job; overwhelmed. They’re just so many elliptical trainers and treadmills out there it would be impossible for me to review them all. A good treadmill review takes about 3 to 5 hours to finish. That may seem like a long time, but it really isn’t. Whatever I say I have used or tested a treadmill it generally means I’ve spent about a half an hour to 45 minutes, even as much as an hour working out on a particular machine. There are cases where “I tried it” means I spent 30 seconds on the machine and got off, but that only happens when the equipment is clearly faulty. There is no need to literally risk my neck trying out a piece of fitness equipment. Then there is the fact checking. I look at multiple websites for specs including the manufactures website. I will pour through user guides and manuals to find any possible strong or weak point for a treadmill. Then there are user reviews. I make an effort to scour the Internet to find as many user reviews as possible. Sometimes there are a lot of user reviews to read, sometimes there are not any user reviews three. I know some of these reviews are going to be plants by the manufacturer or a competitor, so I take user reviews with a grain of salt. If there are a significant amount of user reviews that strongly conflict any conclusions I have made, I will usually take a trip to the retailer to see if I can confirm or disprove what’s being said online.
Yes, I do take lots of pride in my work. That’s why I have decided to limit the amount of treadmills and elliptical trainers that I will conduct a “full review” of. The immediate plan for Protreadmillreviews.com is to write many “initial” or “first look” reviews in which I survey a large portion of the treadmill and elliptical trainers out there and narrow each group down to 5 to 10 of the best, then thoroughly test them.
I just wanted to let you know what’s going on with the site. I hope you’ll find fitness equipment you need!
Hello Readers, Treadmill Review: Nautilus T514 Treadmill Treadmill Rating: 1/5 for being incredibly hard on my back! Price: $999
My little black book says it’s time to review the Nautilus T514 Treadmill. I tried the Nautilus T514 Treadmill out at Sports Authority this week and I only have one thing written down for this treadmill, “terrible!”. What makes the Nautilus T514 Treadmills such a terrible treadmill? I’ll explain that in my review.
How the Nautilus T514 Treadmill Feels
I’ve tried out many treadmills during my fitness equipment career and I can tell you with an absolute certainty I’ve never felt a more uncomfortable treadmill in my entire career! The Nautilus T514 Treadmill feels like running on solid rock! In fact, the Nautilus T514 Treadmill is so solid I would not be surprised if they started strapping these things to the sides of Humvees in Iraq or Afghanistan for shields. They really are that tough. Half the point of a treadmill is to be able to exercise on an ergonomic surface area that absorbs the impact of running on a track or pavement. To be perfectly honest I would much rather run on cement than run on the Nautilus T514 Treadmill. It really is that bad. I don’t know what else to say, this is a terrible treadmill.
Nautilus T514 Treadmill Specifications and Features
On paper the Nautilus T514 Treadmill looks a lot like one of my favorite treadmills for less than $1000, the Horizon T101 Treadmill. It has a powerful 2.75 continuous duty horsepower motor which can accommodate large users as heavy as 350 pounds. It also has a rather large 20″ x 55″ running area which matches or exceeds the running area of a lot of other treadmills in this price range.
The Nautilus T514 Treadmill does have something right, programs and special features. You get a lot of programs, 19 to be exact and there are plenty of special features to make this treadmill competitive with just about everything out there including fans and for heart rate control programs.
What really kills this deal, aside from the terrible rocksolid deck, is the warranty. You get a six-month labor warranty and after that you’re just out of luck. To give a treadmill in the $1000 price range a good review I have to see at least a one-year parts and labor warranty. A one year parts and labor warranty tells me the manufacturer cares about their equipment and more importantly they’re willing to fix things at their own cost if they’ve screwed up. Nautilus is not willing to make that commitment which is why I’m unable to commit to rating the Nautilus T514 Treadmill no greater than 1/5 for the Nautilus T514 Treadmill.
Treadmill Review: Horizon T103 Treadmill Treadmill Rating: 3.5/5 Price: $999 Click Now To Get the Horizon T103 for $200 Off Retail!
Treadmill Review: Horizon Fitness T103 Treadmill
Treadmill Rating: 3/5 for being practically the same treadmill as the Horizon T102
Price: $999
I suppose it’s finally time to get my butt off my recliner and stop playing Call of Duty and write my Horizon Fitness T103 Treadmill Review. I tried this treadmill out a couple days ago and I’m ready to go through my notes and write another excellent treadmill review. What I want to make perfectly clear is that I HAVE TRIED THIS TREADMILL. Many other treadmill review websites just reprint product catalogues; not here. These are real treadmill reviews that take many hours to write and produce. Here is a real treadmill review of the Horizon T103 Treadmill
Comfort
For the newcomers to the blog I always start out with comfort because it is the most important part of a treadmill. If a treadmill is not comfortable you will not use it. This is precisely the reason why I do not run outside on a regular basis. The pavement is hard and difficult on my joints and spine. Much like the Horizon T102, the Horizon T103 Treadmill has an excellent balance of firm and soft. In fact, I could not even tell the difference between the Horizon T102 and the Horizon T103 Treadmill in terms of how they felt. This treadmill also has an adjustable firmness setting. I did not notice too much difference between the firm and soft settings, but the differences will be far more noticeable in heavier users.
Console and MP3 Player Compatibility
The Horizon T103 Treadmill has a magnificent console. The display is a very bright blue backlit LCD screen. People who are new to treadmills often overlook how bright the console is. The console becomes very important for people who are serious about training or weight loss. The console is where you’re going to be tracking metrics like calories, the time you spent on your workout, and your heart rate. The large easy-to-read display makes it very easy for users to keep track of vital statistics. There are also dedicated buttons for speed and incline. This is a feature I would like to see included in many more treadmills because it makes it easy to switch adjust the pace of a workout on the fly. Imagine running at 10 mph and having to hold the button down for 30 seconds or being able to press one button and being able to get back to focusing on your running.
My favorite thing about this treadmill is that it has to water bottle holders. Let’s face it, if you are serious about training or losing weight water is going to be an essential part of your workout. Two water bottle holders mean you will not have to stop in the middle of an exercise session to grab a cup of ice water. I really wish more manufacturers would include dual water cup bottle holders. This is a very small detail but it really does make using this treadmill a lot more convenient.
The Horizon T103 Treadmill’s iPod compatibility is as good as you’ll find on any car radio. You connect your iPod to this treadmill, play your music or podcasts on built-in speakers that you can actually hear, and control your iPod with built-in console controls. Built-in iPod controls are a very small detail but one that makes using this treadmill a lot more convenient.
Specifications
The specs of the Horizon T103 Treadmill are in allover the board combination of far above average and below-average. The motor operates at an above average 2.75 CHP. The stronger your motor the longer it will last in the better it will hold up to heavier users and prolonged use. The tiles view this treadmill is 12 mph which is pretty much the fastest top speed you will find in a residential grade treadmill. The incline of this treadmill is 12% which runs right about the average range for treadmills in the $1000 price range. Like just about everything else about this treadmill, the running surface area is average. At 20” x 55” you have a pretty average surface area.
Features
The Horizon T103 Treadmill has something Horizon Fitness calls the PerfectFLEX Plus Variable Cushioning System. I was not really too impressed with this feature because I didn’t notice too much of a difference between firm and soft settings. However, I will say that the sliders for this feature actually slide. If you walk into a store and try out treadmills with similar adjustable cushioning systems it’s going to be very difficult to slide those in a position. There’s a fan. There are 14 fitness programs, which, once again, is average for this price range.
Final Rating
The Horizon T103 Treadmill is pretty average for the $1000. This treadmill is missing one important thing, heart rate control. If I’m going to pay $1000 for a treadmill I expect heart rate control. Treadmills like the
Smooth Fitness 5.65 Folding Treadmill and Nautilus T514 Treadmill both offer heart rate control and cost the same as the Horizon T103.
Ultimately, with the exception of a couple more fitness programs and built-in iPod controls this is exactly the same treadmill as the Horizon T102 and I see no reason why anyone who thinks $200 is a lot of money to buy the Horizon T103 Treadmill. If you like this treadmill, check out my review of the Horizon T102 Treadmillfirst. You’ll be glad you read that treadmill review.
I remember the first treadmill who specs I had remembered for my first treadmill selling gig. It was the Horizon T61 Treadmill and I was only going to be out for about a month before was discontinued. I did not realize how great a treadmill manufacturer horizon fitness really was until I was about six months into my first fitness industry job. By that time I had worked with vendors who did not care about their customers and would let warranty issues fall by the wayside, I’d seen treadmills literally fall off of giant diesel trucks and be completely ruined on more than one occasion, and more importantly at personally seen how well the staff at Horizon Fitness responds to customer service issues. Horizon Fitness is a company that knows and understands that without its customers it would not be in business. Horizon Fitness goes a step above and beyond in every step of the treadmill manufacturing and selling process from design right down to getting you that box a replacement parts shipped to your home as soon as possible in case something does go wrong. This year, for the first time I am not surprised to see a Horizon Fitness treadmill be a cut above most of its competition. This is what I have come to expect and this is what the Carpathian delivers.
The Carpathian has a 20″ x 55″ running area. This is a greater running area than most other treadmills offer for the $800 price range. Larger running areas allow people to feel more comfortable and less cramped which makes for a much more comfortable and pleasant treadmill experience. If you feel claustrophobic on a treadmill is a good chance you are not going to use it which is why I recommend treadmill consumers purchase a treadmill with his larger running area as their budget will allow, which is one of the reasons why I highly recommend the Carpathian.
The Carpathian is great for runners because it has a 12 mph top speed which is more than I can say for some lesser treadmills that offer a 10 or 11 mile-per-hour top speed and costs about $500 more. Yes, there are those treadmills out there and I have no idea how they can stay in business. The people who are supporting those companies have probably done no research and did exactly what the treadmill salesman wanted them to do, and bought a crummy treadmill. It’s one thing to have a high top speed and it is something else to have a motor that can handle that top speed. I’m glad to say the Carpathian has a high top speed and a motor capable of enduring the extra stress that comes with running at higher speeds. The Carpathian has a 2.5 continuous duty horsepower motor and is even powerful enough to support people as heavy as 325 pounds.
Much like the Carpathians little brother the Horizon T101 Treadmill, the Carpathian has a one year parts and labor warranty. You can spot the terrible treadmill just by the warranty alone. They treadmill costs $599 or more it had better have a one year parts and labor warranty. There no exceptions to this rule and if you come across a website or sales person trying to sell you a treadmill with a 90 day parts and labor warranty and your treadmill has four digits in the price run for the hills! You’re dealing with someone who does not know what they are talking about or does not care enough about their customers to sell the fitness equipment that does not carry a high risk of an expensive repair 91 days after you take your treadmill.
If you read my site and you’ll find several stories of positive experiences I’ve had with Horizon Fitness during my career in the fitness industry. This is a very well-run company and their equipment is an excellent balance of price and quality. There only a couple other treadmill manufacturers that are on par with Horizon Fitness in the under $1000 price range and those are Sole Fitness and Smooth Fitness. If you do not buy the Carpathian which I highly recommend, please check out something by one of those two companies. These really are the best treadmills you can find for less than $1000!
It seems Horizon Fitness has finally released updated versions of their treadmills and elliptical trainers. I’ll be making a concerted effort to test out and review their new fitness equipment in the coming weeks. For now I leave you with a review of the Horizon T101 Treadmill. This is pretty much just a rehash of the Horizon T91 Treadmill and the Horizon T91 Treadmill is just a rehash of the Horizon T81 Treadmill. I’m sure you get the point by now, let’s get into the review.
The Horizon T101 Treadmill has a very wide running area considering price. The running area is 20″ x 55″ which makes this one of the largest running areas for less than 600 bucks available. If you or a larger person and want to do some walking or light jogging the Horizon T101 Treadmill is a great treadmill to consider. The Horizon T101 Treadmill is also equipped with a 2.25 hp motor which is more power than the average treadmill that retails for $599 or less. Greater horsepower means your treadmill can support heavier, larger people without having to work as hard. If you’re motor is not working too hard it is going to last much longer. Horizon Fitness lists the maximum user weight at 275 pounds, which once again is above average for this price range.
I always like it when a treadmill or elliptical console has dedicated buttons for speed, incline, and resistance. The Horizon T101 Treadmill has a button for each speed and incline level they can reach which means it is very easy to go from the top speed of 10 mph so much lower speed of say two or 3 mph. You will not have to hold down a button to slow down when you’re going top speed on your treadmill. Just press one button and get back to concentrating on your stride.
One thing a lot of treadmill manufacturers seem to neglect when they design some of the lower end treadmills is programs. Most treadmills that retail for less than 600 bucks come with an anemic list of programs that are pathetic at best. The Horizon T101 Treadmill comes with nine different fitness programs which is slightly above the average for this price range about a programs. It just goes to show you that Horizon Fitness really tries to go the extra mile for their customers and deliver the most they possibly can for as little money as possible.
Finally, Horizon Fitness did not skimp on the warranty for the Horizon T101 Treadmill. You get a full one year parts and labor warranty which is a lot more coverage than you get with other brands like Proform and NordicTrack. If you’re looking to do some light jogging and walking and the Horizon T101 Treadmill is one of the best options out there. It is relatively cheap at $600 delivered to your home and has an excellent assortment of features, and comes out of one of the best treadmill factories in the world. I’ve trusted Horizon Fitness for many years now and use more products than I could possibly remember and nearly every experience I’ve had with a Horizon Fitness treadmill or elliptical trainer has been positive. I strongly recommend the Horizon T101 Treadmill!
Treadmill Review: Reebok R 5.80 Treadmill Treadmill Rating: 1/5 for a terrible warranty Price: $799
Hello Readers,
It looks like a long day of treadmill reviews for me. Looks like I just pulled the Reebok R 5.80 Treadmill card. Reebok fitness equipment is manufactured under Icon Fitness, a brand I’ve come to love to hate. It’s not that I have an irrational hatred towards an entire company, rather, I have a hatred for their typical business practices. For the most part, you get a one-year parts and labor warranty on any piece of fitness equipment that retails for $599 or more. Unfortunately, Icon Fitness and consequently Reebok has chosen not to follow this industry standard. I’ll talk about warranty and a whole lot more about why don’t like the Reebok R 5.80 Treadmill in my treadmill review.
I think I said at least 1000 times on my treadmill blog that 99% of Icon Fitness is treadmills and elliptical trainers would be some of the better buys if they had a better warranty and either a better feel for better shock support system. Icon Fitness as well as this Reebok treadmill have things like programs, speed, and other special features perfect. In this respect Icon Fitness is an industry leader. Take for example the excellent iFit system. One of the key things to a successful fitness routine is progression. You must keep getting better and better and keep challenging your body to get a physically fit mind and body. No matter how many programs a treadmill has you will get tired and bored of using the same old programs over and over again. It is practically a scientific fact. The iFit system allows users to purchase new fitness programs designed by some the world’s top weight-loss trainers and aerobic trainers including Jillian Michaels from the Biggest Loser. It would be great if more treadmill manufacturers and elliptical trainer manufacturers could emulate or copy the iFit program feature.
Despite all the really cool features like iPod compatibility and built-in speakers I can’t give the Reebok R 5.80 Treadmill a good review. There is one huge flaw with the Reebok R 5.80 Treadmill and it is the warranty. The warranty is what trips up a lot of Icon Fitness products like the Reebok R 5.80 Treadmill. I simply can’t recommend the treadmill with a 25 year motor warranty. A good treadmill that cost more than 600 bucks absolutely needs at a minimum a one year parts and labor warranty. Most, and by most I mean practically all treadmill manufacturers offer a one-year parts and labor warranty for all their treadmills priced above $599. In fact, I can come up with a single treadmill that cost more than $599 that is not backed by one year parts and labor warranty. It still boggles my mind why Icon Fitness has not met or exceeded this industry standard. I bet a lot of it has to do with lack of education and poor buying decisions made by people who do not have time or do not care to look and compare treadmills. If you buy the Reebok R 5.80 Treadmill and it breaks down a couple months later there is a terrible chance you’ll be liable for a very expensive repair. Granted, your treadmill probably will not break down, but if it does you’re in for a world of hurt.
I suppose the only way I can get Icon Fitness to change and become a better treadmill manufacture is by helping educating people about short warrantees on Icon Fitness treadmills and elliptical trainers. You have been warned.
Hello Readers,
Hello Readers, Elliptical Trainer Review: HealthRider H90E Elliptical
Elliptical Trainer Rating: 4/5 for a good feel and excellent features Price: $999 Click Now To Buy the Healthrider H90E Elliptical Trainer
Well, it’s time to take out my little black book full of elliptical trainer notes and write a review of the HealthRider H90E Elliptical. If I recall correctly, I tried the HealthRider H90E Elliptical out at a Sports Authority about a week ago. To keep things fresh in my mind I take video and pictures of the elliptical trainers and treadmills I test out and write about a page of notes. My review of the HealthRider H90E Elliptical is based on personal experience and the notes I’ve written about the HealthRider H90E Elliptical. Alright, let’s get to the review.
How the HealthRider H90E Elliptical Feels
The HealthRider H90E Elliptical retails for about 1000 bucks so I was expecting quite a bit, well, at least I was hoping for quite a bit. After running on the HealthRider H90E Elliptical for about seven minutes I had noticed quite a bit. There were some shaking and tiny squeaks. Slight shaking and tiny squeaks are not all that uncommon in midrange elliptical trainers, so all in all I was pleased with the way the HealthRider H90E Elliptical performed.
The foot pedals have little bumps on them made of a very pleasant feeling material, it’s probably a plastic. I don’t know what it is about the little bumps that make me feel so comfortable, but I personally like these little bumps. It’s almost as if they massaged my feet as I peddled / ran on the elliptical trainer.
Features
Just like nearly every other Icon Fitness product, (Icon Fitness is the parent company of Healthrider.) The HealthRider H90E Elliptical has an incredible amount of fitness programs and interactivity features. You get a total of 20 fitness programs and Icon Fitness has even developed a feature called iFit which allows you to purchase fitness programs developed by professional and well known fitness trainers like Jillian Michaels of Biggest Loser fame.
Another feature that seems to be growing in popularity in the fitness industry is adjustable ramps. Elliptical trainers with adjustable ramps can adjust the angle they peddle simulating hills. I particularly don’t like this feature because it really just feels like I’m running on the side of a wall, a lot of people like it and it’s an excellent way to add another layer of difficulty to a boring workout.
Final Rating
It seems the HealthRider H90E Elliptical has followed in the footsteps of many Icon Fitness elliptical trainers that have come before it. It has an amazing set of features that you can’t get anywhere else for a relatively small price. I’m not going to say this is the most comfortable $1000 elliptical trainer I have ever used, but it certainly met my expectations. However, I will say I personally prefer the feel of the Sole E25 Elliptical Trainer to the HealthRider H90E Elliptical. Overall, considering the unique features like the iFit system this is a pretty solid elliptical trainer. Just do yourself a favor and check out a couple elliptical trainers before you make a purchase.
Hello Readers, Elliptical Trainer Review: HealthRider H140E Club Series Elliptical Trainer Elliptical Trainer Rating: 3/5 for smooth motion and great features, but lacking articulating footpads. Price: $1299 Click For HealthRider Elliptical Trainer Deals
My Personal Experience with the HealthRider H140E Elliptical Trainer Just as I promised I tried several pieces of fitness equipment over my Christmas vacation. Now that things have settled down and I have played Call of Duty more than I care to admit there is nothing distracting me from writing elliptical trainer reviews today. In fact I think I even have plenty of time to put in an hour or so on the elliptical trainer I use at 24 Hour Fitness. The first elliptical trainer on my list is the HealthRider H140E Elliptical Trainer. I tried this elliptical trainer out at a Sports Authority and I was very satisfied with this elliptical, let me explain why.
When I tried out the HealthRider H140E Elliptical Trainer the first thing I noticed was how smooth it was. I took a step down to inspect the design of the H140E and quickly noticed how large this elliptical trainer was. In fact, just take a look at the picture of the H140E Elliptical I included and you’ll know what I’m talking about. The large, heavy-feeling flywheel greatly contributed to the incredibly fluid motion I felt while using this elliptical trainer. I hopped back on again to get more experience with this elliptical trainer. About another 5 minutes in I noticed something else; the soles of my feet were staying flat. So I stepped down again and inspected the footpads. I realized that these footpads are not “articulating”. Articulating footpads is the fitness industry’s way of saying the footpads can move up and down to better mimic the natural motion of your ankle. Stationary footpads on the other hand force many users to put all their weight on the ball of their foot. Some may like this, but I’m willing to bet most won’t. I happy to be someone who doesn’t like stationary footpads and feel my experience on the Healthrider H140E Elliptical was diminished.
Features and Specifications The HealthRider H140E Elliptical Trainer has a 20 inch stride length, large foot pedals, and arms that seem fit for a giant. The HealthRider H140E Elliptical Trainer really does feel like it is designed for tall and larger sized people to use. Healthrider even lists the HealthRider H140E Elliptical Trainer as having a user weight capacity of 350 pounds and I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a conservative estimate.
The HealthRider H140E Elliptical Trainer as 15 built-in fitness programs which is a few more than I would expect for this price range. Users are able to select a goal and have the computer automatically program a routine to achieve that goal. Users can target anything from weight loss to aerobic objectives and achieve them faster with professionally designed fitness routines. If 15 built-in fitness programs are not enough the HealthRider H140E Elliptical Trainer is compatible with the iFit fitness programs. IFit programs contained professionally designed workouts by some of the biggest names in the personal training industry including Jillian Michaels from Biggest Loser. These programs are designed to help you acquire the best results you can possibly get in as little time as possible.
Here are my last two notes about the features and specifications of the HealthRider H140E Elliptical Trainer before you get to my final analysis. The warranty of the HealthRider H140E Elliptical Trainer includes one year of parts and labor coverage which is pretty much the industry standard for this price range. The HealthRider H140E Elliptical Trainer also comes equipped with 12 resistance levels, I would like to see a few more at least 15, but 12 puts the HealthRider H140E Elliptical Trainer in the average range for the $1300 price.
Final Recommendation
When it comes to features, no brand even comes close to anything under the Icon Fitness umbrella. Icon Fitness’ Healthrider brand is serving up some pretty good deals when factoring comfort and features. The HealthRider H140E Elliptical Trainer has one of the better feels for an elliptical trainer that retails for less than $1500. However, the stationary footpads keep me from declaring the H140E Elliptical a homerun and making a “strong buy” recommendation. If you’re still on the fence, go out and try it for yourself. Personal experience is the best decision maker!
There are quite a few other elliptical trainers out there. I highly recommend the Sole E35 Elliptical. It is the same price as the HealthRider H140E Elliptical Trainer and more importantly it has articulating footpads which makes you feel like you’re running on air. You can also buy it from Amazon.com by clicking here.
Treadmill Review: Smooth 7.6HR Pro Treadmill Rating: 3/5 for a lack of fitness programs and other features Price: $1799 Smooth Treadmills On Sale, Click Now! I’ve been getting plenty of mail about the Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill in the last couple of weeks. Hopefully this means the economy is getting back on track because the Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill is a high-end piece of equipment and people can afford to buy better, more expensive things. I will one of my readers ask this very common question:
“Hello,
I’ve been reading your website for a little while and found your treadmill reviews helpful. I don’t know if you take requests, but if you could I would really appreciate it if you could tell me the difference between the Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill and the Smooth 7.35 Treadmill. The Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill costs about $300 more than the Smooth 7.35 Treadmill and you get a lower top speed, fewer programs, and each seems to have the same motor. This does not make any sense to me! Why would the Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill be more expensive than the Smooth 7.35 Treadmill but have fewer programs and a lower top speed? Is there something I’m missing or am I just taking crazy pills? Thank you in advance for your help.
Jennifer,
Rochester New York”
Jennifer, you asked some very good questions and I’ll be very happy to provide you with some answers. While I’m on the subject, I think I’ll write a thorough review of the Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill.
Jennifer I am happy to say that you are not crazy. In a normal, sane world there would be clear cut and distinct differences between one treadmill and another; particularly for treadmills from the same manufacturer. The key difference between the Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill and the Smooth 7.35 Treadmill is the shock absorption system. The Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill has a more intricate and better designed shock absorption system than the Smooth 7.35 Treadmill. For a lot of people, and that includes myself, comfort is everything and they’re willing to pay through the nose to get it. Remember, the more comfortable your treadmill is the more likely you are to use it. If you feel like you’re running on rocks when you’re on your treadmill chances are it will become an expensive coat rack in the near future. If you are heavyset person, have neck back or body pain when you exercise, or plan on running for extended periods of time spending an extra $300 to get the Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill is an excellent investment. If you plan on walking or jogging on your treadmill and your body is in great shape either treadmill will suit you just fine.
When it comes to the lower top speed of the Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill I do have a theory. Perhaps the better shock absorption system is less durable or more delicate than the shock absorption system on the Smooth 7.35 Treadmill and therefore cannot handle the stress caused by someone running at 12 mph. The anemic showing of 12 fitness programs is not defensible nor easily explainable. The Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill really should have matched or beat the amount of fitness programs included with less expensive treadmills from the same brand. I really hope when Smooth Fitness decides to update the Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill model they up the amount of fitness programs.
One particularly interesting feature is the calorie target feature. Users can just press a button to have the treadmill automatically programmed to help a user burn a specific amount of calories. The buttons even have foods with calories roughly equal to the amount you are trying to lose. It’s great for putting some perspective on what you eat and helping you remember howmany or how few calories you are taking in. This is a very unique and useful feature.
Final Analysis My final assessment of the Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill is Smooth Fitness could have done better. They really should have been more features and fitness programs to make the case for spending $300 more on a treadmill is clear as day. I should not have to sit here and explain to you why one treadmill and a manufacturers lineup is different from another treadmill from the exact same company and treadmill. This tells me someone is not doing their job. All in all, the Smooth 7.6 HR Pro Treadmill is a very comfortable treadmill but I think you can do better if you do some shopping. If you plan on spending more than $1500 check out something from Sole Fitness. Their treadmills are some of the most comfortable I’ve ever tried and they have wide range of diverse features to boot.
Just a note to my readers. I have said in many posts and reviews that one of the keys to finding a good treadmill is finding a treadmill with a great warranty. I present you, my readership with a rare find in my fitness equipment career. The Yowza Juno Treadmill. The Yowza Juno is on sale right now for $999 and comes with an unprecedented 5 year parts and 2 year labor warranty. You will be hard pressed to find another manufacturer that is willing to back a treadmill that retails for $1000 with a 5 year parts and 2 year labor warranty. This is an incredible deal! I'll have a full review soon.
Click Now to buy the Yowza Juno Treadmill!
Hello Readers,
or Buy Direct From Horizon Fitness
Hello Readers,
both offer heart rate control and cost the same as the Horizon T103. 
Hello Readers,
Treadmill Review: Reebok R 5.80 Treadmill
Hello Readers,
