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Treadmill Reviews
Treadmill Doctor has produced treadmill reviews for the last 13 years and we like to believe that we have the best treadmill reviewers in the country. Beginning in 1998 we decided to harness the power of the internet to help provide consumers our perspective on how treadmills would last over time. We never had any idea how popular our reviews would become with consumers. Including our Best Buy awards we have over 3 million unique visitors per year. Unlike other websites we try to create a comprehensive collection of every significant player in the fitness and treadmill manufacturing industry. This process includes researching online resources, functionality reviews, durability testing, conversations with retailers, feature testing, visiting manufacturing and engineering facilities, and personally testing and evaluating hundreds of machines each year. During the average year Treadmill Doctor spends over $250,000 producing our reviews.
This year we have reviews for NordicTrack, Sole, Weslo, Image, Gold’s Gym, and Horizon. These companies have various levels of distribution and placement, but are all the key players in the industry. From these brands, we find all of the different benefits to help find the best treadmill for your needs.
We do not provide Sears treadmill reviews because Sears doesn’t make any treadmills for themselves, except under the FreeSpirit brand name in Sears Canada. We do provide Proform because Proform is probably the most widely distributed brand name in the U.S. other than NordicTrack, and possibly Sole now that they are distributed through Dick’s Sporting Goods and Sears stores.
Treadmill Doctor does not limit our reviews, however, to just the mass market brand names like those mentioned previously. We also include specialty brand names and ultra high quality brands like Precor. We have True, Precor, and Lifefitness treadmill reviews to name three. All three of the brands are primarily commercial fitness equipment manufacturers, but also have limited lines of high end machines for consumer use. If you have the money, these give you the best quality.
One of the really interesting things about writing our reviews over the years has been watching how once vaunted brands that had good retail presence have fallen, and unheard of brands 13 years ago, have grown up and dominated certain distribution channels. In some cases we have seen brands rise and fall during that time as well! Our reviewers spend all of their time following the industry so they are able to provide the most up-to-date and insightful treadmill reviews possible.
We produce reviews for all different varieties of treadmills so that we can aid the customer satisfaction of our visitors in finding the right treadmill for any purpose – whether it be high-speed or space saver. Additionally, we also provide an overall “Best Buy” category with awards. We also go beyond a straight product review and look at the companies behind the product to make sure the company is stable and that you will have top quality service for years to come.
All in all we believe that we, at Treadmill Doctor, provide the most comprehensive treadmill reviews on the Internet. Please read on to see how we stack up against the other notable reviews that are available to consumers.
How our reviews stack up with Other Treadmill Ranking Services
When we started in 1999, we felt that the other options on the market were lacking. Most of the treadmill reviews we read would be like a car magazine like Car & Driver only giving opinions on about 10 or 20 cars a year. Not only is the lack of comprehensive coverage a major failure, it completely eliminates an ability to have perspective on the market as a whole. Additionally, we started doing extensive travel several years ago to visit as many factories as possible. We have traveled the world and visited all of the major treadmill and elliptical manufacturers. We have trips planned in 2012 to Europe and Asia because this business is changing all the time.
We originally said that if the publications would get better, we would quit rating machines but since we are now the authority on reviews, it doesn’t make sense to stop. Below you will find our comments on other ratings that are published either in print on online for the public. Read our history of reviews for more info on our progression
One president of a fitness company, who coincidentally lost his job a few years ago, wrote a letter and said to compare reviews with many sources. What he didn't tell the public was that most of the elliptical and treadmill review sites on the web are affiliate sites and that his company was paying most of the review sites affiliate fees...that means when you buy what they recommend, the site gets paid. We have NEVER accepted any monetary inducements for ratings and Treadmill Doctor does NOT accept any affiliate compensation when you click from our site to any of the ads on our site. The ads we display are similar to the Google ads you are already familiar with. If you click on the ad, we get a small fee for the click-through, not the purchase. For more info on our ad program, click here. We would also encourage you to look at other sources but if you do, the best sources are Consumersearch.com, About.com, and ConsumerReports.org.
Consumer Reports- Considered the standard at the time we started reviewing machines, it quickly became apparent that their testing method did not have real-world application. CR has started to do a better job on their treadmill reviews but their perspective is still limited due to the small number of models. We understand that beginning 3 years ago, they sent out questionnaires to factories to make sure they didn’t buy a bunch of discontinued machines but that helped them miss several great new offerings like some of the new NordicTracks and other new models. One interesting note for a recent comparison is that they apparently had picked a treadmill from a company (Keys) that went out of business and had to make a last minute change. A prime example of their usual missteps is in the most recent year’s ratings where they have the Lifefitness Essential FT6 as a best buy pick. They picked it even when Life had been trying to get rid of them on ebay for about ½ price and one FT6 customer from Anchorage emailed us asking for help dealing with the company because they were having problems getting it fixed after a blue flame shot out of the motor area when first plugged in. Interestingly, this is the same problem many Diamondback customers experienced with the 1200T. Interestingly enough both machines, the FT6 and the 1200T were made by the same factory in Taiwan. You would think someone reviewing treadmills would have known this. If you need another opinion, this is no longer a bad option. They are doing better now.
Runner’s World- Their most recent ratings were an enigma but they further reduced the number of models tested. It helped that they asked our help in picking models for the last few years but we would have liked to see them include more models but we simply didn’t have time to help last year. The interesting component of their request for help was they wanted help with their model selection but refused help on their rating system which still needs some help. In the past, there were two interesting components to their treadmill reviews that stood out to us immediately. First was the use of acceleration as a method to help rate the machine. This was particularly amusing since anyone who knows treadmills knows that if you jump the speed input circuit on most machines, you can get the machines to full output and full belt speed in about a second or two. Acceleration is a component of software programming and many companies choose slow acceleration in order to keep the belt from knocking the user off, so it is a safety issue, not a quality issue. The other issue was the way they let people who use treadmills regularly be a key component of how a machine is rated. All of us here can change oil on a car and we all drive our cars every day, but many of us don’t know the first thing about the specific components of a car and how we should determine the quality of car componentry.
Consumer Guide- These guys are the kings of swallowing the line from any company. In one instance they based their reviews on inflated MSRP’s of a distribution company that was having their models made by one of the largest private-label manufacturers in the world. They rated these models as best buys, when the actual selling price was retail for comparable models made under different brand names. Just a quick search of who actually made the machine would have resulted in finding that this was the case, even if they didn’t know the fitness business in general.
Epinions- This site is always one of constant amusement. In general, the ratings are from people who have just bought a machine and are trying to convince other people to buy the same machine for whatever reason- buyer’s remorse, need for confirmation, etc. We have seen other ratings on Epinions written by salespeople- some admit their jobs in the rating, and some people, we know have posted reviews extolling the merits of a treadmill that will simply put money into their pockets. This is an interesting concept but tread carefully there since there are some people who will say anything and the content is affected as a direct result.
Monster Ratings (and other treadmill sellers reviews)- We used to hear about these all the time but don’t hear about them hardly at all any longer. People have figured out that the company selling the treadmills or ellipticals controls the reviews so you would expect their treadmills and ellipticals to rate as the best, which they commonly do.
Affiliate and Blogger Sites- A rather wicked phenomenon has popped up over the last several years is where sites write reviews but then get paid for their recommendations when the sale is made. We know it is a stretch but let’s think about this for a second…if a person is being paid only when a factory is making a sale, who do you think the reviewer is going to push? That’s why you see so many sites favorably review models from Icon, Smooth, and Sole (from what we understand, they pay the most at around 8% of the sale- that’s $120 commission for an average sale). We wish the factories would stop this practice and just build a good machine. As with a better mousetrap, if you build a better one, the world will beat a path to your door. Fortunately, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) ruled that these sources can be punished if they don’t disclose that they are making money off their recommendations- up to $11,000 per incident. If you feel you have been duped by an affiliate or blogger site, you can report this to the FTC at www.ftc.gov or by calling the FTC at 877-FTC-HELP.
We actually had an affiliate blogger site attack us a few years ago. Since we are known as a reputable source we took them to court and in our settlement, we took over the site and sold it to a guy in Utah that has a company called Fitness Affiliates. Fitness Affiliates now has his affiliate site called www.treadmillsensei.com. Fortunately, they are disclosing that the site is an affiliate site and many of their links are clearly product advertisements. Obviously when you compare our reviews, we don’t agree with them all the time but at least they are telling the public that they get paid for their opinions and that’s the way it should be.
What to Look for in a Treadmill or Elliptical This Year
Fitness equipment- as a business- continues to evolve and more and more of the transactions are occurring online. Plenty of purchases still occur in physical stores but when you consider that only a few years ago there were over 1,100 fitness specialty store locations and today the number is under 400, it is easy to see that the dynamics of where treadmills and ellipticals are bought has changed rapidly.
As far as how the market divides, we have seen a shift in dollars spent as well. It mirrors much of what has been reported in the broader economy. The very high end of the market has done well and actually expanded. On the more economical side, more and more purchases that used to be at the $2500 level have moved in the $1500 to $2000 range. Much of the business that used to be at the $1500 price point has moved lower too. Places like Amazon.com, Sears, and Dick’s Sporting Goods commonly sell machines that are in the $1500 to $2000 price point ,and just a few years ago, it was uncommon for these retailers to sell anything above $1000.
What does all of this mean for you? First, you will find better quality in the mass market. Runners on treadmills and heavy users of ellipticals are now able to get on a machine as low as $1000 without significant problems. The one caveat is that most treadmills in this price range have ¾” decks and those can break with a runner since they put a pounding on a deck. That’s why we have developed a deck reinforcement kit available in our treadmill parts section; so if you are a runner and get a machine with a ¾” deck, we would recommend our reinforcement kit or simply buy a machine with a 1” deck. The ellipticals in this range typically use bushings instead of bearings on the major load points so you will have less life engineered into the machine but the elliptical will cost significantly less.
At the $1500 price point, you can get a durable machine. The waters got bloody as Precor announced that the machines that once sold for nearly $2500 would now be selling $100 above the $1500 price point which is sure to give more value to the consumer while making life much tougher on those companies that have not or are unable to get very aggressive on pricing. If you are an exercise enthusiast, it is exciting and hard to imagine some of the sea changes that have developed this year because you really can get a screaming deal on a high-quality treadmill or elliptical.
With all of the turbulence, some matters that were not terribly important in the past are incredibly important today. In the past, manufacturers and distributors had leeway in operations since there were only a few companies and missteps could be easily corrected next year. Competition is now so cutthroat, in all price ranges, that a small misstep could mean your company won’t be around next year to service your treadmill or elliptical. Never fear! We are here to help you make sense of this mess.
The point is that you should consider the channel that you are buying from and the company that makes your treadmill or elliptical as much as you should consider the model. In our overviews of companies, we give our opinions and thoughts about the stability of the company as well as how we expect them to do over the long run. Check the local BBB (Better Business Bureau) to see how the retailer takes care of their customers. Since product support is very important with fitness equipment, pay careful attention to our outlook for the brands and consider our comments in regard to their long-term prospects.
Many people email us each year asking about specific components, most notably motors and rollers in relation to treadmills or should I buy a front-drive or rear-drive elliptical. Component buying is almost always a trap that you don’t want to fall into and these are two areas that have been muddied over the last 10 to 15 years. First, the motor situation is almost laughable. Since there is no accepted standard for rating motors, it is easy for a company to put virtually any rating they want on a treadmill motor. Just as with treadmill motors the repair and maintenance difference between a front or rear drive elliptical is overblown. Over the years we have not experienced much difference between them.
With some fear and trembling, we launched a new treadmill motor standard last year. At first, we had some big players wanting to help out but this fell apart when some factories realized we were going to tell the truth so we have had to go it alone. When we rate the motor, we attempt to rate it based on the size of the windings in the armature in relation to the permanent magnets. It is the only good way to determine the actual horsepower of a motor and that is why our power ratings may vary significantly from a manufacturer’s stated ratings. In other words, don’t buy a machine based upon what the factory claims in HP rating, instead see our treadmill reviews to find a unit powerful enough for your need.
Another related point is roller size for treadmills. Factories claim a bigger roller is a better roller. In theory, the larger the roller, the slower it will turn causing less wear on the bearings and less stress on the walking belt since the belt can operate at a lower tension. The truth is that many larger rollers have just as many problems as smaller rollers (and some larger rollers have more problems than smaller rollers) because companies skimp on the quality of the parts used to make the rollers larger, so overall quality is much more important than size of the roller so pay attention in the reviews to the quality ratings.
In summation, the market has improved again this year; especially for the consumer because you can get more quality for your money. Some of the mass-market brands still have a way to go in regards to their customer service but the quality of their products has improved so much that in most cases poor service is a moot point. Treadmill Doctor suggests selecting carefully and make sure you pick one from a company that has good prospects to be around for a long time so you can get the parts you need in 10 years. If you are buying from a specialty retailer in order to receive a higher level of service, double-check the retailer's service level with an organization like the BBB to make sure they take care of customers because if you are buying a high priced treadmill or elliptical, you deserve the best service.
2012 Treadmill Doctor Basics & Tips for Home Treadmills
Basics
1. Remember when you are buying a home treadmill or elliptical, that in most instances a specialty dealer will have more ability to work with you on price than a mass market store. Usually at Sears, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sports Authority, etc., you have to wait on a coupon, sale, or closeout if you want a discount.
2. When buying exercise equipment, make sure to consider where you will put the machine before you buy it. If you are locating the equipment in a garage, porch or other area that is not climate controlled, expect problems. Since most models use lubricants that can freeze or lose their ability to properly lubricate at very high heat or extreme cold, you can run into problems on both extremes. Other problems you will experience in an open area is dust and dirt…these are the #1 reason for failure, not to mention corrosion and other problems associated with areas that have high humidity. Additionally, arid climates quickly evaporate some belt lubricants for treadmills and joint lubricants for ellipticals. If you must use these locations please see our parts catalogue to find proper maintenance tools and products.
3. Be sure to buy machines that are built sturdily enough to handle the workload that you want to give them. Usually the higher the original list price, the better the engineering, the better quality of components, the better overall machine you will get for your money. Conversely, if your budget is tight, don't buy more of a machine than you need. Our grandmother had a cheap $500 treadmill that received very light use every weekday. Since it was lubricated and cleaned, it didn’t have a single problem in over 10 years.
Tips
1. For treadmills- We are starting to temper our view on orthopedic belts. With that said, we still don't recommend them because 1) a good pair of running shoes provide more cushioning 2) they hold in heat which shortens belt life, motor life, and electronics life 3) the increased weight of the belt shortens bearing life in the rollers. We have tempered our view somewhat because the manufacturers of these belts have thinned them a bit which makes them weigh less and the backings have become much more friction-free on many models which has lessened the stress the belt places on the system. The best way for the average person to see the effect of the belt is stand on the treadmill without any power to the machine and manually walk the belt to see how much friction it has and then compare it with a treadmill with a regular belt.
2. Do your research and get several price quotes from several different stores. Typically, the more you deal with the various companies, the better deals they will come up with such as discounts, free accessories, financing specials, etc.
3. Tread carefully when buying over the Internet. Some companies, like Landice will void your warranty if bought over the Internet and some have restrictions on delivery distances from an authorized dealer. As more factories face the reality of the Internet, this is becoming less of a problem. If in doubt, call or email the factory. Another issue related to Internet buying is delivery. Many of us in the business know how difficult it is to ship a single treadmill or elliptical without having it damaged so deal with a company that has been doing it a long time and has already learned how to do it. Another issue to keep in mind is what you are going to do if you don’t like the machine. Most companies accept returns but the cost to ship the treadmill or elliptical back to the factory can easily cost hundreds of dollars so it is quite an expensive trial test if the machine is returned. Also curbside delivery literally means what it says…the trucking company will sit it on the curb and it’s your problem to get it into the house so either purchase inside delivery or have help ready. Another solution is to purchase our new Concierge Assembly Service. You can order this on Amazon.com or by calling our call center at 800-750-4766 … sorry but self promotion is necessary for survival in this business climate.
Another issue is service…some have good service networks and others don’t but remember that you probably won’t get the type of personalized service you should expect from a local dealer. The best in the Internet business in our opinion are Icon- makers of the Epic... Gold's Gym... Healthrider... Image... Nordictrack... Proform... Reebok... and Weslo brands, Lifespan, Precor, Smooth, Sole, and True (listed in alphabetical order, not in any order of preference)
4. Do take care of your treadmill or elliptical. Whether they require quite a bit or little maintenance, keeping the treadmill or elliptical clean and the walking belt lubricated can be the difference between either having a great machine or having a money pit. Refer to our Treadmill or Elliptical Care Pamphlet for maintenance instructions.
5. If you are considering used machines, really do your homework, then do it again. We do rebuilding jobs for local health clubs all the time and do this work occasionally for people who are buying health club models for the home but to do it right costs quite a bit and if someone is telling you they have a used or rebuilt at an amazing price, you typically aren't getting the entire story. That’s why we recommend beginning with our comprehensive list of treadmill reviews
6. Since buying a treadmill or elliptical is a huge investment for most people, choose your dealer and factory carefully. As with any product, a brand new company may not be around in a few years and parts can be very specific to machines and spares may not be available if the factory isn’t around. A dealer for a reputation for high quality and personalized service is necessary for some people. Other people feel confident in servicing their own equipment, so figure out which one you are and buy accordingly. If you know one end of a wrench from the other, you might want to save a few dollars with an Internet or warehouse club or department store purchase. Others may need to pay for the full-service price you should get from a local dealer but if you pay the higher price, demand the higher service level. Many of the Internet shippers are now offering an additional installation service to try to mimic the style of personalized installation you get from a local small specialty store.
7. Treadmills and ellipticals are different than many other home appliances. Remember, we rate a treadmill average if it has a breakdown only once every 5 years…that’s average! Extended warranties can make sense if the manufacturer has a short warranty and if you get it from a reputable extended warranty company. Remember the dealer is typically not the warranty provider and many have gone out of business over the years and others are hard to deal with. For instance, UTS (Icon’s warranty company) used to be the best we have ever dealt with, and they are still very good. They were the best until we decided to start our own warranty program. So if you want an extended warranty you can order on our website: treadmilldoctor.com or by call our call center 800-750-4766. You can purchase our warranty for 90 days after the original date of purchase. On the other hand, we have had problems with the company called N.E.W. and many others have gone out of business so do your research on your warranty company if you have never heard of them.
8. A great final tip is if you want to save a bit of money. Since treadmills and ellipticals are becoming more commoditized, they are getting better and better while the prices of them have been dropping. The machines being made today in the $1000 range are much better than the $1000 machines made 10 years ago. If you need to save a few bucks and your doctor says it is OK, use a few degrees of incline always when you use your machine. If the machine is well maintained and if you use a bit of incline (on the treadmill), you can get by with a bit less of a machine than you might need otherwise. The incline allows gravity to take over quite a bit of the workload from the drive system. We are able to measure this by using a simple AC/DC ammeter. The amp load (thus the load on the electrical system) is reduced when using even a degree or two of incline. A treadmill used with just a slight incline will last much longer than a comparably cared for treadmill that is used at level. Plus, if you are going green, you use fewer amps and that translates into less electricity. If you keep it clean and keep the walking belt well lubricated, that keeps the amp load lower too.
Click Here for 2008 Treadmill Reviews
Click Here for 2009 Treadmill Reviews
Click Here for 2010 Treadmill Reviews
Find a Treadmill and other Exercise Equipment at Proform.com
See more treadmill reviews and treadmill ratings at treadmillreview.com and treadmillsensei.com |
