I would rather get the 650 model than the 685. You get better equipment for the money or for another $100, you can get a much better Reebok at Sam's Club....as in exceptionally better!
General Information
Another licensed brand for Icon Health & Fitness. They put this brand in Wal-Mart last year and they have been gaining traction with sales. Some of the newer models at the higher price points are on par with Proform and the entry-level NordicTrack units at a bargain price. If you buy their sub $400 units, you are getting what you deserve- a piece of junk for $400.
Quality / Philosophy
Gold's Gym is produced by Icon, and this factory has over 200 engineers that help craft their products. Put simply, they are the best designed treadmills in the business. In the past, they have had to be the best because they used the cheapest parts in the business. They have finally discovered that you can find some of the key component parts overseas for less and the eventual cost is less if you put more quality into the machine but it simply cannot be done at the sub $400 price point. Their more expensive models are close cousins to the Proform and NordicTrack models and are not bad units at all for the money you spend.
Outlook
Icon is the largest fitness equipment producer in the world with over $1 billion in sales. If the fitness industry were a solar system, Icon is so powerful that they would be the Sun. In terms of stability, they are the best, but overall their customer service isn't up to the standards of any of the lower volume producers. Although you get a value price for the product, you also get value service so keep this in mind when buying their machines. Due to the sheer number of units they produce, we pick up support in many cases where this factory leaves off.
