DEAL ALERT: Sole F65 Treadmill is on sale from $1,999.99 to $1,199.99. It comes with a Lifetime Warranty on the Motor and the Frame! Click Here. .

TTR Review

The Sole F65 Folding Treadmill is a step above the rest. Not only is it at a great price, but also has everything you’d ever need in a treadmill. The F65 jumps up to a powerful 2.75 Cont. Duty HP motor which delivers challenging speeds up to 11 mph and inclines up to 15%. The F65 also has a larger deck at 20 X 58 inches in size. Lastly, the F65 comes standard with a larger 7 inch LCD display which is back lit and you’ll find easy to read in any lighting. And as with all Sole treadmills, when not in use the treadmill deck safely locks into place, 100% secured.

With the F65 Sole Treadmill you can run up to six preset programs including cardio training and fat burning specific programs. Other safety features include a large stop switch with tether cord, starting speed of only 0.5 mph, and a low-profile running hood that doesn’t get in the way of your running gait. And a step up height consistent with commercial grade treadmills. Additional features include cooling fans and speed and incline controls on the arm rests.

TTR Recommendation

As with all of the Sole products that we have reviewed, the Sole F65 Folding Treadmill is no exception and is a performance treadmill at a very affordable price. It’s a wonderful treadmill that is more reminiscent of a higher end model than an entry-level treadmill. The F65 comes with everything you need to have an effective workout, but doesn’t sacrifice quality or performance in the process. The Sole F65 also comes with a lifetime warranty on the motor and frame and a 3-year warranty on everything else, so you can rest assured this machine was built for the long haul. And at an ultra-reasonable $1,199 price point, we’d say this treadmill ranks right up there with the rest of them!

Click here to learn more!

The Pro-Form Trailrunner 4.0 is easily one the best treadmills available on the market right now. It is a little higher on the price spectrum, but once I tell you about it, you’ll know why. In my opinion it is worth every penny.

The Proform Trailrunner 4.0 includes superior technology that many people have never even heard of for a treadmill. The 4.0 has one of the industry’s first built-in web browsers so you can burn off extra calories while enjoying your favorite television show, writing e-mails, or simply just surfing the web.

Not only does the Pro-Form Trailrunner 4.0 include the built in browser, it also includes iFit Live to provide all kinds of workouts by Google Maps,the kind of wireless technology you’d never expect from a treadmill. With the 10” full color touch screen and 32 built-in workout apps, you’ll be sure to stay entertained on your long trail like runs.

The most fun I’ve ever had on a treadmill was with the Pro-Form Trailrunner 4.0. By the time I had finished my one hour run I had burned 480 calories, watched an episode of House, checked my Facebook page, and responded to some work e-mails. When it comes down to it, nothing compares to the Pro-Form Trailrunner 4.0.

DEAL ALERT: Sole S77 Treadmill is on sale from $2,499 to $1,899.99. It comes with a Lifetime Warranty on the Motor and the Frame! Click here.

TTR Review

The Sole S77 Treadmill was specifically built for the serious runner. The S77 incorporates the largest deck that Sole offers, which makes it extremely comfortable for any runner.

The S77 Sole Treadmill is so confident with this treadmill motor that it carries a full 30 year warranty with a lifetime warranty on the deck and the frame. How many treadmills can provide that?

The S77 Treadmill has six different programs to choose from as well as two heart rate training programs and two user defined training programs. Whether you are a long distance runner training for a marathon or a sprinter training to increase your speed, the S77 will have all of the training modes to fit your needs.

TTR Recommendation

If you haven’t noticed by now, we really like the Sole S77 Treadmill . It’s a wonderful treadmill that is more reminiscent of a higher end model than an entry-level treadmill. The S77 comes with all the bells and whistles, but doesn’t sacrifice quality or performance in the process. The Sole S77 also comes with a lifetime warranty on the motor and frame and a 3-year warranty on everything else, so you can rest assured this machine was built for the long haul. And at an ultra-reasonable $1,899 price point, we’d say this treadmill ranks right up there with man’s best friend.

Click here to learn more about the Sole S77 Treadmill

More and more today’s treadmill buyer is focused not only on performance, but comfort as well. In fact comfort is the reason why many people choose to purchase a treadmill versus running outside. In turn treadmill manufacturers have started paying closer attention to cushioning systems. That’s why the NordicTrack Reflex SR Treadmill caught our eye. It uses a different idea in cushioning–one we think hits the nail on the head.

The Reflex SR doesn’t use shock absorbers or specialized belt construction–rather the deck itself is designed to actually flex and reduce impact on each step you take. The specialized deck is made of a composite material that absorbs impact and actually returns energy to your stride so you can workout longer without feeling like you’ve just run the Boston Marathon. We brought a used Reflex SR into the shop to test out the ReflexDeck cushioning and even though it had a few miles on it, the ReflexDeck felt great. Our 180 lb. tester ran for over 30 minutes and–for once–couldn’t have agreed more with the manufacturer’s claims about how vastly superior this cushioning system is. Apparently he wasn’t alone either. According to NordicTrack.com the Reflex SR was “awarded highest user-rated cushioning in the market and reduces impact by up to 42%.”

Other features that stood out on this model include:

• 2.25 Continuous-Duty Horsepower Motor
• 0-12% Incling
• 0-12 MPH Speed Range
• Built-In Heart Rate Monitor
• Built-In Sound System with Plugin for your Mp3 Player
• 350 lb User Weight Capacity

With a full lifetime warranty on both the deck and frame, plus a year of bumper to bumper parts and labor coverage on everything else it’s really hard to go wrong with the NordicTrack Reflex SR treadmill. The cushioning system is by far one of the best we’ve tested and the $1,199.00 price tag makes it affordable enough for most budgets. Overall, we’d rate this machine a great buy!

Click Here to learn more about the NordicTrack Reflex SR Treadmill.

Revolutionary new concept in workout motivation…or simply a clever marketing ploy? In all honesty, the ProForm 980 Audio Trainer Treadmill is probably a bit of both. According to Proform.com  “Now you can lose weight and feel great in just 8 weeks with iFit® Workout Card Technology. Simply plug in your Workout Card, press go and let iFit® do the rest, it’s really that easy.” If it was that easy we’d all be a lot thinner, but to its credit, the ProForm 980 Audio Trainer isn’t all marketing fluff.

This machine features a capable powerplant that produces 2.25 continuous-duty horsepower–plenty of juice to move along the average user. The treadbelt is a full 20″ x 55″ and features a stated 325 lb. weight capacity. In our tests, this machine was best suited for a user under 250 lbs.

As for the “audio training” features, there are some cool additions on this treadmill that will definitely spice up your workout. First is ProForm’s iFit system. This feature allows an special iFit card to be plugged directly into the treadmill. Each iFit card features a different 8-week workout program designed to help you reach a specific fitness goal. iFit cards can be had on the ProForm website for anywhere from $29.95 for a single card to $89.95 for one of the Jillian Michaels 3-packs.

Other audio components on this unit include a music port so you can plug in an iPod or other mp3 player, plus an Intermix Acoustics™ 2.0 Sound System which, as far as we could tell, is a set of speakers in the console.

The ProForm 980 Audio Trainer includes a lifetime warranty on both the frame and motor and is priced at a reasonable $1,199.00 at most retail outlets. If you’re a serious runner this machine probably shouldn’t be number one on your list. But if your a casual exerciser that enjoys the added motivation of audio training and upgradeable workout programs, the ProForm 980 should definitely do the trick.

Click Here to learn more about the ProForm 980 Audio Trainer Treadmill.

NOTE: We don’t normally review ellipticals on this site but because of how amazing the new LifeCORE CD400 Elliptical is, we had to do this review.

The all-new LifeCORE CD400 elliptical isn’t your typical front or rear drive elliptical. The CD400 elliptical combines the LifeCORE Fitness quality with their patented center-drive elliptical technology.

Let’s talk about Center-Drive Ellipticals

The patented center drive system from LifeCORE® puts your body in a more natural, upright position during your workout. At the same time the center drive system relieves pressure from your knees. If your knees have issues with hard-impact, then this will allow you to have a longer workout because there’s no to low impact on your knees.

You’ll experience better balance, stability and overall performance with your workouts. Plus, with ergonomic touches like narrower pedal spacing and contoured, comfort grips, you’re guaranteed a comfortable, low-impact workout experience on this Elliptical.

Plenty of Control

The CD400 Elliptical offers an advanced control center with a large, multi-color screen displays time, speed, distance, calories burned and more. The CD400 comes pre-programmed with 18 workouts. They also made sure to think of the “little” things by adding a built-in fitness fan to help keep you cool and comfortable during your workout.

LifeCORE CD400 Elliptical Features

• Large Screen with 18 Programs, Featuring: 12 pre-set, 4 Heart Rate Control, Heart Rate Recovery Program, and 1 User Customized Cours
• Polar Compatible Heart Rate Control Programs
• Center Grip Hand Held Heart Rate Grips
• 16 Levels of Magnetic Resistance
• Friction-Free Magnetic Resistance Provides a Smooth Fluid Motion
• Heart Rate Chest Strap Included
• Built-in Reading Rack
• User Weight Capacity: 300lbs

TTR Recommendation

Again, we don’t normally review ellitpcals on TTR but the new LifeCORE Ellitpicals, specifically the LifeCORE CD400 Elliptical, are changing the way ellipticals are being made. This new center dirve technology gives you that more natural running feeling compared to running on a front or rear drive elliptical.

If you’re looking for a new elliptical, the LifeCORE CD400 comes in with a price tag of $1,499. In our opinion it’s worth every penny.

The ProForm Perspective ES treadmill is really one of the best deals available right now. ProForm has currently dropped the price on this unit by 50% to a very palatable $1,149.00. And for the amount of features included on this treadmill, that’s a bargain.

The marquee feature on the ProForm Perspective ES is a built-in, 7″ flat screen television. This handy little addition is compatible with all cable systems, satellite television providers, DVD players and VCR’s. It’s a really convenient feature if your treadmill doesn’t reside near a regular television. Plus, when not in TV mode, the display shows stats related to your workout intensity.

Sound is provided through the ProForm Intermix Accoustics system which is touted as being “theater quality sound.” That’s a pretty big stretch in our opinion, but for speakers on a treadmill the sound is pretty good.

As you can see it’s easy to get sidetracked by all the gadgets and gizmos the ProForm Perspective ES has to offer. But don’t forget the real reason you’re looking for a treadmill…you actually have to run on the thing. Not to worry though, the ProForm Perspective ES performs well in the nuts and bolts department also.

This unit is powered by a 3.0 Mach Z™ Commercial-Drive Motor which turns the belt with ample power for walking, jogging and light running. There’s also a 0-12% Quick-Incline feature that operates smoothly at the touch of a button. Cushioning comes courtesy of the ProStride™ Impact-Reducing Cushioning system. This is a joint-protection system that cushions the entire length of the treadbelt to accomodate walkers and runners with various stride lengths.

The warranty on the ProForm Perspective ES isn’t earth shattering, but it’s ample coverage for a machine in this price range. You’ll get 20 year coverage on the motor, with 1 year protection on parts and labor.

TTR Recommendation

Overall, we give the ProForm Perspective ES a great rating. It’s a solid treadmill with an outstanding array of creature comforts—all at a very reasonable price of $1,149.00. If you’re a serious runner, we’d probably steer you to a higher end model, but for beginning users or those looking for a light to medium workout, this unit definitely fits the bill.

Click Here to learn more about the ProForm Perspective ES Treadmill.

Like most ProForm treadmills the ProForm 580 LT Treadmill is a mid-grade, residential unit designed for beginning to intermediate users. This particular treadmill features a Mach Z™ 2.8 HP Drive Motor. What is a “Mach Z” motor? According to ProForm the Mach Z™ motor “uses direct cooling, a self-cooling process that extends the motor’s life and allows you to exercise for longer periods of time.” This begs the question, if Mach Z™ technology extends the motor’s life so well, why is it only warrantied for 15 years versus the lifetime warranty many other manufacturers offer? I smell a bit of marketing fluffery.

One feature we’ve always enjoyed about Pro Form treadmills is the iFit technology. The ProForm 580 LT includes 8 of these built-in workouts that automatically adjust the speed and incline of the treadmill based on goals like fat-burning or athletic performance. Another nice perk is the built-in iPod® dock that plays your music and charges your mp3 player while you exercise.

One thing to note on the ProForm 580 LT Treadmill is the 18″ belt width. This makes for a fairly narrow running surface, so the 580 LT is best suited for smaller users. Another item to keep in mind is the 300-lb stated user capacity. We tested a 210-lb runner on this machine and the performance wasn’t great at speeds above a brisk walk. We would advise heavier users to opt for a sturdier unit with a higher horsepower motor.

Other basic features on the ProForm 580 LT include one-touch 0-10 mph speed control, one-touch 0-10% incline control, grip-style pulse monitor and SoftFlex™ Cushioning.

TTR Recommendation

The ProForm 580 LT Treadmill is a capeable unit. But at $1,199, the price tag is much higher than is should be in our opinion. We would reccomend the 580 LT only for smaller users looking to walk or jog lightly. Anything more than that and you should probably look at something with a higher weight rating and bigger motor. A couple of downfalls for this unit are the narrow belt size and lack of a solid warranty. The stated coverage is only 15 years on the motor…nothing else is listed as being covered.

Click here to learn more about the ProForm 580 LT Treadmill.

Horizon T93 Treadmill

DEAL ALERT: We’ve seen the Horizon T93 for sale on the Horizon Website for $1,099. Click here to see the latest sale price for the Horizon T93 Treadmill.

There’s a lot of quality variation in the $1,000-$1,500 price range. You can find some real junk—and likewise you can find some real bargains. The Horizon T93 Treadmill falls into the bargain category. The T93 is one of the higher-end models from Horizon Fitness and the quality shows in both form and function.

The Horizon T93 is wonderful choice for any beginning to intermediate runner. With a 2.5 continuous-duty HP motor, the T93 will provide plenty of juice for both walking and light running. And the 20″ x 55″ running surface is large enough to allow for natural strides, while the 2-ply design ensures the belt will last.

Another nice feature is the COMFORTselect™ adjustable cushioning system. This feature allows the user to select a cushioning range that’s appropriate for walking, running or anything in between. Shock absorption is key in reducing stress on joints and overall fatigue when running, so it’s important to have a feature like this no matter what treadmill you decide on.

While you’re running, you can keep track of your progress via a well-planned, easy-to-use console. The LCD display provides user feedback including calories burned, heart rate and more. Speaking of heart rate, one thing we didn’t like about the Horizon T93 treadmill was the lack of a wireless pulse monitor, but considering the price range it’s not a huge surprise.

Other fun features include a built-in iPod dock that recharges your MP3 player while sending music through a pair of integrated speakers, a console-mounted vortex fan and 14 pre-programmed workouts to help keep your exercise routine fresh.

TTR Recommendation

We really like the Horizon brand overall and the T93 is no exception. Solid features like a 2.5 continuous-duty HP motor, full 12 MPH speed capability, 12% incline range and a large running surface make the Horizon T93 treadmill a good buy at $1,099. Keep in mind the warranty on the T93 is lifetime on the frame and motor, with one-year coverage on everything else. So if you plan to keep this treadmill for a while, Horizon offers extended warranties for up to an additional 2-years.

Click here to learn more about the Horizon T93 Treadmill.

TTR Review

Each time we review a Sole treadmill we end the day happy campers. Great quality, great features, great warranties. So at the risk of sounding like a broken record, we’re giving another Sole model two thumbs up. The Sole F80 treadmill is another quality treadmill from Sole with features and quality you’d expect from much pricier models.

At a modest $1,499 you’ll be hard-pressed to find another treadmill that provides the longevity of a Sole F80. Features like a 3.0 continuous-duty HP motor and a spacious running surface make the Sole F80 a true club-quality treadmill at the price of a lesser residential model.

When we first stepped on the Sole F80 we notice the deck was better cushioned than that of the entry-level Sole F63 we had run on previously. The Cushion Flex Whisper Deck found on the Sole F80 has been show to reduce impact by 40% over running on asphalt. This is a wonderful feature for those of us with bad knees or aging joints.

Another feature we liked that wasn’t included on the Sole F63 was the heart rate monitor system. It functions via a wireless chest strap that’s not cumbersome to wear while you’re working out. We ran a couple of tests and the wireless system proved to be just as accurate as the grip-style or thumb-style monitors found on other machines.

The Sole F80 features a 15% incline, which is great for burning serious calories at a walk. Plus a one touch speed system that moves the user from .5-11 mph at the touch of a button. Other cool features include a 1/4 mile track display, peak and valley graph, MP3 input with speakers and dual cooling fans.

TTR Recommendation

You guessed it, we give Sole F80 Treadmill our highest recommendation. At $1,499, you won’t find better features or higher quality in a treadmill. Plus the Sole F80 includes a rock-solid warranty with lifetime coverage on the motor, deck and frame, 5 years for parts and 2 years in-home labor.

Click Here to get more info on the Sole F80.