Ask most people in the fitness industry and they’ll tell you: Precor is simply the top of the line…the Cadillac of treadmills. For good reason too. They’ve built a solid reputation for quality products and excellent customer service. Precor has been around since 1980 when they introduced their first piece of fitness equipment–an ergonomically designed rowing machine for home use. Today they make a variety of fitness equipment including treadmills, ellipticals, weight machines and more.

The Precor 9.33 Premium Series Treadmill is on the upper end of the Precor treadmill offering. And to put it simply, this machine is a runner’s dream. It’s clear when you step on this machine that someone has put a lot of thought into the overall design and the feature set. But more than that, the treadmill itself just feels nice and sturdy. We put a 180-lb tester on this machine at a flat sprint and throughout the test the unit never wobbled,  shook or bounced excessively.

One feature that’s light years ahead of anything else on the market is Precor’s Integrated Footplant Technology. Sounds complicated–and it is. But the results are pretty astonishing. When you’re running on the Precor 9.33, Integrated Footplant Technology measures your foot speed and re-calibrates the belt velocity over 100 times per second. The end result is a treadmill that adjusts and supports your natural stride rather than interrupting it. Brilliant idea.

Another bit of engineering that we really loved was the Ground Effects Technology. This integrated cushioning system is very simple, yet ingenious in its design. Essentially the Ground Effects Technology cushions your foot at the point of impact for less stress on your joints. The system then adds rigidity at the back or your stride for a firm push-off and greater overall stability. The result is a cushioned running surface that doesn’t feel squishy or spongy.

The Precor 9.33 features a full 3.0 HP continuous-duty motor that provides ample torque for any walking or running workout. Plus a host of club-quality features like a 15% incline range, 16 built-in workout programs, a bio-feedback center with integrated pulse monitor and a warranty that covers every single part for 10 years.

Of course all this technology doesn’t come cheap. If there is a downside to the Precor 9.33 treadmill, it’s the price. At around $4200 this machine is certainly on the upper end of the price spectrum. But if you’re a serious runner or simply someone who demands the best–the Precor 9.33 fits the bill and receives our highest recommendation.

Learn more about the Precor 9.33 Premium Series Treadmill

Often times, it’s difficult for people to run, jog or walk on a treadmill for a long period of time. Whether it be knee or back problems, the constant pounding on the knees just doesn’t sit well with others. We know that the elliptical was made to relieve these issues, but to some an elliptical feels unorthodox and the range of motion is uncomfortable. Luckily, the new Bowflex TreadClimber TC5000 has changed this.

Meet The Bowflex Treadclimber TC5000.

DEAL ALERT: Buy the Treadclimber TC5000 for $2,499 direct from Bowflex.com. Click here.

The Bowflex TreadClimber TC5000 is a hybrid machine. It takes the benefits of a treadmill, elliptical trainer, stair climber and puts them all in one machine. Like I mentioned, with a treadmill you experience high impact on your knees that can cause injuries to your joints and your lower back. With the new Bowflex Treadclimber TC5000 it completely eliminates the risk of injury and pressure on your knees and back.

Here are a few Features of the Bowflex Treadclimber:

• Burn more calories because of Incline
• Get your Heart Rate Up Fast
• Build muscle throughout your core and legs.
• Minimize joint impact!
• And do all of this without running or jogging!

The console of the Treadclimber TC5000 monitors every aspect of your workout, including Speed, Time, Distance, Calories Burned, Calories-Per-Minute and Total Steps.

TTR Recommendation

Short and sweet, we at TTR highly recommend the Treadclimber TC5000. For anyone looking for a machine to ease the pain on joint impact this Treadclimber can do it! In this review we are discussing the high-end Treadclimber model offered by Bowflex. Not only does the treadclimber offer a new type of workout it also includes the typical bells & whistles that most high-end treadmills offer.

• Polar ® Wireless Heart Rate Monitor
• Commercial Grade Motor
• Programmed Workouts

The Bowflex Treadclimber TC5000 comes in at $2,499 and for the price you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.

To buy the Bowflex Treadclimber TC5000 direct from Bowflex.  Click here

I’ll admit it. I’m one of those poeple that loves gadgets. I’m a sucker for flashing lights and rows of buttons. That’s one of the reasons I like the NordicTrack Elite zi Treadmill. This particular machine hangs its hat on a technology package that’s on par with anything you’ll find in a club.

The Nordic Track Elite zi is this year’s version of the best selling NordicTrack Elite 7000. From what we can tell, the only difference between this model and last years is they’ve bumped up the motor to a full 3.0 Continuous duty HP and redesigned the look.

The NordicTrack Elite zi features an ample-sized 20″ x 60″ belt that sits on a cushioned deck featuring DuraStride™ adjustable cushioning. NordicTrak claims this technology decreases impact by 33% over running on pavement. When you’re done running the deck folds up thanks to the Legendary Icon SpaceSaver feature and an AirLight™ shock that makes folding and unfolding easier. (Do you notice how many little (™) symbols we have to use on this treadmill? Get ready for a bunch more.)

The console is more reminiscent of a spaceship than a piece of fitness equipment. You’ll enjoy standard features like 22 built-in workout programs, one-touch incline and speed controls and a visual workout display. Plus you’ll get a built-in iPod dock that plays through the Intermix Acoustics™ 3.0 Sound System, iFit® workout card technology that controls the speed and incline of your workout, 4 Create & Save™ workouts that let you customize your own workout programs and even Solaris™ Illumination Control that lights up the portions of your console that are currently in use.

TTR Recommendation

The NordicTrack Elite zi is a very capable addition to the 2009 line of treadmills from NordicTrack. We loved the endless electronic perks and overall solid feel to the machine. One thing that could be improved is the less-than-stellar warranty—lifetime on the motor and frame, but just a year on parts and labor. But even that can be remedied for a few more bucks. NordicTrack offers extended warranty plans that start at around $250. Overall we give the NordicTrack Elite zi a solid rating and would reccomend it for any beginning to intermediate user.

Click here for more information on the NordicTrack Elite zi Treadmill.

TTR Review

We’ve all heard the saying, “you get what you pay for.” When it comes to treadmills, it couldn’t ring more true. The True PS800 Treadmill is definitely not the cheapest treadmill you’ll find and at $3,699 we realize it’s a bit steep. But as you read further into the review we think you’ll start to realize the overwhelming price tag is all it’s cracked up to be. The True PS800 is packed with features and has a running surface like a commercial grade treadmill.

When you step onto the True PS800 you instantly feel the stability of the treadmill. The PS800 also comes with an orthopedic belt which gives you more added cushioning to your feet. It’s amazing what a difference just a treadmill belt can make. Whether running or walking on the treadmill we felt like this as close as it gets to a commercial grade treadmill.

The PS800 treadmill console was very user-friendly. With the instant speed and instant incline feature, it makes it easy to increase or decrease the speed and incline on the fly.

Overall, this True Treadmill really is a quality machine. It’s also True’s top of the line residential treadmill so luckily all the expectations were met.

TTR Recommendation

This True treadmill can take anything you throw at it. Whether you purchase it just for individual use or have your whole family running on it, you can feel good knowing it will hold up for you.

If you’re in the market for a high-end treadmill this is definitely worth taking a look at. One red flag that we see with this treadmill is the warranty. Most reputable manufacturers offer lifetime warranties on both the Motor and Frame. In the case of the True PS800 the motor is only good for 30 years. Yes, 30 years is plenty long but again, lifetime warranties is what you should be looking for.

If you’re looking for a high-end treadmill, with lifetime warranties but for almost half the price, you should consider the Sole F85 Treadmill. The winner of the “Best Buy Treadmill” award year after year. At only $1,999 the Sole F85 can offer the same amount of features, with a better warranty and of course, price tag.

TTR Review

We don’t say this very often. But at TTR we do give credit when credit is due. That’s why we’re putting the Landice L770 Pro Trainer Home Treadmill in the “Best of Breed” category. Regardless of price range, features, brand names or specs, this treadmill deserves to be among the top picks of any treadmill on the market today.

So why are we so darn enamored with this treadmill? For starters it just works. The Landice L770 Treadmill does what it was designed to do. And that means it provides a great workout with a great user experience…nothing more, nothing less. It doesn’t boast a ton of gaudy features designed to cover up manufacturing shortcomings. But it isn’t so spartan as to be awkward or cumbersome either. The L770 is simply a great blend of form and function…at a reasonable price for the quality.

Ah yes…price. The LandiceL770 isn’t cheap, but it’s not outrageously expensive either. The L770 Pro Trainer Home model comes in around $3,000. But compared to other treadmills in the $4,000-$5,000 price range this machine is better constructed and performs equally as good if not better. Plus it’s got one of the best warranties in the business. The L770 features a lifetime warranty on every single component on the treadmill…true bumper to bumper coverage. And get this…the warranty is transferrable to your heirs—no joke! This is the mark of a company that understands quality and how to stand behind their products. And that’s one thing we really, really like about Landice. Plus when you factor in warranty/repair costs on lower quality treadmills, it makes the pricetag on the L770 even more comfortable.

In fact, comfort seems to be a theme for this particular treadmill. The moment we stepped on the belt, this machine felt solid and sturdy. The controls felt well organized and easy to use, while the 4 HP motor seemed to hum along quietly and effortlessly. Even the incline motor felt well-designed, guiding us upward to 15% with relative ease. One drawback we did note was the lack of one-touch speed and incline controls, not a huge inconvenience, but it’s become a standard feature on many treadmills.

For heavier/taller users the Landice L770 Pro Trainer Home model is a great choice because it’s built to commercial-quality standards. The running surface measures 20″ x 58″ to accommodate large strides and features a 4-ply treadbelt versus the standard 2-ply belt found in similar models. We put a 6′ 5″ runner on this machine and he had no problem taking normal strides when running and walking.

The L770 also features a full 400-lb. user capacity which is accomplished via 2-1/2″ diameter, 14-pound steel rollers and an aircraft quality aluminum frame complete with locking hardware. All this strength and stability does have one drawback however. The L770 isn’t a folding model which means you’ll have to have a spot in your home dedicated to this treadmill. This isn’t a big deal for many people. But for those of use with smaller homes or apartments, this might preclude you from buying a Landice.

TTR Recommendation

The Landice L770 Pro Trainer Home is a rock solid treadmill for any fitness enthusiast. From beginner to pro—the Landice does its job and does it well. We loved the bullet-proof construction, the class-leading warranty and the simple, yet effective design. Each component seems carefully-built and and well thought out. We did note the lack of a folding feature would make the Landice L770 a no-go for some users, but quality and convenience are often mutually exclusive. The L770 comes with an above-average price tag around $3,000, but don’t let the sticker shock get to you. Likely this is the last treadmill you’ll ever need and comes with a warranty to prove it. TTR gives the Landice L770 Pro Trainer Home it’s highest recommendation.

Click here to learn more about the Landice L770 Pro Trainer Home Treadmill.