Let’s face it. On January 1, 2010 we all did our best to come up with some of the best New Years Resolutions we could think of. It’s time to get back in shape and you’re motivated more then ever to hit your brand new goals!

Fast forward 2 months… Have you taken the time to digest the past 2 months on how you’ve done so far.

• Did you ever start?
• Stopped because of motivation?
• Up & Down?

Either way, we’re all human and we need things in our life to keep us motivated and focused. Below are 3 tips to help you stay on track and reach your goals.

1. Change your Workout Routine

I know I’ve fallen victim to this more times then I can count. You start out running on the treadmill, complete the workout on the same old paper you walk around the gym with and you’re done.

Why is this bad? It’s boring for one and your body is becoming used to the same workout. You’re not pushing yourself. The result? The fantastic weight loss or muscle you built the first month isn’t moving like it was. You’re body needs to be pushed out of it’s comfort zone.

Get crazy. Change things up completely and the results will be a positive which ultimately keeps you motivated.

2. Get a Workout Buddy

It’s hard to get to the gym on a consistent basis. Early morning workouts you’re tired, lunch time you have errands to run and by the time you get home you’re exhausted.

Teaming up with a buddy at the gym is great for a few reasons. You feel that responsibility to keep working out together, you push yourselves and again, the results are positive.

3.  Reward Yourself

Yes, there’s the typical reward or incentive where at the end of all this you’re going to go on the trip you’ve always wanted to take. That’s great but even after just a few weeks or month you’re already feeling a lack of motivation.

Here’s a great solution to this. You can still have that grand finale at the end but why not treat yourself to a few finer things in life along the way?

Say for example your goal is to lose 40 pounds. Setup smaller goals along the way and for each one setup rewards for each.

• First 10 Pounds – 1st Prize (smallest prize)
• 20 Pounds – 2nd Prize
• 30 Pounds – 3rd Prize
• 40 Pounds – Grand Prize!

If you’ve read this far, hopefully you found this useful. If you have any other additional tips you’d like to share, we would love to hear them!

The LiveStrong LS9.9T Treadmill is a solid performer in the sub-$1000 category thanks to features like a solid 2.75 CHP motor, a large 20″ x 55″ running surface and a bevy of other features that are sure to make your workout effective and fun.

A great feature offered on the LS9.9T is the LiveTrack Performance Tracker. This handy electronic fitness journal tracks your progress over time, including your current workout, your average workout and your last workout. It also records stats for weekly goals, weekly totals and even lifetime totals. And the really cool thing about the LiveTrack is the results. According to LiveStrong “Research shows that those who journal their fitness routines, on average, achieve greater success than those who do not.”

Another solid selling point for the LiveStrong LS9.9T is the warranty. Usually machines in this price range come with a bare bones type of warranty that offers little protection in the long run. The LS9.9T bucks the trend by offering a lifetime warranty on the motor and frame, 3-years coverage on parts and a full 1-year unlimited in-home repair plan.

If you’re looking for a solid treadmill with an easy-to-digest price tage, the LiveStrong LS9.9T could be just the machine for you. MSRP on this model is $1,999, but you can buy it direct from LiveStrong for $999. LiveStrong also offers both 1 and 2-year extended service plans for an additional $79 and $109 respectively.

Click Here to Learn More or Buy the LiveStrong LS9.9T Treadmill.

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I mean, this is a product endorsed by Lance Armstrong so these have to be high-quality treadmills right? I guess the question is, are these LiveSTRONG® Treadmills worthy of the yellow jersey? Well, we’re here to tell you that indeed they are.

DEAL ALERT: Right now, you can buy the LiveSTRONG 16.9T Treadmill for just $1,699. Click here to BUY

Onto the TTR Review

Now, the LiveSTRONG 16.9T comes in as the top of line treadmill offered by LiveSTRONG Fitness so we needed to rate this accordingly. We first looked at what we think are 2 of the most important things when buying a treadmill.

• CHP – Continuous Duty Horsepower
• Warranty

After taking a look at the specs, right out of the gate, the top-end treadmill passed with flying colors. It touts a confident lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, 5 year on parts and 2 years in-home labor. On top of that it also struts a hefty 3.5 CHP motor. Oh my. Plenty for the avid, advanced runners that like those long-winded runs.

Onto to the display and dock. Most high-end treadmills come with an iPod® dock and so of course, we weren’t surprised to see that it also came with that feature. BUT, on top of that, they’ve added a nice little feature that we haven’t seen much of. They’ve integrated some Pioneer® Speakers into the dock. So if you don’t want to have your headphones on, you can still listen to your workout playlist.

Lastly, they’ve put a twist on the workout programs by using the LiveTrack™ Fitness Journal. It’s still 12 workout program but it’s more like a journal. One reason we really liked this idea was that it creates a fun and exciting way to track your workouts. Let’s be honest, running on the treadmill isn’t the funniest thing to do so adding something unique like a journal was an added bonus to keep you motivated.

LiveSTRONG 16.9T Images

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TTR Recommendation

After you get done reading through the specs and warranty info, not to mention who endorses this product, it’s a no-brainer. For a price tag of just $1,699 this treadmill is easily worth more and will give you everything from a $2,500+ machine.

With that being said, if you’re in the market for even just an intermediate or advanced treadmill, you might want to spend a few extra bucks to get the LiveSTRONG 16.9T Treadmill. After all, those few extra bucks go towards something meaningful. For every treadmill sold, part of the profits is donated to the LiveSTRONG® Foundation to fight cancer.

So again, is this treadmill worth the Yellow Jersey? Of course.

Click here to BUY the all-new LiveSTRONG® 16.9T Treadmill

Yes it’s October again. Leaves are falling, temps are dropping and tubes of fake blood are selling like hotcakes. At TTR we’ve decided to get in the Halloween spirit by detailing some of the scariest treadmills we’ve ever seen. CAUTION: If you’re squeamish about horrifying gizmos, frighteningly bad designs and insane contraptions you may want to stop reading now.

1) The Underwater Treadmill – Ah yes, a relaxing day at the pool. You’ve got your sunblock, your water wings and your snorkel. So what’s missing? A treadmill of course!

The SPT Aquatic Underwater Treadmill simply drops into your pool and allows you to “walk or run in a weight-free environment against the natural smooth resistance that only water can provide.” Really? Whatever happened to–I don’t know–swimming in your pool?

2) The Anti-Gravity Treadmill – And you thought NASA only made space ships. This little doozie is called the Woodway G-Trainer. The G-Trainer™ creates a powerful lifting force, known as Advanced Differential Air Pressure Technology (ADAPT), that allows for precise ultra-low impact ambulation.

In all seriousness it’s a good tool that helps patients recover faster from orthopedic and neurological conditions. But dang, what a beastly looking contraption to have in your living room.

3) Treadmills for Tots – It’s just what every kids wants to see under the tree on Christmas morning…the Treadmill for Tots! Your kids will have hours of fun running and walking and running and walking…or not.

It’s actually not a bad idea, but whatever happened to playing football or riding bikes? Must be a generational thing.

4) The Rollator Treadmill – Just when you thought it was safe to stay inside… That’s right, the Ooms Rollator is the world’s first treadmill with wheels that actually moves when you walk.

I thought the whole point of a treadmill was so you could exercise inside? Again, probably a generational thing.

5) The Dog Treadmill – Our list just wouldn’t be complete without the treadmill for dogs–the Jog A Dog.

If you’ve got a pudgy pooch the Jog A Dog is “designed with the input of veterinarians, physical therapists, breeders and engineers” to help your dog get off the couch and get in shape.

There you have it. The 5 scariest treadmills on the market today. If you own, or have seen, a scary treadmill we’d love to see it. Just attach a pic to the comments section below this post or email us at info@top-treadmill-reviews.com. Happy Halloween!

With the amount of treadmills offered, that come in all shapes, sizes, brands & prices — we used our expertise and best judgment to assemble this list. So without further ado, here we go…

1. Sole F85 Treadmill

Year after year, the Sole F85 Treadmill is awarded the “Best Buy” Treadmill award and it’s more than deserving.

The Sole F85 treadmill may just be the best folding treadmill for runners. It has a powerful motor, extra long running surface and an impressive warranty. Sole has the reputation for building quality machines at value prices. They back it up with an industry leading two-year service warranty.

2. Nordic Track Incline Trainer X3

Yes, this Nordic Track X3 isn’t your traditional treadmill but we at TTR love all of the traditional treadmill rules it breaks.

• 40% incline? Check.
• Lifetime Warranty? Check.
• All the Bells & Whistles? Check.
• Built & backed by a trusted brand? Check.
• Fairly priced at $1,599? Check.

Need we say more?

3. Landice L770 Pro Trainer

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. 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.

4. Sole F63 Treadmill

I’m sure you’re wondering why 2 Sole treadmills are on the same list? If you don’t like go make your own list because both the Sole F85 & Sole F63 deserve a spot on this list.

The Sole F63 is a wonderful treadmill that is more reminiscent of a higher end model than an entry-level treadmill. The F63 comes with all the bells and whistles, but doesn’t sacrifice quality or performance in the process. The Sole F63 also comes with a lifetime warranty on the motor and frame. Plus, at an ultra-reasonable $999 price point, we’d say this treadmill ranks right up there with the best of ‘em.

5. True Ps800 Treadmill

When first stepping on the True PS800, all I could think to myself was “this is a high-quality treadmill”. I’ve noticed that the True treadmill brand isn’t getting enough respect for the quality it brings to the table.

The True PS800 is packed with features and has a running surface like a commercial grade treadmill. 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.

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.

Although treadmills can help you get a great workout, one common problem that people face when using a treadmill is boredom. Let’s face it, walking, jogging or running for 20 minutes or longer can get quite tedious if you do not find some way to keep yourself entertained. With these simple tips, however, you can keep boredom at bay and keep your workout more exciting.

Listen to Music

One common boredom buster is to listen to music while working out. Some treadmills even have speakers and a feature allowing you to plug your MP3 player directly into the machine. Of course, if you are working out in your home, you can place a stereo system in the room and avoid using headphones altogether. Some treadmill users choose to listen to the radio while working out, while others put together several different song compilations to listen to throughout the workout.

Watch Television

Some treadmills come with a television installed in the machine, but you can also place a television in your home gym to watch as you are working out. Some treadmill users tape their favorite shows and save them for when they workout. Not only does this give you more inspiration to hit the treadmill (after all, you can’t find out what happened to your favorite characters until you go workout), it is also a time-saver that allows you to consolidate two tasks into one while also making it possible for you to skip past the commercials.

Read a Book or Magazine

While it may be difficult to read a book or magazine if you are jogging or running on your treadmill, many people find it enjoyable to read while walking. Of course, in order to make this process simpler, you should look for a treadmill that features a book holder or one that will allow you to add one as an attachment. You might even workout while reading a story to your child or grandchild as part of your bedtime routine.

Workout with a Friend

Getting a “workout buddy” to join you when you hit the treadmill can help keep you motivated while also keeping you better entertained. Of course, your buddy will also need some sort of routine to perform while you workout on the treadmill, but this can be a very effective way of staving off the boredom if you can find a way to keep both of you busy. Or, if you have a friend with a machine at his or her house, you might even want to chit-chat over the phone while you both workout at the same time.

We’ve done quite a few reviews on TTR about the quality folding treadmills that Sole Fitness offers. Now it’s time to compare and decide on which Sole Folding Treadmill is right for you? We’ve compiled a little bit of a cheat sheet when it comes to the four folding treadmills Sole offers. As you look through the Sole treadmill comparison chart you’ll see there are fairly minor differences. With that being said, you really can’t go wrong when you purchase a Sole Folding Treadmill.

The biggest difference between the Sole Folding Treadmills is the motor HP. If you’re planning to jog or run primarily on your treadmill, we would recommend buying the Sole F80, Sole F83 or the Sole F85. The motor HP of the Sole F63 is more suitable for someone looking to primarily walk on their treadmill.

To help with your decision making process we have compiled the TTR reviews we’ve compiled. These reviews were written after we had a group of test runners hop on all of the Sole Treadmill models.

Sole F63 Treadmill Review

Sole F80 Treadmill Review

Sole F85 Treadmill Review

Did you know that your arms are a key component to getting a good workout on your treadmill?  Many people only think about the workout a treadmill gives to their legs and their cardiovascular system, but your arms can also get a great workout if you pay attention to them while working out on a treadmill.  In addition, by putting your arms to work, you can improve the overall effectiveness of your treadmill routine.

Letting it Hang

Some people feel a bit perplexed about their arms when working out on a treadmill.  They feel the need to put their arms somewhere rather than allowing them to hang freely by their sides.  As a result, they often rest them against the handrail or other parts of the treadmill.  At the very least, you should allow your arms to hang freely so you can maintain a natural stride during your workout.  If you want to give yourself a bit more of a challenge, however, you might want to put your arms in motion.

Putting Your Arms in Motion

By putting your arms in motion, you can burn off more calories while also potentially correcting neck or shoulder problems that you may have developed.  To accomplish this effectively, try implementing the following steps:

•    Keep your arms close to your body
•    Bend your arms so they are at a 90 degree angle
•    Keep your shoulders relaxed
•    Move your arms back and forth so they are moving in the opposite direction of your legs

You should keep your arm movements fairly short, which means your hands should not come up beyond your nipples.  At the same time, focus on moving your arms quickly in order to get your legs to move faster and so you can burn off even more of those unwanted calories.

If you are looking for a way to get a little more from your treadmill workout, you may want to consider adding lateral lifts to your regular routine.  Obviously, you won’t be conducting these lifts while you are running, but adding lateral lifts as part of an interval training routine will help keep your heart rate up while you also get some very effective strength training into your workout.

The Basic Plan

When performing interval training with lateral lifts, you will first warm up by walking for five minutes.  Then, increase your speed so you run for one full minute.  If you are new to running or are otherwise unable to run for one minute, try jogging or fast walking instead.  Then, get off the treadmill and perform 20 lateral lifts before getting back on the treadmill and running again for one minute before returning to the lateral lifts.  Try to continue this routine for 20 minutes in order to get the optimum effect and, if your fitness level allows it, increase the speed of the treadmill each time you get back on after lifting.

Completing Lateral Lifts

In order to get the best results from this routine, you need to know how to properly perform a lateral lift.  This can be accomplished by following these basic rules of thumb:

•    Stand with your back straight and your knees slightly bent
•    Position your feet so they are shoulder-width apart
•    Place your arms straight down at your side and then rise them upward so they are parallel to the floor while keeping your arms bent slightly
•    Lower your arms back to your side
•    Repeat

While performing lateral lifts, make certain to move slowly and to maintain control.  In addition, you shouldn’t let your arms rest at your side for more than one second and you should return to your treadmill immediately after completing 20 reps so your heart rate can remain elevated.