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.