PUBLISHED 01/02/2008
Life Fitness T3
The T3's console is one of the most intuitive and welcoming of the bunch. It stores settings for two users, and each can preprogram their preferred paces for walking, jogging, or running, and then have the belt automatically ramp up to that speed at the press of a button. We especially liked programs like EZ Incline, which gradually increases the machine's incline at a barely noticeable rate, and five different heart-rate workouts, in which the machine self-adjusts speed and incline to keep you in your preferred HR zone. Testers appreciated how the T3 allowed them to easily change workouts midrun, but several were annoyed that it couldn't display their pace midrun.
Price: $2,699
Tester says: "The display was easy to read and make adjustments to while running." --David Swanson, age 39
Belt size: 60"L x 20"W
Dimensions: 79.5"L x 34.5"W x 57.5"H
Maximum speed/incline: 12 mph/15%
Number of programs: 10
Warranty: Lifetime frame; 10 years motor; 5 years parts; one year labor
Contact: lifefitness.com
Additional Features:
--Programs include hill repeats and goal-oriented workouts, like distance or calorie burn.
--Large LCD screen clearly displays multiple training metrics.
--Race mode adds a virtual pacer to your workouts.
Precor 9.31
The clean aesthetics and relatively quiet motor of the 9.31 help it blend into your home gym, even if that happens to also be your living room. The 56" deck didn't feel shorter than others, thanks to its extra width and the open design of the front end, which increases the runable space. While it looks streamlined, the stripped-down console lacks the extensive programming options--like a lap mode--of other machines. Several testers noted the quick response of the speed and incline keys, and how the console shook a little at higher speeds, which made reading the display while running a challenge at times.
Price: $3,699
Tester says: "A great treadmill for when you don't want to fuss with a lot of controls and programs." --Tony Mancuso, age 34
Belt size: 56"L x 22"W
Dimensions: 79"L x 34"W x 56"H
Maximum speed/incline: 12 mph/15%
Number of programs: 8
Warranty: Lifetime frame; 10 years parts; one year labor
Contact: precor.com
Additional Features:
--Display can toggle between pace, distance, and average speed during workouts.
--Heart rate is shown during every workout when wireless HR strap is worn.
--Suspension system in deck provides a cushy landing for runners concerned with overuse injuries.
Freemotion Incline Trainer i7.7
If you're looking to run up the side of a mountain in the comfort of your own home, this is the treadmill for you. The first of its kind to go to a 30 percent grade, the Incline Trainer offers a unique and intense training experience that's ideal for anyone looking to do Pikes Peak or similar mountain races. The engine is positioned in the back of the treadmill--a design that provides a little structural give to the front of the deck, akin to the spring of a diving board. We found that the deck squeaked while at a low incline but quieted down the higher it went. The console features a row of preset incline buttons, but we wish it had a row of speed buttons as well.
Price: $4,999
Tester says: "The stability bar was in my face a little, but it was great to hang on to when the incline got steep." --Lisa Paglia, age 31
Belt size: 60"L x 22"W
Dimensions: 79"L x 33"W x 61"H
Maximum speed/incline: 12 mph/30%
Number of programs: 8
Warranty: Lifetime motor and frame; 10 years parts; two years labor
Contact: freemotionfitness.com
Additional Features:
--Built-in speakers work like a boom box for your MP3 player.
--Three programs use an included wireless chest strap for HR training.
--The three-speed fan is a real comfort when a workout gets especially intense.
Our Treadmill Experts
To narrow the vast selection of treadmills down to these six, we asked the following experts for their picks: Lynn Allen, former lecturer for the President's Council of Physical Fitness and Sports; Gregory Florez, spokesperson for the American Council on Excersise; Rick Morris, coach and president of athletic training company Running Planet, Inc.; Clark Stevenson, CEO of Treadmilldoctor.com, a leading Web-based retailer of treadmill parts and supplies.
