The buying of a treadmill for personal use is a big decision, one that you will likely be living with for a while. So making an educated consumer purchase based on your personal needs is imperative. With so many different treadmills at so many different price points, the task of choosing the right treadmill for you can be a bit overwhelming. Taking into account price, customer treadmill reviews, and functionality the following list has been created.
In composing this top five list, our hope is that some of that uncertainty will be quelled, and you as the consumer will get the perfect running machine to meet your fitness needs. No two treadmills are the same, and to be clear, this is a list for serious runners looking to put in numerous hard miles on their machine a week, not someone looking to buy a treadmill for walking or light jogging.
The following is a list of the top five treadmills for avid runners available for under $1,000.
1. Lifespan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill
Originally made available to the public at $1499.99 the “Lifespan TR 1200i” is an absolute steal at $999.99 and the ultimate running machine for the avid runner. Winner of multiple awards such as the ‘Treadmill Doctor’ “Best Buy” award as well as the ‘Fitness Professor’ “Head of Class Best Treadmill under $1,000” the “LifeSpan TR 1200i” has all the accolades for a reason. Boasting a 2.5-horsepower engine, this is one of the few foldable treadmills that can withstand the impact of ample, hard running. Of the many features this treadmill possesses, the convenient handlebar controls, which allow you control your incline and pace without moving your hands, seems to be a favorite amongst Amazon.com customer’s treadmill reviews. This “Lifespan TR 1200i” is also a technologically cutting edge machine; log your workout with ease as a USB drive compiles all of your progress, which you then easily upload to your computer for review. With all the stunning features and easy foldable storage it is no wonder why this treadmill received four and a half out of five stars on Amazon.com and the number one ranking on our list.
2. Livestrong LS8.0T Treadmill
Also originally available for $1499.99, the “Livestrong LS8.0T” is a great running apparatus for only $799.99. Equipped with a 2.5-horsepower continuous-duty motor, the “Livestrong LS8.0T” can get going up to 12 mph with an incline range of 0 to 12 percent. This treadmill also sports a unique “MaxComfort Cushioning System” that allows you to change your running track to be softer or firmer depending on your personal needs. This can add more support for your stride, allowing for faster recovery time. Similar to the “Lifespan TR 1200i” this running machine comes equipped with a USB drive that can easily be removed and uploaded to a computer for tracking of personal running progress. Available with nine different workout programs, this treadmill will keep your workouts fresh and exciting. Receiving 4 and a half stars out of five on Amazon.com’s treadmill reviews, this highly reviewed treadmill is a difference maker in more ways than just getting you in shape, a portion of every “Livestrong LS8.0T” Treadmill is donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s fight against cancer.
3. Smooth Fitness 5.65 Folding Treadmill
Equipped with one of the more compact designs, the “Smooth Fitness 5.65 Folding Treadmill” looks smooth in any room. Originally priced at $1999.99, its current $949.00 price point is a great value for a high quality treadmill that will last and last. With a foldable function, this treadmill will not be a big, bulky machine that takes up an entire half of a living room and can store easily in just a few feet of space. Receiving four stars out of five based on 211 customer treadmill reviews on Amazon.com, this treadmill is a proven workhouse. M.M. describes his experience in the following review “The run/walk surface is six inches longer than any other treadmill I looked at, so you always feel like there's plenty of room. The display is comprehensive, and easy to navigate and understand at a glance. Speed and incline can be changed quickly from the side hand rails, or the dash board.” Another feature that most customers seemed to be pleased with is the built in “Deluxe Sound System” equipped with an auxiliary input jack for an MP3 player.
4. ProForm Power 995 Treadmill
Coming in at number four on the list is the strong and tough “ProForm Power 995 Treadmill.” This big sturdy treadmill can hold up to a 325 lb person and is outfitted with the biggest engine on this list, boasting a 3.0-horsepower motor. The “ProForm Power 995 Treadmill” is equipped with 20 built in workout apps that are compatible with iFit Live; ten for weight loss and ten for performance. Receiving four out of five stars and originally priced at $1999.99 the “ProForm Power 995 Treadmill” is another great bargain for a machine equipped to deal with a serious runner for a long time. C.S. describes in the treadmill reviews “We have had this treadmill for a month and we are very satisfied with it. The motor is powerful but very quiet. This is a very sturdy treadmill. We are a family of three and all of us use it, and I am 231 lbs! The treadmill does not shake or squeak.”
5. Horizon Fitness T101-3 Treadmill
The “Horizon Fitness T101-3 Treadmill” is one of the sturdiest treadmills on this list, claiming to be able to hold up to a 300-pound maximum user. With “Sonic Surround Speakers” with MP3 compatibility and a pulse-grip heart rate monitor it is no surprise that this treadmill is popular amongst Amazon.com users, getting four out of five stars based on 119 different reviews from actual buyers. The lifetime warranty on the frame and 2.25-horsepower motor is popular amongst buyers allowing this treadmill to crack the top five on this list. With speeds up to 10 miles per hour and an incline of up to ten percent, this treadmill offers one of the best values at only $629.99. Weighing only 180 pounds and coming with a folding feature, this product is one of the easier treadmills to move around and store anywhere in your home.
All five treadmills on this list are certainly great bargains for under $1,000. These high quality machines are built to last for years to come. This review takes into account the treadmill needs of serious runners, by comparing only the sturdiest and toughest of treadmills. This list was compiled using the most updated customer treadmill reviews and data from Amazon.com and other fitness sites as of May 1, 2013.