Motor

The Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill is a smooth and quiet ride thanks to the 2.25 horsepower motor. The continuous duty engine can provide a steady and smooth belt motion for users up to 225 pounds. Even at the max speed and incline, you can expect the same experience.

Treadbelt

The key feature on the treadbelt is the Aerosoft cushioning system. This will help relieve any stress you may feel in your legs or feet during a workout. For users who have conditions that impact their knees and ankles, this can be a very valuable feature.

The running surface measures 18 inches by 50 inches, which is a typical size that should only feel confining to users who are very tall.

Programs and Other Features

You will find seven pre-programmed programs on the Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill. These programs include endurance challenges, weight loss, cardio, mountain and hill climb, intervals, and manual. If you find that you get bored easily during a workout, these programs may provide a little extra incentive to stay interested and motivated.

Computer Monitor

You can track the progress of your distance, speed, calories burned, and more with the LED display monitor on the Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill. It also comes with a thumb pulse monitor to track your heart rate during a workout.

Assembly and Storage

Some users have reported that the assembly process is very tedious. It may take up to two hours to properly put this machine together. At approximately 120 pounds, it may be too heavy for you to assemble by yourself.

The frame of the Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill folds down to make storage easier. However, it may not be very easy to move the device because of its weight.

Warranty

This machine has a lifetime frame warranty, a two-year motor warranty, and a 90-day labor and parts warranty.

Dimensions

The Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill measures 31 x 52 x 71 inches and weighs 121 pounds.

User Reviews

More than 130 customers have weighed in with their opinion on the Amazon product page for this treadmill. While not everyone has recommended the Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill, they do have plenty of positive comments to make. Compliments most often mention the smoothness and strength of the motor, the diversity of the workout programs, and the overall construction quality.

Any Complaints?

Some tall users have complained about the size of the running/walking deck. Unfortunately, that is a problem they will find with every budget treadmill. Other users have suggested that the max user weight capacity is closer to 225 pounds than the listed 250 pounds. If you require a higher weight capacity, it may be safe to look at another option.

Final Recommendation

The Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill currently costs under $450, which makes it a very smart purchase when you consider some of the great features it has. The motor and the pre-set programs are strong points on this machine, which is rare for a budget-friendly treadmill.

The post Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill Review appeared first on FitnessHandy.

While the technological features are not going to wow you, the Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill does pack a pretty good punch for its price. If you want to work out on an affordable, quiet machine that fits easily in your home, this product is worth a deeper look.

Motor

The 2.25 horsepower motor is not the weakest option on the market, but it also probably won’t provide enough power to support running. This is why we say that this model is better for walkers and joggers. Giving up the motor power is just one of the compromises you need to make when shopping for a budget machine.

There is an advantage to all low horsepower treadmills. They do tend to be quieter than some of their competitors. This could be a real plus if you like to listen to music or watch TV while you are working out. The Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill has a top speed of 10 mph.

Treadbelt

The running deck portion of the machine measure 18” x 47.” At this length, it probably is not going to provide ample space for people much over 6’ 2” tall. For people of average height and below, there should not be any problem with the size of the treadbelt.

Unlike many other budget treadmills, this model comes with a cushioning system. Considering the price tag, it is surprising that the Aerosoft Cushioning System is included in the design. With this feature in place, the shock and stress on your feet and joints should be drastically reduced. This is especially beneficial for people who plan to put many hours into exercising on their Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill.

The treadbelt also comes with an incline feature that makes it possible to raise the running deck. While it only lifts up to 5 percent, it does provide some variation in the level of difficulty in a workout.

Programs and Features

There are four pre-programmed workout programs that come with the Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill. These programs cover intervals, rolling hills, weight loss, and a manual option. Four is not many compared to the number of programs found on pricier treadmills, but these options do provide some nice variation for a budget product.

The Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill computer gives users feedback on some of the most important data. It will reliably track distance, time, speed, and calories burned. A pulse heart rate monitor also provides accurate information.

Assembly and Storage

This product comes with a detailed set of instructions that should make assembly easy for most. Most of the parts are already pre-assembled, so one person should be able to handle the job by themselves in as little as 30 minutes.

Once assembly is complete, you will find that the Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill is quite a compact machine. It also easily folds down into smaller dimensions when it is time for storage.

Warranty

The frame has a lifetime warranty while the motor is covered for one year and all parts and labor are covered for 90 days.

Dimensions

The Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill measures 29 x 52 x 61 inches when assembled and 29 x 56 x 26.25 inches. It weighs 108 pounds.

User Reviews

Amazon users seem to have some mixed feelings about the Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill. The positive reviews seem to focus on the easy assembly process, the effectiveness of the overall workout experience, and the compactness of the machine.

The average rating on Amazon is 3.4 stars out of 5, which makes it one of the lower rated treadmills.

Any Complaints?

There have been some quality control issues with this model. While the issues do seem to be rare, they have led to some negative reviews that are driving down the overall user rating on this machine.

Final Recommendation

There is some risk involved in purchasing the Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill due to the reported quality control issues. If you would prefer to avoid that, but you like everything else about this model, you should consider the 725T Plus model. It offers many of the same advantages, does not have any reported quality control issues, and is only slightly more expensive.

The post Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill Review appeared first on FitnessHandy.

Motor

The Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill comes equipped with a 2.25 horsepower motor. If this sounds a little low on power to you, you would be right. This motor most likely will not be able to provide enough power to support any running you might want to do. Inclined, high speed running is pretty much out of the question.

For many people, this does not have to be a deal breaker. If your routines consists mostly of jogging and walking, this motor can provide quiet and smooth operation. The incline adjusts from 0 to 10 percent, and the machine can go up to 10 MPH.

Treadbelt

The treadbelt measures 20 x 55 inches. It should be able to accommodate the vast majority of users. Perhaps people 6’4” and taller, or people with an extra long stride, would feel confined.

The Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill really stands out when it comes to comfort. Thanks to the patented PerfectFLEX cushioning system on the deck, this machine can provide an exceptional level of shock absorption and support.

Programs and Features

The Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill comes with a wide variety of pre-programmed workouts. There are many different options to choose from, including workouts based on distance goals, interval goals, and calorie goals. With the variety available here, you should be able to find something that directly benefits your unique fitness goals.

Console

The computer console on the Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill makes it easy to interact and follow along with the programs. You will have quick access to key information like speed, workout progress, incline, distance traveled, and speed. All of this data is easy to read on the back-lit LCD display. Thanks to sensors in the hand grips, you can also check your heart rate while working out.

Console

Speakers

Exercise equipment speakers rarely produce a quality sound. Surprisingly, the Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill provides a pleasant music listening experience.

Fan

The fan is not as effective as the speakers. Most treadmills suffer from a weak fan, and that is the case with this machine. Do not expect a strong cooling breeze.

Assembly and Storage

The Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill has a shipping weight of 192 pounds, making it one of the heavier treadmills on the market. If you do not pay for professional installation and assembly, you should definitely consider asking someone for help. It will be much easier to screw in some of the heavier parts if you have help. It should only take around 45 minutes to an hour for two people to complete the assembly.

The FratherLIGHT design, along with some well placed wheels, make moving and storing this heavy duty machine a lot easier than you might think. It is heavy, but you can lower the deck and wheel it to a proper storage space without too much effort.

Warranty

This product comes with a lifetime warranty for the frame and motor, and a one-year warranty for all parts and labor.

Dimensions

This machine measures 70 x 33.5 x 55 inches and weighs 165 pounds after it is fully assembled. The max user weight capacity is 300 pounds.

User Reviews

There are only 22 reviews up on Amazon for this relatively new product, but the response has been very positive so far. It has received an average rating of out of 5 stars.

Most of the positive comments focus on the easy assembly, quiet operation, wide range of programs, sleek design, and easy storage. Several users have also mentioned that Horizon Fitness provides excellent customer support for this machine.

Any Complaints?

There are only minor complaints for the Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill. The weak fan is a bit of an issue, but that is something that many users have almost come to expect with exercise equipment. The motor is unable to support high speed running, but that is not something most users expect from a mid-price treadmill. Some users also have mentioned that they find the interface to be very basic.

Final Recommendation

Users have very few complaints about the Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill. It has been rated as a “Best Buy” by many different reviewers. It should be considered a solid mid-price treadmill that delivers good value for money. You won’t find some of the features of a high end treadmill, but the Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill can provide you with a comfortable, effective workout experience for years to come.

The post Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill Review appeared first on FitnessHandy.

The Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill is a big winner when it comes to these concerns. Horizon specifically designed this model for treadmill shoppers dealing with space constraints. As is usually the case, however, with special features come other special compromises. This Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill review will help you weigh the pros and cons.

Motor

With a continuous 1.5 horsepower motor, the Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill is very capable of providing smooth deceleration and acceleration of the belt. The speed ranges between one to six miles per hour. The instant safety key could be a great feature for some, including any users with small children. If you want instantly shut the motor down, just pull the key on the console.

Treadbelt

The treadbelt on the Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill is smaller than you might expect. At 17 x 45 inches, it can still easily accommodate walkers and joggers, but a runner may struggle to find enough space for a full stride. The recommended maximum user weight for this treadbelt is 250 pounds.

Features

Computer Console

The Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill LCD display does not match up well with some of its competitors. It will reliably record distance, time, speed, pulse, and calories burned, but that is about it. Many other treadmills on the market today are packed with programs and technological features that may provide some users with a heightened workout experience. The Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill comes with only two programs. However, it does win points for have a very readable and accurate display. A thumb heart rate button tracks all your vitals.

Programs

As mentioned above, the Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill only has two workout programs included — manual and weight loss. These two programs are both effective tools, but Horizon is lagging far behind the competition when it comes to interactive and educational features for exercisers.

Speakers

This treadmill does come with two-watt audio speakers that make it easy to listen to music during a workout. It also comes with an input jack that allows a user to plug in a CD player or an MP3 device.

Assembly and Storage

The fact is that Horizon has stripped down some of the extra features to make this model lighter and easier to store and move. Many people avoid purchasing a treadmill because they are afraid they won’t be able to find space in their home to store the product when it is not in use. At only 99 pounds, the Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill is much easier for one person to cope with. Best of all, it arrives already assembled. You can unfold the treadmill and get started right away. That is a huge bonus for many shoppers who may be willing to do without technological features.

When it comes time to store the Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill, it will fold down to only 10 inches off the ground, making it possible to store it under a bed. An innovative design does away with all of the pins and screws sometimes associated with folding treadmills.

Warranty

The frame is covered for up to 10 years, the motor for five, and the electrical components as well as all parts and labor are covered for one year.

Dimensions

The Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill measures 59 x 23 x 48 inches when fully expanded. It folds down to only 10” by 59”.

User Reviews

Over 170 reviews have been written about the Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill on Amazon. The average score of those reviews is out of 5. Many customers have complimented the treadmill on its ability to follow through on the promise of being easy to move and store. Positive comments also touch on the effectiveness of the workout experience.

Any Complaints?

Some users have been disappointed to find that the Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill does not have a water bottle holder. The only other repetitive complaint has been the speakers. Users say that music often sounds tinny through the SG’s two-watt speakers. However, the second option of plugging in an MP3 player is satisfying to most.

Final Recommendation

If you are struggling to find space in your home for workout equipment, the folks at Horizon have just what you need. They have designed a product that requires no assembly and is easy to store under a bed. It is important to remember that the sleek, lightweight design does lead to compromises regarding technological features. The Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill may not have all the bells and whistles that other models have, but if you want a plug and play experience at a reasonable price, you cannot do any better.

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