Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill — Is It Worth The Buy?

Posted on January 29, 2012 by admin

Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill

Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill

Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill

About: The Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill is a top rated Bowflex foldable treadmill that provides an intense cardio workout and is powered by a 3.0 horsepower continuous-duty motor. It has fifteen built-in workout programs and includes a wide range of options that includes fat burn, hill intervals, manual and cardio settings, calorie goals, distance goals, heart rate/strength test, Body Mass Index (BMI) test, cardio heart rate calculation, and on top of all that there are two customizable programs if you want to set it all yourself and personalize your workouts.

Obviously, being a foldable treadmill it folds up for easy storage. It has quick-speed keys, two cup holders, and a built-in 3speed fan. The belt surface area is 20″ x 60″ to provide you a lot of run to run, walk, or jog comfortably. A Bowflex machine, it comes with Bowflex’s unique Strike Zone cushioning system for comfort, support, and stability as you workout. The Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill comes with a lot of built-in options, variety, and diverse options no matter what kind of workout you want to do.

Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill Dashboard

Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill Dashboard

 

Specifications:

  • 3.0 continuous-duty horsepower motor
  • Speed range is 0.5-11 miles per hour/0.8-17.7 kilometers per hour
  • 0-12% incline range
  • Quick incline and quick-speed keys offer easy access to desired settings
  • Fifteen workout programs: Manual, cardio, running, fat burn, speed interval jogger, hill intervals, 5K run with 12 intervals, heart strength/recovery test, calorie goal, distance goal, fat burn heart rate calculation, cardio heart rate calculation, body mass index (BMI) test, two custom programs
  • Grip and telemetric heart rate monitors help measure your fitness level
  • Skylight backlit LCD computer display
  • Product Dimensions: 83 by 35 by 55.25 inches/211 by 89 by 140 centimeters
  • Folded Product Dimensions: 40.87 by 35 by 65.5 inches/104 by 89 by 166 centimeters
  • Machine Weight: 298 pounds/135 kilograms
  • Maximum User Weight: 300 pounds/136 kilograms
  • Power Requirements: 120VAC 15A non-GFI grounded outlet
  • Strike Zone deck cushioning provides soft landing and firm lift-off
  • Two-ply belt
  • Rollers measure 2.5 inches/6.4 centimeters
  • Walking/running surface area measures 20 inches wide by 60 inches long/51 by 152 centimeters
  • Built-in three-speed fan
  • Two bottle/cup holders

Click here to get more information about the Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill

What’s Not Good About This Treadmill?

As with most high end treadmills that have seemingly endless options the Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill isn’t light weighing in at 300 lbs. This can be problematic if you need to get the treadmill up or down stairs if you live in an apartment. As foldable treadmills go on the market, this one doesn’t fold up as small or tidy as other models. Assembling this treadmill may require two people, but you will up and running(literally) quickly.

Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill in its Foldable Position

Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill in it's Foldable Position

What Do People Who Own This Treadmill Think?

“Once the machine was in place, setup was a breeze. Probably took me 45 minutes to an hour, and everything was pretty self explanatory. The instructions were very easy to follow. Probably one of the easiest assembly projects I have ever encountered.”

“Had this for two months and great delivery for heavy item , 45min to assemble slight noise from belt when running , the thing does not really come calibrated out of the box but not too difficult, same complaints as others regarding display etc. fan ok , although i dont use the pre programmed programs too often this thing serves the purpose and seems really good quality so far.”

“I was able to purchase this treadmill from an older man that no longer needed it. He had open heart surgery and used it to do his walking. VERY heavy machine but after I installed it I forgot all about the weight. Very sturdy and well built. I have used many treadmills at various gyms but there’s something about this one..probably because I own it but regardless of that It’s a nice a machine, quiet, fast and nice on the eyes. You wont regret purchasing this fine machine. ”

“We went to a few exercise equipment shops to ride on various models to see if we should purchase in the sub $500, $500 – $1000 or $1000+ price points. The $500 – $1000 seem good, but we ultimately wanted something that would last more than 3 years. After reading many reviews on Amazon and comparing pricing on line and in our town we purchased this model, spending $1,299. Swaying us also was a $250 Amazon gift card that we wanted to use up.

It was VERY heavy, better plan on 3 or 4 people to bring it up a flight of stairs. We did it with 3 people, but 4 would have been safer.

The assembly was easy, took less than 30 minutes. I did read the directions and did it by myself, but lifting the large display and mounting it would have been much easier with two people. Note: I’m not an electrical engineer, but the wiring harness connectors the purchaser assembles are top notch. The whole assembly feels VERY solid. I also like the blue background on the display.

I really like the way that it folds up and you can wheel it around. At over 300 lbs, you need to be deliberate on where you are going, but with low carpet, I was able to move it across the room after using in one corner for a week and then changing my mind on where it should end up. ”

Click here to read more reviews about the Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill

So Is This Treadmill For You?

This is definitely a high end and heavy treadmill. The endless options and weight may turn some people off from buying this in favor of another model. It helps if you have a  workout partner, or at least another person with you, upon arrival due to how heavy it is. As a treadmill for workouts it should provide virtually any workout type you can think of. This treadmill will need some room and at 300 lbs. will mean you need to be very deliberate when you move it.

Read more about the Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill

Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill in Action

Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill in Action

 

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LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill (2011 Model) Review

Posted on January 16, 2012 by admin

LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill (2011 Model)

LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill (2011 Model)

LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill (2011 Model)

 About: The LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill is a durable folding treadmill that is packed with features that will help you walk, jog, or run to fitness. A cool feature of this treadmill is that it have handlebar controls that let you control the incline and speed without removing your hands from the handlebars so you can walk or run, and easily change modes, without being afraid you might lose your balance or even be forced to slow or speed up your pace as a result of the controls. The TR 1200i model is built for comfort and control. It has one of the bigger running spaces you will find on a treadmill at 20″ x 56″. It also has a biomechanically sound deck suspension system that can support weight of up to 300 pounds.

LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill (2011 Model) Dashboard

LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill (2011 Model) Dashboard

It’s the dashboard of the LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill that really stands out though. It’s a multicolored LCD console that has several simultaneous readouts and numerous exercise programs to help you get exactly the kind of workout you want. This console is really thorough displaying your steps, heart rate, distance, calories, time, and your incline level. The keys that control this impressive control station are large soft-touch keys. It comes preset with seventeen preset workout programs! All 17 of the TR1200i’s workout programs are designed by exercise physiologists to give you the best workout for every second you’re on the machine. Each of the preset 17 workout programs are divided into 20 segments with built-in incline and speeds to give you the workout that is right for you.

There are two My Zone heart rate programs built-in that also contain two custom programs if those are not what you want. The TR1200i’s My Zone Constant programs use your heart rate as a fitness tool by keeping your heart rate at a constant level. If you want your heart rate to go up or down during the exercise you can use it’s My Zone Interval program and set minimum and maximum heart rates. The treadmill will even adjust its incline automatically to keep you within your desired heart rates! You’re in charge of every aspect of the programs at the custom level and can even save them for later.

When you purchase the LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill, as a bonus, you automatically are given a membership to the LifeSpan Fitness Club. The LifeSpan Fitness Club is a comprehensive online health management program that les you pick exercise programs and then track and manage the results. The TR1200i does this by storing each exercise session you do on your LifeSpan USB Storage Device. This device will be personalized to your height, weight, gender,  and age which means you can bypass setup screens and get accurate calorie calculations. After working out you just upload your results from your USB device to your computer. This gives you access to full and detailed reports.

Other great features of the LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill is that it contains built-in, high quality speakers, and an iPod/headphone jack so you can easily listen to music as you workout. It also has an Intelli-Step step counting feature that functions in the way of a pedometer.

Click here to watch some video of the LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill

LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill (2011 Model) Foldable Position

LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill (2011 Model) in its Foldable Position

Now onto some important but boring stuff:

Specifications:

  • Belt size: 20 by 56 inches
  • Drive motor: 2.5-horsepower continuous-duty DC
  • Belt type: 2 ply
  • Incline motor: 800-pounds maximum lift
  • Rollers: 2.5 inches (front), 2 inches (rear)
  • Speed: 0.5 to 11 miles per hour
  • Incline: 15 levels
  • Deck suspension: 6 variable-density elastomers
  • Deck: 3/4-inch phenolic
  • Folding system: EZ Drop
  • Side rails: Nonslip plastic
  • Full dimensions: 33 by 54 by 70 inches (W x H x D)
  • Folded dimensions: 39 by 66 by 33 inches
  • Capacity: 300 pounds

What’s Not Good About This Treadmill?

The LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill comes almost completely assembled in the box. Since it weighs 300 pounds this may be a problem for some people who need to move it up or downstairs since most of the weight cannot be removed. A dolly would definitely be helpful to have to move this treadmill around in its box.

What Do People Who Own This Treadmill Think?

“Overall, I would highly recommend this treadmill to everyone, based on its performance and price. Like others, I had some reservations spending $1,000 for something that I’ve never tried, but so far I’m very pleased. If you buy this treadmill, don’t forget to buy the lubricant (it’s recomended to lubricate the belt before the first use). ”

“This is a great in-home treadmill; it was delivered earlier than I thought and was extremely easy to put together. The online workout tracking is really cool and it’s nice not having to enter my height and weight every time I want to use it. I like how it displays your name every time you get on. The music station is really nice and the cup holders are deep so my iPhone didn’t jump around while running. It’s exactly what I was looking for in a treadmill. I very highly recommend this treadmill for purchase. ”

“Very pleased with this purchase. Assembly was easy and I was able to do it without another person. Although having someone around would have made it even easier. Delivery was on time and carried into the house. Very happy with this treadmill after one month and everything works as promised. ”

“Treadmill is very stable and you get no display shaking when jogging and running and more importantly for me the remote controls don’t bang around in the cupholders (my last treadmill drove me nuts with that). The motor is very quiet and reacts quickly when speeding up and slowing down. The controls on the handlebars are very nice to make adjustments for your speed and elevation. It is easier to move around than I thought, just lean it back and move it. The bar along the front I am assuming is for safety but works really nice as a sweat towel holder. ”

“I purchased this treadmill based on price and features, but mostly due to all the positive user reviews on the TR1200i. It had by far the largest percentage of good reviews, and a really good warranty. Many of the other comparable models I researched just didn’t sound like they were well-made or would last very long. I received this treadmill today and just took it for a 45-minute run. It feels just as sturdy as the treadmills at the gym – absolutely no instability or shake, and the motor is really quiet. I used one of the preprogrammed workouts and it was great. I like the option to either vary the level of incline or the speed on some of the programs, and I’m sure I’ll be using the manual settings as well. Super easy to fold up if needed – the hydraulic arm is a nice feature. The only reason I’m not giving 5 stars is because it doesn’t seem like I can measure my heartrate during the preprogrammed workouts unless I choose a heartrate-driven program, but that’s a small nitpick. I’m really looking forward to logging tons of miles on it! ”

Read more Reviews on the LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill

So Is This Treadmill For You?

The LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill is designed for those who wanted complete control of their workouts and an ease to be able to track everything with as little trouble as possible. It’s not on the inexpensive side but offers a huge amount of features for the money. There is little that this foldable treadmill does not have in regards to features. If you are interested in only the top-of-the-line and best out there then this treadmill from LifeSpan Fitness may be exactly what you want. With so many areas and types of customization you will likely not need to go to a gym again and use their treadmills when yours can compete with them or do more.

Read more about the LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill

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Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill Review

Posted on January 9, 2012 by admin

 Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill

Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill

Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill

About: The Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill is a foldable treadmill that is great mix of comfort, control, and ease of use. This treadmill was made with the user in mind requiring no assembly and is designed for easy storage. It has two modes to exercise(Manual and Weight Loss) to help start using your treadmill quickly out of the box. It weighs 99 pounds and has built in speakers so you can add some music to your workouts. The Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill comes ready for use with any iPod or CD player with a built-in plug on its dashboard. The ease in which you can move this treadmill from home or your office is a great design characteristic of this treadmill. It contains a built-in handle that lets you maintain your balance through a walking or jogging workout. You can exercise from 1 to 6 mph on this treadmill and stop the workout with it’s security key that will turn the treadmill off once removed.

Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill_Foldable

The Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill in it's Foldable Position

Specifications

  • Ultra-compact design
  • Folds to 10 inches high, stores vertically or horizontally
  • No assembly required
  • Motor: 1.5 CHP
  • Running/Jogging Area: 17″ x 45″
  • Weight: 99-lb
  • Belt Speed: 1 to 6 mph
  • Standard Programs: 2 (manual, weight loss)
  • LCD Displays: time, speed, distance, calories
  • Display Color: Black with orange backlight
  • Maximum User Weight: 250-lb
  • Reading Rack: Yes
  • Audio In: MP3 and CD players (via included audio adapter)
  • Speakers: Yes
  • Heart Rate Monitoring: Yes (via thumb heart rate button)
Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill Dashboard

Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill Dashboard

 What’s Not Good About This Treadmill?

Gym goers who may be used to inclines will find this a disappointing model. With only two preset your workout will be pretty limited to some basic walks and jogs. It weight may make it difficult for one person to move by themselves, especially if you live in a place or work in an office that has stairs. If you plan on doing some hardcore running this treadmill may not be for you since it’s really not designed for that purpose.

What Do People Who Own This Treadmill Think?

“It’s probably one of the cheapest automatic treadmill and it comes out OK. The speed is very limited, but the time it reaches 4 miles per hour, I suspect I can increase the speed. The obvious disadvantage is the belt is hard to adjust, it took me a long time to make it just right while increasing speed. I think it only fits people less then 120 pounds. I am actually less than that but it shakes while I run on it. ”

“This machine is very good for the price. I sit all day in an office and wanted something light that I could fit in a small room to exercise at night while I watch TV. This machine absolutely fills the bill. I HAD a much more expensive treadmill with all the bells and whistles, which was, frankly, much more than I needed. This is perfect for the purpose and best of all – it is quite light so that even I can fold it up and down. It is very compact and will definitely fit under a bed. Very happy with the purchase. ”

“I love this treadmill, it is perfect for a small area. It works great for me for walking and losing weight. I did have to buy a mat for my hardwood floors because it was to loud for me and I was afraid my floors would wear after time, that was no big deal. ”

“I do not understand why small/compact equals inexpensive to these companies. I would have paid $1k for a compact treadmill with a nice array of workout choices on the electronic panel. The manufacturers of these treadmills seem to overlook the fact that there are millions of people that live in apartments and just don’t have room for a regular size treadmill.”

“My husband and I are so glad we purchased this Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill. We spent some time researching out various treadmill models and brands on-line before we made the purchase. We considered size, features, warranties, reviews and prices. This treadmill is all we hoped it would be. My husband utilizes it daily incorporating it along with his entire exercise routine and is completely satisfied with its performance, features, and durability so far. We are glad we considered its size because we like being able to keep it ready to use but still having the ability to fold it up to put it away if we chose to do so. We were also quite favorably impressed with the Horizon company customer service. When we received our treadmill we found that it had a crack in the motor cover. I contacted the company by e-mail about it and they promptly replied within hours and immediately sent us a free replacement cover which we easily installed. Our entire experience with this purchase, the product and the company has been very positive. We are very pleased. ”

Read more reviews of the Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill

So Is This Treadmill For You?

The Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill is a great buy if you are looking for a compact and foldable treadmill that can fit under a bed, or with some effort, vertically into a closet. If you can’t get to the gym or have little time to workout day to day from a job or college this is probably the treadmill you’re looking for. Since it comes pre-assembled it gets rid of any headaches you may trying to put it together while wondering if it all works when it’s finally done.It’s weight of 99 pounds can be problematic for some to move and if you live in a location where you have to travel up stairs it may be a pain to bring up and down on delivery and when you move. It is well suited for the average person looking to get a good, but not intense workout, however, and will do its job well.

Read more about the Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill

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