Reader Inquiry:

First of all, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your wonderful website. I am a professional researcher, and can honestly say that I have found your site to be the best for reviews of fitness equipment. I have been researching treadmills for weeks now and would not have been able to successfully narrow my search to the extent that I have without the information you provide.

 My question is this: I am trying to decide between the Sole F80 and the Livestrong LSPro1 folding treadmills. Although you have not yet reviewed the LSPro1 on your site, were you able to take a look at it at all when you visited the manufacturer? I tried them both at Dick’s Sporting Goods and was impressed with both of them. They were both extremely quiet, responsive, sturdy, and seemed easy to use. For the same price of $1,499, the Livestrong has more programs and bells & whistles, is more streamlined, and a bit less bulky which I actually like. However, the proven excellent reputation of Sole regarding quality, warranty, and service is causing me to lean towards the Sole. And, because of an old foot injury, I also really like the reviews on their Cushion Flex deck. Livestrong’s best cushioning system seems to be reserved for their top of the line LSPro2 which is not a folding treadmill although the warranty of the LSPro1 is comparable—although not equal—to Sole.

 Any feedback would be appreciated. Read more …

Gold’s Gym Treadmill are becoming very popular since they are sold at Wal-Mart.  I previously did not have any review on their models and was not familar with them.  After some initial research it was obvious that this was another Icon Fitness Brand.  Their other brands include NordicTrack, ProForm, Weslo, Image, Reebok, Epic, and the list goes on.   And what you find is that many of the models from the different brands are very similar.  In fact, they are all constructed at the Icon plant in Logan, UT. 

Gold’s Gym is an exclusive brand for Wal-Mart.  However, their treadmills are very similar, if  not exactly the same, as ProForm and Weslo models.  So should you buy a Gold’s Gym treadmill or the comparable model from another Icon Fitness brand. Read more …

In a recent issue of SGB there was an article, “The Web’s Direct Effect on Consumers.”

It dealt with the impact on the internet in buying decisions regarding fitness equipment, and also appareal and footwear. Approximately 45% of those surveyed said they bought fitness related products over the Internet. That was a 7% increase in one year. A remarkable 78% said they used the Internet to research products before they bought them.

Read more …

During January treadmill manufacturers are scrambling to keep up with the onslaught of services issues and requests for repairs.  And many drop the ball because they do not have adequate resources, and experienced staff to handle all of issues.  Read more …

I just got an email from an owner of a Proform treadmill.  There are some serious problems, and the treadmill is past the one year warranty coverage.  They are asking what they should do, since they paid $1,000 for it. 

There are two alternatives.  They can pay to get it fixed, which may be very expensive, and current issue could be the beginning of a series of problems.  Or they could buy a new treadmill that is built to last.  Read more …

One of the most common complaints people have when they buy a treadmill online is with the delivery.  All treadmill dealers that sell online, contract the delivery and fulfillment to third party companies.  Here is what you need to we aware of: Read more …