HealthRider Treadmill Reviews

  About Fred Waters

HealthRider Treadmills is one of a number of Icon Fitness brands (ProForm, NordicTrack, Reebok, Epic, Weslo and Image.). I was out to the corporate headquarters recently and I previewed several HealthRider models.

Here is the story. All the Icon brands are built at the same facility. In fact, they use many of the same components. If I were to rate the various brands and the quality it would go like this:

HealthRider Treadmills vs. NordicTrack Treadmills

HealthRider Treadmills are similar to NordicTrack. You will find the machines use many of the same components and have similar features. So which is a better value? It depends. Icon Fitness runs sales regularly across their brands, and they change prices weekly. Which makes my job difficult pointing out which models and brands have the best value.

Regarding Internet sales, I would have to suggest that NordicTrack offers the widest array of models, and usually has some of the best discounts. In fact, they occasionally have some killer sales on specific models.

That is not to say you won't find an excellent deal on HealthRider treadmills. When I was out to Logan , Utah , the folks in charge of Internet sales said they are reviving the HealthRider brand. I asked why, since the models were so similar to NordicTrack. The answer had something to do with the name recognition of HealthRider.

Do HealthRider Treadmills Offer Good Value?

The answer is yes! Icon Fitness is the largest fitness equipment manufacturer in the world. In fact, they are #1 by a large margin. By the economy of scale, they can afford to give you the most for the least.

In the past, there were issues of quality control and poor service, but the company has made serious strides in improving both. Of course, a sub $500 treadmill is still low-end model lacking in quality components and durability. However, Icon Fitness offers some excellent value in the $800-$2,000 price range, and they have some of the most innovative features in the industry. Rather than reiterate all of the benefits of HealthRider, I would suggest you read my review of NordicTrack Treadmills - same difference.

In order to find you the best deal, I try to keep you updated on the various sales and special offers. Not always easy, since they change their prices without notice.

This should be your plan of action. Determine what you will use the treadmill for - walking, jogging and running. Also, determine how often you will use the treadmill and how many users there will be. This will help you to figure out what size motor you need and the length of the deck. Review their models and determine which features are necessary to help you achieve your fitness goals - number or workout programs, iFit technology, heart rate control, sound system, TV, etc.

Once you have an idea of what you need in a treadmill, you can comparison shop between HealthRider and NordicTrack for the best value. If you are looking to spend around $1,000 or less, you may also want to look at ProForm.

Yes, it can be a bit confusing, but spending some time on research and comparative shopping could save you hundreds of dollars.