FreeMotion t7.3 Treadmill Review

  About Fred Waters

"A Good Value for a Serious Running Machine"

Although I have not tried the FreeMotion t7.3 treadmill, when I was at the corporate headquarters I tested a similar FreeMotion treadmill.  FreeMotion is built by Icon Fitness, the company that also builds NordicTrack, ProForm, Epic, Reebok, Weslo and Image fitness equipment.  In the past Icon Fitness primarily manufactured cheap budget machines.  Over the last several years they've been getting into the higher end market.

Note: As of 11/29/09 the FreeMotion T7.3 was no longer available. Got to the NordicTrack Reviews for the latest models.

Icon's FreeMotion brand is similar to Toyota's high-end Lexus models.   Toyota started by building quality budget cars and evolved to building some of the best luxury cars in the market.  The FreeMotion t7.3 treadmill may not quite quality for the luxury category, but the overall features make it an impressive heavy-duty running machine.

Features on the FreeMotion t7.3 Treadmill

3.5 Continuous Duty HP Motor - This is one of the more powerful motors you will find in a residential treadmill.  It is designed to run effortlessly at high speeds.   And what makes this treadmill unique is the motor is located at the rear of the deck.  This tends to give you more running room towards the front and I am told makes the machine more durable.

22" x 60" Treadbelt - Not only do you get an extra long 60" belt, you also get an extra wide 22" treadbelt.  Overall, you get less of that confined feeling that comes with running on a treadmill.

2.5" Rollers - The larger the rollers the better.  Large rollers extend the life of the belt, motor and bearings.  With bigger rollers you have less rotations.  You also have a larger surface for the belt to revolve around, causing less tension and wear.

Warranty - Usually Icon Fitness is stingy with their warranties, they hope to upsell you on extended coverage.  However, in the case of the FreeMotion t7.3 they offer one of the most generous warranties in this price range.  You get lifetime motor, 10-year parts and 2-year labor coverage.  No one matches that.  In addition, it suggests something about the quality of the treadmill.  They can't provide that kind of warranty if the machine has a tendency to break down.

450 Lb. Weight - When I looked at the specs and saw this treadmill weighed 450 lbs., I had to contact my source at Icon to verify.  He said that is correct and that the t7.3 is a monster of a machine. At this weight it is one of the heaviest treadmills in its class.  The good news is it is very solid and stable, the downside is moving it is a bitch.  If you plan to get the FreeMotion t7.3 ordr the inside delivery option.

Console - The console and display is not all that impressive.   It is a backlit LCD, which serves it purpose, but is not one of the highlights of the treadmill. 

Our Review - FreeMotion t7.3 Treadmill

Unlike most other Icon Fitness treadmills, the FreeMotion t7.3 has few extraneous features like TVs, subwoofers and speakers.  It just has  the necessary features to accommodate serious runners.  When you factor the motor HP, deck size, weight and warranty, it is an impressive package.

The focus here is to provide an durable running machine for a value price.   And when they sell it for around $2,000 it is one of the best running treadmill values available.

One last note.  I feel Icon Fitness tends to overate the user weight capacity on just about all their treadmills and elliptical trainers. In the case of the FreeMotion t7.3, the 350 lb. weight capacity seems very reasonable.

Other considerations in this price range are the Smooth 9.45ST and the Sole TT8.