Gold’s Gym 450 Treadmill Review

  Treadmill Articles

As is usually the case with treadmills that can be purchased at department stores such as Walmart, the Gold’s Gym 450 treadmill is not of the greatest quality.  Still, it has affordability going for it and some decent features that could be appreciated by modest exercisers.

The Gold’s Gym 450 treadmill has only a shipping weight of 150 pounds, which is very light for a treadmill.  As a matter of fact, the frame was never intended to be very strong and durable.  That is why it is backed by only a one-year warranty.

At such a light weight, the Gold’s Gym 450 machine is going to wobble even when used at a slow pace.  If you ever want to build up speed or use the incline for added intensity, you certainly are not going to get a very smooth ride.

In spite of the not-so-high quality of the Gold’s Gym 450 treadmill, this unit has received quite a few favorable reviews.  Of course, the affordable price is a plus in today’s economy.  Also, because it is lightweight, it is easy to move around, and it doesn’t take up as much space as most higher-end models.  It’s relatively simple to use, as well.  You don’t need any special skills or talents.  Basically, if you can walk, you can operate the GG 450.

What About The 450 Features?

For a treadmill that sells for under $400, the Gold’s Gym 450 has some appealing features.  Included on this particular model are the following:

• Six personal trainer workouts – It’s always nice to have a variety of workouts from which to choose.  Variety prevents exercise boredom and challenges the body in different ways.  The issue, however, is how well this treadmill can handle the different workout programs.
• Power incline – Even if you can’t comfortably exercise at a jog or run on the GG 450 treadmill, you can use the power incline to increase the intensity of your workouts.  Once again, the unit may not feel too sturdy while using the incline, but it’s worth a shot.
• Cooling fan – With a fan in the console to keep you cool, workouts can be more bearable.
• 2.5 THP motor – This motor is assigned a THP rating, which means that is the highest level of output. The norm in the industry is to refer to the continuous duty, which is the level of horsepower a motor can run without straining. The continous duty rating is probably around 1.5 HP. This is not a very powerful motor, nor is it efficient enough to withstand a lot of jogging or multiple users.  For one or two walkers, the motor should suffice for awhile.  The motor is covered by a 5-year warranty.
• Grip pulse monitor – Even by walking at a steady pace for several minutes, you can raise your heart rate.  The heart rate monitor allows you to keep track of just how high your heart rate goes and allows you to work within your targeted range.
• LCD display – Monitor your progress on this display, which shows time, distance, speed, calories burned, and pulse rate.
• 18” x 50” running surface – It’s called a “running surface,” but it’s really better suited for walking.  It’s rather small for longer strides and taller individuals.

Our Review – The Gold’s Gym 450 Treadmill

In spite of the good reviews that the Gold’s Gym 450 treadmill has received, it simply is not such a great machine.  Yes, if it’s all you can afford, if you plan to use it only for walking, and if you are of average size or less, you might be able to get your money’s worth out of this unit.  On the other hand, it is compiled of inferior components, which are apt to require maintenance and are likely to have a very short life.

The parts are covered only by a 90-day warranty.  That tells you right there that even the makers of the Gold’s Gym 450 model do not have too much faith in its durability.  With an unsteady frame, a cheap motor, and cheap parts, workouts are not going to be smooth and cushiony.  The machine will probably not be the quietest, which can grate on your nerves after awhile.  Face it, this is a cheap treadmill!  That’s why it costs so little!

Note: The company that builds Gold's Gym treadmills also builds ProForm and NordicTrack. They offer some good values in the plus $700 price range. Most models come with a liftetime warranty on the motor and 1-year parts and labor coverage.

Also see the Gold's Gym Maxx CrossTrainer 650 Review and the Gold's Gym Maxx Trainer 685 Review.