(this is going to be a long post, stop now if you're not interested in treadmills
)
I have the Image 10.0
Here's the Consumer Reports report - couldn't link because it's a membership site:
Best values in treadmills
More than 10 million Americans hop onto a treadmill every few days, making it one of the most widely used pieces of exercise equipment. Perhaps that’s because a treadmill can be used day or night, rain or shine. Or perhaps it’s because it’s so effective; treadmill exercise has been demonstrated to burn calories more quickly than exercise on several other types of equipment, including stair climbers, rowing machines, exercise riders, and exercise bikes. Our own research has shown that treadmills are less likely than other machines to sit unused.
WHAT’S NEW
As the treadmill market matures, manufacturers are fine-tuning and adding features. The 15 models we tested for this report, priced from $325 to $3,500, have notable features such as these:
Improved motor housing. Increasingly, it’s concave and located farther from the control console so you’re less likely to kick it with a long stride.
Higher inclines. This lets you increase the intensity of your workout. The belt on some treadmills can rise to a very steep grade of up to 15 percent (the equivalent of scaling an 800-foot hill in a one-mile walk).
Upper-body. Several treadmill models have some feature intended to give the upper body, not just the legs, a workout. This is a good idea in theory, but not always well designed. For example, the ProForm Crosswalk Advanced 525x has poles that attach to the frame and can be levered back and forth. We found this version of a cross-country skiing workout awkward because you can’t secure the poles if you want to let go of them in midroutine. Two other treadmills come with hand weights that can easily be stored on the console.
HOW TO CHOOSE
At its heart, a treadmill is an endless belt looped around rollers, propelled by an electric motor, and supported by a deck on a metal frame. Electronic controls and displays let you change the belt’s speed, vary the pitch of the deck, and monitor your progress.
The main features to look for in any treadmill are these:
A belt that’s long enough to accommodate your stride and wide enough to let you walk or run comfortably.
Wide foot rails that make it easy to get on and off the belt.
Handrails that are at the right location for you to grip and keep your balance.
A well-labeled speed control that allows you to change the belt speed precisely.
Shop smart: Treadmill features shows a number of other details that may influence your choice.
We recommend auditioning the machine in the store before buying. Here are a few points to consider to match the machine to your mode of exercise:
Will I be walking or running? The models we tested go from a starting speed of about a half-mile per hour to 12 mph, fast enough even for elite runners. Runners in particular should focus on very sturdy construction to ensure that the machines can take a beating. All the treadmills we bought withstood our high-intensity durability testing without damage to the deck or frame. But the ProForm CT 1160 and the Reebok RX 5000 showed an unusual amount of wear on the deck padding; both have thick, soft cushioning between the belt and the deck.
How much variety do I need? Some treadmill users prefer to control speed and incline by hand. For them, any machine in the Ratings will do. But if you prefer preset or customized routines, you’ll have to spend more money. The more sophisticated programs adjust speed and incline to your heart rate.
Several models offer iFIT, a program developed by Icon Health & Fitness, the nation’s largest treadmill maker. With iFIT and a computer hookup, you can either sample exercise routines that change daily or follow a "virtual trainer’s" guidance from the iFIT Web site. Our past tests found the virtual trainer option, at $30 for 45 minutes, enjoyable but not necessarily a good value.
Is space an issue? If so, consider a folding treadmill. You can fold 8 of the 15 models we tested and save about 10 square feet of floor space. You fold the typical treadmill by grabbing one end of the deck and lifting. Treadmills that offer two easy-grip surfaces at the sides of the deck are ergonomically better than those with a one-hand center grip.
Try folding the machine in the store to identify idiosyncrasies. The Horizon Fitness Tsc2, for example, has a pneumatic device that helps lift and lower the deck, but it tilts disconcertingly at first. The Image 10.0 was one of the easiest to fold and lock, we found.
Can I assemble it myself? Only the Reebok RX 5000 and ProForm CT 1160 arrived completely assembled. Others take about an hour to put together. If you’re not handy or especially strong, you may need help. When you buy, find out whether home delivery means a drop-off at the curb, the front door, or inside.
RECOMMENDATIONS
For walkers. It’s OK to consider a low-priced treadmill. You won’t get many features or amenities, but you probably won’t need them for regular, modest workouts. Look to the Image 10.0, $450, or the Weslo Cadence 450, $325. One drawback to both: Neither has a belt that can be dropped to horizontal; using these treadmills means always moving up at least a slight incline, which may give you a more intense workout than you’d like.
For runners. Look for a machine with solid construction, a large belt, controls that are responsive, and displays dedicated to the information you need. That means spending $1,000 or more. We recommend the Vision Fitness T9200, A CR Best Buy at $1,350. The top-rated True 400 HRC, $2,200, is the best choice overall. It had a very stable ride, excellent controls and displays, a very large tread belt area, a powerful motor, and a deck that rises to a challenging 12 percent grade.
In construction and ergonomics, the Vision Fitness T9200 bested models costing as much as $2,400. But it has no preprogrammed exercise routines and no heart-rate monitor. The similar T9300 has programmed routines.
For multiple users. The treadmills we recommend for runners also work if you like to run but your spouse wants to walk, or if you like to run and walk.
When buying, look for a warranty of at least two years for parts and one year for labor. Don’t reject a treadmill if it comes with a shorter warranty, but consider buying an extended warranty. Among the treadmills we tested, extended warranties range from $70 to $150 per year.