It improves on the T94 with a stronger 2.5 HP motor, built in workout fans, 9 workout programs, higher 12% incline, longer 58" deck and wireless heart rate monitor to stay in your target fat-burning zone.
Is the T96 right for your needs? Here's a quick review to help you decide:
Quick Stats:
Price: $899.99
Motor: 2.5 HP
Speed: 0.8 -10 MPH
Incline: 0-12%
Treadbelt: 20 x 58"
Folding: Yes
Heart Rate Control: Yes, hand grip and chest strap
Warranty: Lifetime on Frame & Motor, 1 year parts and labor
Strengths:
1) Decent 2.5 HP Motor - The Fuel T96 treadmill comes with a strong 2.5 continuous duty HP motor. Plus it's covered by a lifetime motor warranty to give you some added peace of mind. At this price point, this is quite good.
2) Built In Speakers with Mp3 Hookup - You can plug in your mp3 or iPod and listen to your favorite music through the built in speakers.
This isn't a necessity but it's still a handy feature that can help make your workouts much more fun.
3) Speed and Incline Controls on the Handrails - This is a useful feature that many people like. It saves you from reaching forward to the console to adjust your speed and incline, which can feel awkward.
4) Longer 58" Belt - The T96 offers a 20" x 58" belt - very long for a treadmill under $1000. Taller users will appreciate the extra space as they won't feel like they're falling off the treadmill.
5) Warranty - The Fuel T96 warranty is excellent for an economy treadmill: lifetime frame and motor warranty, 1 year parts and labor. It's better than many department store treadmills.
Weaknesses:
The Fuel T96 is affordable and has a lot of solid core basics of a decent treadmill. However it's a bit bare bones. The console is fairly simple without a lot of bells and whistles.
It's also an economy treadmill so it's not recommended for heavy use. Runners should definitely consider spending more for a higher end treadmill the Sole models.
Overall Conclusion: Good Budget Buy
The Fuel T96 treadmill shows a lot of promise as a new entry into the economy market. It has a solid feel, longer 58" belt, strong motor and decent warranty. The little extras like the side incline and speed controls and the Mp3 /iPod hookup are also a nice touch.
However it's also a very bare bones machine with a fairly simplistic console. There's not a lot of bells and whistles. It's also not recommended for runners or heavier usage. If you want more bells and whistles at this price range, you might want to check out the Nordic Track models first.
However if you're on a budget and want a strong alternative to the ICON brands - the Fuel T96 is worth considering.
Where To Buy:
You can but the Fuel FT96 directly from the the Manufacturer. They're also currently offering Free Shipping which can save you around $150.
