If you're looking for a commercial grade treadmill ideally suited to runners, you may want to consider the Lifespan TR5000 Treadmill.
It's very similar to the award-winning Lifespan TR4000 treadmill - but with a few upgrades.
For example, it's a more stable and solid feeling due to the non-folding frame. It also carries a longer warranty as well as a light commercial warranty (which makes it ideal for light commercial settings like condos or apartment gyms).
Is it the right treadmill for you? Here's a quick review to help you decide:
Quick Stats:
Price: $2299 + Free Shipping
Motor: 3.0 HP
Speed: 0.4 - 11 MPH
Incline: 0-15%
Treadbelt: 20 x 60"
Folding: Yes
Heart Rate Control: Yes, Side Hand Grip
User Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
Residential Warranty: Lifetime Frame, Lifetime Motor, 7 Years on Parts, 1 Year labor
Commercial Warranty: 5 years on Frame and Motor, 1 year on parts and labor (maximum 3 hours of use per day)
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Strengths:
1) Light Commercial Grade Construction
The Lifespan TR5000 treadmill is built to a higher grade of construction than lower-end Lifespan models. This includes a 1" reversible commercial grade deck and aluminum side rails. You also get an extra long 60" belt to give you more room to move, backed by a strong 3.0 AC motor with 800 lb. central mount incline motor.
This means the TR5000 was built to take much more of a beating and still hold up well over the long term than lower end units.
You can change your speed or incline with the touch of a button on the side arm rests instead of reaching up to the console.
This is handy, especially when you pick up your pace and don't want to reach up to the console which can throw off your stride.
Also note that the EKG pulse grips are also on the side handrails so you don't have to reach up to the front console to get a heart rate reading - another very convenient touch.
3) 3.0 AC Motor
The TR5000i treadmill comes with a 3.0 Continuous Duty AC motor. The AC motor gives you incredible torque at low speeds and is more responsive to speed adjustments than the DC motors found on most home treadmills today.
4) Automatic Safety Pause
There is an extra layer of protection with this treadmill due to the built-in safety sensor in the belt. It senses when you're no longer stepping on the belt and will pause the treadmill after several seconds.
This is a great safety feature to give you some added protection.
5) Step Count
With so many people trying to walk their "5,000 steps a day", this is a helpful tool. You choose the number of steps you want to walk and the console shows how many you've taken.
6) USB Device + Free Membership to Lifespan Fitness Club
The TR5000 treadmill comes with a free USB device that automatically tracks and stores your workouts. All you do is plug it into the USB port on your treadmill while you workout.
Then you can upload your information to the Lifespan Fitness Club online and see your results over time. It tracks both your indoor and outdoor activity and membership to the online club is Free with the purchase of the treadmill.
You can also get customized fitness routines based on your preferences and goals. It also helps you manage your vital stats over time (blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, heart rate, etc.)
7) Commercial and Residential Warranty
The residential use warranty on this treadmill is quite good and gives you great protection on your investment. This treadmill also comes with a decent light commercial-use warranty (based on maximum 3 hours of use per day). So this would make it a good fit for light commercial settings like a condo or apartment gym.
Weaknesses:
This treadmill is fairly new to the market and there aren't a lot of user reviews on it just yet. If you don't really care about having a stronger motor or the light commercial grade construction, you may want to consider the Lifespan TR4000 which is similar but has more feedback behind it, including several "Best Buy" ratings.
Overall Conclusion: Highly Recommended
If you're looking for a strong, stable treadmill built to a higher level of construction, you may want to consider the Lifespan TR5000 treadmill. From the AC motor to the reversible 1" thick deck, it's built to take more punishment than you average home treadmill.
You also get added touches like the step-count, side rail controls, safety sensors in the belt and the free USB drive with online membership to the Lifespan fitness club.
For entertainment, we also like the iPod dock with speakers, lots of workout programs grouped by goal (weight loss, healthy living etc.) and well-lit console with soft-touch keys. Overall, this is a strong treadmill - and a great choice for runners or light commercial gym settings. It can take a beating and hold up well over the long run.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can buy the Lifespan TR5000 direct from the Manufacturer here. You'll skip the middleman and they're also throwing in Free Shipping as of this writing.
