Merit treadmills are a discount line produced by Johnson. Johnson is the 4th largest maker of fitness equipment in North America and also owns popular brands like Horizon, Matrix and Vision.
The 725T would appeal to buyers on a strict budget and comes in with a 1.25 HP motor power, 10% incline and 4 built-in workouts.
But is it a good value for you? Here's a quick review to help you decide:
Quick Stats:
Price: $599
Motor: 1.25 HP
Speed: 1 - 10 MPH
Incline: 0 - 10%
Treadbelt: 18 x 45"
Folding: Yes
Thumb Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
User Weight Capacity: 250 lbs
Warranty: Lifetime on Frame, 2 years on motor, 90 days parts and labor
Strengths:
1) Affordable - Obviously the main strength of this treadmill is that it's very cheap. While that has it's drawbacks (see the weaknesses below), for many people in this economy, it can be a huge plus.
2) 4 Built In Programs with Heart Rate Monitor - You can choose from several built in programs including manual, intervals, rolling hills, and weight loss - which is great to find on a treadmill at this price point. Plus there's a thumb-sensor to monitor your heart rate and keep you in your target fat-burning zone.
3) Folding - The 725T folds up to save space. It's also fairly lightweight, which makes it easy to fold up and move around.
4) Good User Reviews - Surprisingly the 725 has some solid positive user reviews behind it (which you can read here). Most people see this treadmill for what it is - a deal. They don't expect much from a treadmill at this price - which might explain why they like it.
Weaknesses:
There are a lot of weaknesses here:
1) Tiny Belt - This is one of the smallest belts you can find on a treadmill. It only has a 18" x 45" walking area. If you're taller or want to run, you may feel like you're going to fall off your treadmill.
2) Poor Warranty - This isn't surprising, given the price. While you're covered for a lifetime on the frame, the motor is only 2 year and you only get 90 days on parts and labor - which is a huge red flag.
3) Light On Motor Power - The motor is the heart of your treadmill. It can also be the most expensive part to fix. So you want a strong, powerful motor that can hold up over the long run.
The 725T treadmill only offers 1.25 continuous duty motor power which is very weak.
4) Thumb Pulse Monitor - This is the least accurate of any type of pulse monitor out there. So you may not always be getting accurate results.
Overall Conclusion: Not Recommended
While we love getting a deal as much as the next guy, it's hard to recommend the Merit Fitness 725T treadmill. It is affordable and gives you a few perks like the folding ability and a few built in workouts.
However there are a lot of red flags like lack of warranty, small belt and poor motor power. The construction quality is poor (i.e. thin belt, small rollers) so chances are it won't hold up well over the long run (and especially not if you're a runner).
If you want a machine that will hold up better over the long run, a Nordic Track (starting around $799) is only a few hundred more and offers longer warranties, power incline, much larger belts and stronger motors.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can buy the Merit 725T online. You can sometimes get Free Shipping to your home which can save you about $150.
