The Smooth 5.45 Treadmill is Smooth's most affordable treadmill. It's very popular for those on a budget who still want a stable, quality built machine.
Smooth has a reputation for building high quality machines and while the 5.45 is simple in design, it's heavy in construction.
This makes it perfect for walking and light jogging.
Is the 5.45 right for you? Here's a quick review to help you decide:
Quick Stats:
Price: $899 (Sale + Free Shipping)
Motor: 2.5 Continuous Duty HP
Speed: 0.5-10 MPH
Incline: 0-15%
Treadbelt: 20 x 55"
Folding: Yes
Water Bottle Holder: Yes
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes Hand Grip
Warranty: Lifetime Motor & Frame, 3 Years parts, 2 Year Service
Strengths:
1) Heavier Unit Weight Gives Added Stability - Stability is one of the most important qualities in a treadmill. You don't want it to shake or wobble when you pick up the pace.
Unfortunately many treadmills under $1000 are quite light and they can shake - especially when you start to run.
With a heavy unit weight of 210 pounds the Smooth 5.45 treadmill feels much more substantial and solid than other budget treadmills.
2) Swing Arm Cushioning Gives Lower Impact Walking - This is a superior cushioning system that Smooth has recently introduced to their treadmills. They started out putting it in their higher end $2000+ treadmills but have now put it into the 5.45 treadmill.
Separate, heavy-duty base and deck frames – similar to health club treadmills – stabilize the deck for shake-free running. According to Smooth, with SwingArm cushioning muscles contract at a lower peak intensity for a longer period of time, so they burn 14%-23% more calories.
3) Quiet Operation - The 5.45 comes with a 2.5 HP motor that works with an advanced Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) circuit board to make speed changes smooth and quiet. The Whisper Weave™ Treadbelt also helps to cut down on noise and gives you a very quiet workout - great if you want to hear the TV while walking.
4) 15% Incline For Higher Calorie Burning Intervals - While many $1500 treadmills will give you 15% incline, most treadmills under $1000 will only give you 10-12% inclines. If you're someone who likes to build in calorie-burning intervals, being able to go up to 15% is a great option to have.
5) Easy Shock-Assisted Folding - The 5.45 comes with a gas shock-assist folding mechanism to help you fold it up. And there's a foot-operated lever to lower it easily back into place.
This means you can fold up the treadmill to save space - without the strain on your back. This is also a plus for older users who may not want the stress of folding and unfolding a heavy treadmill.
6) 9 User Profiles with 6 Built-In Workouts - You can store the age, weight and target heart rate information for up to 9 people on this treadmill - a handy feature if you have multiple users.
The 5.45 also includes 6 built-in workout programs like interval incline, interval speed, 5 K training, weight loss, heart rate control and manual. So you can challenge yourself or just break up your routine to avoid an exercise plateau.
7) Lifetime Motor Warranty Coverage With 2 Years on Service - The Smooth 5.45 treadmill comes with a lifetime motor warranty which is excellent and helps protect your investment. The warranty also covers the frame for a lifetime, parts for 3 years and service for 2 years.
To get 2 years service on a treadmill at this price point is rare. It can save you a lot of money should you need to service your treadmilll.
Weaknesses:
The Smooth 5.45 packs a lot of value into a small price. However it's still a starter treadmill and doesn't have the advanced console, longer deck or extra fitness tools that the higher end Smooth models offer.
Also note that because it is a heavy machine, you may want to opt for the in-room delivery that Smooth offers - or get some very strong friends to help you move it to the room of your choice.
Overall Conclusion: Recommended
The Smooth 5.45 treadmill doesn't carry the bells and whistles of higher end units. It's main strengths are the solid construction and strong, stable feel.
Other advantages are the Swing Arm Cushioning to protect your joints, quiet running operation, high 15% incline and shock-assisted, easy-lift folding. The 5.45 is also covered by one of the longest warranties at this price point, which gives you some peace of mind about the quality of construction on this unit.
Taller users or runners may want to step up to a higher end Smooth (like the 7.35 with stronger motor and longer belt). But if you're looking for a good quality, well built treadmill under $1000 the 5.45 offers great value.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can buy the Smooth 5.45 directly from the Manufacturer. They're currently offering Free Shipping which will save you a few hundred dollars.
