With an extra heavy 210 pound unit weight and Swing Arm Shock Absorption, it feels much more stable than many economy treadmills. You also get a roomy 20" x 55" belt, 6 built-in workout programs and Shock-assisted folding.
It's also covered by one of the best treadmill warranties on the market at this price point.
Is the 5.45 right for you? Here's a quick review to help you decide:
Quick Stats:
Price: $999 (MSRP: $1497)
Motor: 2.5 Continuous Duty HP
Speed: 0.5-10 MPH
Incline: 0-15%
Treadbelt: 20 x 55"
Folding: Yes
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes Hand Grip
Warranty: Lifetime Motor & Frame, 3 Years parts, 1 Year Service
Strengths:
Heavier Unit Weight Gives Extra Stability - According to Runner's World, stability is the most important quality in a treadmill. You don't want it to shake or wobble when you pick up the pace. With a heavier unit weight of 210 pounds the 5.45 feels much more stable and solid than many budget treadmills.
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.
Swing Arm™ Shock Absorption System - This is a popular higher end cushioning system that Smooth is starting to use in their treadmills.
Separate, heavy-duty base and deck frames – similar to health club treadmills – stabilize the deck for shake-free running.
Excellent Warranty - The Smooth 5.45 offers a lifetime motor warranty - which is excellent especially for a treadmill under $1000. The warranty also covers the frame for a lifetime, parts for 3 years and service for 1 year.
This is one of the best treadmill warranties at this price point - and it tells you about the quality of construction.
Soft Drop Folding With Shock-Assist - The 5.45 comes with a gas shock-assist mechanism to make folding and unfolding the treadmill much easier on your back.
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 for 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.
Weaknesses:
The Smooth 5.45 packs a lot of value into a small price. However it's still an economy treadmill and does not have the advanced console and workout extras that the higher end Smooth models offer.
Overall Conclusion: Recommended
If you're looking for a highly stable, well-built treadmill under $1000, the Smooth 5.45 treadmill is a great choice. While budget treadmills can sometimes shake and wobble, the 5.45 feels solid and much stronger than you'd expect for a treadmill at this price point.
Other advantages are the roomy belt, 9 user profiles, shock-assisted folding and quiet operation. The 5.45 is also covered by one of the longest treadmill warranties at this price point.
Although it probably isn't the best choice for runners or heavier users, overall the 5.45 offer excellent value for the home exerciser on a budget.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can save on the Smooth 5.45 by getting it direct from the Smooth manufacturer. They're currently offering a holiday discount - you can get 5% off the Smooth 5.45.
Just type in "smooth5" (without the quotes) into the Promo Code box at checkout. Then hit the Apply Coupon button beside it to see the 5% discount come off the price.
