It's a strong contender in the under $1000 category with a decent 2.5 HP Motor, high 15% incline and fair sized 55" long walking belt.
It will also keep you entertained with an iPod jack with built-in speakers, reading rack which also shows your target heart rate, 2 speed fan and side handrail speed/incline controls.
Is the 5.65 right for you? Here's a quick review to help you decide:
Quick Stats:
MSRP: $1999
Sale Price: $999
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 &
Wireless Chest Strap
Warranty: Lifetime Motor & Frame, 3 Years parts, 1 Year Service
Strengths:
1) iPod Dock With Speakers
You can plug in your iPod or Mp3 player and listen to your favorite workout music while you workout. There's also a jack for headphones if you want to keep you workout quiet.
While this is becoming a fairly standard feature with treadmills, the older 5.45 model did not have it - so it's a nice addition that can make your workouts more enjoyable.
2) Incline / Speed Controls on the Side Handrails
This is a handy feature you often find in more expensive runner's treadmills. Instead of reaching forward, you can just change the speed or incline from the side handrails controls. It may seem like a little thing, but it can be very handy since reaching forward can sometimes throw off your stride.
3) Target Heart Rate Chart / Reading Rack
You can easily see what your target heart rate should be for your age - or use it as a reading rack to browse a magazine or read your favorite book. Since reading racks are usually sold separately at an extra cost, it's a great feature to find here.
4) Blue Backlit Console Window
While it's on the smaller side the console window shows your workout stats like speed, time, distance, incline, calories burned, and heart rate in a clear, easy-to-see format. If lighting is limited in your workout area, you can still follow your stats easily.
5) Gas-Shock Assisted Folding
While many treadmills at this price point fold up, the 5.65 comes with gas-shock assisted folding with a foot lever for easy fold up and let down. This means you can save space by folding your treadmill, without the strain on your back of lifting a heavy deck.
6) 14 Built In Workouts
You can choose from manual, 5 speed programs, 5 incline based programs, 1 distance program, and heart rate control. There's also a customized program option to build your own workout.
Weaknesses:
This is a starter treadmill and probably would not be suitable for runners or heavy usage. If you're a runner you'll probably want to step up to a stronger motor and longer deck like the Smooth 7.35.
Overall Conclusion:
The Smooth 5.65 treadmill offers a higher grade of construction than many treadmills under $1000. While it doesn't have all of the bells and whistles some brands have, if you want superior construction and a highly stable machine, it's worth checking out.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can buy the Smooth 5.65 directly from the Manufacturer. They're currently offering Free Shipping which will save you a few hundred dollars.
