Life Fitness Review

Tuesday, March 2nd

2021 Treadmill Reviews

Life Fitness

• Cost: From $2,199 to $9,500

Whether you're looking for a treadmill just like what you've seen at your local health club, or a compact model that will fit in your bedroom, LifeFitness has you covered. As one of the top brands found in home gyms, fitness centers, and even military installations, LifeFitness has an excellent reputation for quality.

On the lower end of the price spectrum is the F1 Smart Treadmill, which is foldable and has wheels for easy moving and storage. Or, if you're looking for a health club-quality console with all the latest technology for Bluetooth connectivity and TV/app compatibility in your treadmill, the Platinum Club Series and Club Series models are what you'll find at your local gym and are available for purchase to use in your home gym too. You'll even find that the higher-end models have color choices to fit with your decor, as well as higher speed ranges (12 mph vs. 10 mph) and weight limits (400 lbs. vs. 300-350) than on lower-end models.

Equipment overview:

• Treadmill Style: Folding and Non-Folding
• Price Range: $2,199 - $9,498
• Different Models: 9
• Financing Available: Yes
• Horsepower: 2.5 HP - 8.0 HP
• Belt Width: 22x55, 20x60, 22x60 (varies by model)
• Return Policy: 30 days, 25% restocking fee (up to $500 maximum)
• Guarantee: Lifetime Frame, Shock Absorbers, Drive Motor (some models only cover 10 years on Drive Motor); 5-10 Year Parts (depending on model) and 1-Year Labor
• Shipping: Free

LifeFitness was also the first retailer we reviewed that offers a model designed for work: the LifeFitness Treadmill Desk. If you've got a home office or own your own business, this could be a great way to get in a workout while still getting work done. An adjustable desktop can accommodate users with heights ranging from 5'0" to 6'4", and a connectivity panel includes AC power hookups, an Ethernet connection, and USB docks for maximum productivity.

You'll probably find that LifeFitness treadmills are more expensive than most of the other brands on the market - mostly because the technology options, even on the lowest models, are much more advanced than their competitors. For example, the entry-level Track+ Console is compatible with both Android and Apple devices, includes 14 pre-programmed and 12 custom workouts, and allows users to establish up to four different user profiles on the machine. LifeFitness' most advanced console, the Discover SE3, has up to 50 different workouts, including 8 custom ones, limitless user profiles, all packaged in a familiar tablet-style screen. Warranty coverage is decent as well, particularly the three-year coverage for the console itself.

Unfortunately, the high prices of LifeFitness treadmills may be out of range for customers looking for a basic entry-level model - once you factor in sales taxes, you'll be spending over $2,500 for the lowest-end machine. In addition, if you decide you don't like your LifeFitness treadmill and want to return it within the first 30 days after purchase, expect a 25% restocking fee.

On the other hand, LifeFitness is one of the few retailers we found that offers certified used home exercise equipment, which can make it more affordable to add an treadmill to your home gym. You can also get a payment plan through their financing partner, Affirm: look for the "as low as" pricing information below the treadmill's price in order to see more details. At the time of our review, Affirm was offering interest rates from 10-30% APR with repayment plans of 3, 6, and 12 months, depending on your credit history.

Overall, users of LifeFitness treadmills give the machines high marks for the quiet operation of the motor, well-cushioned surface, and durability even when used frequently for high-impact running or jogging.

Although many customers may find that LifeFitness machines are out of their price range, we give them a solid rating for their quality and advanced technology available with their consoles.