Most Helpful Customer Reviews
56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
solid, reliable, comfortable, November 30, 2006
This review is from: Smooth 5.25 Folding Treadmill (Sports)
I have owned and used the Smooth Fitness 5.25 Treadmill for about six months. I've had lower-cost treadmills, and you do get what you pay for. (Though I don't see that spending $3000 gains all that much.) This one is definitely worth the price. It's comfortable and stable, and a pleasure to use. My significant other and I put around 30 miles per week on it, so we're not heavy users like runners in training. We both use the power incline and vary the speed a lot.
It does not have a built-in fan, or fancy programmed routines. I put a six-dollar clip fan on it and I don't miss expensive electronics to break. I just want to walk on it! And it fulfills that function very well.
The one feature I wish it had was a set of sideways wheels. I had a heck of a time getting it into my workout room because it only rolls forward, and I don't have 40" doors in my house. (Does anyone?) It's difficult to fold it up, keep it folded, and get it through normal doorways. Other than that, I am very satisfied with it.
==May 2007==
Still love it, still use it 3-5 times per week. No problems at all.
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30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended...but could be better., October 26, 2007
This review is from: Smooth 5.25 Folding Treadmill (Sports)
I recently purchased the 5.25 after doing the required research in trying to determine the best TM for my needs and my dollars. Overall, I am satisfied with my purchase of the 5.25. It arrived in a timely manner - two weeks after ordering - and the freight men moved it upstairs (definitely the best $25 I have spent in a while, as this is a heavy unit/box).
I bought the 5.25 for two reasons: 1) the strong warranty, and 2) its weight and size, as we didn't have room for a larger TM and I was thinking about when we would have to move it when that time comes. I also liked the Sole F63 and could have bought it for $100 less, but it is a few inches longer, 50 lbs heavier, and the deck may be a bit harder than the Smooth. However, there are things about the Sole I prefer.
Some reviewers, around the Net, mention that the 5.25 is best for walking. While I do that more than running now, I have found that this TM works just fine for an 8 minute mile - very solid at its weight of 195 lbs and very strong with the 2.5 hp motor. It is also fairly quiet in its operation, at least compared to an old Vitamaster that we had been using for about 4 years.
My complaints have to do with the console and readouts. First, they are quite small and in black, and therefore not as easy to pick up when running. What I really dislike is the fact that the MPH and Distance alternate back and forth on the same readout: MPH for 15 seconds, then Distance for 10 seconds. This makes it hard to determine your actual time for a mile or two. Secondly, I dislike that the Distance does not come in hundreths, but only tenths. This makes it near impossible to check your time on quarters. Even the old, probably 15 years, Vitamaster had separate feeds for MPH and Distance, and it showed hundreths for distance. Also, the console is way too large for the actual size of the computer read-out screen making most of it superflous and an obstruction for viewing a TV. That is a minor irritation.
Set up was relatively easy and instructions were good. Again, however, I found the directions for using the console/computer in need of clarity.
Overall, I am very satisfied with the Smooth 5.25. If the console was improved to give a better and brighter reading of the figures and there were two separate windows for the MPH and Distance, along with hundreths, I would give this unit 5 stars.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love it., February 12, 2008
This review is from: Smooth 5.25 Folding Treadmill (Sports)
I've been using this treadmill for 6 months now. I love it. My experience with the product has been A1, beginning with a phone call to the company to ask questions, to the delivery, set-up, and through 6 months of use.
The treadmill is very responsive to inputs for changes in speed and angle of inclination. I use maximum incline and speeds up to 7mph. The noise is not obtrusive. If I'm watching television, I have to increase the volume about twice normal; for me that's acceptable. I have had no problems at all with this product and highly recommend it.
I did the set-up myself, which means taking the treadmill out of the box and attaching handle bars and a few other finishing pieces. Two people are strongly advised, however. The manual was incorrect in a couple places, so a little mechanical aptitude is necessary.
The computer functioning, usability, and readouts are excellent. I recommend seriously considering this treadmill.
19 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE:
Still flawless and I am using it more frequently. My best friend, just about!
2 1/2 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE:
It just keeps going. No problems.
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