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168 of 170 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good basic treadmill, January 27, 2007
I've had my C44 about 2 weeks now, and while I'm happy with it, I think I wish I'd waited until I could afford a better model. I've just started a weight loss journey, and I thought a treadmill would be a good investment given Alaskan winters.
Things I like about my C44:
It folds, thus taking up a small footprint of floor space when not in use. Rough estimate without measuring, you'll need a spot about 3' by 3' to store it when you aren't using it. The lock that holds it closed is sort of hard to release, which I think is a huge plus, as I babysit a toddler.
Quick-stop key (probably standard on all treadmills)....it clips to your belt or waistband, and then inserts the other end into the treadmill. The treadmill won't turn on without it, making it handy to take with me when I leave the house, so I have no worries about my children playing on it.
It seems sturdy. I'm not lightweight, in fact, when I bought it, i was just a few pounds under the 250lb weight limit, and it doesn't strain under my weight when I use it. I have personally used it to speeds of 3.5mph. My husband, about 200lbs, and athletic, runs at speeds up to 7mph and it, and it doesn't strain then, either.
Incline: it has MANUAL inclines of 3%, 6% and 9%.
What I don't like:
I use a Polar F6 heart rate monitor while I walk. I start walking on the treadmill (which starts the clock on the C44), and then I start my F6 monitoring. When my workout is over, my F6 ALWAYS has more time logged than the treadmill does. I've tested my F6 against stopwatches, and it appears to be dead on, so apparently the timer on the treadmill doesn't keep good time, which frustrates me, and makes me wonder if it's tracking the mileage correctly.
The thumb sensor for heart rate monitoring: it's horrible, no two ways about it. It jumps all over the place, within a span of about 2 seconds, it will measure my heart rate at 83, 144, and 199. From what I understand, all sensor type heart rate monitors are fairly poor, but I've also read that they can at least give you a close estimation of your heart rate. This sensor aboslutely CANNOT do that. If you buy a C44, definitely invest in a chest-strap heart rate monitor for accurate monitoring, don't rely on the treadmill's sensor.
The incline: Being totally new to exercise (ie, I've never purposely exercised in my life!), I thought it was great that the C44 had 3 levels of incline, and that would be perfect for a beginner like myself. Well, walking on a treadmill is not the most exciting thing I've ever done, and I've found some awesome treadmill workouts online, to vary things up a bit, but unfortunately, they all require incline use, and the C44's incline feature leaves much to be desire in that aspect. In order to adjust the C44's incline, you must turn off the treadmill, fold it up, and then manually adjust the leg height. Most treadmill workouts do sequences such as 2 minutes at 0%, 1 minute at 3%, 4 minutes at 0%, 2 minutes at 3%, etc. By the time you get off, adjust the incline, and get back on, you've lost your heart rate and just about the time you get it back to the targe4t zone, you've got to hop off and adjust again.
So, my advice on the C44.....if you can possibly afford a better treadmill, then save your money a little longer and get something better. If this is absolutely the best treadmill you can afford, get it. it DOES work well, and is certainly better than nothing. Even though it has it's flaws, the C44 HAS given me the motivation to get off my rump and get moving.
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