Treadmills

Besides the test winner LIVESTRONG® 12.9T, the Taurus Fitness T9.5 and the cardiostrong TX 50 are among the leaders in the current treadmill test of the ETM test magazine (02/2012). The cardiostrong treadmill TX 50 became the best treadmill in the category under 1500,- Euro. The TX 50 was "auch bei hohem Tempo und schweren Läufern (>100 kg) stets fest und sicher" (sturdy and safe even for high speeds and heavy runners (>100 kg)) during the test. Besides the greates program selection of all tested treadmills, the cardiostrong treadmill convinces by its intuitive use.

The second placed Taurus Fitness treadmill T9.5 got the highest valuation in the category "safety" and was praised for its solid workmanship. The T9.5 "brilliert in Sachen Materialqualität und Laufeigenschaften" (was brilliant regarding material quality and running features). Furthermore, the Taurus treadmill T9.5 has the biggest running surface of all tested equipment. Best treadmill under 1000,- Euro, and therefore a "snip" according to testing persons, is the cardiostrong treadmill TR 30.

Besides the test winner LIVESTRONG® 12.9T, the Taurus Fitness T9.5 and the cardiostrong TX 50 are among the leaders in the current treadmill test of the ETM test magazine (02/2012). The cardiostrong treadmill TX 50 became the best treadmill in the category under 1500,- Euro. The TX 50 was "auch bei hohem Tempo und schweren Läufern (>100 kg) stets fest und sicher" (sturdy and safe even for high speeds and heavy runners (>100 kg)) during the test. Besides the greates program selection of all tested treadmills, the cardiostrong treadmill convinces by its intuitive use.

The second placed Taurus Fitness treadmill T9.5 got the highest valuation in the category "safety" and was praised for its solid workmanship. The T9.5 "brilliert in Sachen Materialqualität und Laufeigenschaften" (was brilliant regarding material quality and running features). Furthermore, the Taurus treadmill T9.5 has the biggest running surface of all tested equipment. Best treadmill under 1000,- Euro, and therefore a "snip" according to testing persons, is the cardiostrong treadmill TR 30. The ETM test judged: "Mit vielseitigen Programmen und üppiger Ausstattung läuft das Modell so manch teurem Gerät den Rang ab" (the model outstripped some expensive equipment with varied programs and luxuriant equipment).

The treadmill is one of the "classic" fitness equipment and is often used for improving fitness. Exercising on the treadmill stimulates fat burning and strengthens leg and back muscles. Many athletes find jogging on a treadmill to be a relaxing diversion after a day full of stress. Independent of weather and time, you can do some sports and do something good for your body. By means of a precise control of the pace, you adjust the treadmill to your running styles like walking, going or jogging - according to which intensity you wish to exercise. Many treadmills can be adjusted in incline and ascents can be simulated and different muscle groups are specifically exercised.

Which treadmill is the good one for me ? You find information about differences between different treadmills in our treadmill guide:

• Motor (HP and maximum speed):
  Choose the treadmill according to speed, so that enough scope is given to the maximum speed preset by the treadmill - to have still possibilities to increase and not to let the treadmill permanently run at maximum speeds. Motors with digital drive technology (Digital-Drive) run more precisely and more constantly than common motors because of quick, digital signal use - a digital drive motor is more silent and more durable.
• Dimensions of running surface:
  Training comfort and stride safety increase with bigger running surfaces. The quicker the speed while exercising on the treadmill, the stronger the change in speed and incline, and the taller the exercising person (and its stride length), the larger should be the running surface of the treadmill.
• Shock absorption:
  A good shock absorption of the running deck is of great importance for exercising persons with back and knee problems. Most of our treadmills are of very good shock absorption, as i.e. the models of LifeFitness, Taurus Fitness, Circle Fitness, cardiostrong, LiveStrong, Vision Fitness, and Horizon Fitness. Treadmills of Tunturi, Bremshey, Kettler, and U.N.O. are of good shock absorption; Daum, Bremshey, Reebok, and Hammer treadmills are satisfactory to sufficient.
• Electronic/manual incline adjustment:
  Starting models are often equipped with a manual incline adjustment. The workout on the treadmill needs to be interrupted for changing and the incline angle has to be changed by hand. When the treadmill is equipped with an electronic incline adjustment, the incline can also be comfortably adjusted while exercising - at the touch of a button. Your treadmill workout becomes more varied and more flexible.
• Workout programs:
  Training programs provide diversion while exercising on a treadmill and increase motivation.
  Some treadmill models offer to save your own workout programs and also save your personal course.
• Pulse control/pulse controlled workout programs:
  You can see the appropriate pulse value in a chart by means of age, gender, and preferred training goal (increase in stamina, fat burning, etc.) for models with pulse control. The treadmill controls - depending upon the model - speed and/or incline angle, so that you always exercise within the preset heart rate. Thereby, you exercise in an optimized and healthy way.
• foldable/not foldable:
  The running surface is easy to fold up for foldable treadmills. The treadmill can be stored in a space saving way after your workout.
• Workmanship:
  Treadmills of LifeFitness, Taurus Fitness, Circle Fitness, and Vision Fitness are of excellent workmanship; cardiostrong, LIVESTRONG, Horizon-Fitness, Kettler, Tunturi are of good workmanship.
• Volume:
  Volume can vary because of different motor types and power (depending upon the treadmill): Life Fitness, Taurus Fitness, Circle Fitness, Taurus, cardiostrong, LIVESTRONG, and Vision Fitness are very silent; Horizon Fitness, UNO, Daum, and Kettler show a silent to middle noise development; Bremshey, Hammer, and Reebok are a bit less silent.

Current treadmill tests:
ETM test magazine treadmill test number: 02/12
In the number of February, 2012, the ETM test magazine tested all in all 13 treadmills. Besides training features, aspects like safety, workmanship/equipment, etc. have been included in valuation of treadmills. At the top: our treadmills of Taurus Fitness and cardiostrong.
1st place: LIVESTRONG treadmill 12.9T, test mark: "sehr gut" (Very good) with 92.4 %
The test winner is at the top, i.e., in the category "equipment & material". The testing persons like the motivating LiveTrack display.
2nd place: Taurus Fitness treadmill T9.5, test mark: "gut" (Good) with 90.3 %
The Taurus treadmill convinces by safety with highest given mark in the test. The treadmill is equipped with the largest running surface of all tested equipment. The solid construction is also emphasized.
3rd place: cardiostrong treadmill TX 50, test mark: "gut" (Good) with 89.4%
The cardiostrong treadmill TX 50 is praised for the greatest selection of programs in the test. The IntelliStep and the Intelli-Guard-functions are positively mentioned. At the same time, the cardiostrong TX 50 is the best tested equipment in the treadmill category under 1500,- Euro.

Best treadmill under 1000,- Euro became the cardiostrong TR 30. A plus of it are varied programs and good equipment.


Our treadmill tips for beginners:
cardiostrong treadmill TR 30 (2.25 HP continuous output, good shock absorption, 14 motivating workout programs, solid workmanship, MP3/iPOD® connexion, snip !)
LIVESTRONG treadmill LS 7.9T (among others developped by Lance Armstrong, 2.5 HP continuous output, 3-zones-shock absorption system, integrated training statistics, reduced introduction price !)

Our treadmill tips for advanced users:
cardiostrong treadmill TR 70i (3.25 HP continuous output, joint-gentle shock absorption features, 22 motivating workout programs, incl. Sport-Tiedje USB-Kit for innovative Sport-Tiedje Online Training software, step rails made of aluminium, our price-performance tip !)
Horizon treadmill Paragon S (successor of the starting model Horizon treadmill Paragon III HRC, 2.5 HP continuous output, 4.4 mm orthopedic running mat, very maintenance-low running deck)
cardiostrong treadmill TX 50 (powerful 3 HP motor, Orthobelt running mat for joint-gentle workouts, hot keys, folded in space saving way)
LifeFitness treadmill F1 Smart Folding (USB connexion for transmission and analysis of your data to the Virtual Trainer Website, iPod connexion, Flex Deck Shock Absorption System, foldable)
LIVESTRONG treadmill LS 12.9T (flagship of the Lance Armstrong treadmill series, 3 HP continuous output, large running surface, detailed training statistics, multitude of (pulse) workout programs, incline up to 14%, modern design, special price !)
Taurus Fitness treadmill T9.5 (3 HP continuous output, 55 cm running mat, 38 motivating workout programs, body fat measuring, extremely solid construction, can be loaded up to 180 kg (!), suitable for semi-professional use)

Our treadmill tips for advanced use and ambitious running workouts :
Taurus Fitness treadmill T9.9 (3 HP continuous output, extremely large, thick Orthobelt running surface, 66 motivating workout programs, extremely solid workmanship, and even more user-friendly cockpit use than that of the Taurus treadmill T9.5, unbeatable price !)
LifeFitness treadmill F3 Basic (of the approved gym supplier Life Fitness, patented shock absorption system, quality components, modern design)
Vision treadmill T9550 Premium (Cambridge brand motor, orthopedic running mat (4.4 mm), technical features like integrated training statistics and DVD function, highly-definition colour display, easy menu)

Our treadmill tips for upscale use:
Circle gym treadmill M7200 (gym quality, 3 HP AC motor, 90 mm rollers, long durability, intuitively easy menu-driven use, maximum sturdiness, reduced by more than 30% !)
LifeFitness treadmill Club Series CST (4 HP continuous output, MagnaDrive-System for precise engine timing, top-quality shock absorption, 90 mm rollers, extra strong steel frame, gym handrails with front grip, 20 motivating workout programs)
Taurus gym treadmill T10.3 Pro (powerful, maintenance low 3 HP AC motor, treadmill of gym quality, very large running surface)
Taurus gym treadmill T10.7 Pro (extremely solid gym treadmill, visual training control, very large running surface, powerful 4 HP AC motor)
LifeFitness treadmill T7.0 (joint-gentle Flex-Deck shock absorption technology, easy use, awarded by Consumers Digest)