LifeSpan TR1200i Folding Treadmill

--I don't do reviews, but I thought I'd chime in because I saw so many fake reviews all over the internet concerning treadmills and exercise units in general; it took me awhile to decide on this unit. It was unnecessarily a difficult process; I even got a online CR subscription to try to figure out fake reviews from good ones, and found out that CR isn't quite what it used to be 20 years ago. Amazon reviews seem more spot on.--Anyways, background - I've bought 3 treadmills in the last ~20 years or so. One cheapy that went in the trash. One very good Landice that was like $2000/~15 years ago which I loved but my nephew burnt out, a refurb Precor commercial which my sister still uses that I bought perhaps 8 years ago. And also various ellipticals of varying price ranges. My point is, I'm not a total dummy when it comes to exercise equipment, but I'm sure there are more expert people as well. I'm a 43 year old guy, weigh around 160lbs and when I do get on an exercise binge, I probably jog 3-10 miles a day 6 days a week, at around 5 to 7 mph, and I'm short, so my gait is very short too. I wanted a no nonsense unit. I don't care about bells and whistles. I wanted as low a cost a unit as possible that would still function well and reliably for at least a few years to get my money's worth, and also because I don't know if I will be moving soon(moving+cardio equipment=BAD), and I didn't want to go all the way to buying a commercial unit again. So, I wanted as cheap as possible but still reliable and built-well unit - not like the rip off brands you typically get for under $1000 from big box stores that are good for walking the first 5 miles and has all sorts of useless whirligigs and then either sits there or breaks within a week with any sort of real exercise(including rattles, tread slippage, motor burnouts, console computer problems, etc. and good luck getting warranty) The reviews on this unit seemed promising and the price was good. I went for it.1. Assembly- The box came with a rip on one side. I took a pic and prayed. Inside, the unit wasn't damaged. Hard styrofoam packs(versus the better soft). The packaging itself was meh. I'd give it 3 out of 5. I think the fact that the unit comes with mostly important stuff already assembled saved it from a lot of possible damage. The unit was very easy to assemble and I've assembled lots of c*&^, and took me 2 hours, alone. It was one of the easier if not easiest assemblies I've had of a cardio machine. I could have done it in 30 mins I think but I took my time and took calls and stuff in between, had a quick bite, etc. and tried to do it perfectly. Personally, my preference is to assemble anything like this myself cause I'm pretty good with my hands and I don't trust those "expert installers". I always think those "expert installers" are the same ones that assembled the run down and broken c*&^% that you see on display at the onsite stores with pieces hanging off. Pay $300 extra for that? No thanks. Anyways, the big pieces of the unit come pretty much all already attached/assembled. Personally, I put the unit on the side and walked it out of the box, cause I didn't want to destroy the box in case I wanted/needed to return it. I had no trouble and was ultra careful to follow the instructions which also I rate as good enough, 3 out of 5. I noticed some reviewers had trouble with the screw holes on the arms. I had ZERO trouble with that portion. Maybe Lifespan fixed that issue. What I did have trouble with was the very last step of assembly. The screws come already screwed into the holes of this unit. The very last step is to put a plastic piece on the back of the display console. It just covers up the wires on the back. I found the four screws were frozen on the metal and wouldn't unscrew. I needed a vice grip to twist out one of the screws, and rounded out two screws in total trying to unscrew them out. It isn't an integral piece, and I didn't mind so much, but still, bad is bad. I did manage to get the plastic-trim on, but one of the screws will not screw in all the way and juts out a bit, it's nowhere that it can snag or endanger anyone, and it's function is largely cosmetic, so, I just left it and the plastic piece does not wobble or rattle so, again - good enough. Hence, I can trust the earlier reviews that note the problems with fittings, is possible, but for me at least, I didn't experience any of the big issues they reported(maybe they fixed the big issues in the generation I received), but rather just that single minor problem with that trim piece, which admittedly is annoying but not catastrophic. All other pieces I have to note, to be fair, fit perfectly and easily for me, so, actually it was doubly surprising that those last screws gave me trouble since all other pieces fit so well. Afterwards, I sprayed the deck, took off the red zip tie, put in the safety pin, and turned it on. It worked fine.2. Console - Admittedly, I really don't care for music or entertainment when I exercise so much and I didn't want to pay for stupid doodads like fans and a tiny 5 inch lcd screen. I can get a tablet to watch movies if I want. To me all of those are gimmicks that tell me the manufacturer spent money on useless things that should have gone to paying for a better motor, frame, deck, shock, and tread --- and after-service(unless ofc the unit is like multi-thousands in cost, then I expect all the doodads). To me, those are the important things - the structural things. This unit doesn't have any of the nonsense really. Also, I'm the only user, so personally, I have no trouble with all that internet nonsense myself. As I said, these are MY PERSONAL PREFERENCES, not saying people who like those things are wrong. But I don't bother with them myself so, that aspect of the review, ignore me, if those things are important to you. What I did care about was the quality of the buttons. It has nice big silicon covered buttons that I prefer FAR over the bubble ones which I hate pressing and seem to stick after awhile and cause all sorts of trouble. I had those problems before in an elliptical(an older Precor of all things). I like the buttons on this unit; they are very responsive and easy to push. I would have liked as other reviewers mentioned, quick buttons that go all the way to 11 miles per hour for easier interval training; the unit comes with quick buttons up to 6mph. But to me, again not a biggie; I can just press the up/down buttons to get that speed I want and as I said, the unit responds fast and smooth enough to me, so I don't see what the problem is at least for myself. Others may disagree. What I do appreciate is that the unit speeds up smoothly and quickly and slows down likewise, and without hassle. It does. Call me old fashioned, but that's more important to me. One time, the incline at 10 degrees made the machine shake. But I tried to replicate it, and was unsuccessful. Maybe the machine settled down? I don't know. The heart rate thing doesn't work. I have had heart rate gizmos that did work with moist hands. This one just doesn't work - AT ALL. I don't care. I've worked out enough to know what my heart rate is by feel and I think anyone who's done maybe 10-15 miles of jogging does too. I don't, hence, plan on getting a polar strap or anything like that. I used to have one and never used it after the first 20 miles of working out; it was too much of a hassle to put on for me before every workout. I give the controls/console an average 3.5 out of 5(considering the price of this unit, that is, and that I wasn't expecting anything miraculous in the first place), just because the buttons work well and speedily and seem sturdy. To me, that's important above everything else. Simply, there isn't too much to the console, but what there is, seems to work very well. I'm admittedly biased, because I like that kind of simplicity. For example, I press start, press desired speed, voila! You know the calorie thingie in every treadmill is wrong. You know the HR reader isn't worth it. You know the speeds are approximations. You know the inclines are approximations. You know the step function is useless. You know if you are watching tv, you probably aren't working out as much as you should be, and you know those CPU fans will get dusty and break on you. Putting in weight and height - really you think that makes the calorie estimate anymore accurate? Really? :/ Mmmm.. No... Every human being is VERY different. The fact that the numbers go up as you run is enough for motivation. But trust me, there are no accurate calorie counters on these things. For me, I like to - press start, press speed, and run! If I can get a decent distance reading that's sorta accurate, I'll be happy. Basically I burn like 110-130 calories per mile, or I'm supposed to, who knows? And any difference(inaccuracies) in calorie burn is whether I put cream in my coffee in the morning or not. Heart Rate? If you can barely talk, you can run that speed for awhile. If you can't run that speed for awhile, guess what? Slow it down! Simples.Point is, I just don't hold to gadgets on these things. To me, they are useless. As I said, that's me. If you have different opinion, no offense.3. The treadmill itself: The important part... I was apprehensive because, yes, the box is heavy, etc. sorta, but actually comparatively this treadmill is far lighter than any other treadmill I've ever had before excepting the really cheap ones, and it's the first FOLDING treadmill I hazarded to purchase. I was hesitant to buy a folding one at all to be honest. I just don't trust them nor do I trust lighter treadmills, and it's not like it saves that much space, really to be able to fold. I don't ever plan on folding it. It's a hassle to unfold and fold machines in general to me. I think of folding treadmills as again a gimmick. So keeping my prejudice in mind --- Anyways, I assembled the whole unit myself and moved it with the wheels etc. and it seems at least to me, to be totally honest, NOT as tanky and substantial as some of the other reviewers seem to describe and I, hence, was hoping. Honestly, I wish I would have paid the extra $500 for the 3000 unit that is one grade up. That said, however, after assembly and trying it, I have very little reservations that it is just about what I NEEDED and is practical. Now, I'm not training for a marathon; if you are serious, look at the $2000+ range, maybe a refurb commercial unit or something, I don't know. But as I said, I'm 160lbs and looking to go down in weight 10-15lbs which is my comfort weight before I got fat(lol), and so, I'm saying I don't expect I will really abuse this machine, and I'm short, so the shorter deck is fine, and I only plan on doing average of 3-5 miles a day, 6 days a week alone, maybe a 10 miler once a week. I think in those respects, this is one of the better treadmills I have tried out in the $1000~ range. And believe me I've broken many a under $1000 treadmill just by using them (and I mean within a week!). Admittedly, I've only tried this mill for a couple miles barefooted in my jeans tbh, literally like 20 mins ago, right after assembly, just to get the silicon deck spray evened out. But there is no slippage and the unit seems solid enough. The deck is a bit too springy to me, however, and not like cushioned springy as much as like the deck feels too thin springy, which isn't comforting. I'm thinking if you are on the heavier side, if I was you, again, I'd go with the heavier more costly unit with the thicker deck. Having said that, I'm middle-aged and my joints not the greatest, and the cushioning itself comfort-wise seems surprisingly good to me. It's springy, not spongy. It does have enough firmness to strengthen your joints but at the same time, not feel too uncomfortable. In some commercial units with lots of padding, I found, I usually ended up having joint problems because you don't get enough shock for your body to heal back up to compensate, and I mean the spongy feeling ones with spongy treads, like Life Fitness commercials. Spongy treads always made my joints wear out, but didn't have enough impact to prompt my body to recover the joints, causing more joint damage for me in the long run, not less. This isn't that. It's springy, not spongy. I like it, personally. But again, ofc, that's totally a matter of taste and preference. Like I said, I did a fast 2 miles and my joints don't feel as if I did anything. I usually felt it on my commercial Precor which my sister still has at her house which was probably a ~$5000 unit new and to me was too firm a ride. This unit's deck is like I said, springy but hard feeling too, and to me just about right, altho I'd prefer it to be just a tad less springy. To me, it vaguely reminds me of my old Landice L7(which to me had a perfect ride) in feel tho albeit, as I said, a tad too springy. I'd give the ride a 4.5 out 5, which genuinely surprised me. Just keep in mind ofc, that everyone has different tastes in this regard.4. The bad - First, I saw reviews that complained about the plastic motor hood. And yup. It is cheap and juts out too far. I'm short like I said, and I do try to keep my feet under me and back, not front of me, but still, I can see someone with a longer gait having trouble with this. Probably, I would hazard to guess, if you are taller, you could get problems with your feet hitting it. I don't have a very big problem with that part of it. It's ok to me. The part that I do have a problem with is, that the cheap plastic motor cover rattles obscenely against the metal base. Don't get me wrong, the cover LOOKS nice enough, just feels cheap. I fixed it with some double sided sponge tape I pried in between the plastic and the metal base. Problem sorta solved. The noise is definitely a lot less - and verging on quiet. Why the manufacturer didn't already do that? Or even just simply screw the cover on in the front with a rubber washer? I don't know. Second - maybe I'm spoiled with better, more-costly machines, or maybe it's related to the bad plastic housing up front that I unconsciously try to avoid, but I found I do reach the end of the deck at the back too often, and like I said, I'm short. 5' 4". But having said that, it's not horrible to me. It's ok, and I'm a bit nitpicking for a ~$1000 machine. Definitely not enough to want to keep me from using the machine in any sort of way. Third-as mentioned before, the bad screws on the back plate of the console and the somewhat thin feeling hollow sounding deck, plus the heart rate monitor that doesn't work. All those things are nitpicking again at least TO ME, because I sort of expected a lot of those issues having read the reviews and knowing what $1000 machines typically feel like.--Conclusion- It's worth $1000. I've been on a lot of under $1000 and even slightly-over $1000 treadmills that didn't feel half as sturdy. I like that it feels sturdy for me. But then again, it could be sturdier; I wouldn't mind. And if I weighed more or was taller, I would consider a more substantial pricier unit. Actually, I do wish in retrospect that I had gone with the tr3000 model of this myself, tbh. But as I said, I plan on moving in the future and perhaps this unit was just right for me. I don't want to have to worry that it will break after the move(that's happened to me on a lot of expensive treadmills and ellipticals) and for $1000, I kinda don't because I plan on getting $1000 use out of it before I move(not that I think $1000 is not a lot of money). So far, just initial impression is that it will not break down on me with regular use. It is just right on that verge of being sturdy enough and no problem enough for me to have good workouts without hassles or worries. Is it a pricy $2000+ unit? No, it isn't. I think it is, however, probably one of the better ~$1000 units out there for anyone who does more than a couple miles of walking a day. I would say about on par, comparable to, let's say, a late 1990's Keys unit(as in off-brand treadmill but still decent since they are trying to compete with the big boys). As I keep saying, however, reviews are just opinions, and ofc this is just mine - I'm pretty happy with the unit! I tried a Spirit and a BH unit at a local exercise equipment store that were around $500 more, this unit compares slightly better mostly, again, in my opinion, to those but $500 less, (perhaps a little less sturdy feeling than the BH though and def sturdier than fold-up Spirits). I also tried a Sole at DS locally and found although the unit was solid(even more so at least in feel than this unit)the ride felt ultra hard for me and unforgiving. As comparison, I didn't run but 1/4 mile on the Sole and my knees were uncomfortable(ofc not painful but still..) as I walked to my car. As I said, the ride is personal preference, however. I mean to say, personally, it was the reason why I didn't go with a Sole.Hopefully, this unit lasts 5 years; I'd be happy with that. I mean, this IS, keep in mind, my FIRST impression only. I'm glad for a unit at ~$1000, that it just works at all, to be blunt(if you know treadmills at all, you know that $1000 is the very very least cut off point for a reliable unit vs. junk). If I wasn't planning on moving in the future tho, perhaps I would have anted up and bought a $2500 True or even a $3000 Landice or a $2500 refurb commercial, if not the tr3000 of this brand. But as is, seems a great bargain for a ~$1000 unit. :D As others have pointed out, don't forget the silicon deck spray and I do recommend a treadmill mat for this treadmill because the one I ordered seemed to help it feel a lot more settled than on my bare garage floor.Update: I had the unit for a few day's now, and I'm putting a star down on the review.--First, after running just around 5 miles on it, every time the unit goes up to 6mph or greater, it makes a whining (like a "whir-whir")motor noise. The unit still functions correctly, but, yeah-- not too reassuring there, especially since the unit did NOT have that in the first 4 miles. I sprayed more silicon on it. Didn't make a diff. I made sure to register for the warranty. :/--Second, some quirks - I thought the buttons were supposed to light up to let you know which to press; mine doesn't do that. The intelli-step function that is supposed to turn the unit off(pause it) when you step off the treadmill, doesn't work for me; I tried all sorts of combos to get it working and couldn't get it to work. I don't care about either of those functions, but still, if they are supposed to work a certain way and doesn't then well, problems are problems.--Third, the website is 2 out of 5 at best. It requires you to put a junk program on your own computer, the instructions with the machine doesn't match the website(probably the website was updated and instructions were not and took me awhile to figure out how to download the software, it's not on bottom of the webpage like the instructions that came with the machine says but on the top of the web page on a weird tiny icon with no clue that the icon is what you think it is) and when I did program a usb and put it in the machine, it had me as 6' 4" instead of 5' 4", and I had inputted all that correctly at the website. I just opened up the file in text view and fixed(editted) the text file manually. Like I said in my review, I don't care so much about the display gimmicks, but when the data displayed doesn't match, just makes the machine feel cheap and it bugs me(my OCD popping in). I also wanted access to the various programs, etc., and I believe I needed to make the usb for that. Nothing told me how to access the programs when I did(not in the manual and not on the website). I had to sorta figure it out. You have to press up or down before starting the machine(which I guess is pretty standard on machines but still). The other thing is, if you are going to use a usb, keep in mind that putting in a usb and taking it out constantly(i.e. every day) doesn't imo bode well for the life of the usb socket on the machine, but to use the website features, you would kinda have to keep putting the usb in and out. I work with computers in my work, and mechanical things like that tend to break easy on computers. It's just not well thought out to have to constantly stick in a usb and take it out, etc. I plan on leaving my USB in and never visiting their website again, but for people with 2 users etc., I mean, I wouldn't buy this machine if you plan on having more than one user who wants to use the website and computer related functions - having to pay money for that sounds frankly dumb. The website is pretty slow too and pretty darn awful - Probably took a programmer a week to make. The website also asks you all sorts of personal questions, as if data mining, I just don't appreciate that - and on top the website quality makes me wonder what the rest of their website is like and question their security. I just wouldn't feel comfortable in supplying the website with any sort of vital/personal info. i.e. credit card or what not.The "whir whir" of the motor is the biggest concern, the unit still functions decently, and I do still like the cushioning of the machine. I don't really want to contact their warranty to fix these issues because I'd rather just live with them than bother with all the headaches of tech support, etc. Still, I have to knock down a star for these issues.

We have had this for about 5 weeks now and because of it, I have run about twice as much as I normally would have with the convenience of having it in my house. Read below for the entire experience:Price:I looked around some and was able to find Lifefitness and other top brand refurbished treadmills for about $2,000 to $2,500. These are the large ones you find in the gym. Note that these are supposedly around $7000-$7500 new! The reason I was looking at these is because they are a known quantity and I was worried about something like a treadmill being cheap and not lasting or feeling rickety. I looked at Costco and locally at a few fitness stores and $1,000 was about the best price I could find for something that at least appeared decent. After looking at the many helpful reviews of this product, I decided I would go for it as this was a price point I was comfortable with.Delivery:I had read that the delivery date they give you when you order online will not be accurate, but that was not my experience. Immediately when I ordered it took my personal information and gave me a date and a 4 hour time window for delivery. They send me at least one email reminding me of the delivery window so that process was very seamless. I could be different for rural areas, but this part was great as I could plan to ensure I would be home ahead of time and just all done through the ordering process.It was delivered my Ceva Logistics which delivers a lot of large shipments, but was done so about 2 hours outside of the window. They did call that morning just to confirm I was going to be there, but did not make mention of being late. The man who delivered it does not have another person with him, so my father in law who is in his early 60's had to help him lug it out of the truck and in to the garage. Not ideal, but please keep that in mind if you are going to purchase. Others have said that they asked the delivery man to help them take it to it's landing spot in the house with no success, and others have said that they tipped the guy $20 and he helped them take it wherevery they wanted. It's tough to know what you are going to get here.Set-Up:The box is as long as the treadmill with the upright portion folded on top. It's generally impossibly for one person to really move this box, no matter how strong as it is just so long. I recommend keeping the item in the box and moving it in to the spot you will use it so you can slide the box on the carpet or floor. Possibly put towels or something underneath to help it slide. My wife who is 120 lbs and I amazingly were able to drag it out of the garage and in to the main room and down stairs and in to the basement. It wasn't easy but we were able to maneuver normal corners, etc. Certainly two normal sized men could do this a bit easier but it takes some effort.We cut it out of the box and I must say the instructions were excellent and left no room for error. By myself it took me maybe 1 hour 15 minutes to set everything up. It's not complicated at all as I am the furthest thing from being handy so I believe anyone could do it. It's also not physically demanding.The Experience:There is a power switch in the back lower part of the unit to turn it on and off and after being on, there is a brief set-up of the time and date, etc. The unit includes everything you would expect out of a treadmill you would see at a gym. You hit Start and it just begins to move at a .5 MPH pace. There are buttons to automatically go at certain speeds such as 4 or 6 MPH or of course you can just arrow up or down in tenths like others. Of course there is an incline that can be set as well and the incline only goes in whole numbers, so no halts there. I think that is normal. There is a USB function where you can track how much you are running, but really the only function my wife and I have used is just turning it on and running for however long and changing the speed and incline.There are two large spaces for water bottles (one on each side) that are well thought out and very deep and the actual monitor has little slats at the bottom so you could place an iPad or a Book on the front without it sliding down. Again, very well thought-out.Upon going for my first run, I was shocked at the stability and experience being the same as on the Lifefitness treadmills at the gym! The cushion was something I wasn't sure about, but it is excellent with this unit and it is also very quiet. Much more quiet than I anticipated. The speeds all appear to be very accurate, although the 1 incline seems more like a .75, but that's not a big deal as you can always adjust up to compensate. So far, I have run approximately 30 miles on this treadmill and my wife about the same. So 60 miles in and it's functioning just as planned. What a great running experience!Size:It's much slimmer than an industrial treadmill and actually does not take up that much space. Although we do not use the folding function, I did test it and it folds VERY easily creating very little footprint. You would not want to consistently move this unit, but if you wanted to fold it up every day I can't imagine that would be a problem.Summary:If you are on the fence of whether or not to buy a treadmill, I can't recommend it highly enough. In the Pacific NW where I am and the weather being so unpredictable, I know I can get a run in any time, any day. It feels great to get in even just a mile or a mile and a half if that's all the time I have. I take my iPad with my and use my Slingbox app so I can watch all my TV's shows on my DVR, or I just listen to music. I have been shocked at how for $1,000 you can get an awesome in home treadmill. My wife has run marathon's and is as thrilled as I am to have this. Durability will be a question moving forward, but I have no reason to believe that will be a problem. We did buy the Silicone Treadmill Belt Lubricant and it's a must to do that. I wish this were included with the unit, but I had seen it in enough reviews to know it should be purchased along with the unit.