Posted: December 29, 2004

Exercise Equipment: Landice Rated Top Treadmill

From David Monti

(c) 2004 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

The Landice L7 Series Pro Sports Trainer was the highest rated treadmill in a recent test, according to CONSUMER REPORTS, the monthly consumer products rating magazine published by the non-profit Consumers Union of Yonkers, N.Y. The publication rated 22 treadmills and ten elliptical exercisers in its January, 2005 issue.

The Landice, which costs $2,900, was one of only two units rated "excellent" in overall performance. It was also one of the most expensive; treadmills tested ranged in price from $400 to $3,500.

Also highly rated were the True 400HRC ($2,300), and the Precor M 9.33 ($3,500) and M 9.31 ($3,000) models, which only scored slightly lower than the Landice.

"Models that did best in our tests cost well over $2,000," the editors wrote. "Paying that kind of money gets you solid construction that comes close to the quality of a gym machine, very good ergonomics, and a wide range of exercise intensity."

The magazine also singled out four treadmills which were particularly good values (overall ratings were made without regard for price). The Horizon Fitness Elite 5.1T ($1,800), Vision Fitness T9200 ($1,300), Life Fitness Essential FT6 ($1,400) and Schwinn 820p ($1,300) were all rated "Best Buys" in that order of performance.

The magazine advised readers to avoid the NordicTrack 7600 R ($2,100) because the moving belt upon which the user walks or runs would not stay adjusted, which the editors called "a big inconvenience" and "a significant problem."

Consumers Union is renowned for their rigorous testing of products, all of which are purchased in open market transactions (manufacturers cannot provide the products for testing), and the not-for-profit does not allow their ratings to be used by manufacturers for any commercial purposes, including advertising. Their website address is www.ConsumerReports.org.