Treadmill technology continues to evolve at a rapid rate. The “Peloton effect” had a massive ripple impact over the industry, with treads that not only have massive interactive screens, but also adjust the speed and incline for you as you work out in an interactive class.
While the cost of a new treadmill can run anywhere from $1000 to $15,000 for an at home commercial grade monster, we decided to set our focus on the $3000-$5000 consumer treadmills to see how they stack up.
The Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill our winner. I know we buried the lede, but let’s look at what makes it better than the rest. Run CX is a high-end treadmill designed for a home gym setting. It is a premium product with a high price tag, about $5000 as compared to Peloton at $3500 and NordicTrack Commercial $3000 but its features, innovation and design justify the cost.
Design and Features
Right off the bat, Life Fitness founded in 1977 is a 46 year old fitness company who still builds a majority of their treadmills in the United States. They don’t make one treadmill; they make many treadmills well. That level of experience and understanding of the marketplace and quality give them a leg up on the competition.
The Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill has an impressive design that stands out from other treadmills on the market. It has a sleek black and silver color scheme that looks modern and professional. The treadmill has a large deck area, measuring 22 inches by 60 inches, which provides ample space for running. The deck is made of high-quality materials, and its 3-millimeter-thick belt offers a smooth and comfortable running experience.
The Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill has a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour and a maximum incline of 15 percent, making it suitable for experienced runners who want a challenge. The treadmill has a powerful 4.0 horsepower motor that can handle heavy use without overheating. It can also handle heavier people who are looking to get into shape. It has a cushioned deck, which absorbs shock and reduces the impact on joints, making it a great choice for people who have issues with joint pain.
The Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill has several built-in workout programs that provide variety and help to keep users motivated. There are 14 built-in programs, six custom programs, and a Quick Start function that allows users to begin their workout without having to navigate through menus. The programs include various workouts such as speed intervals, hills, and fat burn, allowing users to choose the kind of workouts they want to do.
It has a dock for an iPad or tablet, allowing users to watch videos or stream music while working out. It has a built-in fan that keeps users cool during intense workouts. The treadmill also has wireless heart rate monitoring, which eliminates the need for users to wear a chest strap.
The dock for your tablet, phone etc. was our “ah ha” moment while using the Run CX. You see Life Fitness invested their time and energy in creating a treadmill that was well built and high tech where it matters, durability, reliability and quality of the actual machine you run on. Its powerful motor and high-quality materials ensure that it can handle heavy use without breaking down. The treadmill has a smooth and comfortable running surface, thanks to its cushioned deck and high-quality belt.
The dock in its simplicity is a stroke of genius. It allows you to watch and workout to whatever you want, Peloton, Netflix, Chicago Fire, whatever you can access through your device, you are able to watch while you work out. The other treads are very proprietary, if you want to work out to a Peloton class while you’re on a NordicTrack tread, you are out of luck and vice versa as well.
The dock, which is more like a padded shelf that holds your device in place is a simple stroke of innovative genius.
Does it connect to the internet? No, but can’t you get all the information you need from your connected refrigerator, phones, computers, watches, pods and beds? What else can your treadmill possibly tell you?
We like the Run CX, but to be fair we did test the Run CX against the competition and here’s what we found.
Run CX vs Peloton
Note- We were only able to test a Peloton treadmill in their stores, because that’s their thing.
As we mentioned, the Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill has a sleek and modern design with a black and silver color scheme. It has a large deck area of 22 inches by 60 inches, which provides ample space for running. The treadmill has a powerful 4.0 horsepower motor and a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour, making it suitable for experienced runners. The treadmill also has a cushioned deck, which reduces the impact on joints and allows for a comfortable running experience.
On the other hand, the Peloton Treadmill has an equally impressive design with a carbon steel frame and a unique curved belt. It has a 59-inch surface, which is slightly smaller than the Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill but still provides enough space for running. The Peloton Treadmill also has a powerful 4.0 horsepower motor and a maximum speed of 12.5 miles per hour, which makes it ideal for intense workouts.
Both treadmills offer incline options for a more challenging workout. The Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill has a maximum incline of 15%, while the Peloton Treadmill has a maximum incline of 15.5%. The Peloton Treadmill also allows for decline, which is not offered by the Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill.
Workout Programs and Streaming
The Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill has 14 built-in workout programs, six custom programs, and a Quick Start function. The programs cover a range of workout options, including speed intervals, hills, and fat burn. The treadmill also has a dock for an iPad or a tablet, which allows users to stream videos or music while working out.
Similarly, the Peloton Treadmill has its world class built-in workout programs that cater to all fitness levels, including boot camp, strength, and running workouts. The treadmill also has a large 32-inch HD touchscreen display that streams live and on-demand classes. Users can also create custom workout programs based on personal goals and achievements. Their classes are second to none.
Cons
The Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill is designed for a home gym setting, but its size and weight may make it difficult to move around. The treadmill weighs 392 pounds, and its size may make it challenging to fit into a small space.
The Peloton tread has an amazing content suite but its own pre-configured built-in service, meaning unless you follow some online hacks (not advised) you can only watch Peloton content.
Run CX Vs NordicTrack Commercial 2450
Note- NordicTrack’s PR team is about as responsive as politicians and the debt ceiling. That being said, I found a Facebook friend who has one and he let me use it several times.
The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 and the Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill are two of the most premium treadmills available for at-home use. Although they differ in terms of their design and features, both provide an excellent workout experience, making it challenging to choose between them.
Design and Features
The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 and the Life Fitness Run CX treadmill have distinctive designs. The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 has a 22-inch full-color touchscreen display, while the Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill has a smaller console screen and an iPad dock that we love. Both treadmills have powerful 4.0 horsepower motors and can reach top speeds of up to 12 mph.
The incline options differ between the two treadmills as well. The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 has a maximum incline of 15% and a decline of 3%, while the Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill has a maximum incline of 15%, but no decline feature. Additionally, the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 has a cushioned deck and adjustable FlexSelect cushioning to reduce impact on joints. The Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill has an integrated shock absorption system that reduces stress on knees and joints.
Workout Programs and Streaming
The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 has a wide variety of training options, including 40 built-in workout programs, Google Maps workouts that simulate outdoor routes, and iFit live training sessions. iFit offers personalized training and real-time performance metrics, giving users an immersive training experience. This treadmill is also compatible with many third-party apps and has Bluetooth connectivity. So it’s more user friendly than the Peolton, allowing you to stream Netflix and other apps.
Price Vs. Quality
When it comes to choosing between the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 and the Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill, the decision ultimately comes down to personal preferences and budget. The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 provides a wide range of features, including an interactive training program, which makes it ideal for those who prefer immersive training experiences. It is also a less expensive option, making it good for those on a budget. $5000 for Run CX, about $3000 for NordicTrack.
On the other hand, the Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill is more durable and constructed for a commercial gym setting, which makes it perfect for those who desire a high-quality treadmill with long-lasting features. Although it is more expensive, it is excellent for experienced runners who want a comfortable and challenging running experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two treadmills will depend on personal preferences and budget.
Let’s be clear, all of these treadmills are well built, innovative and top of the line. There is no bad choice. The Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill is a premium product that is designed to provide a high-quality workout experience for home gym users. Its high-quality materials and commercial-grade design ensure that it is built to last, while its range of features and workout programs provide variety and keep users motivated. The treadmill’s price may put it out of reach for some users, but its high-quality design and features justify the cost. Overall, the Life Fitness Run CX Treadmill is a great choice for home gym users who want a premium product that can provide a challenging workout.
