Runner's World Review

Treadmill Review - Smooth 7.5HR (Now the Smooth 9.2)
(888) 987-3237 or (888) 9TREADS
Price $1,999 includes shipping in the United States; optional installation $150.

Maximum Speed: 11 mph

Maximum Incline: 15%
Frame: Steel
Belt Size: 20" x 55"
Horsepower: 2.0 continuous
Warranty: 5 years for belt and deck; 3 years for motor; 2 years for other parts; 1 year for labor; 30-day money-back guarantee

Special Features: Stores information on up to 4 different users; Touch-hand-grip heart-rate monitor picks up signals in 5 to 7 seconds and shows instantaneous heart rate on display (wireless heart-rate control available on other models); sold only on www.treadmillbynet.com (shipped factory direct).
Bottom Line: The new kid on the block, the Smooth receives high marks for stability, which we consider the most important treadmill attribute.

Tech Tests - Objective measures of a treadmill's performance

	Actual Pace (when display reads 8:00)	Decibels (at 8:00 pace)
Cybex	7:50	72
Image	8:04	73
Landice	8:06	72
Life Fitness	7:55	72
PaceMaster	8:09	74
Precor	7:58	76
Smooth	8:01	70
Star Trac	7:53	74
True	8:00	71
Tunturi	7:50	71

Buying Tips - some recommendations on buying a treadmill

Factory Direct. Among the models we tested, the Star-Trac and Smooth are sold direct from the manufacturers. Be sure to discuss arrangements and costs for delivery, setup and service.

The Internet. You guessed it, the Internet is the newest way to buy treadmills. One Web site in particular, www.treadmillbynet.com^*, is selling a number of the treadmills we tested. The company is too new for us to evaluate its service, but buying a treadmill is a lot more complex that buying a book or CD, so ask lots of questions and be sure you know what you are getting.

* AdvancedFitness and TreadmillByNet are both divisions of InternetFitness.com.