Review Guidelines: How I Rate Treadmills
Once in a while I’ll get an email asking me “How can I trust your reviews?”
I’ll be honest. Treadmill reviews are not an exact science. Every person is different and everybody’s body is different. I can only rate treadmills based on the features I would like for in a treadmill. ProTreadmillReviews.com should be a good jumping off point to finding a treadmill. What I promise to deliver to the people who use this site is my honest opinion. I understand that there will be many people out there who have a differing opinion, and that’s okay. In fact, I encourage people with supporting or counter opinions to post in my comments. The only comments I won’t approve are the ones insulting me or others.
To gain a little more of your trust I have decided to open up a little about how I arrive at ratings for treadmills. Here are the components of a treadmill review.
Treadmill Comfort Score
What do you mean when you describe a treadmill being “comfortable”?
One of the main benefits of using a well designed treadmill is exercising on a surface that is softer than cement, pavement, asphalt, and other outside surfaces. On the other hand, a treadmill that is too soft or springy can make running a very tiring experience. When I describe a treadmill as “comfortable” I’m saying this treadmill was not too firm or too soft. I am also saying that this particular treadmill felt less stressful than running on harder surfaces.
I have been grappling with how to rate “comfort” for a long time now. I have settled on a two part “Comfort Score” scoring system. I will be handing out an overall score and a relative score.
Overall Comfort Score
Overall comfort is a how a treadmill feels in relation to all other treadmills regardless of price.
Relative Comfort Score
Relative comfort is how comfortable a treadmill feels in relation to other treadmills within a similar price range. For example, a I would never rate the Horizon T101 Treadmill against the Sole F85 Treadmill because the Sole F85 costs about $1500 more than the Horizon T101. However, I would compare the Horizon T103 to the Sole F63 because they are both retail for about $1000.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Hi Johnny!!!
I have been researching treadmills for the last couple of weeks. We are in the market to buy one for home use! I run a couple of days a week outside but now that the weather is getting colder I wanted to get one so I can keep running during the winter months. Looking in the $2000 price range. Do you have any suggestions????? Tried out the Sole F85 today and it was okay. I just want something that is sturdy, quiet and reliable!!!! Maybe I’m doing too much research because I just can’t decide. I never bought one before and I don’t want to be sorry! Any advice you can offer would be great! Thanks!!!!