Exercise for the unfit . . . . . with advanced features for the fitter
Disadvantages:
Doesn't remember last session stats | Manual Incline
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I'm overweight and very self-conscious about my size, but I do want to do something about it. For a while I tried using my local gym, but soon felt embarrassed to exercise next to all the other very fit members. So when my ever-loving husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year, I chose a "complete home gym". One part of the gym was this treadmill, which I love using and think is almost as good as the one at the local gym.
---Setting Up---
The treadmill was delivered part-assembled in a large cardboard box. Now, just so you're clear, it takes up a lot of room when assembled and you need even more room during assembly. So if you only have a pokey little area then this is not for you. Assembly was actually very easy, and it took myself and my husband about 30 minutes from opening the box to plugging in. But just don't do what my lovely man did, he pulled a piece of wire out of the frame and asked "what's this bit for?" There are wires that appear to have no purpose, but they are for threading the actual cables through the frame, so don't just pull on them.
---Styling---
This is a full sized motorised treadmill, measuring 1.24 x 0.4 x 1.3m when open. The main frame is made of grey coated metal, and the treadmill belt is black. There are two footplates on the frame, that are supposed to be stuck on (with adhesive backing) but they keep curling up on mine. The handrests are made of a foam, which does seem to absorb some of the sweat, which I'm not sure is such a good thing. What there isn't is a bottle holder, which I would find very handy.
---The Instruction Manual---
It's a very good idea to read the manual before either setting up or using the treadmill. I found it very clear, the setting up instructions were very easy to follow, and the different methods of usage explained very clearly. There are charts for working out what pulse rate should be aiming for (if you want to burn fat), as well as the speeds the different programs go up to. Finally there are the all important maintenance instructions, which again are very clearly laid out.
---First Use---
As I went to plug the treadmill in, I came across the first problem, the power cord isn't actually very long. This means that I'm constricted in where I can place it in the room, or I would be except that I use an extension lead. Once plugged in and switched on (the switch is on the base) the first (and only) safety feature came into play. This treadmill will NOT operate without a safety key, which sounds fancy but is actually a magnet stored on cord. I can see this safety key as a double-edged sword, I like the idea that it means that my little monsters cannot set the treadmill off, but I do worry that I might lose it.
Finally I was ready to start using the treadmill for what it was bought, that's right to exercise on. Making sure I was wearing comfortable trainers, I pressed the start button, and the belt started moving, at a paltry 1mph. This is too slow a speed, even for me, but it's easy enough to increase (and decrease) the speed in 0.1mph increments using the + and - buttons, I started at lower speeds and then gradually speeded up, as well as the incremental buttons, there are also some quick speed setting (2,4,6 and 8mph). Walking on the treadmill is as comfortable as the one in the local gym, the walking/running surface is perfectly adequate for my rather large frame, and the handrails are placed so that both my short self and my somewhat taller husband can grip the pulse monitors without difficulty.
One thing that amazed me was the noise it made, or rather didn't make. I found it very quiet although the higher the speed, the higher the noise level. To be honest, my feet make more noise than the treadmill (especially when I'm starting to get tired).
---The monitors---
As you walk various statistics are displayed on the monitors. There is distance travelled, and mph, which are both very clear, even though there is no way to display either of them in their metric equivalent. I suppose there really isn't a need, except that 1.6 kilometres sounds more impressive than a mile. The pulse monitor seems accurate, and having the sensors on the hand rests means you can check your pulse at any time during the exercise session. The calorie counter, however, is not accurate, even though you can enter your weight for the body fat analyser (I'll get onto that later), it does not take weight into account when working out calories burned. I know for a fact, that as I am overweight, I will burn more calories than my average weight husband, but the counter only seems to be based on speed and distance. Even so, I do still like looking this setting, and it does show just how far an average person would have to walk to burn off that chocolate bar.
One thing I do NOT like about the monitors is that they reset if the treadmill isn't used for 5 minutes (even if it's left switched on). I would prefer that you had to reset them manually, as I tend to only be able to do short bursts and would like a running total for the day.
---Incline---
The Powerstrider, also has an incline function, sadly though this is manual, and needs to be set before you begin your exercise session. It's easy enough to set the incline, while the treadmill is in the folded position, and there is a choice between 0,5 and 10% incline.
---Advanced Functions---
As well as the manual program, where you choose which speed you walk/run at, there are a total of 6 programs, each with 3 levels of difficulty. These programs vary, from one that gently increases the speed to a peak and then drops back down again (this is the easiest) to ones that involve running. Now not being very fit, I've not tried running (yet), but I have tried the gentlest program (on the lowest level) and that gets my pulse rate into the working zone. Each of the programs defaults at 32 minutes, but you can shorten or increase the time, but if you do increase the time, be warned that all that happens is the program repeats itself from the beginning.
Another function is the body-fat analyser, now I don't need to be told I'm overweight (I already know) but I do like the idea that this supposedly can tell you whether you excess weight is made up of fat or muscle. To use this I need to weigh myself, and enter details of my weight, height, age and sex, then hold the pulse monitors until it calculates a number and tells me just how fat I really am. While I'm not going to share the numbers it comes up with, I can tell you that it has lowered since I started using the treadmill three weeks ago.
---Storage---
The running area can be folded up when the treadmill is not in use. Although this does mean it takes less room, it is still heavy. I tend to leave it in the same place and just fold when not in use, it's just too much to try and move it into a corner.
---Safety---
From what I can tell this treadmill is very safe, both in and out of use. As it is impossible to operate without using the safety key, I know that none of my little munchkins will be able to use it without my permission. When it is started up the speed builds up very gradually, although it does stop quite suddenly when switched off. When folding there is a very sturdy catch mechanism and when unfolding it opens up very slowly. Of course as with anything with moving parts, there is still a chance of fingers being caught, so care does have to be taken.
---Maintenance---
Very little maintenance is actually required, the belt will need lubricating, but how often depends on the speeds that you use. The minimum time between lubrications is 6 months (with speeds above 4mph), and the maximum yearly. The silicon needed for this, is actually supplied in the accessory kit. There is also the possibility that the running belt may need adjusting, again full instructions and tools are provided.
---Guarantee---
The treadmill comes with a warrantee with various different time scales. The frame has a lifetime guarantee, while the motor is covered for 5 years and the rest of the machine for two. You do need to send a little card to the manufacturers, to register the treadmill though.
As I said, my Powerstrider came as part of a home gym package, that cost me £499 (+ delivery) from Argos. It is, however, also available on it's own for £379.99 (+ delivery) from Argos Sports.
---Final Words---
I love my treadmill, and use it every day. I love being able to exercise and constantly push myself a little further. This treadmill is as comfortable as the ones in my local gym, and for all it's minor faults, it has one big advantage….I can use it whenever I like, and even watch TV while I walk. For someone with as poor a fitness level as myself, this is a huge plus, I need all the motivation I can get, and as little excuse factors as possible.
Yes there are improvements that could be made to the Powerstrider (motorised incline/memory function), but that would make it far more expensive. I'm therefore recommending this treadmill, to those who, like me, are making their first steps on the road to fitness, feel too self-conscious to use a public gym and of course have the space. My local gym costs £5 a session, so even if I use it twice a week (£520/year), it will have paid for it's within a year (I'm not sure what the electricity consumption is but I'm pretty sure it will be less than £100 a year).
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