Life Fitness T3 Treadmill Review

Life Fitness T3 is a similar model to the LifeFitness F3 version. Although the console options are the same, the base unit has a larger belt, better incline/speed and no folding option.

Life Fitness T3 works with two different consoles that you can purchase when buying the treadmill. The Basic console has an easy-to-use interface, dedicated to beginner runners (cost: $2,500). The Advanced console has a wider variety of workouts designed to meet your personal requirements,with a more complex display (cost: $2,800).

This treadmill may appear over expensive considering its features, and you may find cheaper versions that offer the same advantages, but keep in mind it’s made of high quality components only.

Check out our Conclusions section to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of Life Fitness T3.

Life Fitness T3 Specifications

Speed: 0.5- 12 mph (0.8- 19 kph)

There are 3 preset buttons for speed control on the console: walk – 3mph, jog – 5mph or run – 7mph.

Inclination: 0% – 15%

You have 3 buttons on the console: Low/ Medium/ High. They allow instant incline adjustment: Low – 1.5%, Medium – 3% and High – 5%.

Motor: 3.0 CHP

Belt: 20″ – 60″ (50cm x 152 cm)

The belt is backed by the same cushion system Life Fitness uses for the F3 model (Flex Deck).

Supported User Weight: 350 pounds/ 159 kg

Technical Dimensions:

Length: 79.5 inches (202 cm)

Width: 34.5 inches (88 cm)

Height: 57.5 inches (146 cm)

Weight: 243 pounds (110 kg)

Warranty

This treadmill comes with a 10 year warranty for motor, 5 years for parts, 3 years for console, 1 year for labor and a lifetime guarantee for frame and springs.

Life Fitness T3 Features

A: Basic Workout Console

Workouts – same as those included in the F3 Treadmill, Basic Workout Console:

- Manual
- Hill
- Random
- EZ Incline/ Resistance
- Sport Training

This console also incorporates attractive features such as Go System One Touch Quick Start (a fast way of working out since you don’t have to set up your exercise), On the Fly Programming (lets you change workouts without losing any present information) and Cool Down Mode (which lowers your heart rate at the end of the program).

Basic Workout Console Display Info – same as onLifeFitness F3 treadmill

We recommend you read the Life Fitness F3 review for more details. The Basic Workouts console’s options are identical on both models.

Basic Workout Console Heart Rate Readings: Through HandleBars

This feature is recommended to be used only when you don’t walk/run on the treadmill because your hands must be positioned firmly on the handlebars for accurate readings.

B. Advanced Workout Console

Workouts:

This console offers more workouts variety than the Basic Console. Please see below a full description of the options included:

Hill Workout – takes you through four phases with different intensity levels: Warm-up, a low, gradually rising resistance program; Plateau (a profile that slightly increases intensity), Interval Training (profile made of hills and valleys) and Cool-Down.

Random Workout – offers over 1 million terrain patterns.

EZ Incline Workout – incline-based. It is designed to change elevation with great subtlety. This program offers great cardiovascular workout.

Sport Training Workout – gets you ready for outdoor running (time based goals or distance based goals)

5K Sport Training – reproduces the conditions of a 5-kilometer race.

10K Sport Training

HeartSync Profile – uses the computer to calculate a target heart rate based on your age and the workout profile. HeartSync workouts are:
- Fat Burn
- Cardio
- Heart Rate Hill
- Heart Rate Interval
- Extreme Heart Rate

The Advanced console also offers Goal Workouts and 2 Custom Workouts. You have 2 user profiles available to save records with 1 Custom Workout/profile.

Advanced Workout Console Display:

Display is the same as on the Advanced Console described in the Life Fitness F3 Review.

Heart Rate Readings: Handle Bars and Wireless Chest Strap

With this console model you have included Wireless Heart Reading option through Chest Strap.The chest strap transmits your heart rate to the console, through the electrodes pressed against your skin during workout.

Make sure you attach the chest strap in the right position or the system may not work accurately.

This treadmill also offers contact heart rate hand sensors, but this option is not recommended to be used during exercise.

Sound System: Not Included

Folding Option: Not Included

Conclusions

This was a wonderful experience, same as that when we tested Life Fitness F3 Treadmill. The truth is that these 2 treadmills resemble a lot. They have the same components quality and make a great choice for intensive exercise, for all types of runners.

Unfortunately we don’t understand why Life Fitness preferred adding a longer belt, better incline and better speed on a treadmill that doesn’t have folding option, and at a lower price. Because this is what Life Fitness T3 offers more than the F3 model. This is a very strange marketing decision.

Still, for those who need a longer belt, this is a good model to go for (whether you just need a machine to stay fit or you want to prepare yourself for competitions). But you also need space in your home to place it (as it doesn’t fold).

Plus, although it weighs less than Life Fitness F3 it’s still very hard to move around.

Same as on F3 model, you can choose one of the 2 console options, depending on your goals. The Basic Console is literary basic: with basic workouts for basic needs. You get 5 reprogrammed workouts that you can choose from, and we asses them as highly effective for their pre set purpose.

The Advanced console is more diverse, it offers 10 workout programs, 2 user profiles, 2 custom programs and also wireless heart rate control. We think this makes a good bargain for only $ 300 more.

Our experience with the T3 was quite long and we got to know this equipment with all its pros and cons.

You don’t have a fan to cool you down or a sound system to keep you motivated during workout. But these are secondary features which are dismissible for those who prefer quality over comfort.

Another fact is that the warranty is good (still not the best for this price range). But if you take good care of the treadmill, you should be able to use it for a long period of time.

This treadmill can hold up to 350 pounds (literally, not just in theory) which is a plus as it allows all types of users.

The Life Fitness T3 does not incorporate all benefits that users seek when making a treadmill decision, but it does stand up to the Life Fitness reputation. This is a treadmill of great quality that we strongly recommend to all types of users.

For $ 2.500, the Basic console is a good bargain, and for only $ 300 more, the Advanced version will make the price worth it.

If you have an experience to share or questions to ask us, we welcome your comments.You can also check the official product page.

You can buy this treadmill:

At Abe's of Maine: T3 Treadmill - Base Only for 2139 $

Comments

2 Responses to “Life Fitness T3 Treadmill Review”

  1. Amy says:
    February 27, 2011 at 2:59 pm

    Most problematic treadmill I could have ever picked. Second time something has broken in the year since we bought it. Money pit and treadmill has hardly been used. Do not recommend buying this product.

  2. admin says:
    February 28, 2011 at 7:49 am

    @Amy, Thank you for sharing. Our experience was different than yours. But we believe you and you’re right: a new treadmill that breaks twice in one year, is not good. What problems did you have with it?

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