But when it comes down to money, you may want to think twice before any purchase.

Read next to see if this is the treadmill you’ve been looking for and go to Conclusions for a more detailed view on this unit.

Specifications

Speed: up to 12 mph

Incline: up to 15%

Motor: 3 hp Continuous Duty

Belt: 20 “x 60 “/ 51 cm x 152 cm

Cushion System: Tri-Flex Impact Shock Management System

Folding Options: available on the Gold Elite Fold-Up VR

User Weight: 350 lbs/ 159 kg

Unit Dimensions: 73.5 “L x 28” W x 57 “H/ 187 cm L x 71 W x 144 cm H

Unit weight: 205 lbs/ 93 kg

Warranty: lifetime for frame, 12 years for motor, 5 years for parts and 1 year for labor

Features

Display info
The 12 x 15 Multi-Color Dot Matrix keeps you motivated with detailed feedback on time, speed, distance, incline, calories, aerobic points, heart rate, heart rate zone, average speed and pace.

You can set your weight, age, max incline, maximum speed, warm up and cool down.

Express Keys helps you adjust incline and speed faster than the conventional continuous pressing. Just press these buttons and then the numbered buttons 0-9 to make the changes. You can set the intensity from level 1 to 9.

Heart rate readings
Check out your heart rate with the wireless chest strap.

Workouts
First off, remember there are 4 users that can use this treadmill and they all have the ability to use the results from the last seven workouts.

There are 3 program options: Quick Start, Manual and Calorie Coach. You can choose from up to 9 levels of intensity for each of these programs: Thigh Shaper, Glute Toner, Waist Reducer, Hill Intervals, Speed Intervals and Mixed Intervals. For Heart Rate workouts, you can choose Heart Zone Monitor, Target HRC, Fat Burn Zone HRC, Cardio Zone and Interval HRC. There are 3 custom programs available and 4 Virtual Reality Courses: Lombard Street, Steeple Chase, Appalachian Trail and Summit Climb.

At the end, you get a Fitness Evaluation. It will be based on a structure from Very Poor to Superior.

When any cardio workout is done, you receive the HR performance review. This is a graphic representation of your heart rate throughout your workout. This graphic is displayed during the summary mode. But you must spend more than 10% of your total workout time in any zone to get this review.
You can access 6 Personal Trainer programs, 3 Interval programs and 3 Custom programs.
Of course, you can record a custom workout as your work out.

Stereo Sound System- not included

Fan- not included

Express Speed Keys- included

Automatic Warm-up and Cool-down- included

Wireless Chest Strap- included

Conclusions

The PaceMaster Gold Elite VR is by far a good treadmill. The quality, functionality and tons of workouts offset the drawbacks of cheaper PaceMaster treadmills. But as everything else in this life, it all comes for a price.

Pros

First, let’s rewind. The Gold Elite VR and Gold Elite Fold-up VR are the same thing, only the Fold-up version, well, folds. Folding options are always a catch, especially when the treadmill does it on its own. The Gold Elite Fold-up VR does it successfully, but only if you afford to pay the extra $400. Sounds like a big deal, but it can keep you far away from spinal injuries.

The Gold Elite VR beats the quality and functionality of many other treadmills in the same price range.

Intensity is guaranteed by the powerful motor. Not only is it powerful, but also sturdy and moreover, it doesn’t entail the annoying squeeze of most powerful treadmills. We are avid runners, so you see, we like to push the limits really hard. And we did. Not only we got intense workout, but we were as good as new once the workout was over.

We do like to push it hard on the running belt, but we also like to be safe while doing it. The cushion system relieved any worries we might have had. We are as good as new every time we get off this treadmill.

The running surface is more than enough for every beginner or professional runner to do his thing. Not only is it wide and long above average, but also the medium density fireboard with phenolic surface will extend the deck’s life.

It’s been a while since I saw so many workouts into one single console. Not only the workout range is impressively wide, but you also get to choose from 9 intensity levels. Care to customize your perfect workout? Knock yourself out with up to 3 customizable workouts. We have, and not only it’s been fun, but also we got just what we needed. If there are more of you who want to try this console out, worry not. Up to 4 users can benefit from this machine.

If you’re into fat burn training, rest assured you’ll get just the workout you need, because you get to enter your weight and age. So you see, not only you’ll be shedding the extra pounds consistently, but also you’ll get accurate feedback.

Main Attractions

This treadmill proved its capacity even from the start, but the Express buttons are the cherry on the cake. Not having to tediously press speed and incline buttons every time you want to alter the values is bliss for any avid runner. With Express buttons, speed and incline adjustments are 1 press away.
If you don’t do well in the motivation chapter, the Personal Trainer may come in handy. And not for only 1 workout, but for 6 of them.

At the end of the workout, you get a fitness evaluation. It may be just words to you, but believe you me, evaluation is like a teacher telling you you’re doing fine, you only have to push it a little bit more.

Drawbacks

This treadmill may make a hole in your pocket, unless you have $2500 as spare change. Still, when it comes to treadmills, it’s recommended to buy a quality unit for some extra dollars than to settle for a cheaper one that may break sooner than you think. Sure, you’ll buy another one, probably as cheap as the one that just broke. What about using all the money for a quality machine from the start?

Although, truth being said, you may find a treadmill as good as this one, with a lifetime motor warranty.
To conclude, the Gold Elite VR is a good, nice-looking treadmill that can make you reach your wildest runner’s dreams. But only if you can shed the extra bucks. More details about these two models can be found here and here.

Check out the Premiere EXT and got to our Conclusions section to see for yourself if this is the treadmill you’ve been looking for.

Premiere EXT Specifications

Speed: up to 12 mph

Incline: up to 15%

Motor: 3 hp Light Commercial Grade

Belt: 20″ x 60″/ 51 x 152 cm

Cushioning system: Tri-Flex Impact Shock Management System

Folding options: -

Maximum user weight: 350 lbs/ 159 kg

Unit dimensions: 73.5″ L x 33″ W X 57″ H/ 186 cm L x 83 W x 144 H

Unit weight: 205 lbs/ 93.18 kg

Warranty: lifetime for frame and parts, 1 year for labor

Features

Display info
The 12 x 15 Multi-Color Dot Matrix features 3-.56″ tall and 2-.80 tall LEDs. It offers feedback on time, speed, distance, incline, calories, aerobic points, heart rate, heart rate zone, average speed and pace. You’ll also be shown a profile of the workout.

Indicator LED lights let you know when you must enter weight, age, incline max, speed max and warm up/ cool down. This unit can be used by up to 4 users. You can recall the cumulative summary of your last 7 workouts, the individual workout results from the last 7 workouts, recall and use your last workout settings and reset your cumulative data.

Heart rate readings
You can either use built-in handlebar sensors or the wireless chest strap transmitter.

Workouts

This machine comes with 19 workouts and 3 program options: Quick Start, Manual and Calorie Coach. Available workouts are Manual, Fat Burn, Cardio and Personal Trainer. Thigh Shaper, Glute Toner, Waist Reducer, Hill Intervals, Speed Intervals and Mixed Intervals have 9 levels of intensity. Also, Cardio workouts are quite challenging: Heart Rate Monitor, Target HRC, Fat Burn Zone HRC, Cardio Zone and Interval HRC.

There is also the VR option- Virtual Reality Courses that includes Lombard Street, Steeple Chase, Appalachian Trail and Summit Climb.
To use a Manual workout, first select a user ID. Select weight and age, then speed and time. Insert warm-up/ cool down if you want and then adjust incline.

Start the workout.

To use a Fat Burn program, enter weight and age, and then press F1-F4. Select the number of calories you want to burn, incline and speed.
For a Cardio workout, press C1-C5 after entering age and weight. Set the desired target heart rate and press Start.

An extra feature is the Heart Rate Performance Review. If you were wearing the chest strap and got your heart rate prior to workout you will receive the HR review, which will be a graphic representation of your heart rate throughout your workout.

The Fitness Evaluator evaluates your aerobic condition throughout a fitness test. It consists of a 3 min warm-up and a 1 mile walk/ run/ jog. Press C1-C6 until C6 appears in the right data display. This is where you’ll also be shown the evaluation result.

There are 6 Personal Trainer workouts for you to choose from. Press P1-P6 until you reach the program you desire. P4-P6 are custom workouts. You can use the factory set Body For Life cardio interval workouts, you can program a custom workout in advance and you can record a custom program as you work out.

iFit compatibility- not included
Fan- not included
Sound system- not included
Automatic Warm-up/ Cool-down- included
Wireless chest strap- included

Conclusions

If you’re reading this review, it must be because you’re looking for an amazing running experience. You’ve come to the right place, as the Pacemaster Premiere EXT is really the treadmill you need for advanced workouts. You won’t have the entertainment and internet options, but if you’re a serious runner, you don’t really need them. We highly recommend this treadmill.

Pros

Pacemaster Premiere EXT is by far a great, high quality treadmill built for avid runners who are permanently looking to outrun themselves. The running surface is large and long enough to support heavier and taller users, so you won’t be limited in any way.

We were surprised by the sturdy and powerful motor. We thought it would rattle and shake and make annoying noise. But it didn’t. This motor can back up the most intense workouts available on the console, while remaining silent and still. It was quite impressive.

Then, there is the cushioning system that is as efficient as the motor. We really pushed ourselves on the Premiere EXT, and at the end of the workout, we felt no stress or pain or anything.

When it comes to workouts, this is the unit of any runner’s dreams. For weight loss, there are 4 workouts you can use to shed the extra pounds and tone your muscles. You also get 5 target heart rate workouts, and you know what that means: super intense cardio!

Of course, you get to enter weight and age, incline, speed and target heart rate.

As you figured it out by now, there are 3 customizable workouts that you can manage to match your exact requirements and, last but not least, 6 personal trainer workouts. So you see, you may not have the entertainment, but you do have the motivational support. This machine will keep you wired in a consistent fitness program.

Main attraction

We like Pacemaster because it has cool features that make workouts so dynamic and interesting, like the Virtual Reality Courses, Heart Rate Performance Review or Fitness Evaluator. It’s great having the opportunity to review your performance so that you have a clear idea on how you’re improving your workouts.

We can only conclude that Pacemaster Premiere EXT is one of the best treadmills on the market. It has the power, the support, functionality, motivational feedback and innovative features that will only keep you running. For $ 3000, Premiere EXT is an excellent purchase. You may also find it on sale, so make sure you have your eyes wide open.

You can read more about this treadmill on the Pacemaster website

This is a solid machine that comes with a 3 HP Continuous Duty McMillan motor. Its power is strong enough to sustain walking and running exercises for a long period of time.

Another advantage of this machine is the belt (rated at 10,000 miles!) which ensures comfort for any height and weight (within 400 lbs limit).The easy to use console includes various workouts and covers different training areas, such as: heart rate programs, custom workouts, workouts with different levels of intensity.

Let’s not forget the warranty (lifetime for frame, 12 years for motor, 5 years for parts and 1 year for labor). Based on these features and many other details listed below you could not get more for the same price (around $2300!).

Pacemaster Gold Specifications

1. Speed: 12 mph
The Gold unit reaches a top speed of 12 mph, a value that satisfies even heavy runners.

2. Inclination: 0-15%
The PaceMaster Gold Treadmill reaches a maximum incline value of 15%. The elevation is set via 2 Express incline keys with 0.5% increments.

3. Motor
This unit comes with a powerful 3 CHP heavy duty motor produced by McMillan. Also the elevation motor can provide 1000lb thrust.

4. Belt: 20″ x 60″
This PaceMaster model features a large walking area (20″ x 60″) that comes with a stretch resistant 2 ply texglide belt (rated for 10,000 miles). This machine comes also with the Tri-Flex impact shock management system attached to the belt.

5. Warranty
PaceMaster offer for this model a lifetime warranty for frame, 12 years for the motor, 5 years for the parts and one year for labor.

Pacemaster Gold Special Features

Virtual Reality Courses
The Gold Elite VR Treadmill comes with a unique feature: The Virtual Reality courses. With this PaceMaster version you get distance based VR workouts in the comfort of your home. The four VR Course included are: Lombard Street, Steeple Chase, Appalachian Trail and Summit Climb.

Tri-Flex Impact Shock Management
This is one of the best cushioning systems on the market and it’s composed of 3 main pieces: custom engineered tread deck, custom elastomer cushion and aluminum frame. This system ensures a superior joint protection and improved comfort.

The PaceMaster Gold Treadmill can support a top user weight of 400 lbs.

The following features & functions are also included: Welded aircraft grade frame, Dual Microprocessor Digital Control System for motor control, 2.5″ precision rollers and Automatic Warm-Up/Cool-Down, Virtual Reality Courses, 12 X 15 Multi-Color Dot Matrix and Automatic Warm-Up/Cool-Down.

Conclusions

With this machine the PaceMaster continues the success line started with the PaceMaster Bronze.

After completing our review we confirm this treadmill version is definitely a very good machine. There are two versions you can choose from: PaceMaster Gold Elite VR and Gold Elite Fold-up VR.

During our tests we chose only the non folding version (it’s a little less expensive) but this has the same engine and electronics as the fold up unit.Overall we cannot say anything bad about this machine. The only problem may appear if you don’t have the money to buy it: it costs around $2299.

The running area is generous and can satisfy even those with long strides. The cushioning system really improves the comfort of the runner. All these parts are powered by a powerful 3.0 CHP McMillan motor.

We were very impressed by the fact that it does not produce much noise. In fact we think this is the quietest treadmill we’ve tested so far. You can watch TV and run at the same time without any discomfort.

The console has a minimalist but at the same time, very interesting design. There are plenty of preset workouts and electronic features to choose from.

The warranty is very good. You don’t get a lifetime warranty for motor (trust us is just a marketing thing). Instead you get lifetime for frame, 5 year for parts and 12 year for motor. This is more than enough.

We did some research on the Net before writing our review and we read several negative reviews for this machine. From what we’ve read, all of these negative reviews were caused by broken parts or units but none by bad performances. All the reviews we found had been written several years ago so we can conclude that at this point all these issues have already been corrected by the manufacturer.

As a conclusion for the PaceMaster Gold treadmill review: this is a very good treadmill! The only problem you may have is the high price. If you can get it for around 2000 don’t hesitate to buy it. This is an excellent deal! For additional details visit the Pacemaster site

From the beginning of this review it’s important we write about the powerful 3.0 CHP motor and the long & wide belt backed by an advanced cushioning system.

There have been some complaints about the machine’s weight and the fact that it doesn’t feel very sturdy. It’s true that it has an aluminum frame which makes it a little lighter but if you test it you will see that it is a comfortable & solid unit.

Overall, there are no real weak points for this machine and we think that you will be very satisfied if you buy it.

Pacemaster Bronze Treadmill Specifications

1. Speed: 10mph
The PaceMaster Bronze treadmill has a top speed of 11 mph that can be adjusted with 0.1 mph increments via two standard controls.

2. Inclination: 0-15%
This treadmill has an incline range between 0 and 15 degrees. The elevation mechanism has 1000 lb thrust and can be adjusted with 0.5 mph increments.

3. Motor
The Bronze model is equipped with a 3.0CHP motor produced by McMillan Motors.

4. Belt: 20’’x54’’
The deck features a generous walking space and a 2-ply Texglide stretch resistant belt.
The cushion system is a Tri-Flex Impact Shock Management version.

5. Warranty
PaceMaster offers a Lifetime warranty for frame, 12 years for the motor, 5 years for the parts and one year for labor.

Pacemaster Bronze Treadmill Special Features

Tri-Flex Impact Shock Management System
This is the cushioning system solution that ensures better joint protection and higher comfort. The system is composed of 3 parts: custom engineered tread deck, custom elastomer cushion and aluminum frame.

Four LED Display Windows
The 4 LED display allow you to see detailed training information like: Time, Speed, Distance, Incline, Calories and Aerobic Points.

4 Preset Programs
The Bronze model comes with 4 preset programs that focus on Weight loss, Stamina, Intervals or Conditioning. For each of these programs there are 9 levels of intensity.

The machine holds a maximum user weight of 350 lbs LB.

The following features & functions are also included: Dual Microprocessor Digital Control System for motor control, Welded aircraft grade frame, 2.5″ precision rollers and Automatic Warm-Up/Cool-Down.

Conclusions

We’ve got lucky this week! We’ve just tested a machine that can easily compete for the 1st place in under $2000 treadmill category. You cannot image the joy we felt when we discovered that we were going to play with a machine that is on the same level as Bodyguard T240 Treadmill.

The Pacemaster model comes with a 3.0 CHP motor produced by McMillan Motors. This motor powers a 54 inches long and 20 inches wide belt (pretty impressive, ha?).

PaceMaster proud themselves with this stretch resistant, 2 ply texglide belt that should resist at least 10,000 miles. As you can imagine we didn’t run 10,000 miles just to test this but the whole assembly looks solid and prepared for a long run.

The cushioning system is a Tri-Flex Impact Shock Management version (a shorter tag would be nice).

We like the console design but we are a little disappointed because there are no Quick Speed and Incline controls. This is not such a big thing but we think their presence would increase the usability of the machine.

There are no speakers or other entertainment features but who cares: the machine is too good with what already has. If you want listening to music while training get an iPod Nano and you solve the problem.

The warranty is very good. You get 5 years for parts and 12 years for motor. This is more than enough. For other info you can check the product page located here.

As a conclusion for PaceMaster Bronze: this treadmill is a very good unit and we highly recommend it!