Assembly of any treadmill can be tough, especially if you’re not the handyman or handy woman type. Extra help, besides manual and exploded diagrams, is always welcome. We don’t like paying extra for assembly from the manufacturer, even if, sometimes, we should. In most cases, 2 persons are needed to assembly a treadmill, it takes around 2-3 hours to do it, and you make more mess than you would like to. Icon Fitness models are not the exception to this rule.

In the next NordicTrack videos we’ve found the help we needed to have a treadmill up and running.

The NordicTrack Elite 9500 Pro Assembly Video

The NordicTrack X9i Incline Trainer Assembly Video

The NordicTrack C 900 Assembly Video

The NordicTrack T 7 Assembly Video

The assembly is not the only tough part. Calibration of a treadmill’s speed and incline is also an important step, and that’s why you should know how it’s done properly. We believe Icon Fitness videos will help you, so we’ve listed them below.

Incline Calibration Video, Standard Console

Incline Calibration Video, Touch Screen Console

How To Calibrate Speed Video

How To Center The Belt Video

How To Lubricate The Walking Belt Video

How To Tension The Walking Belt Video

If you have another Icon Fitness treadmill, like ProForm, FreeMotion, HealthRider, or Rebook, the maintenance instructions will fit for them too.

I am sure that, at some point, each runner has had the occasion to express his or her opinion about treadmills during a conversation with other runners. Some love it, others hate it, and the rest of the crowd prefers keeping a neutral position in the debate.

If you’re reading this post, it means you’re considering exploring the advantages of treadmills. I want to put my 5 years experience with treadmills to good use and help you find your own answer to this question by sharing the 4 treadmill interactive systems that have made my exercising more fun.

1. iFIT Live

From my point of view, iFIT Live is the top of the interactive systems of the moment that allows you to control both workouts and your diet information. This feature connects the treadmill console to your own iFIT account through a wireless Internet connection and downloads from there trainer workouts, Google Maps workouts, event and competition workouts. Once you download the workouts in the console, you start running. You can access your iFIT account from any computer or your iPhone to schedule the workouts for the next days, weeks or months. Results will be recorded in the treadmill console and then be sent back to your account through the Wi-Fi connection, so you can keep records of your progress from one place.

The fun part is when you use the Google Maps workouts with the automatic terrain simulator option. You may run in Paris, London, Boston, New York, on a mountain trail or wherever your heart desires. Time flies quickly when there are so many workouts options. Plus, you get to see your progress and the ‘surroundings’ while you exercise (the 10 inch display is the nicest view of all).

To use this system, we recommend ProForm Trailrunner 4.0 and FreeMotion 770 Interactive.

Your costs  are 0 for the first year when you see the mention that iFIT is included with your purchase. At the end of this period you can renew with $80/year. When you see the mention that iFIT is compatible, you must pay the subscription from the beginning, and sometimes you may also need to buy the iFIT module separately.

2. Life Fitness Virtual Trainer

Life Fitness has thought of a useful way for users to create workouts and upload/download them to treadmills consoles, no matter if they use a compatible machine at the gym or at home. This is how Virtual Trainer works: you create an account with them, customize workouts, plugin a regular USB and save on it the exercises from your account. Through the same USB, you upload the workouts in the treadmill’s console and start running.

The fun part is the iPhone/iPad application that communicates and synchronizes data with the Life Fitness account and the treadmill console, without any USB system. It is entertaining to have the liberty to create workouts from anywhere. Plus, you can receive help and workouts suggestions from online friends (or buddies, how they are called by Life Fitness).

To use this system, we recommend the Track Console with the 2012 F3 or T3 treadmill.

Your costs are 0, as long as the treadmill is compatible with the Life Fitness Virtual Trainer. The iPhone app has extra features that you can add for a fee, like the workouts from Life Fitness trainers ($2.99 per download).

3. Livestrong Fitness Passport Set Top Box

The people at Livestrong have built the Fitness Passport Set Top Box to make the treadmill workout experience fun with just a TV screen and a box.  You can run on trails anywhere in the world at your own pace, and enjoy the “surroundings” at the same time. The video quality of the trails adds an authentic note to the outdoor simulations.

The fun part is the visual and the audio experience that can make you feel almost as if you were running outdoors.

To use this system, we recommend the LSPRO2 treadmill.

Your costs are 0, if you want to use the 2 trails included in the package. Extra video packs can be purchased online.

4. Lifespan/Smoth Fitness Club

Video Presentation From SMOOTH, Virtual Fitness Trainer

Lifespan Fitness Club or My Smooth Virtual Trainer are literally the same thing. That is why I’m listing them together. In this system users correlate the workouts’ intensity with their health condition. Even if health assessment is an interesting and unique functionality, it’s better to have this analysis done by your own physician.  The rest of the features are similar to what I’ve described above: you create workouts, schedule them and upload the results to your PC, in your account, all through an USB device. You also have professional assistance to help you design customized workouts.

There is actually no fun part with this system, but it is helpful for those who like Life Span or Smooth treadmills and want to workout efficiently. Setting goals and planning the steps to achieve them have an important part in a solid exercise program. 

To use this system, we recommend Lifespan TR1200i ,  LifeSpan TR3000i and Smooth 8.35

Your costs are 0, if your treadmill includes lifetime membership included. If it’s not included, don’t pay extra.

What Do You Do When You’re Bored On The Treadmill

All of us struggle to find the enthusiasm to run on treadmills. I’ve shared a few interactive systems that I find interesting and fun enough to distract me from the cruel truth that running indoors is sometimes boring. How about you? I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on how you break through the monotony. Share your ideas in the comments.

I feel you…

The problem is, in today’s world, we don’t get to run in the woods, just before going to work. Even the park seems like a utopia.

Luckily, treadmill producers thought of a way to offset this major drawback.

What does Passport Set Top Box mean?

For instance, Livestrong invented the Fitness Passport Set Top Box. What does it mean, you ask? It means that you get run the world, passport free. And while doing that, you lose the extra weight, tone those abs and build yourself a stronger heart.

Either the default American South-West or Northern Italy, you can run or walk or jog wherever your heart desires. Of course, if you purchase additional destinations, you can take your runs throughout the Italian countryside, the Grand Canyon, the Venetian cityscape or the shore of the Atlantic.

How does it work?

In order to use the Passport technology, you need a wireless connection and a home television. Your workout data is displayed on the TV screen, so all you have to do is check it out from time to time.

As you slow down or go faster, the images on the TV screen change accordingly. Also, whenever you go up or down, the images follow your direction. For a complete experience, the audio features enhance the footage of your running track.

The Passport technology is another version of the iFit technology, only with fewer features. Livestrong enthusiasts, like ourselves, will find Passport fairly exciting. Any treadmill innovation that enhances the workout experience and doesn’t require all the money in our pockets has our full attention.

Livestrong Fitness Passport Set Top Box is available on the following treadmills:

- Livestrong LSPRO2 Treadmill

- AFG 7.1 AT

The main complaint of those who run on treadmills is the sense of boredom engendered by this type of training. With the two new consoles launched, Life Fitness wants to offer users a complete solution to overcome this impediment.

In November 2011 Life Fitness announced the launch of the latest consumer cardio consoles with new, engaging, motivating features that will make indoor running much more pleasant than any other treadmill experience you’ve lived before. These are the Go Console and the Track Console.

What do you receive?

Life Fitness Track Console Features:

- iPod/iPhone seamless controls for volume and song selection

- Up to 4 User Profiles available to save individual workout data

- Each profile can create and save up to 3 customized workouts per person

- The Virtual Trainer feature, which can now be synced with their own iPhone/iPod application.

- The HeartSync solution that allows each person to control the workout intensity based on his or her heart rate (Best Feature Ever Developed)

- An Energy-eficient console

Life Fitness Go Console Features:

- Up to 2 User Profiles available to save individual workout data

- Each profile can create and one customized workout per person

- The HeartSync solution

- An Energy-eficient console

Life Fitness added these two new consoles on 10 different consumer equipment products, available for purchase from the beginning of November 2011 at their official website. These 10 products are:

- NEW Life Fitness’ T3 and F3 Treadmills,

- X1, X3, X5 and X8 Cross-Trainers,

- C1 and C3 Upright Bikes and R1 and R3 Recumbent Bike models.

We say this is a triumphant end of the year for Life Fitness. Don’t you think?

What should you expect to receive with this update?

- The Apple compatible application will be available on Life Fitness Elevation Series Engage line of cardio machines and it will permit users to interact with their fitness applications more intensively.

- You will be able to sync your results on your iPhone or iPod with the Life Fitness Virtual Trainer Website.

- You will be able to customize your own workouts and user profiles, keep count of all calories burned right on your Apple product and share your workout updates on Facebook instantly.

- Your iPhone or iPod will have direct connectivity to the Life Fitness Elevation Series Engage cardio products. The application will be automatically recognized by the machine and it will send the workout results directly to the mobile Life Fitness Virtual Trainer.

- A new planned feature (that will be available for a fee) will allow you to have direct access to download expert-recommended Life Fitness programs like 5K Training or Weight Loss. These programs will be launched on the Life Fitness cardio machine consoles in real time.

-Add-ons available will include a library of additional training features, like GPS mapping or music selection.

The app can be downloaded from here.

It is a new future for cardio machines, a future we love here at RunReviews.

On December 7 2011 Star Trac announced the End of Technical Support Life For the Following Treadmills:

- ST1000
- ST1200
- ST1600
- ST1400
- ST1500
- All ST2000 Series
- All ST3000 Series
- TR3050
- TR4000
- TR900 (Black Colored)
- TR901 (Gray Colored)
- TR1800
- TR3900
- TR3500
- Pro Tread 5600 (DC drive)
- Pro Tread 6500 (DC drive)
- Pro Tread 6600 (DC drive)

Their announcement includes a note that some replacement parts can still be ordered from their website.

PaceMaster does it.

What is this Trade-Up program?

PaceMaster clients know that this company has an outstanding reputation for offering repair parts and service for all PaceMaster treadmills. But sometimes, even producers run out of components. What do you do when this happens? Well, if you’re PaceMaster, you discontinue all repairs for some treadmills and show your appreciation in some other fashion.

The PaceMaster Trade-Up Program offers a $ 300 Trade-Up voucher to owners of the following models: 850X, 840X, SX-PRO, ProPlus Auto, ProPlus HR, ProPlus II, ProSelect and ProElite. With this voucher, customers can purchase a new PaceMaster Premiere series treadmill.

What do you have to do?

First, you get the console membrane from your old PaceMaster treadmill alongside the downloadable voucher to your local PaceMaster dealer.

Second, you purchase a new PaceMaster Premiere Series Treadmill from an authorized dealer. This is when you receive a $ 150 discount off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

Thirdly, you send a bunch of documents, such as the voucher signed by the sales person, a legible copy of the sales receipt with your personal information, the console membrane from the old treadmill and the warranty registration card for the new treadmill to PaceMaster, LLC. and receive a check for an additional $ 150.

Sounds quite easy and alluring. If I were a PaceMaster customer, I wouldn’t wait 1 minute longer.

Yeap, my joints and hips were sore for a few long long days. But the greatest loss was that I was afraid to get on any other treadmill for as long as I shall live.

But then the cushioning system came along and my entire sore and pain were history.

Nowadays, all treadmills are backed up with quality cushions, some of them adjustable according to the type of workout you’re about to embark on.

The Landice Orthopedic Shock Absorption system is an example of cushion system that does the job right. It really does provide the ultimate reduction of impact on joints and knees. It’s 7 times softer than running on grass and here is why.

The optional OrthoPlus system incorporates an orthopedic 4-ply, cushioned treadbelt. This orthopedic tuned suspension technology provides a state-of-the-art system that reduces impact on joints and knees.

If you think this is all a bunch of jibba jabba, just get on a Landice treadmill and check it out for yourself. Feel free to return here and share your experience.

To work out or to watch my favorite movie? Or maybe talk to my good old friend over the phone, because he’s left the city and now I don’t have the time anymore to see what he’s been up to?

If you’ve ever wondered any of these things above, you can be all happy and chipper because guess what, now you can do them all at the same time.

Indeed, you can, thanks to Landice WalkStation, not a technologic miracle of the 21st century, but a must have for busy people focused on staying fit.

What’s the buzz all about?

You can now surf the internet, read emails, answer emails, even engage in conference calls right at your WalkStation. It’s a great way of keeping clients satisfied without sacrificing your daily run.

Of course, you can just ditch the work features and use the WalkStation at his highest intensity.

What you’ll get and how do you secure your multimedia hardware anyway?

I’m sure you’ve already seen with your mind eyes how your beloved laptop falls and crushes into small little pieces, leaving you with a right on heartbreak. Well, you can relax. These people thought of everything. You get a LapStrap to keep your laptop in place at an optimum viewing angle, an ErgoKey Keyboard Tray so you can write endlessly and carefree, a PhoneDock Telephone Station so your phone remains in your reach and a TreadMouse Mouse Pad for you to click and double-click more easily.

If your mouse is wireless, even better. Moreover, you can mount your own computer monitor with the optional VESA-D mounting bracket. It accepts up to 24-inch VESA-D 75/100 compatible flat screen computers, computer monitors and TVs.

Yes, it also has iPod compatibility. It connects from the iPod’s docking port to a display’s Yellow, Red and White A/V input jacks.

If you think the WalkStation is worth a try, you’ll see for yourself why this unit is a real dream catcher. It can be attached to any Landice Treadmill.

It is the case with PaceMaster’s quite unique Tri-Flex Impact Shock Management System , a technological innovation that comprises 3 components that work simultaneously.

This advanced technology offers protection to your joints all the way throughout the workout.

What makes the Tri-Flex so special?

The key with this shock absorption system is that it incorporates a Custom Engineered Tread Deck that flexes every time you flex your foot. Its design produces greater strength in a more flexible ¾ inch deck. Alongside the deck, there are Custom Elastomer

Cushions for an additional shock absorption effect and deflection of impact. The third element is the Aluminum Frame that is much more shock absorbing than steel and also rust-proof.

1 – custom engineered tread deck
2 – custom elastomer cushions
3 – aluminium frame

With the power of these 3 combined, the PaceMaster is able to offer you a stress-free workout experience. I should know. I just bought me a nice little PaceMaster that runs smoothly and carefree.