The PaceMaster brand is owned by Aerobics Inc, a New Jersey based company.
The story goes that Bill Staub, the PaceMaster inventor, had the inspiration to build the first treadmill following the ideas promoted by Dr. Ken Cooper in his book, Aerobics. Once the prototype was ready, he sent it to Dr. Cooper for review. They sold the first models as partners. A few years later, in 1968, the PaceMaster brand was officially bought by Aerobics Inc.
In 2012 the parent company filed for bankruptcy and moved to Canada. As a result of the bankruptcy, all warranties for purchases made in the USA became null and void. In this case all repair and replacement parts for treadmills bought before this event will have to be purchased by the owners.
UPDATE: Pacemaster treadmills are no longer available for sale. You may still be able to find a few models on eBay but otherwise these are hard to come by. You can read about many of the old models below, or check out our Best Treadmills section for our expert's top picks.
Reviews:
PaceMaster builds only treadmills, mostly residential products.
There are a few characteristics that make their products unique. They offer a personalized cushioning for joint protection. We wrote a separate post about the Tri-Flex Impact Shock Management System. They always use aluminum frames, to make the machines lighter. The belt/deck on all models is maintenance free.
Some PaceMaster treadmills have virtual training workouts included, and they are fun. Others have a fitness evaluation system installed.
Main Strengths
Cardio Fitness Tracking:
PaceMaster includes an accurate cardio fitness tracking and reporting set up based on the 'Aerobic Points' system built by Dr. Kenneth Cooper.
Powerful Motor:
All models come with a 3 HP continuous motor.
Warranty:
Their standard offer is 12 years for motor, 5 years for parts and 1 year for labor. It is a strong warranty for the value paid.
Weaknesses
High Price:
Prices start at $2,000 and can as high as $3,000.
Buying Tips
Our short experience with this brand was pleasant. There are unique details that make their machines valuable for runners and that is why, if you have the budget, you can choose one of their treadmills without hesitation.
We are not fans of aluminum frames, but you have a lifetime warranty for it, so you have nothing to lose from this point of view.
What you do not have is entertainment features, such as an iPod dock, sound system or TV screen.
NOTE: Our reviews were done before the PaceMaster parent company moved to Canada.
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