Smooth 5.25 Treadmill Review: Best Folding Treadmill For Under $1,000

The Full Smooth 5.25 Treadmill Review
Although the Smooth 5.25 Treadmill has many great features, the main reason it is so popular is its price. It is often considered the best value treadmill in its price range. For $999, you will get a treadmill that is much better than the competition.

The reason why the Smooth 5.25 is so affordable is because of the way Smooth Fitness sells their treadmills. They sell their exercise equipment exclusively online. By avoiding retailers and other middlemen, they are able to offer customers a higher quality treadmill for less. By selling direct online, their customers get a lot more for their money.

The reason consumers find the Smooth 5.25 so quiet is because of its motor. It has a relatively large 2.5 continuous duty motor. The noise a treadmill makes during operation is a good way to determine the quality of the motor. If it is quiet, then this is an indication that it is working less and as a result is less likely to break down.

Stability can greatly affect your fitness experience. There is one downside to its weight and that is it’s not easy to move! When your treadmill arrives be sure you know where you want it as it may be difficult to move later on.

Durability is very important when it comes to folding treadmills. Usually, models in the sub-$1,000 price category have a problem with durability. They tend to break down more often. That is not the case with the Smooth 5.25. It can withstand frequent walking and casual jogging with ease.

A few of the Smooth 5.25 treadmill reviews that we read from consumers indicated that it will also withstand regular running. While the Smooth 5.25 may be able to withstand regular running, we don’t recommend it for that kind of use. The Smooth 6.25 treadmill is a step up from the 5.25 and is more capable of handling serious runners. Another recommendation would be the Sole F80 by Sole Fitness. Both of these treadmills are better suited for serious runners and aren’t that much more expensive than the Smooth 5.25.

The deck of the Smooth 5.25 treadmill is 20 inches by 53 inches. While this is fine for most people, folks that are more than six feet tall will likely find that the walking surface is too small for their stride. Keep this in mind if you are taller – especially if you are also a serious runner.

The shock absorption technology in the Sole 5.25 treadmill is one of the reasons why it is so much better than other treadmills in its class. It uses the patented Swing Arm Suspension System. When you use the machine, you will notice that your steps are cushioned. This can help with many problems including poor knee and back health. Many people have found that they can walk or jog longer on this treadmill than they can outside or on other treadmills.

Most treadmills in this price range have limited warranties on the frame and motor and typically cover parts for only a year. In addition, Smooth Fitness provides a one-year service warranty on its treadmills. If your Smooth 5.25 needs any repairs within one year of your purchase, its fully covered. While it can be hard to trust the opinions of other reviews when they talk about reliability, you can feel confident buying a Smooth 5.25 with such a strong warranty.

Overall, the Smooth 5.25 treadmill is a great value for a folding treadmill. It leads the pack in the sub-$1,000 price category and comes with one of the best warranties you will find in this category.

What the Smooth 5.25 treadmill reviews say…

Fred Waters, an industry expert and founder of Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com, says the Smooth 5.25 is the, “Best value at $1,000.”

About.com rates the Smooth 5.25 a, “Top ten folding treadmill.”

Great Machine
“We have had the treadmill for two months. I cannot explain it, but we use it regularly. The machine has functioned perfectly, except for the pulse monitor, which is not at all accurate. The various exercise programs make working out efficient and offer variety. Hopefully our resolve to get fit will give this fine machine an endurance test over the course of time. We cannot say that we put much strain on it since we are relatively small people and we tend to do power walking rather than running. The treadmill was shipped promptly and arrived quickly. The assembly took about 1 1/2 hours.” -A consumer review from Amazon.com

Recommended but could be better
“I recently purchased the Smooth 5.25 after doing the required research in trying to determine the best treadmill for my needs and my dollars. Overall, I am satisfied with my purchase of the 5.25. It arrived in a timely manner - two weeks after ordering - and the freight men moved it upstairs (definitely the best $25 I have spent in a while, as this is a heavy unit/box).

Set up was relatively easy and instructions were good. Again, however, I found the directions for using the console/computer in need of clarity. Overall, I am very satisfied with the Smooth 5.25. If the console was improved to give a better and brighter reading of the figures and there were two separate windows for the MPH and Distance, along with hundredths, I would give this unit 5 stars.” –A consumer review from Amazon.com

Solid, Reliable, Comfortable
“I have owned and used the Smooth Fitness 5.25 treadmill for about six months. I’ve had lower-cost treadmills, and you do get what you pay for. (Though I don’t see that spending $3000 gains all that much). This one is definitely worth the price. It’s comfortable and stable, and a pleasure to use. My significant other and I put around 30 miles per week on it, so we’re not heavy users like runners in training. We both use the power incline and vary the speed a lot.

The one feature I wish it had was a set of sideways wheels. I had a heck of a time getting it into my workout room because it only rolls forward, and I don’t have 40″ doors in my house. (Does anyone?) It’s difficult to fold it up, keep it folded, and get it through normal doorways. Other than that, I am very satisfied with it.” –A consumer review from Amazon.com