The Life Fitness T5-0 Treadmill – High Price Tag for the Brand Name

The Life Fitness T5-0 treadmill is a solid, well-crafted machine that would be a runaway best seller — if it were priced about $800 less.

The Machine

The LED console shows incline, speed, time, distance, target heart rate, calories, and pace. The programs include Classic Workouts (Manual, Hills), Sports Training, Heart Rate (Fat Burn, Cardio), Goal, and Custom.

The features and specs on the Life Fitness T5-0 treadmill are:

• 3.0 HP Continuous Duty DC MagnaDrive Motor
• 0.5-12 mph
• 0-15% Incline
• 22" x 60" belt
• 12 Workouts
• Heart Sync HR Controlled Workouts
• Contact HR hand sensors
• Polar® Wireless Heart Rate Chest Strap
• 400 lbs. max. user weight
• Lifetime Warranty on frame and shock absorbers, 10 yrs motor, 7 yrs electrical/parts, and 1 year of in-home service

Visit the Life Fitness Store at Amazon.com

The Buzz

The Life Fitness T5-0 treadmill has a 3.0 CHP motor and 2” rollers — both components are rather small for a unit that sells for around $3,500. While such a set-up leaves this model vulnerable to criticism from equipment pros, it does have other advanced features such as a 0.75-inch reversible treadmill deck with variable elastomer suspension. The Life Fitness T5-0 is quiet, and offers a large walking area and a host of excellent programs — one of the true staples of Life Fitness products. Yet despite the quality of components and a long warranty, experts still question the high price.

Users and treadmill reviewers have all touted the good aspects of the T5-0 treadmill, since it is a well-made, solid product. Customers are aware that Life Fitness sells thousands of treadmills to health clubs around the world so they expect this model to be equal if not superior to competitors in this mid-price range. But keep in mind that the Club model sold by Life Fitness and used in commercial settings starts at around $6,000. The T5-0 treadmill just isn’t in the same league as its pricey sibling.

What We Say

The Life Fitness T5-0 rates well in every area of consideration except it brings up the question: Is it worth it? It’s a solid treadmill, but the high price tag for the brand name, components, and features, leaves us scratching our heads. For $3,699, the value is suspect especially when you compare it to the highly rated Lifespan Pro5 treadmill — a $3,499 machine that scores off the charts in terms of power, comfort, cushioning, value and warranty. (In fact, the hot Lifespan is the best built $3500 machine on the market right now.) However, if you really want a Life Fitness machine, get the T3 instead; it has many of the same components as the Life Fitness T5-0 treadmill and you’ll save $1,000.

Show me other Life Fitness Treadmills

Return from Life Fitness T5-0 Treadmill to the Treadmill Reviews Home Page