The Reebok VISTA 8500 Treadmill – a Foldable Model with a TV!

The Reebok VISTA 8500 treadmill falls in the middle of the $1000 to $2000 price range in the Icon line. These are mass-produced machines that unfortunately imply the Reebok Shoe name; hence, people tend to think it must be a quality machine. We beg to differ.

It’s not even the same company. Read a few Reebok treadmill reviews and you’ll get the idea that these machines are nothing spectacular. They aren’t necessarily the bottom of the pack, but they shouldn’t be your first choice for a treadmill either.

The Machine

This is an affordable TV treadmill model that comes with premium sound coming through 2 built-in speakers, and a cable-ready flat screen TV in the console. The Reebok VISTA 8500 treadmill also offers QuickStep™ speed control, 12 programs, HR sensors on the handlebars, and a large 350 lb. user weight maximum. The full list of the specs include:

• 2.25 CHP motor
• 0-12 mph max speed
• 12% Power Incline® Control
• 20" x 55" treadbelt
• 7" Flat-Screen TV
• 8 Personal Trainer Programs; 2 HR; 2 User Defined
• Handgrip Heart Rate Monitor
• Built-in fan
• 350 lbs. max. user weight
• 12 year motor warranty; 90 days parts and labor

The Buzz

UPDATE:  The Reebok Vista 8500 model has been discontinued.  It has been replaced by newer treadmills.

While the Reebok VISTA 8500 treadmill does have some good points, the overall quality and reliability aren’t what you would hope for. Experts will first have you look at the weak 90 day warranty on parts and labor which gives you an indication of how long the company will stand behind their machine: less than 3 months!

And consider the fact that this is a foldable model, so it’s going to be banged up a bit which is not a good idea for a treadmill with a TV console on the dash.

Consumers enjoy watching TV while they walk/jog so they find a model like the Reebok VISTA 8500, for $999, to be an especially attractive buy.

The workout itself is comfy enough; the SoftMax™ cushioning offers joint protection making it much safer to walk indoors on a treadmill than outdoors on hard pavement. On the other hand, that dinky motor is pulling a 55" treadbelt. The motor is not going to last for a frequent user. Bet on it.

What We Say

The MSRP on the Reebok VISTA 8500 is listed at $1599, and normally carries a sale price of $999. It’s one of the ugliest consoles we’ve seen; very cheesy and cheap looking, even with the TV off. We like the arms that flair out, and the overall design, but if aesthetics are important to you, you may not like the display layout either.

Otherwise, the Reebok VISTA 8500 treadmill is a decent machine, although we recommend you not purchase a TV treadmill without insuring yourself with an extended warranty to cover this expensive part. Apart from the TV, we recommend you look at the Sole F63 or the Smooth 5.25 if you want an outstanding treadmill at this price.

Show me other Reebok Treadmills