The Spirit ET-8 Folding Treadmill Offers Good Value

The Spirit ET-8 folding treadmill has a strong motor, heart rate control programs, a Soft-Drop folding design, and convenient handlebar controls. At the right price, it is a decent machine offering good value.

The Machine

The Spirit ET-8 folding treadmill features a mono LED dot matrix display that tracks speed, time, distance, laps, pace, incline, calories, and heart rate. It has 8 workouts (including 2 heart rate control programs), and 12 quick keys to adjust speed and incline. A wireless chest strap is included.

The full specs are:

• 2.75 HP continuous duty Motor
• Incline Motor: 1000-pound thrust rated
• Speed: 0.5 - 12 MPH (in .1 MPH increments)
• Incline: 0 – 15% in 1-degree increments
• 20" x 58" Running Surface
• 8 Workout Programs, 2 HRC programs
• Hand Rail Controls for speed/incline
• Contact Heart Rate Sensors
• Polar Chest Strap
• 350 lbs User Weight Capacity
• Machine Wt/Dimensions: 254 lbs / 80 x 33 x 60 inches (LxWxH)
• Soft-Drop Folding Design, 4-wheels for transport
• Warranty: lifetime frame & deck, 30 yrs motor, 5 yrs parts, 1-yr labor

The Buzz

UPDATE:  The Spirit ET-8 folding treadmill has been discontinued and is no longer available for sale.  You can compare the latest models here to decide which one is right for you.

The Esprit Spirit ET-8 folding treadmill offers a good size 2.75 HP continuous duty motor, 2.75-inch rear rollers, a 1-inch pre-waxed phenolic deck, variable durometer elastomer cushioning system, and a 2 ply textured duraweave belt.

Other features include an integrated 4-wheel carriage for roll-away storage, Soft-Drop Assist folding mechanism, a 20' x 58" running surface, and a maximum user weight capacity of up to 350 pounds.

Reviews on the Spirit ET-8 have been favorable ever since the Esprit ET line was launched in 2007. As the mid-child of the line-up (the others are the ET-2, 4, 8, and 10), the ET-8 is a strong model with decent cushioning, a rugged belt and motor, basic but well-designed programs, and a very solid frame.

What We Say

Made in Taiwan, the Spirit ET-8 folding treadmill sells online for around $1,400, much lower than its original MSRP of $1,699.

The frame and console are already looking a little dated (this model is relatively unchanged from its 2007 design), so you would be better off going with another treadmill made by Dyaco, the Sole F80 folding treadmill.

The updated Sole has a larger motor, a rack-and-pinion gear design on the incline mechanism, advanced cushioning, and includes all of the features that you like best about the ET-8.

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