The LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill is a winner of our comprehensive top treadmills under $1000 blog post, so here is a deeper look at it.
It has a lot of features designed to make workouts more productive and fun. This review explains what those features are, the pros and cons and what people say about it on the web.
Check Price on AmazonThis LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill review will explain all the major features of the product as well as clear any misconceptions about it. No doubt the Lifespan is very popular, but that doesn’t necessarily mean this treadmill is right for you. So before you buy, it’s crucial that you know exactly what this machine can and cannot do.
LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill Overview
The Lifespan treadmill has a lot of features, but it’s best to start with its capacity which is 2.5 HP, comparable to other treadmills in its class. And as the name implies the machine is foldable and it’s versatile enough so you can run, jog or walk on it as if you’re doing it on the streets.
Design wise the Lifespan is quite pleasing as there are several convenient handlebar controls and safety features built in. The handlebars are especially convenient as they help you manage your incline and speed without the need to make serious adjustments. Because you can make adjustments without taking your hands away from the handlebars, there’s no need to worry about losing balance or focus as you make adjustments to your pace.
As far as specifications go the Lifespan is as good as they come, as the 2.5 HP is equipped with a 20 by 56 inch running surface and 2.5 inch front rollers. The running space in particular is very good and ideal for those who feel cramped with the limited area provided by other machines.
The warranty is one year for labor and 3 years for the parts, and the frame and motor have a lifetime warranty. This is another important aspect of the product as it gives you an indication of just how well built it is.
Basically the only thing that you need apart from this treadmill is at least one pair of great running shoes for beginners or advanced runners and you are good to go.
Features
- 2.5 continuous duty HP motor – just enough power to get your workout to the best level possible with its speed between 0.5 to 11 mph. Maximum incline is the usual in the class: 15%
- Fold-up running deck – with a pretty cool 20×56″ running surface
- Several Pre-defined Programs – offers cardio, weight loss, healthy living and sports training programs.
- Multicolored LCD console – excellent to track your pace, distance, calories, time, speed etc.
- Support to 300 lbs – speaking about robust design, huh? This should accommodate most of the runners out there
- EZ Drop folding system – it has cushioned deck which makes your running smooth (almost 40% less impact than when running on asphalt), large stop watch and a user friendly “slow start”
Dimensions
- Total: 33″ wide by 54″ height by 70″ long (W x H x D)
- Folded: 39″ by 66″ by 33″
- Running surface dimensions: 20″ wide by 56″ long
- Rollers: 2.5″ at front and 2.0″ at the end
- Weight: 204 lbs.
- Shipping weight: 220 pounds
There are numerous benefits of an advanced treadmill that you can finally use and get yourself into good shape. Let’s take a moment and look at how hard it is to workout on this machine:
Ease of Use
The machine is pretty easy to use, and the sound deck suspension system has a weight capacity of 300 lbs. so that won’t be a problem for most people.
More importantly, the treadmill saves all your workout data automatically so you don’t have to. After the information has been saved the LifeSpan TR 1200i Folding Treadmill allows you to upload it in your LifeSpan Fitness Club account, a great place to keep track of all your workout programs and get reports of your health and fitness.
The Fitness Club account is really nice bonus as you get to access a wealth of health information and interesting facts. In addition, you can share the data with your friends, physician or family members as well. If you’re a health buff this is definitely worth checking out, and it’s a nice bonus considering how good the treadmill is on its own
At the heart of the program is the LCD console as it provides you with plenty of information including exercise programs and readouts. The data provided on the LCD display, in short, will help you keep track of your fitness, speed, incline level, heart rate and steps. You can also use the treadmill to check the distance, calories burned, your time and more. There’s a lot of information here, but the keys are large so you can control the momentum.
In addition the Lifespan has 17 exercise presets so you can perform different workouts without getting bored. This is a very convenient feature since you can vary your workout quickly. All the programs on the machine were created by physiologists so you can be certain that they are safe.
It should also be pointed out that each of the 17 programs has 20 unique segments with their own inline level and speed, so you won’t be lacking in variety here. There’s also a My Zone heart rate control system and the My Zone Constant that helps maintain a good rate for your heart.
What Really Rocks with This Machine
- The motor is powerful but quiet
- The duplicate side buttons are very convenient
- The Intelli-step counting features works very well
- The speakers are of good quality
Stuff that Could be Improved
- The box is very big and heavy
- The instructions could have been a little clearer
What Customers Say
Many of the reviews for the Lifespan TR 1200i have been very positive. Cynthia of Oregon says the Lifespan was the most convenient treadmill she had used, and she particularly liked how the treadmill adjusted automatically so her heart beats at her preferred pace. Another reviewer, Lance from Cleveland, says that he’s “never” seen a treadmill with “so many” customizable programs.
Jennifer of Dallas also wrote a review of the Lifespan on her blog and said:
“I like the customizability level of the Lifespan, and it lets me save settings I choose easily…I use the treadmill almost every day and there’s no sign of any wear and tear at all.”
Alfred of Pennsylvania also wrote a review, saying that it’s “good value for your money” and “it’s very easy to use”. He also said the customer support is very good and he had no problems folding the machine.
As you can see, a lot of the reviews for the Lifespan are very positive, and many have expressed delight and satisfaction with the LCD display and controls. There are a few negative reviews here and there, but for the most part customers seem very happy with the Lifespan.
Conclusion
The Lifespan TR1200i is a very good treadmill, it even received the best treadmill under $1000 prize in many reviews. This is absolutely spot-on. As this review makes clear, it’s packed with a lot of features that are actually useful and weren’t just added as an afterthought.
Check Price on AmazonThe machine is solidly built and there are nice little touches to the design such as an iPod / headphone jack, very good speakers and the Intelli-step does what it’s supposed to do.If you’re in search of a powerful treadmill that won’t break your budget, then this is the one to get. The Lifespan has got a lot of useful features, is easy to store and is built to last. All in all, it offers great value for your money.
