LifeSpan Fitness LS-5T Folding Treadmill
Jul.01, 2010 in
Treadmill Review
LifeSpan Fitness LS-5T Folding Treadmill Feature
|
Today Shoppingcatalogs.biz Present The Best LifeSpan Fitness LS-5T Folding Treadmill Review Produit DescriptionLe LS-5T is a compact ultra travelator which is idéal for those which seek
July 1st, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Quick Review: Very easy to assemble. Very light. The track is long enough to run on and is fairly quiet. It’s not very wide, but it doesn’t really need to be. It fit well in my very small living room. It folds up, but not completely straight. I doesn’t have auto incline, but has a “manual” incline, which consists of a rear floor support knob, which you can see in the pictures. It has 3 levels. . . incline about 5%, incline about 2%, and straight. The LCD is fairly generic but it controls the treadmill and shows basic information, miles, calories, speed and heartrate.
Much Longer Review:
Shipping: The package came by slow truck (CEVA). I ordered on April 21 and received item on May 6. I assumed it would take that long and Amazon clearly shows that time frame. I was called 3 days prior to setup a time for dropoff, so its a good idea to update your amazon account phone# with a cell# prior to placing your order. Two delivery guys brought the box and had it on a dolly and brought to my front door. They asked where I wanted it and I requested they bring it upstairs, about 20 steps. They looked at each other and agreed and brought it to the top of the steps. I don’t think I would count on that, but the fact is they did it. The unit was well packaged with styrofoam and foam wrap. The box was dinged up pretty good, even on the corners but there was no damage to the unit whatsoever, not even cosmetic damage.
Assembly: The unit is very light. In fact, my 10-year-old daughter was able to lower the box to the ground, and after I cut the sides of the box open with a box-cutter she was able to slide the unit out of the box (by herself mind you) and position it in its final resting place.
The entire treadmill comes assembled and the upper supports specifically fold down for shipping. You simply fold them upright and insert 2 bolts in each side and the supports are done. The entire tray portion comes pre-assembled also. You actually have to unassemble it a little bit to uncover the 2 holes [on each side] that allow it to attach to the upright bars. There is a single electrical cable in the pole that controls the HR monitor and electronics that must be connected and is secured with twisty ties to prevent them from falling into the holes, which must be removed. The LCD has 4 screws (one of which was missing) and screws in easily. There are 3 quick-connect electrical connectors to deal with (easy) and that’s about it. All-in-all there are 12 screws, and all aligned perfectly with no issues. All screws/bolts install with a single allen wrench, which doubles as a phillips screwdriver (for the 4 LCD screws [or 3]). The lower portion of the treadmill is completely assembled, and the lower frame is entirely attached. The frame has strong welds and overall seems very secure.
The Treadmill:
- It has a single on-off switch near the floor on the front of the unit, which a coordinated person can operate, even wearing a shoe. I turn it off when done, but the wife leaves it on. It does not care or beep or anything; It is content remaining on.
- The power cord is far too short, I would say 4 feet in length, and I was able to find an obtrusive route for power, but an “orange” extension cord will likely be required (one with a ground).
- The handles cannot be used while running, but work perfectly fine for a walker. Unfortunately the HR monitor plates are a little uncomfortable, as they are protruding a bit, and additionally only the right one is electrically cabled and working, so the left-side discomfort is all for not. It’s not a deal breaker really and it monitors heart rate correctly.
- The lowest pace setting is 0. 6 and I would equate that to 0. 6 MPH; I would say that setting is VERY slow. So this would be just fine for someone who wants to walk at a slow sexagenarian pace. My wife has a back injury and she started at the 1. 2 setting. I found 1. 8 to be a good pace for walking. I ran it at 4. 2 and I thought that the unit held up just fine. Not too loud, but not silent. It was not bouncy or jerky at all.
- The track is 48″x16″, and at 5′10″ I find running to be just fine. I have good balance and good stride, but a spazzy runner might need a wider lane; I do not. I would not want it to be ANY shorter however. The track is adjustable side to side and has a simple procedure for alignment. You simply run it at 3. 0 and turn an allen screw at the rear-left or rear-right 1/4 turn (it has instructions and a tool). I did 1/4 turn to move it more to the center and it hasn’t moved since (simple). The track is not too thin, not too thick. I would expect it to hold up well for 200lb or less individuals for running, and walking it would last just fine for anyone. You will need some silicon treadmill lubricant, as this did not come with any and I can hear a little friction. I have yet to purchase any, however, so I can’t attest to it making a difference as of yet.
- For folding up, my 10-year-old daughter was able to fold up the unit to its upright position. The unit folds up at a poor angle (80 degrees maybe). It has a small pull out springy pin that locks the unit in place. It is a bit wimpy, but seems like it would hold. It’s only on one side however. The locking pin mechanism is welded to the frame well. The front frame has 2 little wheels, so maybe you could move it while its upright. I haven’t tried it.
- LCD is very basic (black letters on grey). The angle is kind of poor to look at (too low). It has only 5 programs and they are not entirely impressive. My wife used a gradual up and gradual down program and she was manually adjusting it the whole time. I tried the slow-fast-slow-fast program and I found it to be entirely too much of a swing up and down and had to manually adjust it down in mid-stride. My wife tried that program and it ran her right off the back. I mostly use the manual setting. It can be programmed from to 10-90 minutes counting backwards to 0 (stop), or it can run up to 99 minutes counting forward.
- I WOULD SUGGEST ADJUSTING THE SECURITY KEY LENGTH PRIOR TO USE. . . AND TEST IT. The string is longer than the track, so you learn that lesson the hard way. That will prevent the running off the back “tragedy”. The security key is just a magnet on a string with a clip. It works ok, but the magnet is weak and my wife and I have both knocked it off unwantingly. If you remove the key during use it resets your whole program, and that’s a bummer. It stops quickly when the key is removed, but not too abruptly.
- The manual incline doesn’t have much to be desired. It has 2 really small incline settings on the rear of the unit with a little spinner knob. Think of an oval shape with flat spots and you should get the idea.
- Not having motorized incline GREATLY reduces the weight of the unit. . . and that was why I bought it. I can’t just move a 150lb item. . . ever. But this unit is just under 100lbs and it is entirely moveable.
Summary:
Inexpensive (Wait for the sale/price fluctuates between four and five hun-dred).
Name brand (2nd wind exercise equipment (Midwest) sells this brand in-store (new)).
Lightweight (under 100lbs).
Easy to Assemble (about 1 hour (with a 10-year-old girl helper)).
It doesn’t have 30% – 1 star reviews like the other treadmills in this price range.
Warranty is very short (90 days).
This unit qualifies for squaretrade (insurance), if purchased within 90 days (I called). They will refund your purchase price, but I wouldn’t expect them to fix it. I didn’t get it. This unit seems solid to me (crossing-fingers).
It fits in your little house or apartment.
Rating: 5 / 5
July 1st, 2010 at 11:20 pm
While I’ve only used the unit for a week, a few engineering problems have surfaced:
1) the walking surface needs to be wider; this will also move the hand-holds away from swinging hands.
2) the console should be larger; the readouts are difficult to read (at least for me).
3) motor is louder than I thought it should be; expected a hum, got a rumble.
4) can’t adjust the incline; not even manually.
5) magnet used as on/off and safety switch should be a bit more powerful. I’m a big guy (hence the need for a treadmill) heavy weight on the unit (light jogging) dislodges the magnet stopping the unit.
If there is a height/weight limit, it should be in the description so the buyer knows the limits before purchasing.
On the up side, the price isn’t too harsh, and the speed control is precise and start-up not too sudden. If you are about 5′6″ and are already in fair shape, you’ll like this unit; but, if you’re 6′2″ and 250 lbs you’re going to find this unit small-ish and you’ll want to be careful with your arms and feet. It also folds up and out of the way which is a plus for those using this in a bedroom or another area that’s not a basement.
In general, if you’re serious about exercising and want a treadmill that can take a pounding and has enough features for future needs, you’ll want to keep looking.
Rating: 3 / 5
July 1st, 2010 at 11:35 pm
At first, I was concerned that the tread belt was too small. But after using it for a while, it seems fine. The LS-5t is quiet and compact so great for smaller spaces. Prefect for power walking or running 8 minute miles or slower, but cannot go any faster. If this is your excercise level, you will find this machine just fine. Other treadmills seem unnecessarily bloated in size and options. Most standard treadmills are 18 to 20 inches in width which is better for fast running. This model is 16 inches, which allows for a more natural placement of the handles. My advise is to check out the width in stores to save the hassle of returning such a large heavy item.
It is VERY VERY easy to assemble, in about 15 minutes, as it comes partially assembled. Machine weighs less than others, at about 100 pounds compared to 150+; this is another big plus IMO as it does not become the focal point of the room.
In summary, a simple compact quality machine that gets the job done. From time-to-time Amazon has had special short-term sales on this item for less than its typical sale price. The LS-7T is the higher end model that is identical to the LS-5T except for the auto incline.
Rating: 4 / 5