Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I bought this item a year ago. I liked the sturdy design and the advanced console. We use it mainly for morning excercise for approx 2 hours every day (6 - 8 miles a day). I have no problem with the actual treadmill itself but the "advanced" console is becoming a real issue. I called Life Fitness and had to replace the console. Reason: HR was going on and off and sometimes showing 50 HR a minute while running? I am not that fit to have such a low HR. This can potentially be very dangerous as you will be running and the HR is showing 120 while in fact you are at 170 HR per minute. The service person came, aknowledged the problem and requested a new console which was installed 3 months ago. This one seemed to be more reliable for a while but I have now the same issues as a few months ago. HR going on and off. I am walking at 3.5 miles an hours with an incline of 4 and after while my HR disappears and appers again every few seconds and showing the incorrect HR. So if I touch with my hands the sensors I am seeing the correct HR but I cannot reply on the wireless strap. By the way the batteries in the strap are new. The service person game me 3 straps and they all have the same issue so it must be the console. Since this is happening constantly I cannot use the Cardio exercise program. This treadmill is almost US$ 3000 and the console itself is US$ 700. I believe the console has definitively a design flaw with probably some cheap wireless sensors in it. I hope Life Fitness will finally acknowledge the problem and resolve it once for all.
December 2010
Well, 2 years later after having used the unit for a few thousands of miles (6000) I must say we are happy with this unit but we gave up on the hear rate monitor. We had it changed 3 times and eventually they told me that could be many reasons why it is showing 42 bpm when in fact I was running. Eventiually it resets and goes back to under 100 bpm again. I have decided to turn off the hear rate monitor wireless feature since completely unreliable and useless. at this point. It is disappointing that I am charged US$ 700 for for the "special high tech" consol and does not work.
Now I need to touch the front handles to measure my heartbeat however in the folding model (F3) it is not easy to reach the handled, if is quite uncomfortable and you can hit with your feet the front protection because of the angle that this treadmill has. onsequently the heart rate monitor is seldom used.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Life Fitness F3 Folding Treadmill with Advanced Console
Designed with form and functionality in mind, the Life Fitness F3 Treadmill offers sleek aesthetic curves that complement any home environment, and it quickly and easily folds for convenient storage. The patented FlexDeck shock absorption system reduces impact to joints by nearly 30 percent compared to ordinary treadmills. It's paired with the Advanced Workouts Console for added workout variety and advanced programs to better help you reach your fitness goals as well as the My Treadmill feature to store personal settings and custom workouts for up to 2 users.
It includes both wireless and contact heart rate monitoring technology to keep you in your target heart rate zone--a Polar wireless chest strap is included--and the F3 includes five HeartSync heart rate controlled workouts designed to keep you in your target heart rate zone. Simple navigation and ergonomically placed controls, including a lower control pad that brings the buttons you use most often closer to you. And the GoSystem Quick Start feature remembers your preferred walk, jog and run speeds, as well as three different incline positions, so you can get started with the push of a button. It includes an oversized, dual cupholders plus a built-in reading rack and front-mounted accessory tray to hold cell phone, MP3 player, or remote.
Specifications:
Motor System: 3.0 Horsepower Continuous Duty DC MagnaDrive Motor System
Motor Controller: Life Fitness-designed microprocessor-based PWM controller
Power Requirements: All major voltage configurations
Speed: 0.5 to 12 MPH
Incline: 0 to 15 percent in 0.5 percent increments (0.1 percent increments during HeartSync heart rate controlled workouts)
Deck: 1-inch Medium Density Fiberboard
Deck Shock Absorption: FlexDeck Shock Absorption System
Belt: 55 x 20 inches, multi-ply, pre-lubricated
Rollers: 2.6-inch precision crowned front roller and 2-inch rear roller
Handrails: ErgoBar front handlebar with side handrails
Electronic Readouts: Level, Time, Speed (mph/kmh), Distance, Heart Rate, Target Heart Rate, Calories, Watts, METs
Display Type: LCD with blue background and white characters (4 x 6 inches)
Workout Profile Display: 9 x 24 segments
Workout Feedback Display: 16-character message center
Unit Dimensions: 78.5 x 34.5 x 58.5 inches (L x W x H)
Unit Weight: 264 pounds
Maximum User Weight: 350 pounds
Programs:
Manual: Gives you complete freedom to choose your own speed and incline levels.
Hill: Challenges you with intervals of multiple hills and valleys with each hill becoming progressively more difficult.
Random: Includes many different motivating combinations of hills and valleys.
EZ Incline/Resistance: Slowly and progressively increases resistance so you're less aware of the building demands.
Sport Training: Simulates outdoor training with a rigorous workout that features hundreds of different hills and valleys with a wide range of high and low levels of resistance.
Time-Based Goal and Distance-Based Goal: For a time specified by the user, this workout uses 1.5 percent incline as the baseline to accurately simulate running outdoors on flat ground. Anything below a 1.5 percent is then used to simulate running downhill. The inclines and declines last between 30 and 60 seconds. The goal of the workout is to help users train for outdoor running.
Fat Burn (HeartSync): A great workout for beginners or for those days when you need a lighter workout. Automatically adjusts resistance to maintain your heart rate at 65 percent of your theoretical maximum.
Cardio (HeartSync): Maximizes caloric burn and boosts your energy level. Automatically adjusts resistance to maintain your heart rate at 80 percent of your theoretical maximum
Heart Rate Hill (HeartSync): An interval workout made up of three hills with each hill becoming progressively more difficult based on your heart rate goals The first hill is 70 percent of your maximum heart rate (HRMax) and gets harder with subsequent hills. The valley is always defined as 65 percent HRMax. Similar to training for sports activities such as hockey, basketball, and soccer.
Heart Rate Interval (HeartSync): Climb a series of alternating hills (80 percent HRMax). The number of times you climb each hill depends on your fitness level. Similar to training for endurance activities such as triathlons and running.
Extreme Heart Rate (HeartSync): Quickly raises and lowers resistance to get your heart rate up to 85 percent HRMax and down to 65 percent as quickly as possible. Similar to training for sports activities such as tennis, racquetball, football, and sprinting.
Goal Workouts: Determine your workout goal--including distance, calorie-burn, or target heart rate--and exercise until you reach it.
Custom Workouts (includes 2): Create and replay a favorite program with specific speed, incline, level, and target heart rate changes.
Go System One-Touch Quick Start: The fastest route to working out since you don't have to choose a specific exercise program.
On-the-Fly Programming: Conveniently allows you to change programs without restarting or losing your current workout information.
Race Mode: Challenge yourself by racing against a computer simulated pacer.
Cool Down Mode: Based on your workout's specific time, incline, and heart rate level, this customized cool down ensures that your heart rate properly returns to normal level.
Warm Up Mode: Participate in a pre-determined warm-up period before you begin your workout.
User Profiles (includes 2): Perfect for multi-user households, user profiles save your vital statistics, preferences, and custom workouts.
Manufacturer's Warranty Lifetime warranty on frame and Lifespring shock absorbers, ten years on motor, five years on electrical and mechanical parts, one year on labor
About the Warranty This Life Fitness product is intended for home use only. Your warranty will be void if this product is used in a commercial setting.
About Life Fitness What started as one man's pursuit to improve his own physical condition, eventually turned into a global fitness revolution. That man was Keene P. Dimick, the mastermind behind the legendary Lifecycle® exercise bike. The story of Life Fitness began when two young entrepreneurs, Ray Wilson and Augie Nieto, saw the promise of Dr. Dimick's invention. Even though it was slightly ahead of its time, they believed the Lifecycle exercise bike could help generations of athletes, trainers, exercisers, and people everywhere live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
Wilson and Nieto bought the rights to the Lifecycle bike from Dr. Dimick, perfected it, and sold it out of a motor home to health clubs across America. Despite the overwhelming odds and initial unpopularity of the Lifecycle exercise bike, the two passion-filled pioneers turned a two-man operation and a seemingly impossible vision into a prosperous reality. Along the way, they shaped the future of Life Fitness as well as the fitness industry, bringing cardiovascular training into the mainstream and helping ignite the health club boom.
Today, Life Fitness is the global leader in designing and manufacturing a full line of reliable, high quality fitness equipment for commercial and consumer use. It is the number one brand of fitness equipment in health clubs worldwide.
Click here for more information about Life Fitness F3 Folding Treadmill with Advanced Console
