Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Consumer Reports recently rated treadmills, and this model was picked as their "best buy." I have no idea why, as it is a piece of junk.
Points to note:
1. Shaking
Although assembled correctly, this treadmill shakes. The faster the speed, the more it shakes. At only 3.5 mph, my water bottle begins to move back and forth in the holder. At 4 mph, it goes flying off. There is also a ridge for placing a book, but I don't see how anyone could read with a book jerking all over the place. There is nothing that can be made any tighter to stop the shaking.
2. Bucking
The second time I used the treadmill, the belt would suddenly buck forward for no reason. I now have to hold on for dear life so that I don't fall when it bucks. The manual gives you a few tips for dealing with this problem, but they don't work.
3. Malfunctioning Heart Monitor
The grip heart rate monitor doesn't work correctly. It just arbitrarily gives you a heart rate of its own choosing. During a workout it might say 150, then 80 bpm a few seconds later.
4. Short in Height
I'm of average height for a woman (5'5") and I can grip the handrails with my arms fully extended straight down. A taller person would not be able to grip the handrails without bending over. Also, a book placed on the book rest would be pretty far away for a tall person to read comfortably.
5. Hard Surface
This treadmill boasts "Strike Zone deck cushioning, which is kind on your joints in your lift-off and landing motions (while also absorbing shock)." I'm not sure what they're talking about, as the deck surface is so hard it's like walking on concrete.
6. Huge packaging
I uploaded a picture to show the size of the box. It's huge. Set-up and delivery was not an option when I ordered this. In fact, the delivery company would only deliver to the front porch. The deliveryman was kind enough to bring the 220 pound package inside for me, but you might not be so lucky. And getting it to the basement was still a problem. This could only be accomplished by removing the packaging--which then meant the treadmill was mine forever, as it couldn't be sent back. Even so, it was not an easy task to transport it.
All in all, I can't believe I wasted $1300 on this inferior product. I don't recommend it to anyone.
Edit: About 6 months after I wrote this review, I was contacted by someone from Nautilus. (Note: this was only AFTER Amazon secured my permission to pass on my personal information). He explained that he was sorry I didn't like the treadmill, as I had obviously gotten a lemon. As a gesture of goodwill, he offered to ship me another treadmill FREE OF CHARGE. Since I didn't care for the Schwinn 820p treadmill, he sent me a Bowflex instead. It arrived at my door a few weeks later and I love it. I did not have to return the first treadmill. I was impressed by Nautilus' customer service, as they were under no obligation to send me anything, and they did so based only on a review on Amazon. A+ for them.
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Schwinn 820p TreadmillIdeal for toning up, managing your weight, and improving your cardiovascular health, Schwinn's 820p treadmill is the perfect addition to any home gym, regardless of fitness level. Rated a 2005 "best buy" by a leading consumer magazine, this treadmill features a 2.0 horsepower continuous-duty motor and has a speed range of .5 to 10 miles per hour, allowing the pace that suits your need best for varying workout levels. Ten workout programs allow you to further personalize your exercise regimen, including several hill, heart rate control, and custom user-specific programs.
With a spacious 20- by 54-inch walking/running surface, this treadmill also features Strike Zone deck cushioning, which is kind on your joints in your lift-off and landing motions (while also absorbing shock). As you challenge yourself and step up your workout, the 820p allows you to monitor your heart rate with grip and telemetric heart rate monitoring as well as view your workout metrics by displayingtime, speed, distance, incline, calories, heart rate, and results mode. With a sturdy, welded steel frame and a 30-year warranty on both the frame and motor, this treadmill is built to last.
Feature Detail:
Speed range: 0.5-10 miles per hour/0.8-16 kilometers per hour
Walking/running surface area measures 20 inches wide by 54 inches long/51 by 137 centimeters
0-15% incline range
2.0 horsepower continuous-duty motor; 5.1 peak horsepower
Ten workout programs: beginning walker, rolling hills, interval speed, hill intervals, hill repeats, three user-defined, and two heart rate programs
Grip and telemetric heart rate monitoring
Quick keys get you started right away
LED and scrolling dot matrix display shows time, speed, distance, incline, calories, heart rate, race track, and results mode
Product dimensions: 71 inches long by 31 inches wide by 48 inches tall/180 by 79 by 122 centimeters
Product weight: 220 pounds/100 kilograms
Maximum user weight: 275 pounds/125 kilograms
Frame is constructed of welded steel
Strike Zone deck cushioning ensures a firm lift-off and soft landing
Two-ply belt
Rollers measure 2.5 inches/6.4 centimeters
About Treadmills Walking is still considered one of the most beneficial cardiovascular exercises for people of all ages, body types, and fitness levels. As a fundamental form of aerobic training, walking has numerous physical benefits for the heart, lungs, and circulatory system, while also increasing muscle tone and burning fat calories. Treadmills provide a convenient way to regularly exercise in all weather conditions in the comfort and safety of your own home.
From beginners just starting an exercise regimen to advanced athletes looking to maintain their fitness level, anyone interested in getting and staying in shape can benefit greatly from regular use of a treadmill. Treadmills allow you to determine the pace, distance, and complexity of the workout based on your needs, all while watching television, talking on the telephone, or reading a magazine. Much easier on sensitive joints like the knees and hips, treadmill walking and running surfaces are typically long, padded platforms that allow ample room for a long stride and comfortable, low-impact walk or jog without the harsh contact of a concrete surface.
While many different types, styles, and price ranges of treadmills exist, many of them offer unique features like a fold-up design for easy storage, an electronic display monitor showing speed, distance, workout time, incline level, and burned calories, and EKG grip pulses to monitor the heart rate while exercising. Regardless of the simple to complex features you may choose, treadmills offer an array of aerobic exercise opportunities that will provide long-lasting beneficial cardiovascular results without a commute to the gym or a jog in the rain.
Manufacturer Warranty Frame - 30 years; motor - 30 years; parts - 2 years; electronics - 2 years; labor - 1 year; wear items - 1 year
What's in the Box? Schwinn 820p treadmill, user's manual, warranty information
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