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LifeSpan may be a fairly new brand compared to others, having been founded in 2001, but have a range of treadmills that easily compete with other major brand’s machines. The brand’s fitness goals are to help their customers become more active, whether that’s in the gym, at home, or even in the workplace. If you’re searching for a treadmill under $1k to use at home LifeSpan’s TR1200i is a great choice.
This affordable treadmill features a spacious belt surface that is perfect for walking, jogging, or running, and is supported by 8 compression shock absorbers to provide safe cushioning for your knees, back, and joints.
Contents
Specs and Features of the LifeSpan TR 1200i
Here is a rundown of the basics of the TR 1200i model.
Specs:
- Dimensions extended are 70.25″ x 33″ x 55″
- Dimensions folded are 39″ x 33″ x 63″
- The machine weighs 197 lbs
- Maximum user weight of 300 lbs
- Speeds from 0.5 to 11 MPH
- Has 15 levels of incline
- The incline motor has 650 lbs of power
- Retails for $899
Features:
- 20″ x 56″ running track built with a double-ply belt
- Uses a 2.5 HP motor for power
- 5″ rollers on the front and 2″ rollers on the rear
- ¾” Phenolic running deck with a brace
- Desk suspension made with 6 shocks
- EZfold system makes treadmill safer to fold
- Plastic safety side rails with grips
- UL and EN957 certified for safety
- Frame and motor have a lifetime warranty
- Other parts come with 3-year warranty
- Labor comes with 1-year warranty
- Comes with a 30-day money back guarantee
Going by a price of around $899, this treadmill is fairly no-frills but does have all the basics you could want for a home gym/residential model. Compared to others within this price range, you’ll actually be getting a very high-quality machine.
Advantages of the LifeSpan TR1200i
There are numerous authority sources that agree that the TR 1200i is an excellent residential treadmill for the average user. This is due to many reasons but can be summed up in the following three major advantages.
Easy to Read Console with At a Glance Stats
The console of this treadmill is the interface for you to see what you’re doing and how your entire workout is going. It is very easy to read and allows you to simply glance down at it while you’re walking, jogging, or running.
It is a multi-colored LCD display that also has large, soft buttons for control. There are even QuickSet buttons to automatically set the treadmill to a specific speed and incline combinations.
You’ll find all major workout data displayed, such as time, distance, step count, calories burned, heart rate, current speed, and current incline level. There is a USB port so you can save your progress directly to your LifeSpan Club account. The console also has a small audio center, so you can plug in a pair of headphones or earbuds.
Six Compression Shocks Keeps Joints Safe
Many budget treadmills tend to skimp on compression in an effort to save money, but this leads to a more jarring running experience when can end in sore joints over time.
A treadmill should protect the body, and certainly provide more shock support than what you’d experience running on the road. There are six compression shocks on the LifeSpan TR 1200i Treadmill that will give you a slight bounce, reducing fatigue during your running and reducing soreness.
Great All-Around Treadmill for Home Use on a Budget
Overall the LifeSpan TR 1200i is just a great treadmill for home use. The price is right and it has plenty of features that ensure you’ll get a quality workout at home for when you don’t want to go to the gym.
There are 21 preset workout programs in total, made up of three categories. There are two heart rate programs and 17 programs for weight management, healthy living, or sports training. The final two programs are customized user programs, so you can design your own workout and save it.
Another great little feature for the at-home gym is that there are heart rate sensors right on the machine, but you can also use a compatible heart rate monitor chest strap. All this information is saved to your LifeSpan Club account for review later.
Finally, the size of the TR 1200i is great for the home. It isn’t too large and also folds up to a compact size. The EZfold technology really makes folding up this treadmill safer and also reduces the chances of accidentally dropping the running deck when unfolding.
Disadvantages of the LifeSpan TR 1200i
Despite being a highly-rated treadmill, and easily at the top of its class for the price, there are two faults to consider.
Questionable Customer Service
While not an issue with the treadmill itself, there is a bit of a history with LifeSpan dropping the ball when it comes to customer service. This typically occurs during shipping and later when repairs may be needed.
The shipping service used by LifeSpan isn’t always reliable, with some customers waiting weeks for no word on when their treadmill was supposed to arrive. Upon delivery, others have found that the shipping service was ill-prepared to move and set the treadmill.
Customers that required repairs (more on that next) also had trouble getting a serviceman out, and sometimes needed someone out more than one to fix the problem.
Not the Strongest Construction
The second issue with the TR 1200i is the actual machine, and it has to do with some cheaper construction methods. This is a fairly budget-friendly machine so you can’t expect it to stand up to heavy use like a commercial treadmill or even a stronger $2k residential model.
Still, $900 can be quite a lot for some to invest in so it may be a little disappointing to find that LifeSpan used less expensive materials in some parts to reduce costs. One example of this is the plastic hood over the motor.
If accidentally stepped on it could easily crack. Even removing the hood to do repairs can cause breaks. However, this treadmill is protected by some excellent warranties so while a repair can be an inconvenience, you will be protected for quite some time.
LifeSpan TR 1200i Alternatives
If you’re not sure the LifeSpan TR1200i Treadmill is for you, here are two alternatives to consider.
The ProForm Power 995i is only $100 more than the TR 1200i, but that $100 extra gives you access to a very sleek, advanced machine.
Certainly! The Power 995i by ProForm is one of the many great models offered by this reputable company. Considering its low price, it features professional quality and it's packed with a ton of features with the latest tech.
The motor is slightly stronger, at 3.0 HP, and has a similarly sized running surface at 20″ x 60″. There is a 0% to 15% incline and speeds up to 12 MPH. You’ll find 30 preset programs and this model is iFit Coach Ready.
There is a workout fan, EasyLift assist for storage, and a tablet holder. The display looks closer to what you might find at the gym. The Power 995i and TR 1200i are very similar in how they work.
The TR 5500i is another folding LifeSpan treadmill made for residential use but is a beefed up version of the TR 1200i. This model has a larger 4.0 HP motor as well as a wider running surface, which is 60″ long and 22″ wide.
The TR5500i has a vibrant 10” full-color touchscreen display with over 50 training programs, races, and tests, paired with high-quality components to give you sophisticated training tools with the strength and power to go the distance.
You can also sprint speeds up to 13.5 MPH. It has 43 different preset programs and the option for Bluetooth connectivity for syncing your workout to your smartphone fitness app.
The 5500i is quieter and also has a built-in workout fan to keep you cool. It is still reasonably priced at $1,499 but offers more than the TR 1200i, making it ideal for the more serious consumer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does LifeSpan TR 1200i require maintenance?
We recommend lubricating the bottom of the running belt in order to reduce friction. Because the lubrication tends to dissipate and dry out we recommend lubricating the TR1200i model once every 3 months. Other maintenance includes checking if the treadmill belt is properly centered on the deck.
Is LifeSpan a legitimate company?
Yes. LifeSpan offers a great line of durable, high-quality treadmill options with great features including the TR1200i which offers a lot value for the price and it has more advantages than disadvantages.
How long does the LifeSpan treadmill last?
On average, a treadmill will last for about 10 to 12 years. However, if properly maintained and depending on the quality of the treadmill treadmills can last for a lot longer and far exceed the average.
