Bad weather conditions or not good health is some normal reasons preventing you from going out to walk, jog or run. But you may not imagine that just spending not more than $500 you can get a good treadmill to train at home. Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill is a great suggestion in this case. Read and then decide whether it is the right fitness product to bring home.
Merit Fitness 715T Plus Description
Motor
It comes with a top-quality 2.5 THP (1.5 CHP) drive motor that you cannot find in most treadmills in its price range. It is adjustable from 1 to 10 miles per hour with just a touch of your finger. The motor has a responsibility to ensure that the deck runs smoothly and steady at any speed even when heavy users are walking on it.
Incline Levels
There is not the automatic incline feature like on Official Boston Marathon Treadmill 4.0 or ProForm PRO 2000, which my friend suggested me trying. It only has 0 to 5% manual incline level. But this feature can simulate an uphill workout and help you burn more calories than when walking on flat surfaces. This is also an excellent way to strengthen and sculpt certain parts of your body.
Workout surface
The model offers an 18″ x 47″ workout surface. This size is popular size among the models under $500 that is suitable for walkers or light joggers. If you want to have the treadmills with longer workout surfaces for running, Sunny Health & Fitness and ProForm Performance 300 are two models you can consider.
Workout programs
The Merit Fitness 715T is loaded with 4 pre-defined workout programs to break up the boredom of your workout. They include manual, rolling hills, intervals, and weight loss. These are great for those who expect personal training features. In the other words, the workout programs are challenging and you will work up a sweat!
Display
Perhaps this is the best feature on the Merit Fitness 715T. It is very easy to read during workout. It includes three large LED windows that allow you to track your resistance level, time, speed and distance clearly. Besides, the Merit Fitness 715T also offers two cup holders along with the LED display.
Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill Review
Comfort
An 18 x 47 workout surface of this treadmill provides me with enough wide area to walk or jog comfortably. Additionally, this is well-cushioned with the Aerosoft Cushioning System giving me smooth and comfortable strides. However, this workout surface is smaller when compared to other treadmills made for running like Merit Fitness 735T. It seems to be a bit cramped if you have a large stride. There is also a room to hold a book allowing me to read while working out that helps me forget fatigues even when walking for a long time.
Support
The great cushioning system on the machine not only offers an excellent comfort but also protect my joints from impact or shocks which I often got when run on the roads. This is also a reason why more and more people are choosing this Merit’s treadmill. The built-in workout programs are easy to use. These use the features of the treadmill to create interesting and diverse workouts for users. Plus, the unit can automatically change speed that offers me an interval workout. In the terms of weight capacity, its strong frame can hold users weighing up to 250 pounds. Lastly, this Merit treadmill offers an emergency stop feature to ensure the safety of users.
Convenience
It is easy to assemble. It took me only about 30 minutes for me and my husband to assemble as well as set up. When it comes to convenience, the Merit Fitness 715T treadmill has a compact and easy-to-fold design to take up as little space as possible. When it is ready for use, the treadmill weighs only 132 pounds and has dimensions at 56 x 31 x 64 inches. Additionally, the folding frame comes on wheels for simple transport. The thumb pulse heart rate monitor helps me monitor my heart rate when I work out. Because of its price, the Merit Fitness 715T does not include a ton of extras but it has a friendly-user display and intuitive controls allowing me to track my workout data. And two cup holders are also another convenient feature that keeps me hydrated during my workouts.
Work
Although it’s not as powerful as some advanced runners expect, I was so surprised when know that the motor on this cheap treadmill can reach a maximum speed of 10 MPH that equates to about a 6 minute pace per mile. This speed is fast enough for not only walking but also for jogging. It can ensure your lung and heart capacity increase dramatically. Just with some tweaking and tightening the belt also runs very smoothly.
Additionally, the machine can be inclined up to 5%. This feature is lower compared to the average treadmill, but it still allows me to get the effective burn of great hill workouts. The motor operate quietly too to not annoy other members in my family. Especially, it is so quiet that I can watch television or enjoy my favorite tunes during my training process. I'm 220 and the treadmill feels very stable under me.
Quality and durability
A less expensive treadmill normally comes with fewer features and lower quality. Despite having cheap price, the durable steel frame is provided with a lifetime warranty like on the $1,000 to $1,500 models. The motor used in this machine is also rated to have high quality compared to others at the same price range. However, Merit only offers 1 year warranty on motor and 90 days on parts and labor. If you don’t intend to train on it every day it can last a few years. But if you use it vigorously, you should prepare for repairs and replacement parts. In order to last your machine’s longevity, you need to look after it and apply adequate lubrication on its parts as well. After several months of use, the operation is still smooth with no signs of motor distress excessive wear.
Use
The Merit Fitness 715T is a great choice for those who are in a limited budget priced around $500. This basic no frills folding frame treadmill with incline feature is highly recommended for walking or light jogging. However, with a not spacious workout area and 1.5 CHP motor, it can’t be used for running or high intensity workouts. And although the 4 programs loaded in the machine don’t give you a really good workout variety, it still keeps you in shape. In the terms of size, it is a good option for narrow apartments and for those who have small body sizes. In short, if you are beginner and plan to use your treadmill just for light training or to getting in shape at home, you can get exactly what you need with the 715T Plus treadmill.
Merit Fitness 715T Plus - Pros & Cons
Pros
- It is so cheap
- The 715T Plus is designed for walkers and light joggers.
- It is not terrible on the noise, pretty quiet for the most part.
- Aerosoft Cushioning System reduces impact and provides users with a more comfortable workout
- The machine is very easy to be moved and stored thanks to its compact design, easy fold-up technology as well as the light weight.
Cons
- There are not many extra features integrated in this machine
- The warranty on motor, parts and labor is rather poor
- The incline is manual that can affect user’s rhythm
- It doesn’t provide spacious workout surface and really powerful motor.
- The 715T Plus has a little less workout programs than what competitors provide.
Compare Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill to other models
Merit Fitness 725T Plus
The first model I would like to make comparison with the 715T Plus is the 725T Plus. It is considered as the most similar model to the 715T Plus. At the price under $500, both these models provide users with enough conditions for effective workouts at home. The 725T Plus has a top-quality 2.25-horsepower drive motor that can reach a top speed up to 10 MPH. when it comes to the workout surface (18-by-45-inch), the model has a little shorter one than the 715T Plus. It is equipped with Aerosoft cushioning system like on the 715T Plus. With this motor and size of track, the 725T Plus is also a good choice for walkers or joggers. Generally, other main specs of these models are similar. But the better features of this model are that it can be inclined up to 10% and loaded with 7 preset programs.
Read more: Best home treadmill on market
Merit Fitness 715T Treadmill
There are many people confuse 715T Plus with 715T because of their similar names. Both models are sold under $500 and most appropriate for light exercise. These models all have only four computerized workout programs. But the 715T Plus seems to be better than 715T. The main specs of the 715T are a 2.5 HP/1.25 CHP motor, 1 - 10 mph speed range, 0 - 5% manual incline levels and a tiny 16”x45” track. This track is narrower and shorter than one on the 715T Plus. I still highly recommend the 715T Plus more than the 715T treadmill.
Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill
The Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill is also a cheap product I want to compare to the 715T Plus. This model comes with a 2.25 HP motor that offers 10 MPH top speed. The folding treadmill also support a manual incline and 250 lbs weight capacity like on the 715T Plus. The better feature of the unit is that it includes 6 built-in programs while the 715T Plus only has 4 programs. When it comes with workout area, the Weslo Cadence G 5.9 has a 16" x 50" one. This is narrower but longer than workout surface on the 715T Plus. However, the Weslo treadmill is rated to operate noisily compared to Merit treadmill. and although both models are built from lower quality parts and have a very short warranty, the frame of the G 5.9 Treadmill is not as durable as the steel frame on the 715T Plus.
ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill
If you can afford to spend a little more, I would like to suggest ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill instead of the 715T Plus. Also support a top speed of 10 MPH and 0 and 10% incline range but this model has a more powerful motor (a 2.0 CHP motor). Especially, you can adjust the speed and incline with just a touch of a button. This is better than manual incline feature on the 715T Plus. Additionally, the model also offers a wider workout surface (16”x50”), 16 built-in workout programs as well as higher weight capacity (300 lbs). Another good feature of the ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill is that it has more extra features than the 715T Plus. Beside iPod compatible sound system and integrated tablet holder, the treadmill is featured with iFit enabled technology allowing you get a new workout every day and get your fitness goals easily.
Conclusion
Sometimes it is so hard to get a good treadmill at the price of the 715T Plus however this treadmill indeed provides me with more things than expecting. I am perfectly satisfied with the results it has given for my training at home. And Merit will be always my most reliable address.
My rating:
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6.5/10
Summary
6.5/ 10 is my rating for this product. It model receives many good feedbacks from customers all over the internet. However, because of its cheap price, you can’t require great features like on high-end models. In short, the Merit 715T Plus treadmill is one of the best models under $500. If you used or are using this product, please give us some comments here, thanks!
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