You don’t want to splash out on the commercial treadmills like Precor TRM 445 or Matrix TF50, you just want to look for a treadmill which can provide you with enough necessary factors for your home use. In this case, Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill should be at the top option. So what do you get from a low price treadmill like the Merit Fitness 725T Plus? Let find the answer in this post.
Merit Fitness 725T Plus Specifications
Motor | 2.25 HP |
Incline | 0 - 10% |
Folding | Yes |
Max Speed | 10 MPH |
Max. Weight | 250 lbs |
Belt | Aerosoft Cushioning (1.3mm) |
Running Area | 45" x 18" |
Programs | 7 |
Cooling Fans | no |
Warranty | Frame: Lifetime |
Merit Fitness 725T Plus - Pros & Cons
Pros
- The machine has decently good motor and sturdy frame at a reasonable price.
- AeroSoft Cushioning System helps reduce the impact on the knees and legs when running.
- The console controls are easy and convenient to use.
- Quick select buttons make adjustments simpler.
- The heart rate monitor bar is accurate, and fantastic.
- It is ideal for walkers with smaller body sizes
- The price is affordable
- It takes less than an hour to assemble and all tools are included
Cons
- There are some holes in the warranty for the Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill. It only has a 2-year warranty on the motor and there doesn’t seem to be a labor warranty.
- Despite having foldable feature, this can’t be completely folded flat.
- It also doesn’t have Bluetooth capabilities, or fans, speakers either.
Merit Fitness 725T Plus Description
Motor
Compared to other models at the same price point (Exerpeutic TF1000 or Confidence GTR Power Pro), the Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill has a quite stronger motor. Its 2.25 HP motor can support speed up to 10 MPH. That speed is not fast enough for running but still enough for walking or jogging.
Workout surface
The treadmill offers an 18” x 45” workout area equipped with Aerosoft cushioning system to isolate your legs and your feet from shock and give you comfortable workout every time. This workout area is rather too short for those who are much taller than 5 feet 8 inches.
If you are a tall trainee, you should consider ProForm Performance 300 which has 5” longer surface than the 725T Plus or take a look at the Daytona Professional Grade Non-folding Treadmill.
Incline
You can’t imagine that at such a low price, the Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill still feature 10% incline. This can help you mimic uphill walking to enhance your performance. Moreover, I really love power incline setting which is much easier to use than manual adjustment on its previous version.
Display
It includes an easy-to-read, two – window LED display which is quite small and have low-quality. But it still allows you to monitor your workout progress. In terms of the workout feedback, while a dot matrix display shows the information of your current workout program, another displays your speed, heart rate, time, incline, distance, and calories burned.
Safety features
There is a couple of important safety features included on this machine such as an emergency stop button, extended hand rails, and a safety key. The safety key consists of a long cord attached with a clip at each end. One clip attaches to the display console, while the other clips onto your clothing.
Programs
The Merit Fitness 725T is loaded with 7 preset programs. They include the manual, rolling hills, interval, and weight loss workouts, which are offered by the 715T Plus. In addition to these, now you have 3 more new programs to choose including cardio challenge, hill walk, and endurance challenge. These are not diverse like on other high-end models but still enough to prevent you from feeling bored when having to do repeated workouts.
Size and weight
Product dimensions (in use): 31" (W) x 52" (H) x 71" (L). Product dimensions (folded): 31" (W) x 53" (H) x 34" (L). Product weight: 121 lbs
Merit Fitness 725T Plus - Personal review
Comfort
With 7 preset programs loaded in 725T Plus of Merit, I can have a fun and challenging workout program while in the comfort of my own home. For comfort, there is the Cushioning System called AEROsoft Plus System. It is designed to reduce the impact of running and ensure that my joints don’t come under too much shock during training but it doesn’t work too well like other advanced cushioning systems.
In addition to the Aerosoft cushioning system, all loaded programs on the machine feature a 4 minute warm-up and cool-down period to support me in reducing the risk of injury. However, when it comes to entertainment options, this model lacks Bluetooth capabilities and sound system to motivate me during my workout.
Convenience
This treadmill is easy to assemble and use. Merit 725T Plus console controls allows me to easily set my workout pace. With just a quick touch at the buttons, I can easily change the incline and speed of my treadmill. The machine provides an accessory tray to keep your phone, keys, or cup while you exercise.
Additionally, its two – window LED display lets me easily track my distance, speed, time, the calories I have burned, and a lot more. Besides, I can also track my heart rate via the thumb pulse monitor or a set of heart rate hand sensors. This feature is able to warn me if I work out above my target heart range and conveniently helps me work out in line with my goals. Another convenient feature found on the treadmill is the foldable feature. This helps me to save more space although it can’t be completely folded flat.
Performance
I looked for one that would allow me to not only walk, but jog or light run on it as well, and had an auto-incline. The 725T didn’t make me disappointed. In the comparison with more expensive treadmills, you will get a significantly smaller speed limit, weaker horsepower, and lower incline rate with this cheap model. But I think it is acceptable.
This machine is smaller and lighter than the 725T treadmill but it can still withstand users weighing up to 250 pounds. In fact, I weigh 230lbs and could run on it without any problems. The machine is true even when working at the maximum speed of 10 mph.
The 2.25 HP motor has provided me with smooth speed power and heavier users than me can still enjoy stable belt motion underfoot. Plus, this motor doesn’t operate too noisily like my Proform 350 treadmill did. Generally, I am very satisfied because I have got the worth of my money spent to buy it.
Quality and durability
Merit is well known for making good quality treadmills at a reasonable price. I have used it 3-4 times a week. I worried too much about the quality and durability of this product because of its price. But I saw that there have been a decent amount of positive reviews for it on Amazon. It has all the whistles and bells and seems rather and well-made. This is good news for those who are considering buying this.
In addition to these, there are also some bad feedbacks on Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill after several months of use. Anyway, I believe that if I just use it for my walking as well as make regular maintenance, its longevity can be extended around 2-3 years.
Related:
Use
Serious runners don’t expect so much from the Merit 725T Plus treadmill because it is a basic, entry-level fitness machine. Considering the range of speeds and workout surface provided by the treadmill, I suggest using this treadmill especially for the beginners and walkers.
Besides, this product is also great for people who want to lose weight, or keep their lungs /heart in top notch condition.
Compare Merit Fitness 725T Plus to other models
Merit Fitness 725T Treadmill
There is no significant difference when comparing prices between two models. However, the Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill seems to have better features. While the 725T only has 1.25-horsepower continuous-duty motor, the 725T Plus has 2.25-horsepower drive motor. But both these can support speed up to 10 MPH. The 725T also has 10% incline.
As I mentioned above, although the 725T Plus is a little bit lighter and smaller than the 725T, the weight capacity of them is 250 pounds. Overall, I can say that the 725T Plus Treadmill is a better updated version than the 725T Treadmill.
Weslo Cadence G 5.9
Like Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill, The Weslo Cadence G 5.9 also has attractive features but at low price. It has a 2.25 HP motor and a top speed of up to 10 mph which is enough for walkers and joggers to have effective workouts. When it comes to the workout surface, this model has a 2” narrower but 5” longer track than the 725T Plus.
Although the machine doesn’t feature auto incline, a ramp is equipped to help trainees increase calorie burn. This has two positions and can be manually adjusted.
The console for the Weslo Cadence G 5.9 allows users to track their elapsed time, speed, distance and calories burned with six preset workouts are loaded. This treadmill also has 250 lbs weight capacity and foldable feature like the 725T Plus.
Overall, I realize that if you are looking for a cheap treadmill for your walking, Weslo Cadence G 5.9 can replace for Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill.
Weslo Crosswalk 5.2T
Another model from Weslo has similar features to the 725T Plus is the Weslo Crosswalk 5.2T. At a quiet lower price than the 725T Plus, this treadmill only has two-position adjustable incline with 8% max and Built-In Programs.
However, considered as the treadmill for walkers or joggers, the Weslo Crosswalk 5.2T still provides enough features to support them well in their training process.
Specifically, it also has a 2.5 HP Impulse (TM) Motor and the 250 pounds weight capacity. The belt is 47″ long and16″ wide, and you can reach top speed of up to 10 MPH.
This model features a folding frame equipped with the patented SpaceSaver Design that helps it easy and quick to fold up and move. Another noticeable feature found on this model is that you can up your calorie burn while building lean muscle mass by using crosswalk (TM) upper-body resistance feature.
Related: Top rated folding treadmills
The ProForm 6.0 RT
If you want to have better experience, you can spend a little more money than for the 725T Plus to buy the ProForm 6.0 RT. This model is also rated as inexpensive treadmill which is especially designed for walking. It has a 2.5 CHP Mach Z Motor which offers a range of speed from 1 to 10 mph with a 300 pound weight capacity.
Like the 725T Plus, this model features a power incline up to 10% and convenient folding frame. Additionally, the tread belt of the ProForm 6.0 RT is 55″ long and 18″ wide and equipped with TreadSoft Cushioning for joint stability and support. The Quick Incline/Quick Speed controls allow users to change speed and incline conveniently and easily.
ProForm Performance 300
The last treadmill I would like to recommend as a good choice for walking or jogging at a low price is the ProForm Performance 300. Its walking area is measured at 18″ x 50″ which is 5”longer than the 725T but it is not long and wide enough for runners to stretch their strides. A stronger 2.75 HP motor on this machine than 2.25 one on the 725T Plus can boost the speed up to 10 mph.
Plus, this model also features automatic incline at 10% to help user burn calories remarkably more quickly.
The other better features found on the ProForm Performance 300 compared to Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill include 16 built-in workout programs, 300 lbs weight capacity, 2″ speakers to play MP3s.
However, I think that each brand has its own strong points. Importantly, you should refer reviews of users as much as possible before making your own decision.
Conclusion
Considered as the cheapest treadmill on the market, the Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill is over my expectation. It is well-built, designed with a strong frame, as well as a powerful motor and enough workout programs to keep users interested.
Totally, this is a great option for anyone who wants to get in shape without breaking the bank. But you might spend more money to get a better experience.
My rating:
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Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill - 7.6/107.6/10
Summary
The motor, number of pre-defined workout programs, size of running surface, etc may not compete with other leaders in the treadmill industry but it’s enough for basic exercises. Walkers and joggers can save money by using a smaller motor and skipping many advanced features found on more expensive priced models with the Merit Fitness 725T Plus.
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