Spirit XT800 Treadmill Review

Well, once you raise your head above the parapet and move into $2,000 plus territory the competition gets very serious indeed.

There are some very heavy, well established players in this marketplace with some brilliant treadmills on offer.

However, with the XT800 Spirit has a genuine contender nibbling away at their heels and the tremendous value that the XT series represents stands it in good stead.

To be honest, I'd probably go for this top of the range Spirit treadmill over the cheaper Precor, LifeFitness and Landice models, some of which hover below the $2,500 mark.

So what makes the XT800 such a strong option to consider?

Spirit XT800 Treadmill Review - What's it Like...?

The Spirit XT800 typifies this approach in every sense.

Starting with the business end of the machine, the XT800 is fitted with a powerful and assured 3.5 HP continuous duty motor, which handled our test workout with applomb.

It eased through a moderate run and hardly broke into a sweat when we gunned the treadmill up to its maximum speed of 12mph.

The XT800 has a big 1" thick, 2 ply belt that takes some shifting, but the motor has enough grunt to keep it spinning with no signs of stress and strain.

The XT800 is geared towards runners looking for a treadmill that can handle some pretty gruelling workouts without a huge price tag.

In that sense Spirit has got the formula pretty much spot on with this model.

Take the roomy 60" x 20" running surface. There's enough room for even the longest stride to have little risk of overshooting the end of the deck.

The deck inclines up to 15% and is well cushioned and not the least bit spongy underfoot.

With huge 3" rollers facilitating the smooth travel of the belt there's not a hint of 'grab' caused by friction between the rollers and belt.

This should minimise belt tension and prolong the belt's working life in the longer term.

The deck itself is fixed and the absense of a folding mechanism may put off some home users lacking storage space. It's a pretty big treadmill so do take the floorspace you have available into account if you're thinking of buying an XT800.

The Spirit XT800 treadmill has its speed and elevation controls located within easy reach on the arms. These consist of 12 quick speed and elevation controls and 10 quick select programming options.

The six window, tri-colour, LED console display is the best in the range and includes a 32 character message window. It's very well laid out with all the workout info you need at a glance.

There's also an auto pilot function, which adjusts the the belt speed automatically. The treadmill effectively manages the intensity of your workout and keeps your heart rate in its optimum training zone.

The telemetry chest strap provides hands-free heart rate monitoring and works well with the auto pilot. You also get pulse grips fitted in the handles as an option to the chest belt.

As for frills, the XT800 has a CD/MP3 interface along with console speakers for onboard audio entertainment. Twin cooling fans also come as standard.

Spirit's warranties are class-leading and feature a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, five years on the parts and two years on the labour.

Expect a list price of $2,899 for this model, although our Spirit XT800 treadmill review found it selling for a bargain $2,399 at Elite Fitness Equipment.com with free shipping within the US.

Spirit XT800 Treadmill Review - How Does it Rate...?

The Spirit XT800 deserves to be in the top three or four picks on anyone's list in the $2,000-$2,500 category.

It's absolutely outstanding at this price and gives established high end brands like Landice and LifeFitness a run for their money.

I would thoroughly recommend it if you're after a well built treadmill with a refined motor, large running area and excellent warranties.

A ratings winner representing tremendous value for money.

Check out the current prices and further details on the Spirit XT800 treadmill at Elite Fitness Equipment.com

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