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After much deliberation over different models of treadmill I finally decided on the Schwinn 860, mainly because of Schwinn's reputation as a quality manufacturer.
This treadmill has the look and feel of the professional models that you find in gyms. Its specification is also very comprehensive and, for me, it has all the features that you could hope to find in a home treadmill.
Although it needs some home assembly I found this very easy to do. The instructions are clear and all the parts fit together without difficulty. It takes less than an hour to put together but as it is a heavy machine it might be better to have some help. The other point I want to mention about assembling the treadmill is that it makes sense to put it together in the room where you are going to use it. It is a large and heavy item and it will be very difficult to get through the average doorway without dismantling it again should you have to move it.
It has a good speed range going from 0.5 to 12 miles per hour. Because of its powerful motor it reaches full speed very quickly. There is also an incline which goes up to 12%. The number of preset programs is impressive - 20 in all - so there is plenty of variety. One particularly welcome feature is the two ways to measure your heart rate. There is the usual sensor in the handgrip type, and also a handy chest strap monitor. This is a great feature if you want to measure your heart rate without having to try to run holding onto the handgrips. The built-in fan is also a boon on hot days.
One slight design problem is the inconvenient location of the on/off switch. This has been placed in an out-of-the-way position at the front of the base. Apart from this the controls are well thought out and the console giving the read-out for the various functions is large and easy to read.
It is also one of the most comfortable treadmills to run on as it has a very well cushioned running surface. Adding to the comfort is the fact that it is very quiet in operation.
Another area where this treadmill gets full marks is the ease with which it can be folded up for storage. You simply lift up the running deck until it clicks securely into place. The best part is when you to lower it. Unlike most of its competitors the Schwinn 860 has a hydraulic lift which takes the weight and lowers it gently to the floor.
In summary, this is a powerful machine, that will challenge all ranges of abilities. This combined with its comfort and ease of use, makes it a great addition to the home gym.
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