Life Fitness F1 Smart Treadmill Review

Last Updated: June 9, 2023

The Life Fitness F1 Smart treadmill is a durable treadmill with the patented flexible deck from Life Fitness. It is a good, basic treadmill which is somewhat overpriced for the features it offers.

You may want to examine more of the reviews on Treadmill Reviews before you decide to purchase the F1 Smart to make sure this is the treadmill for you.

Price

The Life Fitness F1 Smart treadmill is priced at $2,199.

The F1 Smart Is Built For Users who:

• Want to create their own programs - While there are only 7 preset workout programs built into the F1 Smart, you can go online to LFConnect and build your own workout program to load onto the treadmill.
• Like flexible treadmill decks - Thanks to the FlexDeck shock absorption system, the deck of the F1 Smart is very flexible, which adds to its comfort.
• Need a sturdy, folding treadmill - The F1 Smart is both a sturdy, foldable treadmill, which are not always qualities which go hand-in-hand.  

Why The F1 Smart earned 3.3 stars

As the F1 Smart is closer in price to the best treadmills under $2,000, we compare it to them and still found this treadmill a bit lacking.  

• Small motor - The F1 Smart treadmill only has a 2.5 CHP motor, which is significantly smaller than the more standard 4.0 CHP motors that usually come in treadmills in this price range.
• Limited ranges - Both the speed and the incline range on the F1 Smart are below the standard for treadmills in this price range as it only has an incline range of 0-12% instead of -3 to 15%. The speed max is only 10 MPH when 12 MPH is the standard.
• Curtailed warranty - With only a 10-year warranty on the motor and 1-year for labor, the F1 Smart falls short of the longer warranties on other competitor treadmills.

Main Specs - 6/10

Specs “Quick Review”:

• Motor Size: 2.5 CHP
• Running Area: 55” L x 20” W
• Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
• Folding: Yes
• Footprint In Use (W, L, H): 34” x 77” x 59”
• Incline Range: 0-12%
• Max Speed: 10 MPH
• Treadmill Best For: Walker, Jogger
• Electrical Requirements: 120 volts

Motor Size - The motor in this treadmill is quiet and small, only 2.5 CHP. This is somewhat undersized for a treadmill in this price range.  

Running Area - A little short in length for any user over 6’2”, the F1 Smart treadmill belt only measures 55” long and 20” wide. More standard for treadmills around $2,000 will have belts measuring 22” wide and 60” long.

Weight Capacity - The F1 Smart can accommodate a user who weighs up to 300 lbs.

Folding  - Unlike many Life Fitness treadmills, the F1 Smart can fold up.

Space / Footprint -  Along with the ability to fold, the F1 Smart can also be easily moved, which is surprising for a sturdy treadmill. When in use, this treadmill measure 34” wide, 77” long, and 59” tall.

Max Speed - The treadmill’s max speed is 10 miles per hour, which is less than the speed you would have on other treadmills around the F1 Smart’s price range.

Incline - This treadmill has an incline range of 0-12%, which is a bit restricted compared to competitor treadmills.

Features - 7/10

Features “Quick Review”

• • Display: LCD windows
  • PreInstalled Workout Apps: 7
  • Speakers: No
  • Fans: No
  • Heart Rate Monitoring: Heart rate strap, contact grips
  • USB port: Yes
  • Audio Jack: Yes
  • Water bottle cubbies: Yes
  • Device holder: Yes

Workout Apps - Along the right side of the console, you can access the F1 Smart’s 7 preset workout programs. If you want to create your own workout program on LFConnect and load it onto a USB, you can plug it directly into the console of the treadmill and run it. The other programs are manual, random, hill, cardio, fat burn, and fit test.

Display - Seven LCD backlit window screens make up the overall display on the F1 Smart. You can track which program you are using, exertion meter, heart rate, incline, time, speed, and your results.  

Speakers - There are no speakers on the F1 Smart, despite the fact that you can connect your iPod to it via the charging station. An audio jack is located on the console so you can listen to your media and workout. There are also media control buttons on the console.

Fans - No fans are built into the F1 Smart.

Heart Rate Monitoring - You will receive a free heart rate monitoring chest strap, which will accurately track your heart rate as you workout. The contact heart rate grips are also available but are not as accurate as the strap.

Other Tech Features

• LFConnect used with USB upload
• USB for program upload and charging
• Energy saver button

Build Quality - 7/10

F1 Smart Review: Build Quality

• Warranties - Lifetime frame & Lifespring shock absorbers, 10-year motor, 5-year parts, 1-year labor
• Cushioning - FlexDeck
• Customer Support - Email, phone
• Return Policy - 30-day return window

Part of the commercial gym popularity of the Life Fitness treadmills is the FlexDeck shock absorption system, which the F1 Smart also has equipped. It makes the deck springy and flexible, which may appeal to many users.  

There is a hefty 25% restocking fee on the return of the F1 Smart or a maximum of $500 per equipment piece returned when you send back non-defective and undamaged equipment. If there is a problem, Life Fitness will try to repair the issue or you may be able to return your treadmill. You can also add on an extra warranty plan on top of the existing warranty on the F1 Smart.

• Standard (no extra cost) - 5-year parts, 3-year console, and 1-year warranty
• 3 Year Premium Extended Protection ($299) - 5-year parts, 3-year console, and 3-year warranty
• 5 Year Premium Extended Protection ($799) - 5-year parts, 5-year console, and 5-year warranty  

Bottom Line Review Of The Life Fitness F1 Smart Treadmill

The F1 Smart is a durable treadmill with a flexible deck, yet it falls short in several ways, considering its asking price. There are other treadmills which are a bit more affordable than the F1 Smart that you may want to look at:

• NordicTrack Commercial 2450 has an incline range of -3% to 15% and a 10” HD touchscreen console. The F1 Smart has an incline range of 0-12% and window LCD screens.
• ProForm Pro 9000 has a 4.0 CHP motor and 40 exercise programs installed. The F1 Smart has a 2.5 CHP motor and 7 exercise programs installed.
• SOLE F85 has a treadmill belt measuring 22” wide by 60” long and a weight capacity of 400 lbs. The F1 Smart has a treadmill belt measuring 20” wide by 55” long and a weight capacity of 300 lbs.  

So, before you commit to buying the F1 Smart, read through some other treadmill reviews to see if they won’t fit your needs better.

Best Place To Buy The Life Fitness F1 Smart Treadmill

When looking to purchase the Life Fitness F1 Smart, you should buy from Life Fitness directly, rather than a third-party. You can be sure that you will receive the current year model of the F1 Smart and that your warranty will be honored by Life Fitness.