Peloton Tread Review – 2019
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The best treadmill reviews you can trust
Creating a splash in the fitness industry, the Peloton Tread treadmill is the next step in Peloton’s attempts to bring high-quality gym training into residential homes. This treadmill has a massive 32” touchscreen as a display where the Peloton classes can be live-streamed to the Tread or you can access one of the thousands of Peloton on-demand classes.
Another unique feature of the Peloton Tread is the 59 individual slat belt, rather than the traditional treadmill belt. This slat belt is similar to what you would find on manual treadmills like the Woodway treadmills, and you can use the Tread in manual powered mode or in automatic mode. It comes with a 2 HP motor, which is surprising, considering most high-end treadmills have 4.0 CHP motors or higher.
Overall, the Peloton Tread is an innovative machine which will strongly appeal to those who need the motivation of live classes and other on-demand workouts, but it may be over-the-top for those who just want a high-quality treadmill.
The cost the Peloton Tread will depend on which of the four purchase packages you choose:
Motor Size - The Peloton runs on a 2 HP motor. This is a major draw back. With such a high price point, we expected a higher rated motor. HP motors only test for peak performance and not for continuous performance (CHP). It is relatively underpowered when compared to other treadmills in its price range.
Also, for such a small motor, it is very noisy, especially as you go up in speed. This machine is not one you can use quietly without disturbing the family. In fact, if you live in an apartment, the noise alone will likely make you very unpopular with your neighbors.
Running Area - The Tread running surface is designed with 59 individual aluminum slats with a rubber overmold, running on a ball bearing rail system. As for the running area, it measures 20” wide and 67” long. While we are fans of the length, the 20” can feel a bit cramped if you are used to a 22” wide belt.
Weight Capacity - It is recommended that only users up to 300 lbs utilize the Tread.
Folding - N/A
Space / Footprint - As we mentioned, this treadmill will take up a good deal of space. It measures 36.5” wide, 72.5” long, and 72” tall. Peloton recommends that you place the Tread on solid hard flooring. On an incline, the belt has the potential to catch carpet or even a treadmill mat.
Max Speed - The max speed on the Tread is 12.5 MPH. Peloton has designed the Tread to change speeds by using a knob you spin, rather than the more traditional buttons. Spinning the knob will lower or raise your speed by 0.1 increments. If you press the button in the middle of the righthand knob, you can change speeds by whole integers.
You can create custom pre-set speeds and switch to them by tapping on the displayed speed number on the screen, which will display your pre-set speeds for you to choose from.
Incline - As for the incline, the incline range on the Tread is 0% to 15%. Peloton has also designed the Tread to change incline levels by using a knob you spin. Simply spinning the knob will lower or raise your incline by 0.5 increments but if you press the button in the middle of the lefthand knob, you can change incline levels by whole integers. However, with the smaller motor, the incline levels change more slowly than on other machines.
You can create custom pre-set inclines and switch to them by tapping on the incline number on the screen, which will display your pre-set inclines for you to choose from, much like you can with the speed options.
**Knobs for incline and speed control - This is new. Most treadmills have (-/+) keys and whole integer keys for speed and incline control. The knob seems to be a substitute for visually cumbersome buttons. While we like where this idea is headed, it’s not yet a practical solution. If you accidentally bump one of the knobs, you’re going to mess up your speed or incline setting. As we’ve tested this treadmill, we’ve dealt with this issue. Accidentally increasing your incline mid sprint really throws a wrench in things. And though they’re easy to turn, taking away the option to jump from one speed to another with the press of one button (ie going from a steady 6 mph pace to a sprint at 9 mph) is going to be a deterrent for a lot of users.
Workout Apps - As far as we have been able to test, the Peloton Tread has no built-in workout programs. All its exercise programs come as part of the Peloton subscription, which you technically don’t have to sign up for, but if you don’t, all you have is an incredibly expensive treadmill without its key selling feature that you can use in manual or motorized mode.
If you want to use the Tread like a manual-powered treadmill, all you need to do is press the button labeled FREE on the crossbar. By doing this, you can push your body to engage in running with greater resistance than many treadmills offer.
When it comes to the Peloton classes, you will have access to live class as well as a library of on-demand classes. You have to adjust the speed and incline yourself during a Tread Peloton class, unlike with a machine like the Commercial X32i where the iFit Coach instructor will adjust your treadmill.
The schedule of the live classes can be accessed either from the Tread or from the Peloton app. You can schedule a reminder for yourself so you don’t miss a class you want to participate in. When you participate in the live classes, the instructor is aware of your speed and incline. They can (and sometimes will) talk directly to you.
Display - On the Tread, a large, 32” 1080p high-definition touchscreen acts as the display. The display can be tilted up and down to accommodate users with different heights and off-treadmill workouts, though it cannot turn side-to-side.
The screen tends to shake at higher speeds, which can be pretty distracting and somewhat nauseating, depending on how sensitive you are to becoming motion-sick. Our testers noticed that lighter runners (>150 lbs) didn’t have as much shaking until running at higher speeds, but for our testers over 150 lbs, the screen starts to wiggle even while jogging.
There is also a camera in the middle of the touchscreen, which is there so when you workout with a friend, you can see each other. As there was no one we could test this with, it’s hard for us to say how effective this feature is on the Tread.
The touchscreen can become less responsive if sweat or grime build up. Cleaning the screen mid workout is sometimes necessary.
Streaming tv shows cannot be done on this display.
Speakers - The Tread has good speakers built-in under the touchscreen. They are generally good enough to hear the instructor and enjoy the music with the workout. Some users of the Tread have mentioned that they have paired Bluetooth speakers to improve the sound quality, which is only of average quality for a treadmill with this price tag.
Fans - N/A
Heart Rate Monitoring - One purchase option for the tread comes with a chest strap heart rate monitor. Otherwise, heart rate monitoring is an additional purchase. So many treadmills (NordicTrack, Sole, Proform, etc) come with a chest strap for heart rate monitoring so this is another small disadvantage to the Peloton Tread.
Other Tech Features
The bar which has the emergency stop key and Free mode button can be a little cramping for users over 5’4”, as some workout warm-ups have you doing movements such as high-knees.
Also, while the slats belt will likely mean you are unlikely to wear down the belt unlike other treadmills, the cushioning isn’t really there. For some runners, it’s a bonus that the Tread deck feels like a hard-packed running path, but for those who have sensitive joints or are recovering from old injuries, the Tread slat belt may not be comfortable at all.
Currently, Peloton has not updated their warranty policy to reflect the inclusion of the Tread, but it is likely that coverage will be the same. As of now, the limited warranty which comes with the Tread will give you:
The Peloton Tread is a fun new product from an innovative company. While its sturdy and reliable, its price point is extremely high. From companies that are more established like NordicTrack, ProForm, and Sole, you can get a treadmill with comparable features at a lower price point.
The Peloton Tread is still going to be an intriguing option to users who love the Peloton bike or Peloton’s design style. The Tread is visually appealing and could be a glimpse of how treadmills are designed in the near future.
Currently, the only place you can buy the Peloton Tread treadmill is through Peloton directly. As the Tread is a brand-new machine for 2019, it is currently backordered and people who ordered it early in 2018 are still waiting on the arrival of their machines.
