Life Fitness Treadmills  vs. Precor Treadmills: Which Brand Suits You Best?

LifeFitness Treadmills or Precor Treadmills; which company has the best treadmill for you? Are you looking for a foldable treadmill? Are you building a state-of-the-art home gym? Is there a limit on space or price? Or are you on a budget but willing to splurge a little to meet your needs? LifeFitness and Precor are sports equipment companies that have been around since the 70’s and 80’s innovating and providing treadmills for commercial and home use. The reputation of their top tier commercial treadmills, transcends to their home gym lines as well. LifeFitness or Precor; only you know best.

A brief overview

Choosing  Treadmill

Buying a treadmill can be a mini investment, and so you need to make sure you are getting all the features you need and desire. So here are some things to consider when deciding on your perfect treadmill.

• Space: Where do you want to put the treadmill? Is the space small or large. If small perhaps a foldable treadmill works best for you.
• How often will you use it? Daily? Twice a week?
• Are you a walker, jogger or runner?
• Budget: What are you willing to spend?
• Check out the manufacturer and their reviews online.

Life Fitness Company

LifeFitness was founded in 1977, to sell exercise bikes. It was then sold to Bally Total Fitness in 1984 when it became LifeFitness. It is now owned by the Brunswick Corporation who sells stationary bikes, treadmills, stair climbers, rowers  and weight machines. It is a brand that has a good reputation for commercial gyms providing premium quality products.

Precor Company

Precor, previously Precision first launched with rowing machines, then introduced elliptical machines and the first cushioned treadmills. Precor, was the first to modernize  fitness equipment with electronics to gauge your workouts and results. Precor USA, headquartered in Washington State is owned by Amer Sports a Finnish sporting good company.

Models/ LifeFitness vs. Precor

Lifefitness Models

LifeFitness manufactures  seven models of treadmills, the price ranges are indicative of optional add-ons for your specific requirements, warranties (standard or extended) and taste. There are definite distinctions between each of the series. The F series is the lower end of the treadmill offerings and the only foldable options. While the T series, is mid-range and starts with the motors at 3.0 CHP while the Club series is the top end of their home gym offerings equivalent to commercial quality.

F1 Smart Treadmill ($2,199.00 -$2,598.00)

T3 Treadmill ($2,599.00 – $3,548.00)

F3 Folding Treadmill ($2,599.00 – $3,548.00)

T5 Treadmill ($3000.00 – $5,248.00)

Club Series Treadmill ($5,499.00 -$6,298.00)

Club Series + Treadmill ($6,098.99)

Platinum Club Series Treadmill ($6,999.00- $9,998.00)

Precor Models

Precor makes five residential models, made with either the Energy Stride ™ Technology  or the Ground Effects Impact Control System for shock absorption technology. While it’s higher end models also include the Integrated Footplant Technology™ (adjust belt speed to match the the speed of your walk, helping to reduce stress on knees, ankles and hips) which is exclusively used on its commercial models. There are no foldable options.

TRM 211 Energy™ Series ($2,199)

TRM 223 Energy™ Treadmill ($2, 699)

TRM 243 Energy™ ($3,199)

TRM 425 Precision Series; Commercial grade ($4,799)

TRM 445 Precision Series; Commercial grade ($5,299)

Commercial Series include the following:

Experience™ Series: TRM 885, TRM 865 and TRM 835

Assurance ™ Series: 946i and 932i

Workout Programs/ LifeFitness vs. Precor

LifeFitness:

LifeFitness offers a choice of two consoles on some of its models. The F3, T3, T5 comes with the option of the Go or the Track Connect Console, while the Platinum Club Series has the choice of the Explore, Discover SE3 HD Console and Discover SI Console.

Go – LCD screen 12 workouts, 2 custom, 2 user profiles and 3 year warranty.

Track Connect : Connects for interactive workouts with mobile devices, real time tracking and LCD screen. Android, iphone, ipad and ipod compatible. 16, programs, 12 custom, 4 user profiles, 3 year warranty

Precor

LCD consoles – varying compatibility with ipod, iphone and Android. The amount of preset workouts vary from model to model, ranging from 6 to 23. The standard readings are offered; time, distance, elevation, pace, incline and more.

Price/LifeFitness vs. Precor

LifeFitness

Price range: $2,199-$9,998

LifeFitness is on the pricier side however, their equipment is commercial standard making them durable machines. The warranties are very good.

Precor

Price range: $2,199-$5,299

Precor offers five treadmills for home use – two of which are commercial grade.

Motors/LifeFitness vs Precor

As far as  horsepower (HP) and treadmills, the horsepower is reflective of the best use of the machine. 2.5 HP are generally better for walking while 3.0 HP and above are for running.

LifeFitness

The HP on most of the LifeFitness models are above 3, therefore, the majority of their treadmills are built for runners, although premium for runners it is automatic that it works well for walkers and joggers.  

The horsepower minimum on the machines are 2.5  HP, 3.0 (6.0 HP peak) up to 4.0 HP (6.0 HP peak).  

Precor

All residential models have 3.0 HP at continuous use; therefore all are good for walkers, joggers and runners.

Warranties/LifeFitness vs. Precor

LifeFitness

LifeFitness offers three types of warranties.

• Standard: 5 year parts and one year labor
• 3 year premium extended protection: extends one year warranty to 3 year total parts and labor protection for additional $199 (U.S residents)
• 5 year premium extended protection: extend the standard I year warranty to 5 years total parts and labor protection for additional $399. (U.S residents)

Precor

Lifetime warranty on all frames

1 year labour on all models

Parts and wear – 5 yrs or 10 yrs depending on model

Console – 3 years on all models

Conclusion

Both LifeFitness and Precor are top tier brands that have been in the industry perfecting workout equipment for decades. They manufacture for both commercial use and the residential gym market; however LifeFitness does offer two more products for the home gym than Precor.  The prices for both brands are high, however, their quality is close to their commercial products. Warranties are good, illustrating that each brand strongly backs their products. LifeFitness or Precor; either one is a good, safe choice.