Standing out in the crowded treadmill market is difficult, but the LifeSpan TR2000 manages it. A few unusual design innovations allow a fairly standard 20-inch by 56-inch running and walking area, in a small 63.5-inch-long footprint. Treadmill Doctor calls this machine "one of the best values we have seen this year." Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com also notes that LifeSpan has a decent reputation for quality control and customer service -- two constant stumbling blocks in the exercise-equipment industry.
Design
The LifeSpan TR2000's motor is located beneath the running deck instead of in front of it. No motor shroud in front of your feet means you get more running area without increasing the treadmill's footprint. The trade-off: Because of the motor position, the TR2000's deck is higher off the ground than a typical treadmill. The console also sits further forward than most treadmill consoles -- a necessary feature because otherwise you wouldn't be able to position your body to take advantage of the extra running room.
Size and Capacity
The TR2000 measures 63.5 inches long by 32 inches wide by 53 inches high when deployed for use. The deck folds vertically against the console. This treadmill won't fit under a bed, but you can shift it into a corner when not in use. The TR2000 measures 32 inches long by 32 inches wide by 59 inches high when folded, and has a maximum user-weight capacity of 350 lbs.
Motor, Speed and Incline
The TR2000's motor is rated for 2.5-horsepower continuous output. It offers a maximum running speed of 10 mph. The treadmill offers incline adjustments of up to 8 percent or, remarkably, down to a 5-percent decline. The combination of incline and decline settings makes simulating walking or running in the real world, where you sometimes have to go not just uphill but downhill too, much easier.
Safety Features
The TR2000 senses when your foot strikes the treadmill deck. After 20 seconds of non-use the treadmill automatically pauses -- a feature designed to protect small children from getting injured while investigating the moving belt. A wide, substantial safety bar mounted on the near side of the console resembles the grab-bars in a handicapped bathroom stall, and handlebar-mounted speed and incline controls allow you to keep walking or jogging without taking your hands off the handlebars if you need extra balance.
Programs
The TR2000 offers five preprogrammed workouts that automatically adjust treadmill speed for you. Five additional programs adjust incline and decline. Other program options include a step counter, a distance-goal program, two user-customizable programs and two heart rate control workouts.
Price and Warranty
The TR2000 has an MSRP of about $1,500 as of December 2010. It comes with a lifetime frame and motor warranty, five years of parts coverage and one year of labor coverage.
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