Vision Fitness T9700HRT Review

During my stays at Kripalu Yoga and Health Center (reviewed) I used the T9700HRT Treadmill by Vision Fitness.

To the Point

This is not the best treadmill I’ve been on but some of the best are twice as much money. Vision Fitness is considered a higher end company as compared to let’s say ProForm.

Then again I’ve loved some very inexpensive treadmills as well. I am going to recommend the T9700HRT but just call it average. The belt isn’t wide enough to be above average and it is lacking a fan which many people like. $3000 is a lot of money for this one.

A Closer View

The T9700 HRT weighs 300 pounds which is lighter than other high-end treadmills. It doesn’t fold and I wouldn’t consider it portable. In spite of the lighter weight the maximum user weight is 400 pounds. It measures 57 inches high by 29 inches wide by 80 inches long. This size is on the smaller size making it desirable if you have a smaller space.

You’ll get a lifetime warranty on the frame. You’ll get five years on the motor; five years on the electronics and parts and two years on labor.

The belt is 60 inches long by 20 inches wide. This is wide enough but not extra wide. The minimum belt I would even consider is 17 inches and I usually suggest going wider handy.

You will now find treadmills with absorption system names for their belts. The “eight variable-durometer elastomer cushions are designed to give you the most cushion at the point of impact and added support in the back where it is needed the most.” (from www.visionfitness.com). So what does this mean? Durometer means softness. We are told that this cushioning system increases the comfort. I have been on a lot of treadmills. I didn’t find the T9700 to be unusually comfortable. I felt it to be in the average category. I have reviewed machines with decks that I could change the cushioning system which I liked and decks that really had more give. Vision Fitness’ treadmill just gave me average walks and power walks which affect my rating.

Being on the belt wasn’t as quiet as I would have liked. Perhaps because the cushioning system doesn’t have the kind of give I’ve been seeing. I could hear the thumping of my feet.

Note: This machine has the option of medical handrails which are longer rails. The handles on the 9700 are looped and comfortable but short. Medical handrails have the same design as what you see but are considerably larger making them a good idea if you are coming off an injury or have balance problems.

There are two integrated water bottle holders and a magazine rack.

The console showed me my speed, elevation (which went from 0 to 15%), time, heart rate, calories, pace, and my % of heart rate. The HRT models of Vision Fitness are geared to making the most of working with your heart rate. The four heart rate programs illustrate this.

This machine has 11 pre-set programs which includes the Sprint-8 system. A couple of the pre-set programs include fat burning and a racing program. Vision Fitness has teamed up with Phil Campbell to develop the Sprint 8 system. At the push of a button I got different workouts each of which was 20 minutes.

The four heart rate programs include weight loss, a cardio vascular program, endurance and my favorite – the interval program which changes speed (.5 to 12 miles per hour) and levels randomly. There are also five user programs that allowed me to design the levels and speeds I wanted to use. The T9700 has one of my favorite features- the Quick Keys. Other machines call them Quick Speed or Quick Incline. I can go from, let’s say a speed of 3 to 4 or a level of 1 to 5, without touching the up arrows. I just press the number 5 and the machine inclines. It isn’t a necessary feature but it is a convenient one.

Please please talk with your doctor before starting any exercise program especially if you are a man over 40 or a woman over 50.

Jo’s Viewpoint

I like it but I’m not bowled over by it!