Tread Climber Machine Review

Tread Climber (TreadClimber) by Nautilus (Bowflex)

Have you seen the new Tread Climber infommercial? So did I, so I decided to do some digging around and give you my take on the newest fitness gadget. The Treadclimber comes in three models - the TreadClimber tc1000, TreadClimber tc3000 and the TreadClimber tc5000.

Bowflex Treadclimber Review

The tread climber is a unique new combination cardio machine from Nautulis fitness. Nautulis Fitness is the same company that started the exercise machine craze in health clubs. Remember those blue painted machines with the black weight stacks? That was Nautulis.

The Treadclimber is one part stair climber, and one part treadmill. You walk on the treads of the machine (similar to a treadmill) while the treads pivot up and down - kind of like you are walking up a flight of stairs.

Nautulis claims that you can burn calories more efficiently than a treadmill or exercise bike, but never put the Treadclimber head to head against an elliptical trainer. Makes me wonder if an elliptical trainer might not give the Tread Climber a run for the money?

Click here to see treadmills that beat the treadclimber hands down

What do you get for your money?

Treadclimber tc1000

• 12 intensity settings make it easy to tailor your workout specifically to your fitness and comfort level - from beginner to elite athlete
  
• Speed adjusts from 0.5 to 3.8 mph - from a casual stroll to power-walking
• Large footboards alongside tread-belts make starting or stopping exercise safe and easy
• 3 large LCD readout windows let you see workout stats at a glance
• 3 electronic functions allow you to track speed, time and distance at a glance
• TreadClimber 1000 Warranty Coverage:
  Item Coverage
  Motor 1 Year
  Electronics 1 Year
  Hydraulics 1 Year
  Other Parts 1 Year

Treadclimber tc3000

• Reduce your exercise time with a super-efficient, low-impact workout
• Speed adjusts from 0.7 to 4.0 mph - from a casual stroll up to power-walking
• 12 intensity settings make it easy to tailor your workout specifically to your fitness and comfort level - from beginner to elite athlete
• 6 electronic functions allow you to track Speed, Time, Distance, Calories Burned, Calories Per Minute and Total Steps taken during your workout
• Large footboards alongside tread-belts make starting or stopping exercise safe and easy
• 5 LCD readout windows let you see all vital workout stats easily
• TC3000 Warranty Coverage:
  Item Coverage
  Motor 3 Years
  Electronics 2 Years
  Hydraulics 1 Year
  Other Parts 2 Years

Treadclimber tc5000

• Reduce your exercise time with a super-efficient, low-impact workout
• Integrated Wireless Heart Rate Monitor provides wireless feedback to help you stay within your optimal fat-burning zone - a TC5000 exclusive
• Comes standard with the TreadClimber Machine Mat - a TC5000 exclusive
  12 intensity settings make it easy to tailor your workout specifically to your fitness and comfort level - from beginner to elite athlete
• Speed adjusts from 0.7 to 4.0 mph - from a casual stroll up to power-walking
• 8 state-of-the-art electronic functions monitor every aspect of your workout, including Speed, Time, Distance, Calories Burned, Calories-Per-Minute and Total Steps
• Climb Indicator displays every 100-feet of elevation gain - a motivating feature found only on the TC5000
• Calorie-burn calculations are based on body weight and intensity inputs - in addition to distance and speed - for greater accuracy
• Powerful commercial-grade motor for years of trouble-free use (backed by a 5-Year Warranty)
• Large footboards alongside tread-belts make starting or stopping exercise safe & easy
• 6 bright, easy-to-see LED readouts allow operation in any lighting
• TC5000 Warranty Coverage:
  Item Coverage
  Motor 5 Years
  Electronics 3 Years
  Hydraulics 2 Years
  Other Parts 3 Years

Is the Tread Climber worth the money?

The Treadclimber appears to be a good machine, it has a unique design and a good company name standing behind it. I also like the fact that the warranty coverage is solid, because as with other fitness machines you can usually tell the quality of the equipment by the length of the warranty. Another plus of the Tread Climber is the low impact workout it delivers.

All the pluses aside, I cannot fully endorse the Tread Climber at this point in time for these reasons:

1. Like all other cardio machines, the Tread Climbers novelty will wear off and I think the initial investment is too high for most casual fitness trainers.

2. You can get a really sweet treadmill or elliptical trainer for about two thirds the price of the Tread Climber.

3. The Tread Climber has alot of moving parts that may break down. In fact it has twice as many parts as the average treadmill.

4. The technology and resale value of the Tread Climber are unproven at this point in time.

Conclusion

If I were in the market for a high end cardio machine, I would put my money on a proven treadmill or elliptical trainer, or wait until next year to see how the Tread Climber pans out in the real world.

I may end up eating my words about the Tread Climber later. But for now I feel confident and content with my whole pocket full of cash...

You can get a Bowflex Treadclimber directly fom Bowlex.com

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