XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Treadmill Review

It’s not hard to find a treadmill.

There are tons of them for sale online, in sporting goods stores, and even department stores.

However, finding a high-quality treadmill that won’t break down on you after a few uses can be a little more challenging.

That’s why the XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Treadmill is a breath of fresh air. It has everything you need in a good treadmill, and this article is going to point out why.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Treadmill

When shopping for any treadmill, it can be tempting to judge the machine by price.

Of course, you must stick with your budget, but price alone doesn’t dictate whether the treadmill will meet your needs.

Here are some features you should always consider when buying a treadmill.

Size

No matter how great a treadmill is or how affordable it is, if it doesn’t fit into the space you have pegged out for it, you can’t use it.

Treadmills can be big and bulky. You can alleviate this problem by getting compact, folding treadmills but these treadmills may have limited features.

You’ll need to decide what’s more important – a compact size or better features. You should also consider the dimensions of the deck compared to your height.

If you’re tall, say six feet or more, a deck shorter than 50 inches may not allow you to take full strides.

If you’re a heavier person, a narrow deck could mean that your hips bump into the arm rails as you walk or run.

Quality and Construction

This is a category where price can sometimes be telling (only sometimes).

If it’s a cheap treadmill (a $200 to $300 range), you can be sure that it’s not very durable and it’s not going to have very many features.

If you’re a heavier person, you’ll just be wasting your money because the frames on these types of treadmills (despite them giving a high weight capacity) simply won’t hold up under your weight.

The weight of the treadmill can also indicate quality because stronger, sturdier material weighs more than cheap materials.

Treadmills can range from 30 pounds up to several hundred pounds in weight. If you’re specifically looking for something lightweight and portable, then it makes sense to go with the lighter material.

However, if you want to make sure you’re getting a top-quality machine, get a heavy treadmill (at least 100 pounds).

As a rule of thumb, avoid treadmills that are primarily made from plastic, even if its ABS or another similar industrial strength plastic.

Programs and Inclines

If you want a treadmill just to maintain your current fitness level, programs and inclines may not be important to you.

However, if you’re looking for a challenge, you should make sure the treadmill has plenty of programs and incline levels, so you don’t top out after using it for a short period of time.

Most treadmills come with at least a few preset programs – the important ones like fat-burning, muscle-building, etc.

Inclines can widely vary, and some may be manual set while others are digital. Treadmills with manual-set inclines don’t often have many levels to choose from and you may even have to stop your workout and get off the treadmill to change the level.

However, manual set incline treadmills are money savers so if you’re on a tight budget this might be a good choice for you.

Other Smaller but Desirable Features

Other features may not be necessary for a good workout, but they will make your time on the treadmill comfortable.

Large, full-color consoles are great for connecting apps and more. Cup or bottle holders and media holders are convenient.

A cooling fan can keep you from overheating. Bluetooth connectivity can keep you entertained. Keep in mind that the more features you have, the more the treadmill will cost.

The XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Treadmill

I like to think of the XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Treadmill as the “Goldilocks” of treadmills.

When considering price, features, technology, and size, it’s middle of the road from one extreme to the next.

However, it doesn’t skimp on quality and that’s proven by the lifetime warranty on the frame and motor. It’s a great treadmill for just about anyone no matter what your fitness goals are.

The treadmill measures 77.2” L x 35.5”W x 56.1” H and weighs 214 pounds. It has a weight capacity of 350 pounds and a deck size of 20″ x 60″.

Pros

• Console is straightforward and easy to use.
• Strong 3 HP motor.
• Lifetime warranty on the motor and frame.
• Goes up to 12 mph.
• Has a long deck.

Cons

• It’s a bit noisy.
• There aren’t any wheels on it if you need to move it around.
• The safe-drop technology takes a long time to unfold the treadmill.

Features and Benefits of the XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Treadmill

Solid Construction

The XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Treadmill is a beast. For one, it weighs 214 pounds, so you know there is some serious hardware and material involved with the treadmill.

While there are a few plastic parts such as the arm rails and the non-slip side guards, the frame is made from a solid steel.

It’s constructed with precision and designed to withstand quite a bit of abuse. That’s why it can support up to 350 pounds of weight with no problems.

The folding frame features a Lift Assist technology. This is perfect and appreciated since the treadmill is so heavy. This technology uses hydraulics to lift and lower the treadmill for you.

Even the deck is impressive compared to many other treadmills. The belt is made of a strong, 2-ply Duraweave material so it won’t unravel or rip easily.

The deck incorporates an XTRA Soft cushioned shock absorption technology that absorbs some of the impact from your feet hitting the deck.

This saves your joints from an excessive amount of force from running.

Plenty of Programs and Inclines

If you like programs and inclines, the XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Treadmill is perfect for you.

It features 30 preset programs to choose from including the ability to create two custom programs. It has 12 incline levels that can be set digitally/automatically.

You can even adjust them while you’re using the treadmill so you can have a seamless workout.

User-Friendly Console

The console features a 6.5″ backlit LCD display that shows you all the pertinent information you need for your workout.

It can even display charts instead of just numbers, making the information more dynamic.

The console has buttons for the incline and speed. There are 12 buttons for the incline, one for each level. There are ten buttons for the speed.

This makes it simpler than ever to set, just press the level you want instead of having to repeatedly press up/down keys.

This doesn’t mean that XTERRA gave up on the up/down keys. Right up under the main part of the console is a “mini console” that features up/down keys for the speed and the incline.

It’s here that you’ll find the program button, the start/stop button, the emergency stop button, and the fan button, all clearly labeled and easy to press.

Plenty of Extras

For entertainment, there is an audio jack that allows you to play your favorite music from your smart device through the treadmill’s speakers.

The treadmill is compatible with the Zwift app which allows you to turn your workout into a game.

The arm rails feature a third set of incline and speed controls so you can easily access them while using the heart rate monitors.

There is also a towel bar and two cup holders for your convenience. One of the cup holders could be used as a media holder for your smart phone.

What Others are Saying About the XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Treadmill

Review #1 – William

Good Buy!

Good Buy!

Why would anyone want more from a treadmill? Maybe you could get a little larger display, but why pay any more? Great machine! Just what we needed!

Review #2 – Lauren W.

Great Purchase!

I bought this for my parents to use in their garage and I have not been disappointed! My Dad was able to put it together himself and he said it was a pain, but I told him that he needed another person and he didn’t believe me 😉 very happy with this purchase! It really is quiet and comfortable!

Review #3 – Louise74

Great Treadmill; Even Better Customer Service

I purchased my treadmill in December 2018. Overall, the treadmill has great features and operates as advertised. Although I had a minor problem with the console, the issue was completely resolved by Xterra in a timely manner. I truly appreciate the customer service that I received; and I highly recommend the treadmill and the company (Xterra).

Alternative Choices to the XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Treadmill

Sunny Health & Fitness Asuna Space Saving Treadmill

If you’re looking for a treadmill that can be easily moved and stored, the the Sunny Health & Fitness Asuna Space Saving Treadmill is a great choice.

It folds completely flat and has wheels so you can roll it wherever you need to. It can even be stored under a bed. It has a small LCD display and only supports up to 220 pounds.

However, it does have an audio jack and speakers. It comes in two color choices.

SereneLife Smart Electric Folding Treadmill

The SereneLife Smart Electric Folding Treadmill is a great choice for people on a budget.

This treadmill is less than half the price of the XTERRA and it still comes with some great features.

Make a note that this treadmill is made of aluminum rather than steel, so I wouldn’t recommend that anyone over 200 pounds run on it despite what the weight capacity says.

However, it’s a good compact treadmill with several programs and three incline levels. It’s good for the non-athlete beginner or someone who just needs an inexpensive treadmill.

MaxKare Folding Treadmill

The MaxKare Folding Treadmill is another budget treadmill but is a slightly better quality than the last treadmill because it’s made of steel.

It has a nice LCD display and console and plenty of preset programs to choose from.

While you’ll sacrifice incline levels and it has a short deck, it has a great belt for shock absorption and it’s easy to fold and move around with the transportation wheels.

Final Thoughts on the XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Treadmill

The XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Treadmill has quality, entertainment, and plenty of features – everything you could want in a treadmill.

Sure, there are cheaper machines out there, but the XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 is priced at a midrange which is worth the money due to the quality.

With a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, plus outstanding customer service from the company, you can’t go wrong with this purchase.