Best for Home Use
Best for Serious Runners
Best for Walkers
Best for Seniors
Bladez Treadmill Review
Bladez Fitness is an extension of an over 100-year-old company. In the 2000s, this brandâs focused was light commercial and commercial treadmills. Luxurious health club machines such as the T8-15ME Treadmill helped make the brand popular. Now, the Bladez Fitness treadmill lineup is limited to residential models. If youâre shopping for light commercial or commercial treadmills similar to the old Bladez, then look into the related brand BH Fitness.
Bladez Fitness currently produces three home treadmills: the T300i, the T500i and the Synapse ST7iB. All can be folded upright to save floor space.
These home treadmills are relatively modest. They have some advanced technology, but certainly shouldn’t be considered luxury treadmills. Each machine has a maximum 12% incline and a 3.0 or 3.5 HP drive with lifetime warranty. Parts are protected for three years. Each treadmill console includes 15 or 16 workouts plus i.Concept technology. With i.Concept, you can access unlimited workout apps by connecting your Bladez treadmill to an Apple or Android device via Bluetooth.
What We Like:
- Console:Â The Bladez i.Concept console uses technology found on commercial treadmills by BH Fitness. However, those have 7â touchscreens. The Bladez residential treadmills have traditional LEDs, not touchscreens. They are intuitive to use. You can choose from 15 or 16 preloaded workout programs, depending on the model. Some programs use heart rate control (HRC) and many of the programs include 10 challenge levels. On the T500i, thereâs also a body fat calculator.
- Motor:Â Each treadmill in the current Bladez collection has a motor under lifetime warranty for residential use. These motors are either 3.0 or 3.5 horsepower, which works for walkers and runners alike. The motors are virtually silent and wonât skip during speed changes.
- Speed: The T500i and Synapse ST7iB have a 12 mph limit. The T300i, a walkers’ treadmill, can support up to 10 mph. Nobody walks that fast of course, but the extra capacity is a good sign.
- Full Tracks:Â Although these treadmills fold, each has a full-size track. The T300i has a 55″ x 20″ track for walkers. The Synapse has a 57â track and the T500i has a 60″ track to support the longest running strides.
- Advanced Cushioning:Â Orthopedic Active Flex cushioning is used on each unit. This provides the strongest shock absorption up front in the landing zone. A firmer push-off area to the back helps improve your efficiency and endurance.
- Incline: Many customers expect inclines nowadays. Working out on an incline is an easy way to boost your metabolic rate, target different muscle groups, and relieve strain on your knees. Each of the current Bladez treadmills has a maximum 12% incline and 15 challenge levels. The inclines are automated and under warranty for three years.
- MP3 Player Port: Two treadmills â the T300i and the T500i â have speakers and a USB power port for playing your MP3s. The other does not.
- Folding: All of the Bladez treadmills can be folded to conserve space. Unfolded, the largest one (the T500i) measures approximately 77″ L x 35″ W. Folded, itâs about 56″ L x 35″ W. Â The others are just slightly smaller.
- Wireless Heart Rate Compatible:Â All three models have contact heart rate grips and are also compatible with wireless monitoring. The chest strap required for wireless monitoring is sold separately.
- Extras:Â Each T500i and T300i Bladez treadmill has a cooling fan, a beverage holder and an accessory rack for a tablet or smartphone. The Synapse does not have a fan.
- Capacity:Â These machines have 325 to 350 pound user weight capacities.
- Safety Key:Â A removable safety key is included to quickly stop the treadmill from operating.
- Warranty:Â These units are sold with lifetime coverage on the frame and motor, three years of coverage for parts and wear items, and a year of labor.
What We Don’t Like:
- Track Longevity:Â Bladez treadmills all have different tracks. The tracks run over relatively small rollers, which is associated with shorter track life. Some are coated to help make up for that. The less durable tracks help explain why these treadmills get deep discounts. See our individual reviews for details.
Our Verdict:
When offered on sale, Bladez Fitness treadmills can be good buys for budget-conscious shoppers. This is also a good brand for people with limited space as all three treadmills fold yet are reasonably durable. The warranty packages are a bit worrying though. Don’t expect these machines to hold up for decades, but they are good starter models for shoppers who are dipping their toes into the treadmill pond for the first time.
