I’ve had the Echelon Stride-5s treadmill in my home for quite some time and consider it one of the best machines I’ve reviewed in terms of structure. Now discontinued from production, it remains available at online retailers as well as some brick-and-mortar stores. If you find it as a clearance sale, give it a solid look as it’s a great machine. It’s a bit of a boat in terms of size, and no it doesn’t fold, but if you’re looking for a solid, long-term treadmill this is a good pick, particularly if one sale for $1,599.99 as opposed to its normal MSRP of $2,579.50. The Stride-5s once served as the top of its brand’s lineup and with good cause. Spacious and powerful, it’s a sizeable treadmill and requires some room. Some of the big plusses include a 24″ HD screen built for interactive training with the Echelon Fit app, a 1.5 AC motor, and super-sized 22″ x 60″ running surface. Whether to be used for hard cardio or just long walks, this is a machine that won’t disappoint.

Read below to see the complete machine walkthrough and be sure to check out the links to important articles concerning decks, motors, rollers, and belts, if you have any questions about the mechanics. In terms of overall sales numbers, the Stride-5s doesn’t seem to get as much notice as some its rivals, but given my experience on it, that really should change.

Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The Echelon Stride-5s

At TreadmillReviews.net, we bring you comprehensive reviews of treadmills so you can decide which one is right for you. Our staff thoroughly test all the treadmills we review. We install them, walk on them, run on them, and try out all of the features. We get to know each and every treadmill we review extremely well. Our reviewers log miles on the deck. We listen and record the sound of the motor, we test and measure the incline/decline, try out all aspects of the console and try the treadmill’s features.

Every treadmill we review undergoes the same rigorous process. That way we can compare and contrast them and give you an honest review of what we think. This particular treadmill has been around for many years, and we’ve done previous reviews of the Echelon Stride-5s. So, in this review, we also compared it to the previous models.

Our reviewers are treadmill and fitness experts. Brian, the author of this review, is a competitive bodybuilder, and is a 7-time national qualifier in both men’s bodybuilding and classic physique within the NPC competitions. He has coached and been coached on cardiovascular training, HIIT, and nutrition, particularly as it pertains to weight loss for competitions. He is an expert at treadmills, has been on this treadmill, and you can trust his opinion on all of the treadmills he reviews.

In Brief

The Echelon Stride-5s was a top-of-the-brand treadmill with a relatively low price considering the massive 24″ high-definition, rotating touchscreen, and 1.5 AC motor. Equipped with a 15% incline and speeds up to 12.5 miles per hour, it’s also Bluetooth-enabled and has heartrate sensors built into the handlebars. That said, it’s a big machine for sure, measuring 81″ x 36″ x 63″ and weighing 315 pounds with a maximum user weight of 400 pounds. I carried this treadmill in-box into my own house up my back deck steps and let me tell you, it’s a big ‘un. Designed to work with the Echelon Fit App, the screen works with that program only. Complete with a catalogue of thousands of different workouts ranging from yoga to weights, you can adjust the screen and take them to the floor if you like when you’re done running. The Echelon Fit App also affords live workouts with professional trainers at scheduled times throughout the week.

Echelon Stride-5s Treadmill Treadmill - Key Specs:

In-Depth Review of the Echelon Stride-5s

Why We Like It

The Echelon Stride-5s is big, solid treadmill that won’t wobble while you walk. Priced online at $1,599.99 with an MSRP of only $2,579.50, it’s a terrific deal in terms of quality versus price and makes a terrific match-up against the NordicTrack Commercial 1750. Built to work with the Echelon Fit App, the unit is Bluetooth-enabled and sports heartrate sensors in the handlebars. Also, built with an AC motor instead of the typical DC motor you usually find in treadmills, you won’t have to worry about burnout any time soon. 

It Comes With A Huge 24″ Console

One of the largest high-definition touchscreens on the market, the Stride-5s offers 90-degree rotation an integrated fan, and Bluetooth-enabling. If you’re shopping this unit you’re definitely interested in a big screen with interactive programming. Like most treadmills with large screens, the system only works with the Echelon Fit App and you cannot play Netflix on it. The machine does work in a manual mode if you opt against paying the $39 per month membership associated with that app, but if that’s the route you’re planning to take, I’d advise looking at a machine that comes without a screen. In my experience with this unit, the volume and graphics are all high-end and you shouldn’t have any problem with performance.

The Echelon Stride-5s comes with a massive 24″ rotating screen.

Easy to Use Controls

In addition to the large screen, the Stride-5s comes with easy-to-use features all within reach. Heartrate sensors are built into the handlebars and when using this machine I noticed the rate was quite accurate relative to my own Oura ring and Apple Watch. Your incline and speed controls react quickly to the changes offered and there’s very few complexities to figure out. This includes the built-in fans and volume controls.

The Echelon Stride-5s has easy to use controls.

Solid Machine

This is one of the treadmills we assembled ourselves in the home and I can attest that it’s solid. The unit measures a whopping 81″ in length, with 36″ in width and is 63″ tall. It weighs 315 pounds and can support up to 400 pounds. This matches up closely to the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 at 80″ x 38″ x 65″ which only supports up to 300 pounds in user weight. One of the reasons for the difference is the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is a folding unit whereas the Stride-5s does not. My father and brother are both pictured below helping assemble the machine and both 6’3 tall. The 22″ x 60″ tread belt is quite sufficient for their strides and bodyweight.

Assembling the Echelon Stride-5s will require a team.

What We Like:

• The Motor

  The Echelon Stride-5s sports an alternating current (AC) 1.5 continuous horsepower motor (CHP). Most home treadmills on the market these days feature direct current (DC) motor. That’s why other units’ motor sizes seem higher, like 2.75 to 4.5. For a full read-up on treadmill motors, read our piece here. That said, one of the big values to an AC motor is longevity. This treadmill is designed for long, hard usage for sure. This motor is also quiet. I can’t hear it in the next room when in use.

• 24″ HD Touchscreen Control

  One of the larger screens on the market today, the 24″ screen provides a dynamic workout experience by way of the Echelon Fit App. The screen does not work with other apps, but the treadmill can operate in manual mode and use it as a display if you discontinue the app.

• Echelon Fit App

  Part of a global community of fitness trainers and partners, the Echelon Fit App is priced comparably with others of its kinds and allows users to download and carry it on mobile devices. In addition to runs and walks, the app also features strength, Pilates, and yoga.

• Incline/Speed

  This treadmill features 16 levels of incline and up to 15%. Using this feature can significantly increase caloric burn as well as add an element of strength training to your hike. You can run up to 12.5mph on this treadmill, which is plenty of action irrespective of your training level.

• Tread Belt

  This 60″ x 22″ tread belt gives you plenty of space to move, and at 2 inches wider than the industry standard, it easily accommodates larger individuals. What’s more, the belt’s thickness helps to minimize the amount of noise it makes while offering better overall longevity.

• Cushioning Preferences

  Engineered with a Duro50 Cushioned Suspension system, this treadmill is easy on your joints. Keep in mind that a good cushioning system can reduce impact on joints by about 30%. The 60″ x 22″ tread belt gives you plenty of space to move, and at 2 inches wider than the industry standard, it easily accommodates larger individuals.

• Weight Capacity

  This is a heavy-duty treadmill that can support users up to 400 pounds.

What We Don’t Like:

• Non-Folding

  Yes, it’s a solid machine because it doesn’t fold, but be prepared to leave this in place once you set it up. To move it from room to room you’ll have to take it apart.

• Short Warranty

  Given the overall quality of the machine, I’d expect more than a 5-year warranty.

• Discontinued

  As a discontinued model, service might be difficult depending on the warranty.

This Treadmill Could Be For You If:

• You’re a dedicated runner who needs comfort and stability.
• You have space for a large, 315-pound treadmill.
• You need a motor that supports long distance running, interval training, and hill training.
• You’re a larger user than needs a treadmill able to support up to 400 pounds.
• You want a large 24″ HD touchscreen.
• You can afford an upscale model.

Our Verdict:

If it weren’t for the warranty, I’d say it’s one of the best deals in its class. In terms of price and performance, the Echelon Stride-5s matches up well against the NordicTrack Commercial 1750. The fact that it can support up to 400 pounds of user weight affirms the structural quality. I’ve been quite impressed with both the Echelon Fit App as well as NordicTrack’s iFit package and since they’re priced the same, I’d say it’s a matter of taste. If you don’t have any experience with them, you’ll like either one. If you’re in the market for a treadmill of this size though, you’ll probably want a better warranty.