Gold’s Gym 420 Review

Last Updated Jul 30, 2020

Editor's Rating: 6.1 /10

This treadmill has been discontinued.

The Gold’s Gym 420 Treadmill is an entry-level machine that is ideal for beginners. For just under $400, it’s an impressively budget-friendly model that is typically sold by retailers like Walmart. Just don’t expect it to last like a more expensive model. You get what you pay for.

The 420 ships with a 2.5 CHP G-Force motor and can withstand user weights up to 300 pounds. This model features AirStride Plus Cushioning for joint support and the running area is 18” wide and 50” long. Users can incline up to 10% and reach a top speed of 10 mph. The machine uses the patented SpaceSaver Design, so it can be easily folded for storage. Overall, the 420 is quite a compact and lightweight model.

The console provides the basic workout necessities and nothing else. Users get two large water bottle holders, a cooling fan, and 16 built-in workout programs. There are also two 2″ speakers and an smartphone compatible music port, but no other entertainment options. The 5″ x 7″ display screen features a race track style display and provides basic workout readouts like time, distance, and calories burned. To keep track of your heart rate, you can use the built-in EKG dual-grip sensors. There are no wireless heart rate monitoring capabilities with this treadmill.

The warranty on this model includes 5 years on the frame and motor, and 90 days on parts and labor.

What We Like:

Folding Design: Folding frames are almost always on our “what we like” list (provided that the frames are durable of course) because it’s such a convenient feature for in-home use.
Price: It’s incredibly rare to find a treadmill for under $400, especially one with decent features like this one. You will compromise some quality with this price tag, but for those on a tight budget it might be worth it.
Power Incline: A 10% power incline is rare in this price range.
Program Variety: For under $400, 16 built-in workout programs isn’t bad. It’s not great, but at least there is some workout variety.

What We Don’t Like:

Display Screen: This model features a very small 5″ x 7″ display screen with only three readouts: time, distance, and calories burned. It also features a race track style display, but that’s it. No touchscreen or entertainment offerings here. This console provides the basics and nothing else.
Warranty: With a treadmill this cheep, you can’t expect a lifetime warranty. But even so, 90 days on parts and labor is pretty rough.
Running Area: The running area on this model is probably one of the smallest on the market. The average running deck is somewhere around 20″ wide and 60″ long, but this model is a cramped 50” long and 18” wide. This will be a problem for taller people, runners, or anyone who simply wants some space while working out. For many users, this will also become a safety concern.
Speed and Incline: With an incline of only 10% and speeds topping out at 10 mph, this model may not be the best match for runners.

Our Verdict:

This treadmill is designed for beginners. It’s not a good choice for runners, and it’s certainly not appropriate for anyone seeking a reliable treadmill that will last. For under $400, what can you expect? If you are looking to save money and give a treadmill a try before committing to a better model, this might be a nice starter model. When you are ready to move onto more durable machine, consider checking out one of our best buy award-winners like the NordicTrack Commercial 1750.