When you get into the $2,500 range, you have some serious treadmills to contend with. So the Smooth 9.4ST cannot take on the competition without offering some great features. Although Smooth is known for their quality manufacturing, they still have some more to offer. Some things work and some things, maybe not so much. But you still end up with a high quality treadmill that gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
The first thing people talk about when they bring up a Smooth treadmill is the completely unique running surface. Smooth offers a cushioned belt that has plenty of give in the front but remains stable in the rear so you have something to push yourself forward. It’s an experience unique to Smooth, but it is one you need to try in order to understand. With the 9.4ST model, you also get a hydra-suspension system that allows you to adjust how soft or hard your run is. While it may seem unnecessary, it is nice to have the option to customize your run how you see fit.
The motor is a standard 3 horsepower motor and the belt is a good size at 60 inches. This longer belt makes the model great for taller runners. However, the motor will only take you to 10 miles per hour so serious runners may have to upgrade to something a little more expensive. However, the model does come with plenty of programs and profiles to keep most runners busy. With the additional 15 levels of incline, you’ll get more than enough from this model to keep you running for a long time.
Smooth tried to offer something else different for its runners. In order to change speeds on this model, you simply have to wave your hands. Sounds strange, right? The motion control sensors in the arms let you wave one had to go faster or wave the other hand to go slower. It might be appealing to some runners not to have to reach out for the console to change speeds, but the feature may come off a bit gimmicky to others. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of other extras on this model. It also does not fold up for space saving.
What you then get is a higher end treadmill without too many extra options. Instead, you get a sold quality and a run that you would expect from a more expensive treadmill. If you prefer fancy bells and whistles, this may not be a good treadmill for you. But if you want a running experience that you would expect to pay a lot more money for, this treadmill should definitely be on your list.
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At over $2,500 companies struggle to build their treadmills with the extra options that get you to consider their product. The Smooth 9.4ST is no different, offering up about as many extras as most cars. One thing that is not an extra is the quality construction you get with every Smooth treadmill. But is it enough to get you to spend your money on the Smooth rather than one of its competitors?
Smooth are perhaps best known for the unique running surface that they use for their decks. The deck is cushioned at the front so that you don’t get that harsh jarring impact that you can experience while using some treadmills. However, further back the deck is much firmer, so that you can really get some ‘bite’ when you push yourself forward for your next stride. This is something totally unique to Smooth at the present, and you really need to try running on this surface to understand it properly. The 9.45ST also offers a hydra-suspension system that allows users to tailor how hard or soft they want the run to be. Some people may wonder how much use this actually is, but being able to have so much control over your workout really is a nice touch.
With a belt size of 60 inches, this unit is great for taller people who have a longer stride length, and the 3 HP motor is capable of taking you up to 10 miles per hour. This is suitable for most people, but serious runners who wish to go faster may want to look into upgrading to a more expensive model. Having said that, the 9.45ST has plenty of profiles and programs, and with 15 incline levels it is sure to keep most runners happy.
One feature that is a little out of the ordinary is the new hands free speed control. Smooth have placed motion sensors in the arms which can detect the movement of your hands. So to increase the speed you wave one hand, and wave the other hand in order to slow down. While some people may find this a great idea, I personally find it a little gimmicky. There aren’t many other extras on this model and I would have preferred to stick with the old fashioned method of reaching out to the console to change the speed in return for having more built in features. Another disappointment is that the unit will not fold up in order to save space when not in use.
When you opt to buy the Smooth 9.4ST, you get a treadmill which keeps up with the competition in terms of extras. Where it excels is in the reliability that you get from going with the Smooth name. While the extras may not be as eye-catching as some other similarly-priced treadmills, you do end up with a machine which offers a superior running experience and a durable body. While it isn’t as fancy, it is far more important than the extras other treadmills offer.
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If you’re in the market for a treadmill, but you’re only able to spend under $2,000, you still have plenty of options. For that price, you can find Nordic Trac, Reebok and Bowflex machines, all of which are pretty big name companies in the fitness world. The Smooth 6.45 has some pretty tough competition, but it offers enough features to make it worth your consideration.
You do have some piece of mind with the 6.45 in terms of reliability. While many new treadmills don’t have all the bugs worked out yet, the 6.45 is based on the popular 6.25 base. Essentially, it is just a more powerful model with a few more extras. And the motor and frame are still covered by a lifetime warranty. If you already ran on the 6.25 model and liked it, you will find the 6.45 is almost identical in many ways. One great feature is the swing arm shock system. You get plenty of cushioning up front where your feet land, but the back of the belt remains solid so you have something to push off of. Many treadmills offer elastomer decks that offer the same support across the belt and can spring back at you when you pick up your feet.
The treadmill is decent-looking as well. The LED displays are set up to measure every aspect of your workout and that includes a wireless heart rate control monitor. However, the wireless belt is not included in that price, which it should be. The entire unit is pretty heavy at 240 pounds, but that usually means durability for a treadmill. Just make sure you put it someplace where you don’t have to move it. You also have to remember that the free delivery is only to the curb, so unless you have some help you might want to consider the in-room placement option they offer. Of course, that will cost you a little more cash.
If your biggest complaint about the 6.25 was the short belt, only 54 inches long, you may be please with the upgraded 6.45. For taller people, a short belt can mean you aren’t able to take your full stride. But the 6.45 comes with a huge 60 inch belt, plenty of room for almost anyone. There is also an M model available which offers a sound system, but you will have to pay a little extra for it.
While the bigger motor and extra space are nice, the Smooth 6.45 still might not be enough for a serious runner. If you are a jogger or walker looking to stay fit, you will probably like all the options and reliability at a good price. If you are training for marathons or events, you might have to upgrade to something a little over $2000. But for the casual treadmill user, this model has plenty of features to contend with the other units in its price range.
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At around $2,000, the Smooth 7.6 HR Pro is a higher end treadmill in terms of price. But it also offers enough feature and, more importantly, quality to keep it competing with others in the price range. Smooth is known for making a durable product and this treadmill is no different. Although the warranty is competitive with other similarly-prices treadmills, you are less likely to need it when you buy Smooth.
The first thing you expect from a Smooth treadmill is for it to be, well, smooth. Nothing is worse than a loud clunky treadmill when you are trying to get your workout in. Fortunately, the deck is very well-constructed and features a unique running surface. The impact is soft up front where your feet land, but harder in the back so you have something to push off of. This gives the Smooth a very different, but enjoyable, feel when you’re running on it. The deck is also quiet enough to use in your home without waking the neighbors, something many commercial treadmills lack.
The 7.6 HR Pro features a long belt at 60 inches. It is plenty of room for even an avid runner with long legs to get moving. And you will get moving. The 3 HP motor can take you up to 12 miles per hour, so the treadmill will handle almost any runner. And not just any runner, but a lot of them. The 7.6 HR Pro comes with space for up to nine user profiles, more than almost any household could possibly need.
You can keep an eye on everything from your speed to the distance covered on the display readout, and you can even keep track of your heart rate using a wireless belt. For those who enjoy multi-tasking you can even monitor different data at the same time thanks to the multiple screens. A slight disappointment is that there aren’t any features here that you can’t find anywhere else, however Smooth do offer exceptionally high quality treadmills for a relatively low price, so this isn’t a major complaint.
There is one thing you won’t find on many other treadmills. Smooth offers a push button folding technology on the 7.6 HR Pro. Rather than a manual hydraulic lift, you simply press a button and the treadmill folds itself away. When you consider the 300 pound weight of the treadmill, not having to fold it away after a workout is an appealing option. You may also want to consider the in-room delivery as the 300 pounds makes it nearly impossible to move in from the free curbside delivery. But once you get running on this model, you’ll discover what it is that makes Smooth such a well-liked brand.
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