Pelotons new treadmill is finally available to buy, but youd be forgiven for being confused.
Wasnt Pelotons treadmill recalled due to safety issues?
Isnt it super expensive to be having so many problems?
Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
Yes and yes, but lets back up a second to clarify.
Peloton actually has two treadmills.
The companys original $4,295 treadmill was also named Tread, but it was later rebranded Tread+.
Like Peloton’s bikes, the Tread has a built-in camera (with a physical shutter) that I have never used.Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
Thats the Tread this review is about.
(We also reviewed theold Treadwhen it first went on sale.)
Some treadmills have one or two of those features, but no other company effectively combines the three.
Like Peloton’s bikes, the Tread has a built-in camera (with a physical shutter) that I have never used.Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
Yes, its expensive.
If you love running, its worth it.
Peloton Tread
Yes, its expensive.
You can roll the Tread’s incline forward or use the center jump button to increase the incline to the next whole grade (i.e. from 1% to 2% or from 1.5% to 2%). The speed jump button on the right side works the same way.Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
If you love running, its worth it.
Its belt offers 59 inches of running space.
For comparison, theabsolutely ginormous Tread+measures 72 inches high, 36.5 inches wide, and 72.5 inches long.
You can see all of your metrics on-screen while you run, and the leaderboard to the right (which can be swiped away if you don’t want to see it) will show you how you stack up to other runners.Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
Its bigger in every single way.
I placed the Tread review unit Ive been testing on the hardwood floor of my living room.
Like Pelotons Bike and Bike+, the Tread has a front-facing camera with a physical privacy shutter.
You can plan your workouts using the Peloton app.Screenshot: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
it kicked my ass).
Thats huge for hill running, because it takes mere seconds for the Tread incline to catch up.
In the center of the Treads front handlebar is a giant red Stop button.
The Tread’s incline increases to 12.5% and its speed to 12.5 mph.Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
Tucked beneath the handlebar is a magnetic safety key for stopping the machine in an emergency.
More on that in a minute.
But then I started warming up to it.
The Tread now requires a passcode to use it, and will lock itself when not in use to prevent accidental activation.Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
And its all due to the classes.
I prefer to run outside, but during the pandemic, I got tired of my usual running routes.
I found myself completely lacking motivation.
In addition to Tread Lock, the Tread also has a Stop button and a safety key that will stop the treadmill when pulled.Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
Ive tried audio run-training apps likeNike Run Club, various earbud-based coaches likeVi, and Pelotons audio-only outdoor classes.
For some, 7 mph is a light jog.
For me, its a fast run.
Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
But the Tread doesnt offer just running classes.
There are power-walking classes and sessions that combine walking and running.
), I realized that the hikes were not the easy classes.
Then there are the bootcamps, which are my favorite of all Pelotons classes.
I personally am still working up to it.
And this is how Peloton gets you.
You quickly figure out your favorite instructors.
No other fitness company has come close to replicating this.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission cleared a fix in August before the Tread went on sale again.
Theres also a safety key magnetically attached to the Tread.
Doing so will stop the belt.
I appreciate all of these features.
Thats no small thing.
But Is It Worth the Money?
I know folks who love NordicTracks iFit platform and its focus on outdoor training.
The iFit classes are boring and theres zero focus on music, which is a huge motivator for me.
Your mileage (literally) may vary.
In many ways, Peloton is similar to Apple.
But the Tread isnt for everyone, even Peloton fans.
If I had the space or budget for a full home gym, Id buy it.
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