The Life Fitness F3 Treadmill Review – Best Programming Ever

The Life Fitness F3 folding treadmill is a rock solid machine with unique one-touch controls for easy changes.

With great cushioning to reduce impact, nice incline capability and a wide range of workout programs, this is a very good choice if you're looking for something high end for your home gym.

F3 - The Machine

The Life Fitness F3 features two console options, the basic Go Console and the upgraded Track Connect Console, which offers the ability to connect your mobile device (smart phone, iPad, etc.) to track your results as well as sync with your favorite workout apps.

The full specs of the Life Fitness F3 folding treadmill are:

• 3.0 CHP MagnaDrive™ Motor
• 0.5-10 mph Speed
• 0-12% Incline
• 20" x 55" Running Surface
• FlexDeck™ Adjustable Cushioning
• Up to 28 workouts with Track Connect Console
• Polar Wireless + Lifepulse Heart Rate Monitor
• 350 lbs User Weight Capacity
• Folding design
• Warranty: Lifetime frame & shock absorbers, 10 yrs motor,5 yrs electrical & mechanical, 1 yr parts and labor

Check out the popular Life Fitness F3 model on sale online now!

The Buzz

The Life Fitness F3 folding treadmill has a 12% incline in 0.5 percent increments, 1" medium density fiberboard deck, and the FlexDeck® Select adjustable shock absorption system that reduces impact on joints up to 30%.

The pre-lubricated multi-ply belt rolls over a 2.6-inch precision crowned front roller and a 2-inch rear roller.

The PWM controller for the 3.0 horsepower (stronger than the 2.5HP motor on the previous F1) continuous duty DC motor system communicates with the console to adjust the power needs depending on the user’s weight.

The advanced Track Connect console has more programming than the basic Life Fitness Go Console model.

It features on-the-fly programming, a race mode, goal workouts, HeartSync™ workouts, as well as Android and Apple device syncing capability so you can be entertained while you work out.

The Track Connect console is $450 more than what you pay for the basic console, but for the extra cost you get a lot more workouts and capabilities.

The treadmill reviews have been upbeat about the Life Fitness F3  with the only criticism being the price.

However, once shoppers start to look around and realize that prices have risen across the board for all treadmill makers, then the cost increase seems reasonable.

When tested by Runner’s World, their experts found that, as folding treadmills go, this one leads the pack in stability and reliability.

The deck is shorter than the 60" length offered on the T3 and other Life Fitness treadmill but that isn’t a big issue for most people.

How Does the F3 Compare to the Other Life Fitness Treadmills?

The F3 is the only folding treadmill that the company currently offers...the F1 Smart, another folding option, is no longer available.

All of the other models in the series are non-folding, including the top of the line Club Series treadmills.

Let's take a brief look at all of them to help you determine which one makes the most sense for your home gym.

The F3, as you've read about above, gives you two console choices, the Go and Track Connect, as well as a 3.0 CHP motor and a 350 lb. max weight capacity.

Moving to the non-folding treadmills, you have the T3, which is the same as the F3 except with a larger 20" x 60" running surface (better for taller users) and speeds up to 12 mph instead of 10.

Another step up the latter is the T5, with unique FlexDeck Select cushioning, the largest belt of all at 22" x 60", and a hefty 400 lb. max weight capacity.

You then have the new Run CX, which has the same specs as the T5 at a more affordable price.

Beyond the F Series and T Series are the Club Series treadmills: the Plus and Platinum.  These are even more commercial-grade than the others, similar to what you find at the health club.

The most unique model is the Plus, a brand new treadmill with a modern look and feel, tons of built in workouts and touch screen technology.

So as you can see you get a little more capability and quality as you move up in the lineup, with stronger motors, larger deck sizes and heavier max weight capacities, as well as more advanced console options.

Life Fitness F3 Review - Bottom Line

The Life Fitness F3 folding treadmill is just a really nice, solid machine with some of the best programming ever installed on a treadmill (Life Fitness excels in this category).

It you don’t have a lot of room space and must have a fold-up model built for serious running, go with this one.

However, if a folding treadmill isn’t necessary for your needs, take a look at the Life Fitness T3 treadmill which offers a larger running surface as well as similar features and capabilities.

Either one of these is a great choice...you're getting a solid, gym quality machine that will last for years.  

If you can swing the extra $450 for the Track Connect console it is definitely worth it as it will make your workoutsw that much more enjoyable.

Get more info and special sale pricing on this treadmill here