The Life Fitness T3 Treadmill Review – Great Model With Solid Gym Feel

The redesigned Life Fitness T3 treadmill is from the company that places more fitness equipment in health clubs worldwide than any other company.

As such, Life Fitness treadmills cost more, but the home user has the benefit of enjoying some of the best training programs ever put on a treadmill.

T3 - The Machine

You can custom order the Life Fitness T3 treadmill direct from the manufacturer and choose between the basic Go console option, or get the advanced Track Connect Console.

With the basic console, you get 12 workouts and 2 Custom workouts and 2 user profiles.

The Track Connect Console has 16 treadmill workouts, 12 custom workouts and 4 user profiles, plus you can sync your workouts to your phone. Its programs include Classic Workouts (Manual, Hills), Sports Training, Heart Rate (Fat Burn, Cardio), Goal, and Custom.

The features and specs on the Life Fitness T3 include:

• 3.0 HP Continuous Duty Motor
• 0.5-12 mph
• 0-15% Incline
• 20" x 60" treadbelt
• Up to 28 Workouts
• Heart Sync HR Controlled Workouts
• Contact HR hand sensors
• Polar® Wireless Heart Rate Chest Strap (Advanced Console)
• 350 lbs. max. user weight
• Lifetime Warranty on Frame and shock absorbers, 10 yrs motor, 5 yrs electrical/parts and 1 year of in-home service

The Buzz

This Life Fitness T3 Treadmill comes with a 1" medium density fiberboard deck, multi-ply and pre-lubricated belt, 2.6” precision crowned front rollers, and a decent warranty.

Life Fitness’s patented FlexDeck® Shock Absorption System reduces impact to joints by nearly 30% and the array of programs is some of the best you’ll find on any machine.

The T3 treadmill is a sturdy unit too, despite being light at 243 lbs when compared to a treadmill like the Smooth 9.45ST which weighs over 300 lbs.

If you like to just get on and run, and have no need for advanced programming, the Life Fitness T3 gives you the option of ordering it with the Go Console.

You can save $500 yet still get all the quality components of a Life Fitness treadmill.

Many users note in treadmill reviews that the T3 feels solid and well-built, and that they did opt to get the unique advanced training programs. (Really, Life Fitness excels in this area.)

You might want to also take a look at the folding F3 model, if you have space constraints.  It is about the same price.

Just keep in mind that it does have a shorter running deck...55" vs. the 60" on the T3 and up-level T5 treadmills.

Trainers love the the Life Fitness treadmills, and they get rave reviews from all of the industry experts for the simple fact that they are great machines.  It is a true luxury to have in your home, but if you can afford it you'll be more than happy with your purchase.

How Does the T3 Compare to the Other Life Fitness Treadmills?

All of the Life Fitness treadmills are top of the line commercial models, so regardless of the model you end up choosing you are getting the highest quality cardio machine.

There are currently 7 models plus a desk treadmill, and the T3 sits right in the middle of the pack.  

Let's take a look at all of them so you can compare the features and capabilities of each.

There are two folding models in all: the base F1 Smart and the up-level F3.  

The F1 Smart is the most compact treadmill, with a 20" x 55" deck, speeds up to 10 mph, a 2.5 CHP motor and FlexDeck shock absorption.  

The F3 adds an additional console option, tablet rack and a more powerful 3.0 CHP motor.

There are five non-folding models:  The T3, T5, Club, Club+ and Platinum Club.

The T3 is essentially the same as the folding F3, except you get a longer 20" x 60" running deck.

The T5 gives you more enhanced FlexDeck Select cushioning, the largest running area at 22" x 60", and more speed up to 12 mph.

The Life Fitness Club Series treadmills are simply home versions of the popular commercial machines you find at the gym.  

The Base Club model is stronger and more durable than the F and T versions, with a 400 lb. max weight capacity.

The new Club Series + is a completely redesigned, modern version of the base model with larger deck size, tons of workouts and a touch screen console.

The top of the line Platinum Club gives you three different console options as well as color choices for the machine itself and the heaviest duty construction of all of the Life Fitness treadmills.

Which Life Fitness Treadmill Should You Choose?

If you don't need a folding treadmill, the Life Fitness T3 is a very good choice.  

We like the fact that it gives you all of the features and capabilities of the F3, but gives you more room on the deck to stretch out.

If you're more of a runner, or are on the larger/taller side, you might want to consider the T5 instead, as it gives you even better cushioning, even more room and higher speeds for enhanced training.

As far as the Club Series treadmills, these are great and closer to the gym experience than the other models.  

If you have the budget for them, our favorite is the new Club Series +, as it is the first redesigned machine Life Fitness has put out in years.

The Club Series + has a modern, sleek design and combines everything you love about the club models with the best features of the other home models.

So our recommendation in the non-folding Life Fitness treadmill lineup is either the T3 or if you can swing the price tag, the Club Series +.

Life Fitness T3 Review - Bottom Line

The T3 is a great treadmill, yet it is also very expensive.  You can get a very decent machine for your home at about half the price from Sole, NordicTrack and others.

What you're paying for here is quality and design, and Life Fitness delivers that in spades.  

There's a reason why the treadmill area of most high end gyms is full of Life Fitness machines.  

They are about as good as it gets...durable and strong and relatively maintenance-free with heavily cushioned decks and capable motors.

If you have the budget, take a look at the Club Series treadmills as well, and if you want to save a bit, there are less expensive folding models...but keep in mind they also have smaller running areas that may not be ideal for you.