The LifeSpan TR1200i Folding Treadmill – A Great Value

The Lifespan TR1200i folding treadmill earned several Best Buy distinctions for its price category. Now that’s comparing it head-to-head against other $1500 machines, so imagine what a steal this machine is when it goes on sale for $899 or less!

The Machine

The blue backlit LCD display shows time, calories, distance, speed and more. The preset workout programs include Weight Loss, Healthy Living, Sports Training, and Heart Rate Control programs. The Lifespan TR1200i folding treadmill also has an Intelli-Step step-counting feature that works like a pedometer.

Let's take a look at the specs...

• 2.5 hp continuous duty DC motor
• 0.5 - 11 mph Speed
• 15 levels of Incline
• 20" x 56" walking area
• 21 Programs
• Speed/Incline Handlbar Controls
• Contact Heart Rate Grips
• Speakers & headphone plug-in
• Membership to Lifspan Fitness Club
• EZ Drop Folding System
• 300-lb. User Capacity
• Wt / Dimensions: 197 lbs / 70.25" x 33" x 55"
• Warranty: Lifetime frame & motor, 3 years parts, 1-year labor

Check out the very popular TR1200i treadmill on sale now!

The Buzz

The Lifespan TR1200i folding treadmill features a biomechanically correct deck suspension system that has eight variable-density elastomers and a 1" deck.

It has 15 levels of incline powered by an incline motor with an 800-lb thrust max lift capacity. The drive motor is a 2.5 hp continuous duty DC motor running a 2-ply belt over 2.5" front rollers and 2" rear rollers.

It has a smaller 300-pound user capacity, just like the slightly upgraded TR2000e model,  that is better matched to the motor and 20" x 56" running surface.

Another perk is that when you buy a Lifespan treadmill, you receive a membership to the LifeSpan Fitness Club. This is an online health management program that lets you track your fitness progress and get motivational support while working towards your goals.

The Lifespan TR1200i treadmill comes with a USB storage device, or flash drive, that you then plug into your PC and upload results to the online club. In addition, the device stores your gender, age, and weight so you can bypass the set up screen before each new workout.

How Does the TR1200i Compare to the Other LifeSpan Treadmills?

There are currently eight LifeSpan treadmills on the market, including six residential and two commercial-grade models.

The LifeSpan TR1200i is one of the most popular models the company sells, and is also the least expensive.  As you've read above it has just about everything you need...decent motor, incline capability, wireless heart rate, 21 workout programs, manual folding a nice 300 lb. max weight capacity.

As you move up in the lineup you get some upgrades.  

The TR2000e gives you power folding as opposed to manual, plus more shocks, a better display, Bluetooth workout tracking and improved warranty.  

The TR3000e adds a stronger motor and a max weight of 400 lbs. The TR3000i is just a manual folding version of the TR3000e.

The improvements are more noticeable once you get up to the TR4000i, which gives you a larger 20" x 60" running deck, a stronger 3.25 CHP motor and higher speeds up to 12 mph.

And you take an even bigger step up with the TR5500i, which gives you the largest 22" x 60" deck, 4.0 CHP motor, incline as well as decline, 13.5 mph top speed and an incredible 43 built in workouts.

The heavy duty, commercial-grade models are the TR6000i and TR7000i, but those are usually not necessary for home use.

So the LifeSpan TR1200i is going to be the entry level model, more for light use by one or two average sized individuals.  

Which LifeSpan Model Should You Choose?

If you are going to use the treadmill for mostly walking and light jogging, and there won't be multiple users of varying sizes, then the TR1200i is a great choice. At around $799 on sale, it's really hard to beat.

However, our favorite choice is the LifeSpan TR4000i, as it gives you the more spacious deck that is always welcome, as well as higher speed and stronger motor to handle heavier use.  

Even if you're just jogging, it's always better to have more room to stretch out, and a powerful motor in case you do decide to ramp up your workouts.

The TR5500i is awesome as well, and probably our second favorite.  We love the wider deck, added decline capability and the wide assortment of workouts.  It's about $400-$500 more than the TR4000i, so it's just a matter of deciding whether or not you need that added capability.

What We Say About the TR1200i

The Lifespan TR1200i model gets an astounding number of positive reviews from customers for its ergonomics, sturdy design, self-folding mechanism, and the rest of its impressive features.

One slightly negative review remarked on the erratic reading from the heart rate sensors (which are affected by sweat, moisture and other factors). Seriously? We’ve worked out on $8000 treadmills with inaccurate HR monitors so that issue comes up with almost any treadmill.

The chance of a malfunctioning HR sensor is the least you should worry about, as what really matters is the quality of the guts under the hood: the motor, lift motor, controller board, deck, rollers, and so on. LifeSpan machines are well designed and well built.

They earn their reputation and their places on Best Buy lists by being quality machines not gimmicky products. At its usual price of $1,499, the Lifespan TR1200i folding treadmill is a good buy, but at $899 it is a Great Buy.

Also look at the up-level TR4000i and TR5500i if you want something a bit more advanced that can handle heavier workouts.