The Smooth 9.45 ST Treadmill with Hands-Free Speed Control

The first eye-opener about the Smooth 9.45 ST treadmill is the incredible hydra-suspension deck that can be adjusted to 12 different shock absorption levels.

You’ll never want to run on hard concrete again - or any other treadmill for that matter. Read any number of Smooth treadmill reviews and you’ll see that the general consensus is that the company makes some of the best models in their relative price ranges.

These machines even receive high ratings from Runner's World, Prevention Magazine, and Consumer Guide.

The Machine

The key feature of the 9 Series treadmill line is the Polar® wireless transmitter which has a built-in receiver. This technology allows the user to control the function of the treadmill based on the target heart rate setting. The Smooth 9.45 ST treadmill has one of the longest and widest running decks on the market, roomy enough for even the largest user.

Check out this list of features:

• 3.0 CHP motor
• 15 incline levels
• 20" x 60" extended running area
• 6 pre-set programs, 9 user profiles
• Heart-rate monitor, heart-rate control
• Motion Control® hands-free speed control system
• Hydra-Suspension™ system
• 400 lbs. weight capacity
• Warranty: Lifetime on parts, frame & motor

The Buzz

UPDATE:  The Smooth 9.45 ST treadmill has been discontinued. Check out our top picks under $1000 for comparable machines.

The Smooth 9.45 ST treadmill comes with a hands-free speed control which means you can speed up or slow down the belt with just a wave of your hand over the sensor. It also offers a powerful motor and a lifetime warranty from tip to tail.

But the highlight feature of the Smooth 9.45 ST is the combination of the treadmill’s suspension system and cushioned deck. If you normally run outdoors on concrete, you’ll appreciate switching indoors to such a forgiving surface.

Quite a number of Smooth treadmill users have also remarked on how QUIET the motors are on these machines, and we concur. Not only is the motor whisper quiet, but the flywheel, the part where the running deck passes over the roller, is too.

The Smooth 9.45 ST is precision-balanced for optimum durability and performance so don’t expect to hear that thumpa-thumpa sound beneath your feet.

What We Say

Since Smooth Fitness is primarily an internet sales driven company (90% of their sales are from online orders), there’s little opportunity to test run a Smooth treadmill in a store.

This is one instance where you may have to rely on the reviews on the web to get an idea of what the general feeling is. It’s hard to find any fault with the Smooth 9.45 ST treadmill at the currently advertised price of $3000.

However, if you can do with a running surface that is 5" shorter you can save yourself $500 by going for the 9.35 HR model instead.

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