Walkers and light joggers shopping for a treadmill on a budget should take a minute to look into the Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill. This compact, lightweight machine is not designed for runners the way the 725T Plus model is, but it is definitely worth a look for people exercising at a slower speed.

While the technological features are not going to wow you, the Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill does pack a pretty good punch for its price. If you want to work out on an affordable, quiet machine that fits easily in your home, this product is worth a deeper look.

Motor

The 2.25 horsepower motor is not the weakest option on the market, but it also probably won’t provide enough power to support running. This is why we say that this model is better for walkers and joggers. Giving up the motor power is just one of the compromises you need to make when shopping for a budget machine.

There is an advantage to all low horsepower treadmills. They do tend to be quieter than some of their competitors. This could be a real plus if you like to listen to music or watch TV while you are working out. The Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill has a top speed of 10 mph.

Treadbelt

The running deck portion of the machine measure 18” x 47.” At this length, it probably is not going to provide ample space for people much over 6’ 2” tall. For people of average height and below, there should not be any problem with the size of the treadbelt.

Unlike many other budget treadmills, this model comes with a cushioning system. Considering the price tag, it is surprising that the Aerosoft Cushioning System is included in the design. With this feature in place, the shock and stress on your feet and joints should be drastically reduced. This is especially beneficial for people who plan to put many hours into exercising on their Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill.

The treadbelt also comes with an incline feature that makes it possible to raise the running deck. While it only lifts up to 5 percent, it does provide some variation in the level of difficulty in a workout.

Programs and Features

There are four pre-programmed workout programs that come with the Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill. These programs cover intervals, rolling hills, weight loss, and a manual option. Four is not many compared to the number of programs found on pricier treadmills, but these options do provide some nice variation for a budget product.

The Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill computer gives users feedback on some of the most important data. It will reliably track distance, time, speed, and calories burned. A pulse heart rate monitor also provides accurate information.

Assembly and Storage

This product comes with a detailed set of instructions that should make assembly easy for most. Most of the parts are already pre-assembled, so one person should be able to handle the job by themselves in as little as 30 minutes.

Once assembly is complete, you will find that the Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill is quite a compact machine. It also easily folds down into smaller dimensions when it is time for storage.

Warranty

The frame has a lifetime warranty while the motor is covered for one year and all parts and labor are covered for 90 days.

Dimensions

The Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill measures 29 x 52 x 61 inches when assembled and 29 x 56 x 26.25 inches. It weighs 108 pounds.

User Reviews

Amazon users seem to have some mixed feelings about the Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill. The positive reviews seem to focus on the easy assembly process, the effectiveness of the overall workout experience, and the compactness of the machine.

The average rating on Amazon is 3.4 stars out of 5, which makes it one of the lower rated treadmills.

Any Complaints?

There have been some quality control issues with this model. While the issues do seem to be rare, they have led to some negative reviews that are driving down the overall user rating on this machine.

Final Recommendation

There is some risk involved in purchasing the Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill due to the reported quality control issues. If you would prefer to avoid that, but you like everything else about this model, you should consider the 725T Plus model. It offers many of the same advantages, does not have any reported quality control issues, and is only slightly more expensive.

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