Start, look and listen
Life’s most agonizing decision -- Oprah or your workout -- is now officially a thing of the past. Meet the multimedia treadmill, which mates a TV, DVD player or MP3 jack with a cable-ready, speaker- equipped exercise machine. Debuting a couple years ago in lower-end products targeted at non-serious exercisers -- whom, it was assumed, needed a “distraction” to keep running -- these hybrids now have better quality, heart-rate control and lots of programs. They’re also available from top brands with solid warranties. Hard-core runners may scoff -- until they discover the multi-tasking joy of a Jay Leno monologue at 8 mph.
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Sound and pictures
True PS700: Full-featured treadmill with built-in TV and MP3 jack.
Likes: Good variety of standard programs. Solid feel with thick, shock-absorbing, 22-inch by 60-inch orthopedic belt; maximum speed and elevation of 12 mph and 15%.
Dislikes: TV does not include DVD player. Instant-response speed buttons jump from 2 mph to 5 mph to 8, 10, 12 mph, excluding popular 4 mph and 6 mph speeds.
Price: $3,199. (800) 426-6570; truefitness.com.
If you prefer, listen to music
Spirit XT600: Value-packed, fold-up tread with an MP3 input jack and speakers.
Likes: Loaded with user-friendly features. Has 10 programs, two fans, easy-access speed and elevation controls on the arms. Instant-response speed keys with a maximum speed of 12 mph (even numbers only) allow interval training. Maximum elevation of 15%. Belt is 20 inches by 58 inches. Solid feel with space-saving convenience of a fold-up.
Dislikes: Data readout numbers a bit small.
Price: $2,099. (800) 258-4555; spiritfitness.com.
Watch a DVD if you want
Landice L8 Executive Trainer: Fully loaded model from prestigious maker.
Likes: Unlike the other treadmills, this one has a separate 8.5-inch LCD program screen and optional, add-on 7-inch TV screen/DVD player with MP3 jack. Highly creative and visual program graphics include depictions of the Space Needle, Empire State building and Washington Monument and allow you to race against yourself (based on a previous workout). Has a calendar that records your workouts for 28 days, and keeps your lifetime cumulative miles. Thick, shock-absorbing orthopedic running belt is huge at 63 by 22 inches.
Dislikes: No MP3 jack on the base unit; you must buy the TV, which seems small for the price ($950). Also, does not have one-touch, instant-response speed and elevation buttons that are useful for intervals.
Price: $5,500. 800-LANDICE; landice.com.
This one has a touch-screen TV
Bladez T8-15 ME: Tread with a huge, innovative 15-inch TV built-in.
Likes: Unique touch-screen TV changes from 10-inch image bordered by all performance data to full 15-inch image. MP3 jack included. Maximum speed and elevation of 12 mph and 15%. Even-numbered instant-response keys to 10 mph and 12% elevation. Programs do not lock you into certain preset speeds; unlike with other machines, you can easily set up your own desired limits. Wide 60- by 22-inch belt.
Dislikes: No built-in DVD player; must plug-in.
Price: $3,899. (800) 475-7899; bladezfitness.com.
Roy M. Wallack writes about health and fitness for various publications. His latest book is “Bike for Life: How to Ride to 100.” He can be reached at roywallack@aol.com.
- Roy M. Wallack