Golds Gym Treadmill Reviews: Is It Worth Investing?

If you’re searching for a piece of at-home cardio equipment, then you might want to check out the Gold's Gym treadmill options.  In this review, we’ll give you a rundown of the models available and our expert opinion on whether they’re worth the investment.

COMPARISON TABLE

Gold's Gym Treadmill Reviews

There’s something to be said for the convenience of exercising at home.  Although gym memberships are helpful, for many people, they are inconvenient and don’t get used.

However, investing in a few key pieces of fitness equipment for your home gym, like a Gold's Gym treadmill, could help you start and stick with your fitness routine.

In this review, we’ll take a look at the four treadmill options under the Gold's Gym brand and break down the capabilities of each.  We’ll give you info on how they work, tips on where to find them, and discuss what type of user is a good fit for this equipment.

Next, we’ll compare these treadmills to ones from other brands at similar price points to ensure that you get the best value for your money with your investment.  Finally, we’ll give you our expert opinion on which of the Gold's Gym options are worth it.

WHAT ARE GOLD'S GYM TREADMILLS AND HOW DO THEY WORK?

A Gold’s Gym treadmill is a piece of cardiovascular exercise equipment that is designed for home use. They retail online and through major discount stores like Sam’s club and Walmart.

Although they carry the Gold’s Gym brand name, they are actually manufactured by ICON who also produces fitness equipment for fitness lines like ProForm and NordicTrack. The treadmills that under the Gold’s umbrella are part of their economy line known for their low price points and inexpensive construction.

There are four current treadmill models you can purchase, and below we will give you the details of each of the options.

TRAINER 520

The Trainer 520 is one of the space saver models, which means it has a foldable design so that you can store it easily when it’s not in use.

One of the technological features that sets this model apart from others in this line are the integrated grip sensors on the handlebars. If you place your hands on them, you’ll get a heart rate reading on your display screen which is helpful if you're trying to reach or maintain a specific heart rate goal during your workout.

Like other treadmills in the Gold’s Gym line, the Trainer 520 incorporates their AirStride Plus technology into the belt and deck which gives you a cushioned workout. It reduces the impact on your joints when you walk and allows you to take long, comfortable strides.

The top of the line option is the Gold’s Gym Trainer 720. Here, you get all the same functionality as the 520, but with a slightly more robust construction and significantly more features.

For example, the incline on this treadmill goes up to 10 percent to simulate walking on a hill outdoors.

There are also 18 different pre-programmed workouts that were created by a personal trainer to help you reach your goals. They include things like intervals, hill repeats, and Tabata training. If you select one of these programs, the treadmill will automatically adjust the speed and incline of the machine for the duration of your session.

The 720 also comes with a built-in music port that works with an iPod or MP3 player.

430 TREADMILL

The 420 Treadmill is the next generation version of the 410, which is no longer in production. It has a few notable upgrades from its predecessor.

This space saver model has an improved 2.5 HP motor that can run for longer times at up to 10 mph and a 10 percent incline, which gives you lots of options to add intensity to your workout.

It also has a built-in sound system that’s compatible with an iPod that features two two-inch speakers to broadcast your music during your workout.

The Gold’s gym Trainer 430i is comparable to the 420 but has a few notable upgrades to justify the slightly higher price tag. It has the same 2.5 horsepower motor, speed, and elevation capabilities, and also incorporates AirStride Plush cushioning to absorb the impact of your steps.

It has 16 pre-programmed workout options that automatically change the speed, incline, and intensity for you during your session, and they’ve all been created by certified personal trainers.

The 430i uniquely has iFit Bluetooth Smart enabling technology, which means you can upload your workouts directly from the machine to your linked device, and also access a plethora of additional workout options if you want some variety.

WHAT MAKES GOLD’S GYM TREADMILLS UNIQUE

When ICON bought the rights to manufacture a Gold’s Gym treadmill, they used tried and true technology and inexpensive parts to get the job done. There aren’t many unique features or capabilities with these entry-level models, but there are a few notable attributes that make them popular which we’ll discuss below.

PRICE POINT

It’s easy to spend a lot of money on a treadmill for your home gym. Fortunately, the Gold’s Gym models are priced affordably and fit into the budget for an entry-level model. They range between $400 and $800, which is lower than comparable models from the competition.

We dive into the specifics on the cost of each model below.

PROGRAMS

Each of the options has a variety of built-in programs, and the 720 has a notable 18 different options. Although many economy treadmills offer some preprogrammed workouts, the Gold’s Gym machines give you more variety.

For many people, these give you a more intense sweat session than you would have on your own and take the guesswork out of adjusting the speed and incline to feel the burn.

TRACKS

Although the tread belts in most of the entry-level models in this line are shorter than what you’ll find in a commercial fitness facility, the addition of their cushioning technology makes them comfortable for walking, jogging, or running long distances.

MOTOR QUALITY

Each of the options uses the same 2.5 HP motor, and among other comparably priced treadmills, this feature sets the industry standard. It either meets or beats the competitors, and can accommodate the needs of most walkers and joggers.

However, if you’re a serious runner who is looking to log daily long-distance runs, this might not be powerful and durable enough for your needs.

FOLDING OPTIONS

Having a home gym is convenient, but not everyone has dedicated space for the equipment. The folding design features available on most of the Gold’s Gym models make it easy to store the treadmill then it’s not in use.

WARRANTY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ISSUES

Although it’s not a positive attribute, the final way that treadmills with the Gold’s Gym brand name differ from some of their competitors is with issues experienced with the warranty and customer service.

Some of their models only carry a 90-day limited warranty, and many users who experienced issues both inside and outside that window had bad experiences with the customer service department when trying to get the equipment fixed or replaced.

Some models carry more robust warranties and depending on where you purchase the treadmill; you may also have the option to extend the coverage.

Although the products are rated highly overall, this is one gap that we see between these treadmills and their competitors.

PRICING

As a budget-friendly option, the treadmills in this line range from $500 to $700 if you pay full price for the model. Here is a breakdown of the price points.

We’ve included a section on how and where to find deals and discounts below to help save you money on your purchase.

PUBLIC PERCEPTION

The Gold’s Gym name has been a staple in the fitness industry since the first location was founded by Joe Gold back in 1965. Although they are best known for their exercise facilities in the US and around the world, they also have a line of fitness equipment that includes both cardiovascular and strength modalities.

On-site, the gyms provide their members with high-quality, commercial-grade equipment, but their options for home-use are budget-friendly, albeit lower quality versions.

Specific to their treadmills, users rate the equipment well and rarely report issues with the features and functionality. One of the most frequent complaints of the folding models is that the arms feel unstable, and they may rattle at high speeds.

Very fit users who like to run at high speeds for long distances and do lengthy workouts indoors also report that the motor wears out quickly and needs repairs, and the warranty has often expired when these issues occur.

HOW IT COMPARES

There are a seemingly endless variety of treadmills from which you can choose, and there are options available for every type of user at every price point.

Here, we compare against three highly-rated options that have similar features or price points to those that the Gold’s Gym models offer.

Not every treadmill can accommodate every user, but this option from Sunny Health & Fitness is excellent if you need a piece of equipment that can stand up to heavy-duty use.

It’s rated for users who weigh up to 350 pounds and features a wide belt giving you lots of room to walk and run between the ample handrails.

It’s a folding model that has transportation wheels which makes it easy to move and store after your workout.

The display includes large buttons with one-push speed adjustments that allow you to transition from one to three to five miles per hour by simply pressing the corresponding number.

It also has two large cup holders and space for your portable device screen. It can accommodate up to a 13-inch tablet or laptop, so you could watch a movie or stream a tv show during your workout.

It retails for under $$ and is an excellent option for taller or heavier users.

Another ICON Fitness manufactured brand; the ProForm 505 offers many of the same capabilities as the Trainer 720 with the bonus of a robust warranty.

It utilizes a 2.5 HP Mach Z motor, and like the Trainer 720, has a maximum 10 percent incline and 18 pre-programmed workout applications.

Other features include heart rate monitor sensors and an iPod compatible music port.

This foldable model collapses to save space, and it can accommodate users up to 325 pounds.

The most notable difference between this and the Gold’s Gym options is the warranty. The 505 comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame, 25 years on the motor, and one-year coverage on parts and labor.

It’s priced at $$$, but you can find excellent deals if you buy models from previous years. For example, the 2016 version is selling currently for around $$.

If you’re a beginner or only plan to use your treadmill occasionally, then you might be satisfied with a lower-end entry-level model.

The Cadence G 5.9i from Weslo is a budget-friendly option that gives you all of the basic functionality you need to get in a cardio session.

It can go up to 10 miles per hour and can hold users who weigh up to 275 pounds.

The Cadence G is another foldable option, and while it doesn’t have the bells and whistles like programmed workouts and Bluetooth compatibility, it can get the job done.

It comes with a one year warranty on the motor and 90 days on parts and labor, similar to what you’ll see with most of the Gold’s Gym options.

It retails for just under $$, making it the least expensive of the bunch.

WHAT WE THINK

If you are:

• New to exercise
• A walker
• Someone who enjoys light jogs

Then any of the treadmills in the Gold’s Gym line might be a good fit for you.  They have the horsepower to accommodate your workout and are durable enough to stand up to light to moderate daily use.

However, if you’re an avid runner or are training for an event where you’ll need a sturdy and durable piece of equipment, then these may not be the right option.

Because they are built and priced to be economy treadmills, they may experience issues with parts or the motor if they are used rigorously, and the company doesn’t have a stellar reputation with customer service.

Their budget-friendly price points are appealing, and they are a perfect entry-level model for the right person.

COUPONS AND DEALS

You can purchase the treadmills directly from the manufacturer, but if you do that, then you’ll pay full price.

Instead, check out their authorized retailers for the best deals. For example, on the WalMart website, you can save between $75 and $200 on each model depending on the sale offered.

At certain times of the year, like around the holidays, the discounts will be even larger.

Best of all, you can order online and save money by picking it up at your local store. Alternately, you can sometimes score free delivery during promotion windows.