Before you spend money on a folding treadmill for the home, be sure to take a look at the Smooth 5.45 treadmill by Smooth Fitness. It is an excellent treadmill with an excellent price of just under $1000. This machine is a remake, or an upgrade, of the Smooth 5.25 treadmill. The upgrades on this machine were made primarily due to customer response. The 5.25 always stayed on top of the “best buy” list because of user reviews, but Smooth Fitness truly wanted to make a machine that met all of their customers’ needs.

I have people asking me all the time about the price of the Smooth Fitness machines and how the company can price treadmills like the 5.45 at such economical prices. The answer is in how the company does their business. They primarily sell their machines online. They essentially remove all the middlemen-including retailers. When you take away all the costs of operating brick and mortar stores, or selling to wholesalers, you can easily see how Smooth Fitness works. The money they save is filtered into bringing exceptional machines to the marketplace at affordable prices.

Anyone who knows anything about machines knows that a machine is really only as good as the motor that runs it. Smooth Fitness doesn’t take any shortcuts with anything, let alone the motors in their treadmills. The Smooth 5.45 comes with a very quiet, very smooth 2.5 continuous duty motor. This motor is perfect for this machine and will easily keep up with people who walk or jog.

Yet, let me say that if you are into running, this machine might not be the one for you. You may want to look at machines that are made more for runners. One that comes to mind is the Smooth 6.45. It has a more powerful motor and is better suited for intense running.

One thing I really like about the Smooth 5.45 treadmill that really makes it stand out from its competition is its high-tech shock absorption deck. Users report that there is a big difference between the absorption decks on this machine than on other machines. Having such a cushion under your steps means you can walk longer without stressing out your joints and knees. This also makes the Smooth 5.45 ideal for someone who has back problems.

Another change that was made to the Smooth 5.45 treadmill was the extension of the deck. Smooth Fitness heard what tall users had to say about the deck on the 5.25 and worked to make its replacement more accommodating for long-limbed users. The weight of the Smooth 5.45 was also increased for added stability. It weighs 210 pounds-20 pounds heavier than the old model. This machine isn’t going anywhere, no matter how much of a pounding you give it. Yet, please note that this machine should be set up wherever it will be permanently because it’s not easy to move!

If you have done any research on treadmill warranties, you know many of them aren’t very good. Smooth Fitness is known for its warranties. The Smooth 5.45 treadmill comes with a one year service/labor warranty, a 3 year parts warranty and a lifetime warranty on the motor. With all its features, outstanding warranty, and reputation for being a very low-maintenance machine, the Smooth 5.45 is on my list of “best buy” treadmills. Smooth Fitness has really gone out of its way to bring an upscale folding treadmill to the marketplace at a price tag below $1000.