StarTrac has garnered a reputation for quality and superior machines since their appearance on the treadmill scene in the 70's, and has become a major player in the commercial market.
The TR4500HR treadmill is another in their line of great exercise machines.
Star Trac treadmills offer many features, and this one is no exception. Weighing in at a solid 284 lbs., the 4500 measures a healthy 20"x62", thus affording the user room to move!
I'm a big guy, and I appreciated the roominess. The unit has a maximum user capacity of 350 lbs. Powered by a 2.5hp continuous speed motor, the Star Trac TR4500HR is capable of
speeds from 0-10 mph, and inclines from 0-15%, (for those of you with a death wish!) the 4500 is primed with all the power you need for a great workout! For ease on your knees,
the 4500 features the Impact Absorption System, IAS, which cushions impact on your ankles, knees, hip and back.
Star Trac treadmills feature a useful and easy to use display, with a heart rate monitoring system that you can tie into your target training zone, as well as hundreds of pre-programmed training selections,
all the while recording your time, distance, speed, calories, laps and pace. The unit also features a built-in rack for towels, water and even a stereo, and can handle up to 50 different user id's.
The warrantywas one year parts on the motor and 6 months labor, as well as 90 days on the wearable parts (grips, belts, pads) and lifetime phone support. This machine would have cost around £4500 when new and now can be had fro around £600 used.The Star Trac 4500HR treadmill brings a lot of features to the table, you'd be hard pressed to find a better machine for the price.
Best Mid Range Commercial Used Treadmill
PRECOR 954i
Precor treadmills are synonymous with quality. They have been in the fitness industry for over 20 years and have invested millions into research and development to provide the best quality machines. All their treadmills have long warranties which are a testament to their quality.
Just go down to your local gym and you are bound to see a number of Precor treadmills being battered continuously for hours a day. Just think...if they are good enough for these commercial gyms then you can guarantee that they will stack up in your own home gym.
Although super high quality, Precor treadmills are also quite expensive new. You will be lucky pick one up for much less than $3000 so if you are trying to buy a treadmill on the cheap then this may not be the best option for you.
However if you consider all the advantages you get with the trusted Precor brand, you'll understand why they price these machines as such, thats why buying a used model gives such good value.
Advantages
Precor treadmills are backed by one of the best warranties around. They offer lifetime warranties on their treadmill frames and welds, 10 years on parts and a year on labor. They use the highest quality materials and their customer testimonials are superb. This just shows how confident the company is with the quality and durability of their treadmills.
Aside from quality, Precor treadmills are also known for being loaded with features. They have powerful motors, wide running surfaces and are very quiet.

Disadvantages
The price is the only disadvantage I can see with these machines. I feel that £3000-£5000 is a lot to pay for a treadmill to be used at home.
Recommendation
Precor manufactures probably one of the highest quality treadmills in the market today, which they back up wholeheartedly as can be seen by the length of their warranties. So, I would recommend buying Precor treadmills but only if you could afford one. It is one of the best in the market right now but at the same time it is also one of the most expensive.
Precor treadmills are synonymous with quality.
Features
- 5% Incline & 3% decline
- Speed up to 12MPH
- Built-in safety features include a backup speed-regulating device in the software that prevents speed irregularities.
- A safety clip attached to the emergency stop switch shuts off the treadmill if someone loses their balance, allowing the belt to come to a safe stop.
- The proprietary bed and belt system requires absolutely no external lubrication or waxing.
- The aluminum frame is strong, durable & lightweight, so it won't rust, chip, or corrode.
- Two custom courses and 10 preprogrammed courses.
- Readouts include Time, Distance,Incline, Pacer Speed, Pacer Distance, Watts, Mets, Calories and Calories/Minute.
- The manual course lets exercisers select speed and incline during workouts.
- The interval course provides the superior cardiovascular conditioning advantages if interval training.
- Console Readouts: Segment Time Left, Minutes per Mile, Watts, Pacer Distance, Pacer Speed, Calories per Minute, Total Calories, Incline and METS.
- User Weight Capacity: 400 lbs. Weight: 410 lbs.
- Dimensions: Length 80" (202cm) Width x 36" (93cmw Height x 56" (143cm)
Best Price :
http://www.healthclubsathome.com
Best Top Range Commercial Used Treadmill
TECHNOGYM RUNRACE
The runrace was designed to incorporates a number of innovations that solve the common problems of runners using treadmills.
One of the main features of RUNRACE™ is the special self-lubricating base over which the belt travels.
The base rests on a series of dampers which absorb vibrations, preventing injury to the leg joints by protecting bone and tendon structures. The sensation is like running on grass.
The state of the art technology used in its design makes RUNRACE™ a high-potential professional product, able to withstand prolonged use, and capable of providing top level operation.
Speed increases in small steps up to 25 kmh, while the maximum incline is 25%, which makes RUNRACE™ ideal for Sports Medicine. It is also the perfect tool for rehabilitation with a minimum speed of 0.4 kmh, and maximum decline of 0.5%.
The thoughtfully positioned handrails at the front and sides guarantees maximum safety of use.The CHR function allows you to perform your training either with a constant pulse rate, or by programming intervals in pulse rate over time. In both cases the computer adjusts the level of difficulty, created by a combination of speed and gradient, to keep pulse rate within the preset values.
This treadmill gives such a great feeling when at slow pace or when your running flat out, the spring and bounce is just fantastic and it will give you the nearest thing to being out doors whilst on a treadmill.
Features
- Extra dampers which absorb more vibrations, creates the feeling of running on grass
- CHR function-adjusts heart rate to be constant or set intervals by alterating speed or gradient
- Speed 0.4-25 kph
- Gradient 0.5-25 %
- Dimensions - Length 88" (226cm) Height 57" (143cm) Width 34" (88cm)
- Extremely Hi Spec treadmill

- Running Surface: 20" x 62" (51 x 158 cm)
- Speed Range: 0.5 to 10 mph (0.8 to 16 km/h) in 0.1 mph (0.1 km/h) increments. 0.5 to 12 mph (0.8 to 20 km/h) with 220 volt
- Incline Range: 0 to 15% in 0.5% increments
- Suspension: Patented Impact Absorption System® utilizing a dual-cavity neoprene surface along both sides of the deck Deck System:
- Reversible 1" (2.5 cm) wax-treated composite fiberboard Rollers: 3" (7.6 cm) crowned with sealed bearings
- Black or Gray Readouts: Time, distance, speed, calories (total and per hour), laps, pace, incline, heart rate, track/program profile Personal Trainer StudioTM: 50 user ID's available, 5 customized trainer programs, ACSM WalkFit Test Standard Features: FitLinxx® certified, Cardio Theater® and BroadcastVisionTM ready Options: Contact Heart Rate System, Dynamic Heart Rate ControlTM with Polar®
- Telemetry Step-up Height: 7" (17.8 cm) Frame: Custom aluminum uniframe