3G Cardio Pro Runner X Treadmill Review
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3G Cardio Pro Runner Treadmill
$1,999
Made in Taiwan
AWARDS: #1 BEST BUY
The newly updated Pro Runner X Treadmill by 3G Cardio is another one of our favorite machines tested. We like the new matte black paint and the addition of the FTMS Free Sync Bluetooth module. We normally hate the whole connected tech for treadmills but the FTMS Bluetooth is something to get excited for (think no membership fees)!
One of the growing trends with treadmills these days is to make a “Peloton” style frame with Z shape handlebars. You have seen these right? Well one of the problems is that these types of treadmills can have a very high step-up platform. If you have a lower ceiling height, then this could be an issue. The 3G Cardio Pro Runner has one of the lowest step-up heights we tested at 6.5”. This used to not be a big deal but now that so many brands are doing the Z shape thing, this treadmill specification should be a potential concern for some customers. Make sure you check your ceiling height and the deck height of the treadmill you are considering buying. The top of your head thanks you in advance!
The Pro Runner is the quietest treadmill we tested (55 DB). This treadmill just barely edged out the Pelton Treadmill for our Best Buy Rating (the Peloton’s hard suspension was the deciding factor)
The Pro Runner is a solid folding treadmill and 3G seems to have figured out how not to use a ton of useless, creaky plastic all around the frame. It does not look substantial when you see it online but when you see, touch and feel how heavy and sturdy all its parts are, your opinion quickly changes.
This treadmill does not feel cheap, it does not feel like a sub $2000 machine. The frame is well assembled, the power and torque of the motor is great, with very minimal speed loss and the orthopedic belt feels nice underfoot. The overall feel is smooth and sturdy, and nothing feels out of place or awkward. That is a big deal especially for bigger people. The Pro Runner has good handlebar placement and a good angle and height to the upper console. We wish the elevation was a little bit higher, but this is kind of normal on folding treadmills and we are not crazy about the cup holders.
There are some things that we would like to see changed with Pro Runner. We did not love the position of the cupholders as they seem to be at a more forward angle. The 15 levels of incline also do not feel as high as some of the other non-folding treadmill brands. Keep in mind that non-folding treadmills will always have a higher incline than folding. “Percentage incline” is not an actual unit of measure and should be thought of more like “levels”. Most folding treadmills that have a 15th level incline will feel more like a 10% incline you would find on a treadmill at the gym. Folding treadmills cannot have too high of an elevation, or the deck would push you too far away from the (stationary) upper display (the upper display and frame uprights do not incline on a folding treadmill, only the walking deck moves). This could create a huge liability if you could not reach the console buttons! We did not penalize the 3G Cardio Pro Runner for the inline because it is consistent with other folding treadmills and rather standard in the fitness industry.
Pros: 3G Cardio has the FreeSync™ connectivity with FTMS Bluetooth© on most of their products now. This means you can use your own tablet or mobile device as your treadmill display. You choose your own fitness app like Peloton, Kino Maps, Zwift Strava, iCardio etc… and the app will run the treadmill. The warranty is a big plus too.
Very solid and good feeling suspension with a great orthopedic belt. Not much plastic to cheapen the feel and look. Easy to fold, easy to use electronics. Great warranty. Quietest treadmill tested.
Cons: Cup holder position angle, lower max incline level.
3G Cardio Pro Runner Treadmill
$1,999
Made in Taiwan
AWARDS: #1 BEST BUY
The newly updated Pro Runner X Treadmill by 3G Cardio is another one of our favorite machines tested. We like the new matte black paint and the addition of the FTMS Free Sync Bluetooth module. We normally hate the whole connected tech for treadmills but the FTMS Bluetooth is something to get excited for (think no membership fees)!
One of the growing trends with treadmills these days is to make a “Peloton” style frame with Z shape handlebars. You have seen these right? Well one of the problems is that these types of treadmills can have a very high step-up platform. If you have a lower ceiling height, then this could be an issue. The 3G Cardio Pro Runner has one of the lowest step-up heights we tested at 6.5”. This used to not be a big deal but now that so many brands are doing the Z shape thing, this treadmill specification should be a potential concern for some customers. Make sure you check your ceiling height and the deck height of the treadmill you are considering buying. The top of your head thanks you in advance!
The Pro Runner is the quietest treadmill we tested (55 DB). This treadmill just barely edged out the Pelton Treadmill for our Best Buy Rating (the Peloton’s hard suspension was the deciding factor)
The Pro Runner is a solid folding treadmill and 3G seems to have figured out how not to use a ton of useless, creaky plastic all around the frame. It does not look substantial when you see it online but when you see, touch and feel how heavy and sturdy all its parts are, your opinion quickly changes.
This treadmill does not feel cheap, it does not feel like a sub $2000 machine. The frame is well assembled, the power and torque of the motor is great, with very minimal speed loss and the orthopedic belt feels nice underfoot. The overall feel is smooth and sturdy, and nothing feels out of place or awkward. That is a big deal especially for bigger people. The Pro Runner has good handlebar placement and a good angle and height to the upper console. We wish the elevation was a little bit higher, but this is kind of normal on folding treadmills and we are not crazy about the cup holders.
There are some things that we would like to see changed with Pro Runner. We did not love the position of the cupholders as they seem to be at a more forward angle. The 15 levels of incline also do not feel as high as some of the other non-folding treadmill brands. Keep in mind that non-folding treadmills will always have a higher incline than folding. “Percentage incline” is not an actual unit of measure and should be thought of more like “levels”. Most folding treadmills that have a 15th level incline will feel more like a 10% incline you would find on a treadmill at the gym. Folding treadmills cannot have too high of an elevation, or the deck would push you too far away from the (stationary) upper display (the upper display and frame uprights do not incline on a folding treadmill, only the walking deck moves). This could create a huge liability if you could not reach the console buttons! We did not penalize the 3G Cardio Pro Runner for the inline because it is consistent with other folding treadmills and rather standard in the fitness industry.
Pros: 3G Cardio has the FreeSync™ connectivity with FTMS Bluetooth© on most of their products now. This means you can use your own tablet or mobile device as your treadmill display. You choose your own fitness app like Peloton, Kino Maps, Zwift Strava, iCardio etc… and the app will run the treadmill. The warranty is a big plus too.
Very solid and good feeling suspension with a great orthopedic belt. Not much plastic to cheapen the feel and look. Easy to fold, easy to use electronics. Great warranty. Quietest treadmill tested.
Cons: Cup holder position angle, lower max incline level.
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