Treadmills can be a tricky buy if you don’t know anything about them. I was putting together a gym for my home and one of the obvious must haves for any home gym is a treadmill. After pondering the thousands of choices out there, I’ve narrowed it down and am pretty impressed with the Schwinn 860 Treadmill. It seems to have everything you could want in a treadmill and then some. Loaded with features, you can run on it if you want to or just stroll if that’s what tickles your fancy, and it is manufactured by Schwinn so you know it is a quality made product.
Let me share with you my research so you can make your own decision on this treadmill.
What to Look for When Buying a Treadmill
Just like any other purchase that you make, there are a few things to look for when you are comparing different models to decide which one to ultimately purchase. Some of them are:
- The belt surface
- The maximum speed and incline
- The workout programs
- The heart rate monitor
- The size
All of these things are extremely important to look at when you are deciding to purchase a treadmill. The Schwinn 860 Treadmill seems to meet or exceed all of my expectations and the requirements that I had for each one.
The Belt Surface
Not all treadmill belts are created equal. I’ve stepped on a few here and there that were thin as paper and this apparently is not the case with the Schwinn 860 Treadmill. The belt is very high quality, durable and will last a LONG time. It has a nicely cushioned running surface that decreases the stress on your joints while you are running on it. It is very comfortable and doesn’t create the pounding feeling that you get when running on a hard surface like a track or sidewalk. It is literally like running on a surface that is hard enough to not make it difficult but soft enough that it doesn’t wear you out quickly. It also does not grip the bottom of your shoes. It allows the perfect amount of traction for a smooth, even gait.
The Maximum Speed and Incline
Everyone knows that the incline of a treadmill can be extremely beneficial to your workouts. The Schwinn 860 Treadmill can be inclined up to 12%. Perfect for giving you that uphill feeling while running or walking to maximize your workout and burn off the fat much quicker.
The Schwinn 860 Treadmill has a maximum speed of 12mph. It is quite fast unless you want to use it for just sprinting. But changing up the speed is part of a great workout routine! Getting your heart rate up to burn the sugars in your blood so you body will go after your fat stores for energy. The range of speed available on this treadmill is great for everyone. Beginner to athletes will benefit from the wide variety of speed.
The Workout Programs
A lot of the digital treadmills on the market today have workout programs pre-programmed for you to try out and use on a regular basis. The Schwinn 860 Treadmill has a selection of 20 work out programs already set up for you. There are 4 heart rate controlled programs on this machine that will adjust the intensity based on your current heart rate and the target heart rate that you want to achieve. It has 9 course programs and a 5k and 10k running/walking courses ready for you to use. This treadmill has a lot of choices for your pre-programmed workout needs.
Heart Rate Monitor
The heart rate monitor on the Schwinn 860 Treadmill is set up for comfort when using it and you do not have to keep your hands on any part of the machine to monitor yourself. It is all conveniently packaged up in a chest belt that you put on when you first step on the treadmill to start your workout. Heart rate monitors are extremely important on any electrical workout machine that you use. You want to be able to make sure that you hit your maximum heart rate while at the same time make sure that you don’t overdo it and cause any stress on your heart at the same time. It can be a dangerous thing. Most treadmills require you to hold onto a part of the machine to monitor your heart rate. The chest belt is much more comfortable because it doesn’t force you to stand in an awkward position for your workout when you want to check your heart rate.
The Size of the Treadmill
Unless you have a dedicated room with unlimited space for your workout equipment, you will want to take a look at the size of the treadmill that you are 
purchasing. They are never small machines and it will save you the frustration of ending up with an extremely crowded room after you have set it up. The Schwinn 860 Treadmill measures 78” by 34” by 54”. Not a small treadmill by any means! It does fold up into a 41” by 34” by 65.5” for ease in storing it up against a wall or in a large closet.
What’s Included
- Treadmill
- Instruction manual
- Heart rate monitoring chest strap
- Power cord
Does it include a Warranty?
Yes, the Schwinn 860 Treadmill has a 10 year frame and motor warranty.
Schwinn 860 Treadmill Reviews – What Others Are Saying
The Schwinn 860 Treadmill has received quite a few reviews on Amazon’s website. Currently it ranks 4.5 out of 5 stars by their reviewers. 
Here are some of the comments to date:
- “I’m really loving it!”
- “A power house system.”
- “Very good treadmill!”
- “It’s the real deal!”
- “Excellent product.”
- “I really like this treadmill!”
- “Very well designed. Easy to assemble and use!”
Any complaints?
I scoured the internet looking at and reading a ton of reviews on the Schwinn 860 Treadmill before purchasing mine. The only thing that I noticed, and it didn’t change my mind on the purchase, was that there were a few that were damaged in transit.
Where Can You Buy the Schwinn 860 Treadmill?
You can buy the Schwinn 860 Treadmill right now on Amazon.com. It is currently posted on the site with the free super saver shipping. Click here to view on Amazon.
How Much Should You Expect to Pay?
The Schwinn 860 Treadmill has a retail price of over $2000, however, Amazon have huge savings on this treadmill of around 45% as I write this review, and they also offer free super saver shipping which will save you even more money. Click here to check the current savings on Amazon.
Where Can You Read More Reviews for the Schwinn 860 Treadmill?
Amazon.com is where I found the most reviews as well as the most helpful ones. You can find lots of them on there and be sure that you’re hearing it all whether good or bad.
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