LifeSpan Fitness TR5500i Treadmill Review (2024)

Quick Summary

With exceptional speed potential and a folding frame, the durable LifeSpan TR5500i is a great buy for runners at just $1499.

It provides everything a serious runner needs from a treadmill, all protected by an industry-leading warranty.

Specs include a 4.0 CHP motor, a 13.5 mph top speed, a 2.8 mm-thick belt with extra width, power incline/decline, 40+ preset programs, and Bluetooth for data exporting.

Read on for the in-depth review.

Specifications

Model	LifeSpan Fitness TR5500i
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the treadmill's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	80.5%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$1,899
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the current best price. Note: MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.	$1899
Speed Treadmill Speed is measured in Miles Per Hour (mph). Average running speed is 5-9 mph.	0.5 - 13.5 mph
Incline Treadmill Incline measures the angle of the deck, and how steep it is relative to the floor (0% is flat, and 15% is like a steep hill).	13 Levels
Motor The Treadmill Motor is what turns the belt as you run. We recommend at least 2 HP (Horsepower) motors, 2.5+ HP for jogging, and 3.0+ HP for running.	4.0 CHP
Deck Treadmill Deck dimensions are measured in inches: Width x Length. The wider and longer the deck, the safer it is (55-60 inches long recommended for running).	22" x 60"
Belt The Treadmill Belt is the surface you run on. The thicker the belt, the less impact on your joints. At least 2-ply (1 inch) recommended.	2.8mm Upgraded Thick Belt
Folding? Some treadmills are designed to conserve space by folding up. This is a convenient option, but some features might be reduced.
Programs Treadmill Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	43
Max. Weight Treadmill Max User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.	350 lbs
Heart Rate Heart Rate programs allow you to track how many times your heart is beating per minute (bpm), and some control the workout for you.	Contact and Chest Strap
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this treadmill will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	74.5" x 32.5" x 55.5"
Display Treadmill Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	Blue Backlit LCD
Cooling Fans Treadmill Cooling Fans are designed to help keep you cool during an intense workout.
Accessory Tray Some treadmills include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.
Speakers Treadmills that include a sound system allow you to listen to your MP3 player/iPod through built-in speakers (no headphones).
Quick Controls Quick Controls allow you to select speed, incline and even workout programs with the touch of a button (usually on the handles).
Warranty The warranty is a very important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs by the manufacturer.	Frame: Lifetime Motor: Lifetime Parts: 5 Years Labor: 2 Years

Our Rating

Rating: 80.5/100. The LifeSpan TR5500i is a good recommendation for runners. This new model is mid-priced at just $1499 yet it’s loaded with above-average features. Highlights for physical performance are a 4.0 CHP motor; a 22” x 60” running surface with advanced vibration reduction; top speed capacity of 13.5 mph; and the option to simulate outdoor routes with 13 levels of incline and two levels of decline. Each of these features is superior to what other treadmills provide, even in higher price classes. Also impressive is the console programming, which includes more than 40 training programs and a Bluetooth connection for syncing your data with mobile fitness apps. Any potential drawbacks? As a treadmill especially for avid runners, this unit doesn’t provide many non-essentials to motivate. You’ll get a sound system for your MP3s and can dock a tablet computer, but the workout display is a simple 6” LCD with backlighting. Buyer protections include a 30-day return policy, five years for parts, two years for labor, and lifetime coverage for the frame and motor.

Pros:

High quality workout programs with custom options
4.0 CHP motor with lifetime warranty
60” x 22” workout area
Top speed 13.5 mph
Power incline and decline
High quality cushioning with eight shock absorbers
Extra-thick tread belt (2.8 mm)
Pedometer
Wireless heart rate receiver
Bluetooth data syncing
USB port for data export
Ledge for mobile device
iPod compatible
Three-speed fan
Automatic track pausing for safety
350-pound user weight capacity
Foldable frame

Cons:

One-color data display

Introduction

The LifeSpan TR5500i is a durable and high-performing folding treadmill for home use. Because it’s designed to the high standards of serious runners, it can easily support any workout intensity without skipping a beat. This trainer lets anyone sprint at top speed, plus it lets you walk with extra-fast calorie burn if you engage the power incline. Another special feature is power decline; few treadmills can exercise your “downhill” muscles quite like this. Here are details about the workout programming, various high-end components and features, and buyer protections.

Workout Programs

Excellent training programs are built into the new TR5500i console. Choices and categories include:

10 weight management
10 healthy living
14 sports training
4 heart rate
6 decline training
2 user-designed

The workouts and data are shown on a 6” LCD with backlighting. Making a program selection is easy, as the monitor guides you with prompts.

The TR5500i is one of few treadmills with a built-in pedometer. The dashboard shows Steps, Distance, Time, Calories, Heart Rate, Speed, Pace, Incline and Elevation Gained. Heart rate can be measured wirelessly. (Chest strap sold separately.)
Bluetooth enabled, the console can share your treadmill workout data with popular fitness apps.

LifeSpan Fitness TR5500i Features

Extra-wide, this treadmill gives you plenty of elbow room. The running surface measures 22” wide x 60” long. For comparison most treadmills for runners have 20” x 60” surfaces.

To be space-conscious this treadmill has a foldable frame. When you unfold the machine for workouts, the deck drops slowly and quietly into place. The unfolded dimensions are practical for most homes at 73” long and 34.5” wide. When folded the treadmill takes just 40.5” x 34.5” of floor space.

The belt motor has 4.0 CHP and carries a lifetime warranty. We’d expect it to perform best for trainees weighing less than 300 pounds. It lets you reach a top speed of 13.5 mph whereas most treadmills for runners top out at 12 mph.

Another special feature of the TR5500i is incline/decline. You can give your muscles an extra challenge with 13 uphill angles and two downhill slopes.

Durability is promoted with the tread belt and tracking system. Very high quality, the belt is 2.8 mm thick. That’s nearly three times as thick as other tread belts, and the construction helps support quiet treadmill operation for thousands of miles with minimal maintenance. The front rollers are 2.5” in diameter, which also makes this unit an above-average folding treadmill.

To protect your joints and ligaments, eight compression shocks work beneath the belt.

For audio motivation this unit has an iPod-compatible jack and speakers. It also has a media ledge.

To help keep you cool, a three-speed fan is integrated with the console.

For safety LifeSpan treadmills have IntelliGuard. If you step away in the midst of a workout, the machine will pause after 20 seconds of inactivity.

Warranty & Guarantee

The LifeSpan TR5500i carries a competitive standard warranty.
– Frame: Lifetime
– Motor: Lifetime
– Parts: 5 Years
– Labor: 2 years
Additionally two extended warranty plans are available with a factory-direct purchase.

LifeSpan provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Conclusion

Equipped with high quality components, and topped off with ample training guidance and Bluetooth, the LifeSpan TR5500i is a great treadmill for 2017. This new model is a top recommendation for runners and is also durable enough to serve in households with several treadmill users. It’s a good deal at $1499.