Matrix T50 Treadmill Review

Quick Summary

The T50 non-folding treadmill is a best buy in the Matrix Fitness home gym collection.

Inspired by Matrix cardio trainers for clubs, this unit is durable and sized to accommodate almost anyone.

A choice of three consoles lets a wide variety of shoppers find the perfect match.

Pricing starts at $2,899 with a seven-year parts warranty.

Below is our in-depth Matrix T50 treadmill review.

Specifications

Model	Matrix T50
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the treadmill's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	84.5%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$2,899
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.	$2,899
Speed Treadmill Speed is measured in Miles Per Hour (mph). Average running speed is 5-9 mph.	0.5 - 12.5 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).	0 - 15%
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.	3.25 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).	20" 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-ply, 2.2mm
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.	5-11
Max. Weight Treadmill Max User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.	400 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 Grips
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this treadmill will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	77.4" x 36" x 60.6"
Display Treadmill Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	XR, XER or XIR
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 Cushioning: Lifetime Parts: 7 Years Labor: 2 Years

Our Rating

Rating: 84.5/100. The Matrix T50 is an impressive home treadmill with a commercial feel. Like health club treadmills it’s sized to fit almost anyone, and to satisfy diverse owners it’s compatible with multiple consoles. The most advanced Matrix console (the XIR) has a 10″ touch screen, an Internet browser, and built-in videos that adjust to user motion. The simplest Matrix console (the XR) has a more traditional display screen but is also equipped with newer technologies such as the ViaFit mobile app for workout logging.

The T50 treadmill has a 60” x 20” belt for power walking, jogging and running. This machine is also ideal for interval training with its power incline settings up to 15 percent, max speed of 12.5 mph, and responsive 3.25 HP motor.

An industry-leading warranty of seven years on parts and five years on electronics helps make the Matrix T50 a great choice for households seeking high-end value. A typical online sale price is $2,899 for the Matrix T50 with its simplest console. Here are pros and cons to consider.

Pros:

Seven-Year Parts Warranty
Two-Ply Track (2.2 mm)
High Speed
3.25 CHP Motor
Power Incline (Maximum 15 Percent)
Preset Workouts
Wireless Heart Rate Monitoring
Wireless Data Tracking
Passport Ready
Optional Integrated Virtual Active Video
Optional Speakers
Optional Apps & Web Browser
Reading Rack
High Capacity (400 pounds)

Cons:

Extra Cost for Passport Media Player (Sends Video to TV)
Machine Weight (Approx. 270 Lbs.)

Introduction

The Matrix T50 is a high quality non-folding treadmill meant for running and walking. Its key qualities are a durable 60″ x 20” workout surface, power incline settings up to 15 percent, a 3.25 CHP motor, and a choice of three workout consoles. Here are details about the workout choices and other Matrix T50 features.

Workout Programs

Each Matrix home treadmill is paired with a choice of consoles named XR, XER and XIR. The XER and XIR consoles have full-color touch screens, and the XR shows programming on a standard one-color screen. These consoles have from five to 11 standard workout programs that control track speed and incline. Additionally all Matrix treadmill consoles are Passport-ready as described below, and some have Sprint8.

Sprint8 is included with the XER and XIR consoles. A Sprint8 treadmill workout is just 20 minutes long and uses high intensity interval training for impressive benefits: In just eight weeks with training every other day, the Sprint8 app helps people significantly reduce body fat, improve lean muscle mass and improve cholesterol counts. This exercise program is also associated with less wrinkling because it releases HGH (human growth hormone). Many Sprint8 training levels are available.

Other workout technology for Matrix cardio trainers is called Virtual Active. Virtual Active videos transform treadmill workouts with virtual outdoor training. The videos help viewers feel immersed in the destinations, with sights and sounds actually adjusting to fit workout intensity. Virtual Active is integrated with the Matrix XER and XIR consoles; three scenic tours are built-in and can be viewed on the console screens. Videos are also sold separately and can be viewed on a home TV connected to a Passport Media Player (sold separately).

Matrix T50 Features

All Matrix home treadmills support heart rate monitoring with contact pulse sensors as well as wireless telemetry. The XER and XIR consoles are sold with wireless chest straps included. The XR and compatible chest straps are sold separately.

Tracking fitness progress is made easy with all Matrix treadmill consoles. The built-in ViaFit mobile app can sync with fitness machines, other health devices such as FitBit, and other mobile apps. Trainees can automatically log info including heart rate, calories burned, distance traveled and more.

Besides ViaFit more than a dozen mobile apps are built into the XER and XIR consoles. Examples are Facebook, Twitter, Hulu, YouTube and MyFitnessPal. The XIR console with 10” touch screen has an Internet browser.

Speakers are integrated with the XER and XIR. Treadmills with these consoles also have jacks for MP3 players and can charge mobile devices.

For extra challenge the Matrix T50 has a power incline with settings from zero to 15 percent. Some benefits of incline training are faster calorie burn and targeted muscle toning for more efficient treadmill sessions.

For durability and quiet operation the T50 has a two-ply belt. Extra-thick, it can serve for thousands of miles before replacement is needed.

Warranty & Guarantee

The T50 treadmill home warranty includes:

– Frame: Lifetime
– Motor: Lifetime
– Deck: Lifetime
– Parts: 7 Years
– Console: 5 Years
– Labor: 2 Years

Matrix Fitness provides a 30 day treadmill trial.

Conclusion

The Matrix T50 is built to handle a whole family’s workouts for many years. This durable cardio trainer fits walkers and runners alike, and its mix of workout guidance and entertainment is ideal support for meeting fitness goals. Priced much lower than the maintenance-free T70, this treadmill model is a Matrix best buy.