Quick Summary
Foldable and portable, the Life Fitness F1 Smart Treadmill is designed to fit virtually any home workout area.
It’s far superior to typical folding treadmills in terms of shock absorption, electronics and overall quality.
This unit is very similar to the more expensive F3 but has a bit less horsepower and a unique console.
Read on for the full FitRated review of the Life Fitness F1.
Specifications
Model | Life Fitness F1 Smart |
Rating | 86.3% |
List Price | $2,598 |
Best Price | |
Speed | .5 - 10 mph |
Incline | 0 - 12% |
Motor | 2.5 HP DC motor |
Deck | 22" x 55" |
Belt | Flexdeck Shock Absorption System |
Folding? | |
Programs | 12 |
Max. Weight | 300 lbs |
Heart Rate | Handle grips Wireless Chest Strap |
Dimensions | 77" x 34" x 59" |
Display | 2 Console Options |
Cooling Fans | |
Accessory Tray | |
Speakers | |
Quick Controls | |
Warranty | Frame and Deck: Lifetime Motor: 10 Years Parts: 5 Years Labor: 1 Years |
Our Rating
Rating: 86.3/100. The Life Fitness F1 Smart Treadmill is one of the better folding treadmills on the market. Unlike cheap folding treadmills, the F1 offers the quality of a good traditional treadmill. It weighs a hefty 259 pounds but can easily be folded and wheeled away after workouts. Its full price is $2,298.
Key points are a 2.5 HP motor, an impressive FlexDeck cushioning system, a 55″ track, a power incline with range of 0.5% to 12%, and wireless heart rate monitoring. Additionally the F1 Smart Treadmill is iPod-compatible and can connect with popular fitness apps.
The Life Fitness F1 has a 77″ x 34″ footprint. The treadmill is easily folded for storage and has transport wheels attached.
Pros:
- Full-sized track for walking (55″ x 20″)
- Top speed 10 mph
- Power incline (Maximum 12%)
- FlexDeck cushioning
- Smart 2.5 HP motor (Output adjusts to user weight)
- iPod compatible
- Third party workout app integration
- Seven preset workout programs
- Quick start mode uses your preferred incline and speed
- Wireless heart rate receiver
- Contact heart rate receiver
- Cup holders
- Accessory tray
- Foldable
- Transport wheels
- High user weight capacity (300 pounds)
Cons:
- Track isn’t long enough for taller runners
- Priced higher than non-folding treadmills with comparable horsepower
The Life Fitness F1 is very similar to the F3, which costs $299 more. The F3 has a more powerful motor and includes a choice of two consoles, each with at least 12 preset workout programs.
Introduction
The Life Fitness F1 is a sturdy folding treadmill priced at $2,298. It easily outperforms typical folding treadmills and fares well against traditional treadmills too. The F1 has good motor power, very effective cushioning and wireless heart rate monitoring. It has seven preset workouts and can recall your preferred speed and incline for Quick Start walking, jogging and running. Additionally it can connect with popular fitness apps; one option is using LFConnect to transfer workout programs to the treadmill. Overall the F1 Smart Treadmill is intended for shoppers who would take advantage of the mobile options. For other shoppers the F3 with plenty of built-in workouts is a more popular choice.
Workout Programs
The F1 treadmill computer has an LED display with blue lighting. It has seven preset programs to simplify training with specific goals for calorie burn, distance and other variables. The Quick Start feature recalls your preferred settings for speed and incline. The big strength though is connecting with mobile apps for guided training and automated data tracking. The LFConnect app is one option for accessing additional treadmill workouts.
Life Fitness F1 Smart Features
Whether folding or non-folding, Life Fitness treadmills use FlexDeck cushioning. The FlexDeck system helps reduce the impact of exercise on your joints, which lowers the risk of injury and promotes your endurance. It reduces the stress of exercise by up to 30% compared with asphalt surfaces.
The comfortable running surface can also be power-adjusted to simulate uphill running. The track can incline if half-degree increments up to 12 degrees.
A dock for your iPod is placed at the lower center of the console. The F1 is compatible with iPod Nano 5th generation + below, iPod Classic, iPod with Video and first and second generation iPod Touch.
To help you train efficiently, the F1 can track your heart rate wirelessly or with touch sensors.
A “green” feature on Life Fitness treadmills is their self-adjusting motors. This treadmill can run constantly at 2.5 HP, but if you weigh less it will use less energy.
This treadmill is a space-saver; it’s designed to let you easily fold the deck upward. Transport wheels are attached.
Warranty & Guarantee
The Life Fitness F1 Smart Treadmill warranty includes:
– Frame: Lifetime
– Deck: Lifetime
– Motor: 10 years
– Parts: 5 Years
– Labor: 1 year
Conclusion
The F1 Smart Treadmill is a very good folding treadmill with a long warranty on its parts. Its 2.5 HP motor and 55″ track are ideal for walkers but could be limiting for runners. This unit doesn’t offer the built-in workout variety of the F3, but options are endless if you connect mobile fitness apps.
The F1 is high quality but faces good competition from the F3, which costs little more. We also like the feature-rich NordicTrack Commercial 2950, which has a stronger motor and a lower sale price.