Merit Fitness 725T Treadmill Review

Quick Summary

The Merit Fitness 725T Plus is a budget treadmill designed to offer walkers and light joggers a general means to exercise.

While the motor is definitely not huge (2.5 HP/1.25 CHP), the 1-10 mph speed and incline range combined with seven pre-defined workout programs provide a decent range of exercise options.

Enjoy other additional features like an accessory tray, thumb pulse heart rate monitor and fold-up frame for compact storage.

Learn more by reading our full Merit Fitness 725T Plus treadmill review below…

Specifications

Model	Merit Fitness 725T
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the treadmill's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	73.5%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$599
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.	$495
Speed Treadmill Speed is measured in Miles Per Hour (mph). Average running speed is 5-9 mph.	1 - 10 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 - 10%
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.	2.25 HP
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).	18" x 45"
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.	Aerosoft Cushioning (1.3mm)
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.	7
Max. Weight Treadmill Max User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.	250 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.	Thumb Pulse
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this treadmill will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	71" x 31" x 53" Folded: 53" x 32" x 34" Weight: 139 lbs Rollers: 1.65"
Display Treadmill Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	LED (2-Window)
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: 2 Years Parts: 90 Days Labor: 90 Days

Our Rating

Rating: 73.5/100. Budget and compact treadmill features power and deck size ideal for smaller and lightweight users that need something for basic exercises. Walkers and recreational joggers can save money with the Merit Fitness 725T Plus by going with a smaller motor and skipping a lot of features found on higher priced models.

Pros:

Folding, compact treadmill
AeroSoft Cushioning System
Ideal for walkers with smaller body sizes
Get heart rate reading with thumb pulse
LED windows display workout information
Quick controls for fast speed/incline change

Cons:

Deck size not suitable for larger users
Questionable durability with poor warranty
Could use more pre-defined workout programs

Introduction

The Merit Fitness 725T Plus is appropriate for most recreational users.

The motor, size of running surface, number of pre-defined workout programs, etc may not compete with some of the leaders in the treadmill industry but it’s adequate.

The motor provides at least 1.25 CHP for a decent walking or light jogging experience as you walk/jog above AeroSoft cushioning. If you need a slightly more intense workout shift over to the 2.5 HP setting.

The motor is backed by a two year warranty while the frame is covered for life.

If you do not have a lot of room to store a large piece of exercise equipment, the Merit Fitness 725T Plus is compact and folds when not in use.

Workout Programs

The 725T Plus features seven preset programs, including manual, intervals, rolling hills and weight loss.

Workout information is provided on two LED windows that track resistance level, speed, time and distance.

Five quick keys and five interval keys provide optimal adjustments on the fly.

The treadmill is not compatible with iFit Live, an increasingly popular program on treadmills.

Merit Fitness 725T Plus Features

The Merit 725T Plus provides an accessory tray, including two cup holders, while you exercise.

The 725T Plus is easy to fold and will not take up a lot of space if you need the room for other activities.

Monitor your heart rate with built-in pulse/thumb grips.

The 18″ x 45″ running surface is small considered to industry standards, but will suffice for smaller users.

The treadmill does not have any other additional features like an iPod dock, built-in speakers, or cooling fan.

Warranty & Guarantee

The Merit Fitness 725T Plus treadmill warranty and guarantee includes:

– Frame: Lifetime
– Motor: 2 Years
– Parts: 90 Days
– Labor: 90 Days

Contact 877-50-Merit for more details.

Conclusion

The purpose of the Merit 725T Plus is quite clear. It’s an efficient machine that will help meet your fitness goals. It will not, however, offer much in the electronics department.

Tight on cash? The Merit 725T Plus is a budget-friendly option. Browse more Under $500 Treadmills.

Merit Fitness 725T Plus Review

Rating: 73.5%