With the growing trend of athletes seeking long-term cost benefits by establishing home gyms, the fitness market is responding with innovative space-efficient equipment. A standout in this category is the Echelon Stride Auto-Fold Connected Treadmill. Priced around £1,600, this budget-friendly treadmill doesn’t compromise on quality. The highlight feature, “auto-fold,” enables this 69-inch treadmill to condense to a mere 10 inches in height, perfect for those with space constraints.
Beyond its affordability, the Echelon Stride boasts a durable steel frame and exceptional shock absorption for a comfortable run. If you’re searching for a simple, budget-friendly, yet sturdy treadmill, the Echelon Stride Auto-Fold is a top pick, especially for those with limited space.
Takeaways
- Suitable for all users: power walkers at 0.5mph to sprinters up to 12mph.
Compact design: folds to just 10 inches high in three easy steps.
- Compact design: folds to just 10 inches high in three easy steps.
- It is ideal for limited home gym spaces.
- Over 30 professional instructors for virtual classes.
- Globally filmed scenic workouts are available.
- Membership can be added to treadmill purchases.
- Starting rate: approximately £29/month on a two-year plan.
This treadmill boasts a slim design, folding down to a mere 10-inch height for convenient storage. With speeds topping at 12mph and a complimentary 30-day Echelon Premiere membership included in your purchase, you gain entry to over 3,000 live and on-demand fitness sessions.
Echelon Stride Auto-Fold Treadmill Highlights
The Echelon Stride Auto-Fold Connected Treadmill offers a reliable home workout solution priced under £2,000. While its incline caps at 10%, slightly lower than some models that reach up to 15%, it’s still sufficient for a challenging glute workout. Conveniently, it collapses to a height of 10 inches, boasts speeds of up to 12 mph, and features a console that displays essential metrics like speed, incline, duration, and calories expended.
It may not come with the touchscreen displays found on more advanced models, but its competitive pricing compensates for this. Priced about £1,000 less than many competitors, the Echelon Stride Auto-Fold doesn’t compromise on sturdiness. It’s constructed with a robust steel frame and an impact-resistant running surface, ensuring longevity with regular use.
Who Should Buy The Echelon Treadmill?
If you’re in the market for a cost-effective treadmill, the Echelon Stride Auto-Fold Connected Treadmill might be just the ticket. Priced at £1,600, Echelon offers a convenient financing option, allowing you to acquire it for a monthly fee of £28.
This treadmill is also an excellent choice for those who thrive with guided workouts; an Echelon membership grants access to over 40 live daily sessions and a vast library of on-demand classes.
Furthermore, for those constrained by space, this treadmill is a dream come true, folding down to a mere 10 inches in height. And if you’re on the hunt for other compact workout equipment, we’ve got some recommendations for you.
Who Shouldn’t Buy The Echelon Treadmill?
For individuals weighing over 300 pounds, the Echelon Stride Auto-Fold Connected Treadmill may not be the best fit, as it doesn’t support weights beyond this limit. Similarly, if you’re seeking a treadmill with a steeper incline, you should explore other options.
Its incline caps at 10%, which is lower than some treadmills that can incline up to 40%. Additionally, tech enthusiasts yearning for an integrated touchscreen may be slightly disappointed. At the same time, the treadmill doesn’t offer this feature. Users can still stream or view content by pairing it with an external tablet or mobile device.
Overall Build and Quality
At a mere 156 pounds, the Echelon Auto-Fold may seem like a lightweight treadmill, but its sturdiness is not to be underestimated. Its rubber running deck, fortified with an elastomer, ensures it can endure even the most forceful strides. This Stride treadmill is perfect for those seeking a portable option that’s easy to fold and stow away.
Priced well below £2,000, its durability is evident as it can support users up to 300 pounds. Notably, it boasts features such as a steel transport handle, vertical and horizontal movement wheels, and handlebar sensors to monitor your workout intensity.
Features
Are you looking for speeds up to 12 mph, 12 incline settings, and heart rate tracking? The Echelon Stride might be just what you need. If you possess a tablet, you can conveniently dock it on the treadmill’s holder and access thousands of on-demand exercises through Echelon’s FitPass.
However, the need for an integrated screen might make it less appealing to tech aficionados seeking the newest and most advanced features.
Incline Range
The Stride offers an incline range from zero to 10 per cent, which is somewhat limited. The Echelon might fall short for those keen on engaging their glutes with steeper climbs. In that case, consider the Echelon Stride-5S, boasting 16 incline levels and reaching up to 15 per cent.
Range of Speed
The Echelon Stride allows for speeds ranging from 0.5 to 12 mph. While this covers the pace of many, it may not satisfy Olympic sprinters. Take Usain Bolt, for instance: in 2009, he shattered the 100-meter sprint world record with a time of 9.58 seconds. That translates to an astounding 23.35 mph. Hence, Bolt might find the Echelon Stride a tad slow for his standards.
Most of us aren’t on par with Bolt’s speed. For the average person, the Stride’s top speed should suffice for a rigorous workout and significant calorie burn.
Included workouts
Regardless of the Echelon membership tier you opt for, be it the more affordable FitPass or the premium Echelon Premier (available monthly, annually, or biennially), you’ll gain access to over 40 live classes daily, thousands of on-demand sessions, and eight curated workouts from over 30 trainers. However, the Premier tier offers over 4,000 on-demand courses, a noticeable jump from the 2,000 available with just the FitPass. Additionally, Premier members can enjoy treadmill and other equipment-based classes, whereas FitPass focuses on off-equipment sessions, perfect for cross-training.
Embracing cross-training is a crucial component of a holistic fitness regimen. It’s essential to diversify beyond walking, jogging, or running (and invest in top-notch cross-training shoes). With FitPass, you can dive into varied workouts, including barre, HIIT, kickboxing, strength conditioning, Zumba, and yoga—complementing the strength training perfectly.
Display and Speakers
While the Echelon Stride doesn’t come with a conventional display or touchscreen, it efficiently monitors and presents your statistics on its console, including elapsed time, speed, incline, and distance.
To access workouts on the Echelon Stride, you’ll utilize the Echelon Fit app on your smartphone or tablet. However, a note of caution: as of October 2022, the app held a 2.8 rating on the Apple store and a slightly lower 2.4 on the Google Play store.
The Echelon Stride has two 2-watt speakers on its console despite not having a display. A connection via a mobile device or through the USB port is required to utilise these speakers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer Bluetooth functionality, eliminating the option for a wireless connection.
Heart rate monitoring
Heart rate variability (HRV) refers to the variations between successive heartbeats. It’s an invaluable metric for gauging training progress and recovery, making it a sought-after feature for many treadmill enthusiasts. Echelon is good in this regard.
The treadmill’s handlebar sensors allow you to monitor your heart rate directly, enhancing your HRV and understanding your fitness trajectory without needing external heart rate devices. The Echelon Fit app will enable you to monitor your heart rate, displaying your HR and BPM (beats per minute) zones when paired with the Echelon Beat Heart Rate Monitor.
HDMI, USB, and Other Inputs
Whether engaged with the Echelon Fit app or jamming to your Spotify playlist during your run, the Echelon Stride’s USB 2.0 port ensures your phone stays charged. While the Stride might not top the list for streaming-centric treadmills, you can take solace in knowing your phone’s battery will last through your workout session.
Bluetooth and Audio Options
The Stride Auto-Fold boasts dual 2-watt speakers, but it lacks Bluetooth functionality. To enjoy that feature, you’d need to opt for the Stride-S, which supports Bluetooth for audio and heart rate monitoring. Alternatively, you can connect your Bluetooth headphones to your mobile device using a USB cable.
Product Specifications
The standout feature of the Auto-Fold is undoubtedly its compact foldability, shrinking to a mere height of 10 inches. In other specs, it aligns with industry standards, showcasing a 55-inch running length and supporting a weight of up to 300 pounds.
Motor Size
Powered by a 1.75 CHP motor, the treadmill promises energy efficiency – a relief for those concerned about electricity costs. For frequent runners, this motor might not be potent enough. Opt for a treadmill offering 2.5 to 3 CHP or higher, especially if you’re heavier. Yet, for occasional runners, motors exceeding 1.5 CHP typically suffice.
Running Area
Measuring 55 inches in length and 20 inches in width, the Echelon Stride’s deck might seem a tad compact, aligning more with walking treadmill dimensions. While most running treadmills span 58 to 60 inches, it doesn’t restrict you from running on the Stride. However, taller individuals should proceed with caution.
Boost your treadmill experience by pairing it with top-notch running shoes, and consider a dynamic running warm-up for enhanced performance.
Weight Capacity
With a weight limit of 300 pounds, the treadmill caters to the majority. Considering the average adult male weighs 199.8 pounds and the female 170.8 pounds, it’s pretty inclusive. However, for those needing more, treadmills are offering greater weight support.
Folding Mechanism and Dimensions
For those pressed for space, the Auto-Fold’s dimensions are a godsend. Unfolded, it stretches to 69 inches in length, 31 inches in width, and stands 49 inches tall. Yet, in three simple steps, it collapses to a height of just 10 inches – an asset for those with limited living spaces. To fold:
- Align the tablet holder with the floor.
- Release the handlebars.
- Activate the red lever.
The handlebars seamlessly merge with the running deck.
Max Speed and Incline
The treadmill offers a speed range, letting users trot at a leisurely 0.5mph or sprint up to 12mph. While the 12 incline settings sound promising, the peak incline of 10 per cent might leave some wanting.
Electrical Requirements
The Auto-Fold requires a standard 110-volt AC outlet, fitting most domestic electrical setups.
Conclusion
The Echelon treadmill seamlessly blends functionality with innovation. Its compact design, impressive speed range, and a 30-day Echelon Premiere membership bonus make it a noteworthy addition to any home gym. With access to a vast library of live and on-demand classes, users aren’t just buying a piece of equipment but investing in a holistic fitness experience. While numerous treadmills exist in the market, the Echelon’s unique features and comprehensive offerings solidify its position as a top fitness player.