I am reviewing the Star Trac Pro. This was a treadmill I hadn’t seen but have become very familiar with since joining my most recent gym.
About the Pro:
The Star Trac Pro is a huge treadmill. That caught my attention even before I saw the most unusual console I’ve every seen. The overall dimensions are 34" x 85.5" and the overall weight is 310 lbs. It certainly has a presence.
It has handles on each side of the machine and a bar in front of me with heart rate monitors on each side. The handles and heart rate monitors are easy to grip and located well. This treadmill is so big that I never have to worry (If you have done this you know how uncomfortable it feels.) that my toes will hit the front of the track or the sides. The running surface length is 20" x 62".
The machine boasts right on it a “soft trac.” Star Trac notes that it is triple cushioned. I have been on many treadmills and really don’t notice any difference in feel from this tread to any other. It doesn’t feel any softer or have more give than any others.
The machine also has other unusual components. There are two very large cup (disc players, etc.) holders on each side. However they are very unusually shaped making a large bottle fit in but not as easily as in other cup holders.
In addition this machine has two fans. You read that right. Each side of the console has a small round fan that I can turn on and have the option of either a high speed or low speed. Most people I know or with whom I have worked prefer not to have a fan blowing on them while working out. If you do, then these work nicely.
You will also find a heart rate chart on the console telling you what range your heart rate should be in as well as an emergency stop on the handle. The console has a built in magazine rack as well.
The Console and Features:
Again the console is quite unusual. It has the usual quick start option which you can press and the machine will count down from 3 and you will then use it manually. You can use the arrows to increase or decrease your speed and level. What is unusual is a row of programs that light up when you press them. Each program has several sub programs under it. The “title” of the programs is Workout Partner. The programs include climbing (alpine, forest, trail, mystery); athlete (5K, 10K, custom, fit test); weight management (custom interval, manual, heart rate.)
The console also has time, distance and calorie displays with arrows next to the time and distance. You’ll also find incline arrows that allow the Star Trac to go up or down and a plus or minus for speed. The treadmill has a 15% elevation capability. Finally you’ll see a round “trac” (track) which lights up as you walk or run and finish each lap of the track.
Let’s say I choose the athletic option and pick 5K. I then hit start and then I am asked for my weight. Various options ask for various information. Weight management tells you that this is dynamic heart rate control, you'll then hit start, and you’ll be asked to select an upper or lower heart rate. This is great because the machine will adjust to what you want. You will also be asked for your weight, then hit start, how much time you want, hit start and it will tell you to prepare – 3, 2, 1 go…
Once you have chosen your option the console shows the time remaining, vertical distance (for climbing), calories per hour, your pace and how many laps around the track you have gone.
When asked for weight for example you’ll find a number pad on the right. All displays and numbers are easy to see and read even from a distance. I say distance because the machine is so large you are farther away from the console then on many other treadmills.
The Star Trac Pro has a 3-year limited warranty. It has a 5 horsepower motor and the user weight limit is 350 pounds.
Jo Your Personal Trainer’s Thoughts:
At around $7,000 this treadmill is not for the average person. It is designed for those who have the money and are building a large workout room in their house or for a commercial setting. Personally unless I got a fantastic deal on the Star Trac Pro I wouldn’t buy it because of its size and I do not have a home gym. If you have the space I can tell you that it will be hard to find a machine as feature rich as this – certainly none with fans. Of course if you like a fan, you can spend a lot less on a machine and just buy a fan!
The Star Trac is nice to walk on only because of its size. I don’t find it more or less comfortable than others. You may have to be shown how to work the machine. Although it may not sound complicated if you have never seen this kind of feature set up, you will be taken aback at first. Once you get the hang of it though, it is a fun machine to use because there are so many options and you can watch yourself going around the track. If you run you can do so without fear of hitting the sides or front which is a very nice feature. Again this is because of the size more than the design of the machine.
I do not recommend this for the average consumer. I am not going to say I won’t recommend it, just that it isn’t practical. Even at half the price you can find an excellent treadmill that will give you enough features (though no fans) to make you happy. In spite of this I must give it 4 stars because of its features. It is certainly above average in that regard.
Please feel free to leave me a question or comment.
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