Sportcraft treadmills are definitely lower-end models. Even if you want an entry-level model, this company’s product might not be the way to go. You should first do a very careful review of Sportcraft treadmills; They have had a troubled history.
A Mr. Walter Holdstein founded Sportcraft Ltd in 1926. The company started out primarily producing indoor and outdoor games such as table tennis and tetherball. It still produces these games today. Over the past 30 years, the demand for home exercise equipment has expanded rapidly, but it wasn’t until 2001 that Sportcraft jumped into action and shipped its first motorized treadmills.
When supplying treadmills, Sportcraft’s company line has been to supply models that are cheap, cheap, cheap and sell them en masse through retailers like K-mart and Wal-mart.
To this end, all Sportcraft treadmills are manufactured overseas in places like China and Taiwan. Even though all of their units are quite attractive when you first look at them, the materials used in the construction are cheap and the build quality has always been in question.
Trying to mass produce low-end models at a very low price is not easy. This is something that Sportcraft have discovered to their cost with their range of cheap treadmills.
In 2005, there was a recall of the Sportcraft Tredex 6.0, the Tx440, and the Tx550. Units would speed up without warning, causing users to fall and sustain injuries. The company received at least 110 reports of unexpected acceleration. As if the 2005 recalls weren’t bad enough, there was another recall in 2006.
Selling cheap treadmills that malfunction and cause injuries does not bode well for the company’s future in the niche fitness industry.
Is there anything good to say about Sportcraft treadmills?
Not everything is bad. They are very cheap but offer many features to potential customers. You get lean, strong motor power for its class, and a high top speed. The Sportcraft TX 7.0 treadmill comes with a 2.75 HP motor, 19″ x 55″ deck, 10% incline. The design of the company’s units looks sleek and users also get things like a step counter and 6 preset workout programs with the Sportcraft 7 treadmill.
But don’t be fooled by these features. The memories of 2005 and 2006 should always be in the back of the mind.
Is everything okay now?
Unfortunately, Sportcraft treadmills are known to have the worst electronic design in the industry. Here’s what the Treadmill Doctor had to say: ‘As we said two years ago, their electronic design was the worst we’d seen on a treadmill…’
As if to underscore the poor build quality of their product, the poor warranty consists of 10 years on the frame, 1 year on the motor, 1 year on all parts, and 90 days on labor service. Any manufacturer that wants to give consumers confidence in their equipment will offer a warranty of at least 3 years on parts and a lifetime on the frame.
So what rating would you give the Sportcraft treadmills? After reading the review above, I think you already know that I don’t rate them at all. I’ll leave you with this comment from Treadmill Doctor: ‘We hope they will continue to mass market gaming tables and the like, but we think they should stay away from manufacturing treadmills.’