Merit 725T Treadmill

  • Reviewed On: December 11, 2011
  • Reviewed By: Gerard Lao

MSRP: $599, Price As Reviewed: $520, Model Year: 2011

Where To Buy : We Recommend Amazon.com

 

Pros

Treadmills411 Editor Comments

Affordable price tag

For just $519, it's more affordable than the regular 715T treadmill but offers better features.

10 mph and 10% incline

Treadmill has a max 10mph and 10% incline. Although considered a lower pro, still worth mentioning considering the affordable price tag.

Cushioining and pulse grips

We've seen more expensive treadmills not having these features so this is definitely a strength for the 725T selling for only $519.

 

Cons

Treadmills411 Editor Comments

Poor warranty

2 year on motor warranty and 90days on parts and labor is way below average even if it comes with a lifetime warranty on frame.

Weak motor

Only has 1.25HP motor.

Shorter belt length

A belt length of 45" is below average than what's expected for treadmills.

Light treadmill

At 139 lbs, it's very questionable to hold up 250lb users.

Limited programs

Even though it has more programs than the 715T, electronic programs are not very expensive to produce nowadays. 7 is still below average.

Lacks features

Treadmill doesn't have noise reduction, fans, and MP3 support.

Belt plies and roller size unknown

We give low marks for unknown or unstated features. Not to say that the quality of these features are poor but you have reasons to be cautious if details about these are not disclosed.

Basic Components – 35.5% [View Score Details] [Visit Recommended Merchant]

Extra Features – 55.1% [View Score Details] [Visit Recommended Merchant]

Quality and Durability – 28.4% [View Score Details] [Visit Recommended Merchant]

Overall Score & Conclusion - 39.7% [View Score Details] [Visit Recommended Merchant]

Category Ranking Criteria Scored As Points Awarded Points Possible Percentage Explanation Notes
Main component Programs 7 10.5 40 26.25% Treadmill has7 preset programs.
Main component Max Speed 9.1 to 10 MPH 35 45 77.78% Speed is adjustable from 1 to 10 miles per hour.
Main component Max Incline 9.1 to 10.0 15 45 33.33% Amazon states elevation range is from 0-10%.
Main component Belt Length <50" 12.5 40 31.25% Has a 45-inch belt length.
Main component Belt Width 18.0 to 18.4 12.5 40 31.25% Has a 18-inch belt width.
Main component Motor Rating 1.1 to 1.25 HP 5 45 11.11% Motor capacity is 1.25HP.
    Subtotal 1: 90.5 255 35.49%  


Category Ranking Criteria Scored As Points Awarded Points Possible Percentage Explanation Notes
Extra Features Max Decline No Decline 5 20 25% Has no decline feature.
Extra Features Noise Reduction Belt or Deck or Motor No 3 10 30% No mention of noise reduction features.
Extra Features Shock Absorption (cushioning) Belt or Deck Yes 10 15 66.67% Treadmill features AeroSoft Cushion system
Extra Features Folding Yes 15 15 100% Treadmill has a folding feature.
Extra Features Fans No/Not Stated 3 10 30% Does not have cooling fan features.
Extra Features Built In TV No/Not Stated 5 30 16.67% TV not stated.
Extra Features Supports MP3 Players No/Not Stated 5 20 25% MP3 player support not mentioned.
Extra Features Water Bottle Holder Yes 15 15 100% Treadmill console has bottle holder based on picture.
Extra Features Money Back Guarantee Yes (30 days or less) 15 20 75% Amazon website gives a 30-day money back guarantee on its products.
Extra Features Fitness Tests/Competition/Goals No/Not Stated 1.5 7.5 20% Amazon description has no mention of Fitness test/Goals.
Extra Features Personalization: User Profiles/Progress Logs/History No/Not Stated 1.5 7.5 20% Doesn\'t have user profiles.
Extra Features Heart Rate Monitor Grip 10 20 50% Comes with pulse grips only.
Extra Features Quick Speed/Incline Buttons Yes 10 10 100% Has quick speed and incline buttons according to Amazon.
Extra Features Time Display on Console Yes 5 5 100% Has time readout on console.
Extra Features Distance Display on Console Yes 5 5 100% Readout shows distance.
Extra Features Calories Display on Console Yes 5 5 100% Treadmill displays calories burned.
Extra Features Console Design Modern or Intuitive 10 10 100% Treadmill\'s console has intuitive controls.
    Subtotal 2: 124 225 55.11%  


:
Category Ranking Criteria Scored As Points Awarded Points Possible Percentage Explanation Notes
Quality and reliability Frame Warranty 13 to lifetime 20 20 100% Manufacturer gives a lifetime frame warranty.
Quality and reliability Motor Warranty 6 years or less 15 30 50% Comes with a 2-year motor warranty.
Quality and reliability Parts Warranty less than 1 year 10 60 16.67% Manufacturer gives a 90 day warranty on parts.
Quality and reliability Labor Warranty less than 1 year 10 60 16.67% Has a 90-day labor warranty.
Quality and reliability Multi-ply Belt/Deck 1 Ply/Not stated 5 15 33.33% Number of plies not stated in product description.
Quality and reliability Machine Weight less than 200 pounds/not stated 7.5 40 18.75% 139 lbs according to product description.
Quality and reliability Machine User Weight Capacity 238 to 250 pounds 12.5 42.5 29.41% Has a maximum weight capacity of250 lbs.
Quality and reliability Rollers less than 2"/not stated 7.5 22.5 33.33% Amazon has no information on roller size.
Quality and reliability Bonus Folding Yes -5     Amazon has no information on roller size.
    Subtotal 3 : 82.5 290 28.45%  
    Overall: 297 770 39.68%