Merit treadmills are a discount line produced by Johnson. Johnson is the 4th largest maker of fitness equipment in North America and also owns popular brands like Horizon, Matrix and Vision.
The 715T is very affordable and folds up for easy storage. You also get 2 cupholders and 4 built in workouts.
But is it a good value for you? Here's a quick review to help you decide:
Quick Stats:
Price: $499
Motor: 1.25 HP
Speed: 0.5 - 10 MPH
Incline: 0 - 5% (Manual)
Treadbelt: 16 x 45"
Folding: Yes
Thumb Heart Rate Monitor
User Weight Capacity: 150 lbs
Warranty: Lifetime on Frame, 1 year motor, 90 days parts and labor
Strengths:
1) Affordable - Obviously the main strength of this treadmill is that it's very cheap. While that has it's drawbacks (see the weaknesses below), for many people in this economy, it can be a huge plus.
2) 4 Built In Programs with Heart Rate Monitor - You can choose from several built in programs which is great to find on a treadmill at this price point. Plus there's a thumb-sensor to monitor your heart rate and keep you in your target fat-burning zone.
3) Folding - The 715T folds up to save space. It's also fairly lightweight, which makes it easy to fold up and move around.
4) Good Customer Service - One of the Merit Fitness strengths is that they are good with customer service.
If you have a problem with your treadmill they try to get you what you need (extra parts, instructions) very fast.
Weaknesses:
There are a lot of weaknesses here:
1) Tiny Belt - This is one of the smallest belts you can find on a treadmill. It only has a 16" x 45" walking area. If you're taller or want to run, you may feel like you're going to fall off your treadmill.
2) Poor Warranty - This isn't surprising, given the price. While you're covered for a lifetime on the frame, the motor is only 1 year and you only get 90 days on parts and labor - which is a huge red flag.
3) Manual 5% Incline - The 715T only offers manual incline of up to 5%. This can be a pain to get off the treadmill and back on just to adjust the incline.
4) Light On Motor Power - The motor is the heart of your treadmill. It can also be the most expensive part to fix. So you want a strong, powerful motor that can hold up over the long run.
The 715T treadmill only offers 1.25 continuous duty motor power which is very weak.
Overall Conclusion: Not Recommended
While we're all for getting a deal, it's hard to recommend the Merit Fitness 715T treadmill. It is affordable and gives you a few perks like the folding ability and a few built in workouts.
However there are a lot of red flags like lack of warranty, small belt and poor motor power.
If you want a machine that will hold up better over the long run, a Nordic Track (starting around $699) is only a few hundred more and offers longer warranties, power incline, much larger belts and stronger motors.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can buy the Merit 715T online. You can sometimes get Free Shipping to your home which can save you about $150.
