The Freemotion 850 Treadmill from the Freemotion brand is one of their lower-tier models, and comes at a much cheaper price compared to their premier units like the T11.9 Reflex Treadmill. Despite being more affordable though, the 850 has caught the attention of a wide base of fans and followers who are all eager to find out whether this budget-friendly alternative can deliver the same powerful performance as its more expensive big brothers.
I did some research on the Freemotion 850 to find out whether it was right on the money. Obviously, the company had to cut some corners to make it more affordable than the other high end treadmills in their line-up. Unfortunately, the adjustments they made to lower the price point are glaring, and so the Freemotion 850 treadmill might not be the best performer in its price range.
If you ask me, choices like the Schwinn 830 Treadmill fall within a cheaper rice range, offer similar power, and provide much better value for money. So if you’re looking for something that will really do your money some justice, the Schwinn 830 is something I can highly recommend.
Still want to learn more about the Freemotion 850 anyway? Here’s a low-down on why it just didn’t make the cut in my books.
Flimsy Construction Makes Confident Use a Problem
When you hop on a treadmill – or any sort of fitness equipment for that matter – you want to be sure that you’re using something that won’t put you in harm’s way. So any equipment that seems like it might malfunction or breakdown during use will likely make it difficult for you to get your cardio on with confidence.
This seems to be one of the biggest issues with the Freemotion 850. On the overall, it seems the different parts weren’t designed to fit into each other seamlessly. The result is a squeaky, noisy, flimsy construction that can make you feel uneasy the moment you hop on. Unfortunately, it seems their customer support isn’t of much help with such issues either, as they’re often unable to pinpoint the exact cause of the noise the model generates.
In the event that you find out where the noise comes from and decide to request a replacement part, expect to be in line for quite a while. There are a lot of replacement part requests for this specific treadmill model. So you might not be able to receive the piece you need for months after you make your request.
Some Programming Issues
The Freemotion 850 Treadmill comes with a lot of features that I personally thought helped improve its overall value for money. With 32 different workout programs built into the machine, anyone and everyone can find a setting that suits their level of physical capacity.
Another thing that makes it suitable for users of different weights and capabilities is the fact that it comes with a 3.5 CHP motor. This is actually one of the strongest motors you’ll find on a treadmill in the market and it allows the machine to sustain a speed of 12 mph and carry weights of up to 350 pounds.
The incline on the Freemotion 850 can be set up to 15 degrees, and can even be reversed to -3 degrees – ideal for cool down or for high intensity interval routines. I do want to mention though that there have been some complaints regarding the incline controls and programming.
To move the Freemotion 850 incline, there are two one-step controls that are easily accessible to the user. In some cases, these controls have been said to malfunction, causing the machine to incline to the maximum degree with the user on it.
Another programming issue that seems to be common involves the 850’s heart rate monitor. The dual-grip scanners on the handlebars are inaccurate at best. While you can get a chest strap to get a more precise reading, the Freemotion 850 doesn’t include the strap in the package.
Large Machine Tries to Make Up for It with Space Saving Features
One thing’s for sure – the Freemotion 850 isn’t a small machine. The manufacturer sells it off as a powerful treadmill, and to achieve that, the design uses a lot of large pieces to offer bigger users a comfortable experience.
For starters, the Freemotion 850 uses a 22 x 60 inch tread which is comparatively wider than what other treadmill models offer. The 850 also boasts Surface Response Suspension cushioning which basically gives you a soft landing with each heel strike for a comfortable ride.
Given that it has a pretty large belt, the machine itself isn’t so small. Requiring a rather large footprint, the Freemotion 850 does allow users an Easy Lift Assist feature that folds the entire treadmill into a sleeker upright position. Keep in mind though that because it is pretty big, it’s also really heavy. So even if it’s all folded up, it might not be possible to lug the 850 around to keep it away in storage.
Reasonable Warranty Coverage
I reviewed the Nautilus T616 a few weeks back, and I found that its warranty coverage wasn’t exactly the best there is. With the price tag that comes with these machines, it seems only right to bundle the deal with full-on lifetime coverage.
Fortunately, Freemotion isn’t stingy when it comes to warranty. That said, the 850 comes with a lifelong coverage on the motor and frame and 2 years on parts and labor. Personally, I found this to be fairly reasonable given that the machine does come at a steep price point.
However, it is worth mentioning that because a lot of buyers complain about squeaking and durability, you might find that a 2 year warranty coverage on parts and labor might not be long enough.
What I Like About the Freemotion 850 Treadmill
- Decline feature isn’t something you’ll commonly find on a home treadmill, allowing you to switch up your routine and experience a different kind of run with each use.
- Wide belt can easily accommodate larger users.
- Powerful motor won’t struggle to maintain high speeds.
- 32 different built-in running programs cater to every kind of user.
What Could Be Improved
- Squeaking parts can make running on the 850 a little unsettling.
- Warranty coverage of 2 years on parts and labor might not be long enough considering the quality of the build of the machine.
- 7 inch display screen looks busy, making it difficult to get an idea of your run at just a glance.
- Large footprint can easily eat up a substantial area in any space.
- Program malfunctions are common problems that users complain of.
- Customer service isn’t the best.
- Given all its features and issues, it’s easy to say that you could get better value for your money with other treadmill models available on the market.
The Verdict
Do I think the Freemotion 850 is worth the money? In my opinion, this particular treadmill design had a lot of potential. With its extensive list of pre-set programs, its burly build and wide running belt, and its powerful 3.5 CHP motor, the Freemotion 850 could have been a great choice if not for its faulty and somewhat flimsy construction.
When it all comes right down to it, you want something that will last. And unfortunately given the information I found on the 850, there’s no guarantee that this machine will be able to sustain the wear and tear of use throughout the years.
If you’re still looking for a treadmill that can give you the best value for your money without the steep price tag, I can recommend the Schwinn 830 Treadmill or the T616 from Nautilus. If you’ve got a little more to spare, then the choices from Xterra might also be right on the money, especially their higher end models. These treadmills come at either the same or a much more affordable cost, but still pack a pretty powerful punch when it comes to performance. So if you’re really set on spending some cash on a real fitness investment, these are designs that I’m confident you’ll love.