Xterra TRX3500 Treadmill Review: Mid Range Price, Heavy Duty Build

What I like about Xterra Fitness is that they don’t go too crazy with the tech on their treadmills. This is a good thing because those HD color screens can really bump the price up. What these guys generally do is put all the money into the build and essential features, and the tech comes second, which is what you want.

What you end up with is a well-made beast of a treadmill like the Xterra TRX3500. Yeah, it doesn’t boast all the fancy features of the NordicTrack treadmills, but the build quality is higher, and the price tag low.

You have a near-commercial-size running belt, an excellent 12% auto-adjustable incline, a high-torque 3HP motor with a top speed of 12MPH, and a heavy-duty build. This thing weighs 213lb out of the box. The TRX3500 has all the essentials, so even runners won’t be disappointed. And the price tag is still under $1500. Nice.

The Xterra Fitness TRX3500 is certainly a treadmill worth taking seriously, and today, I want to take a close look at everything this treadmill has to offer, including any drawbacks.

At the end of the review, I’ll compare it to another bestseller in this price bracket the NordicTrack T Series 8, as it will be interesting to see how they match up.

First, let’s take a quick look at the Xterra TRX3000 product specs!

Why Do We Like The Xterra TRX3500 Treadmill?

If you’re like me and you take your cardio seriously, you’ll want to buy a treadmill that is as close to commercial grade as possible for your budget. Commercial treadmills are heavy-duty beasts. They weigh 300 lb+, and they barely move when running on them.

Generally, the heavier the treadmill, the sturdier and higher quality the treadmill. The Xterra TRX3500 weighs 213lb, which is impressive for a treadmill costing under $1500. The weight tells me it is made from high-quality parts, and that weight will really help with stability. There’s no movement when running on the TRX3500.

Okay, it’s not a commercial grade, but for the price, it’s about as close as you’re going to get.

Nice Large Belt 20″ x 60″

After build quality and stability, the next most important feature of a treadmill is the running belt size.

The running belt size is important because it will determine who can use the treadmill and for what purpose. Commercial treadmills typically boast 22″ x 60″ belts, so you’re not far off with the Xterra TRX3500.

The 20″ X 60″ TRX3500 treadmill belt is large. People up to 6’1″ or 6’2 “, depending on their stride length, should be fine jogging or running on it.

The 20″ width is impressive, too. The Width of a running belt is just as important as its length. A narrow belt can be dangerous, as there’s always the risk of stepping off the side of the belt in the middle of a session. Wide belts are what you want—the wider, the better—and 20″ is almost as good as it gets. So, a big thumbs up for the Xterra TRX3500 running belt.

Click here to check price of the Xterra TRX3500 on Amazon

 Is 3HP Enough?

A 3HP motor isn’t anything to shout home about, it’s not too bad, but when you consider 3HP is the peak of this motor, not its CHP(Continuous Horsepower), you realize the TRX3500 is slightly underpowered.

Yes, it’s a high torque motor, which helps, still, the peak performance of 3HP is pretty low, we’re seeing peak performance 3HP motors on small walking pads, a treadmill this large, you feel, should be boasting a bit more power.

High end commercial treadmill motors are rated by their CHP, and a heavy duty treadmill motor usually has a CHP of 3 to 4HP with peaks of 7 to 8 HP.

The TRX3500 Treadmill motor peaks at 3HP, and its CHP would be about 1.5HP, so yeah, overall, it’s not a powerful motor. There’s enough power for jogging and some running, but I’d say if you’re training for marathons, etc., you’ll need a treadmill with more power.

Also, with a 3HP motor, it’s probably a good idea to stay well under the treadmill’s max weight capacity to avoid early motor burnout. A more realistic weight capacity for a treadmill motor that peaks at 3HP would be about 250lb for running and slightly more for slower-paced cardio.

Decent Monitor, Quick Access Buttons, and BlueTooth

I couldn’t fault the monitor. Yeah, it’s a little dated, but all the monitors on Xterra fitness gear are like this. It’s the same with Sole Fitness- they’re another company that likes to focus their efforts more on the essentials rather than the tech of the monitors.

Still, the TRX3500 monitor includes everything you need. It tracks all your workout stats, such as distance, pace, time, program, calories, incline, and pulse.

There are 30 workout programs to keep you challenged and a workout fan. What I liked most were the quick-assess buttons for speed and incline. They’re large and easy to reach while running. This monitor is not complicated, and the LCD is a good size, about 6″.

Another handy feature is the handrail controls for adjusting speed and incline, as it saves you from reaching the monitor in the middle of a workout.

Lastly, you have BlueTooth, so you have access to running apps. Both Swift and Kino work well with the Xterra treadmills.

Hill Running With 12% Incline

If you’re going to spend over $1000 on a treadmill, the treadmill should include a power-adjustable incline with at least 10 levels. The Xterra TRX3500 treadmill boasts a 12-level 12% max incline, which is good enough for the price point. You don’t really need more than a 12% incline.

Running on an incline will double your calorie burn, and you’ll work and strengthen those hard to train muscles like your hamstrings, glutes, and calves. This is an essential feature for getting the most out of each session, and it’s a feature I wouldn’t go without when choosing a treadmill.

To adjust the incline on the Xterra 3500, you have a choice of using the monitor control buttons or the handrail buttons.

XtraSoft – Protect Your Joints

All good treadmills should come with some sort of ant-shock system to protect your joints.

Xterra Fitness generally uses the same deck cushioning system on all their treadmills. It’s a decent system that uses dual shock absorbers placed between the belt and the running deck.

You can really feel the cushioning it might be a touch on the soft side for people who are used to road running. But you’ll get used to it after a few days.

This type of shock system is said to reduce the impact on your joints by up to 30%, so it’s much better for your joints than running on hard impact surfaces like roads.

The only downside is that this cushioning system isn’t adjustable. Some treadmills use an adjustable system with options of hard, medium, and soft.

Fold With Ease – Hydraulics

It’s great to see that Xterra still uses its soft-drop folding system. It’s one of my favs. It’s so easy to use. The hydraulics make folding the treadmill deck effortless. You can fold the running deck with one hand.

Once folded, the treadmill footprint is almost halved—a handy feature for those tight on space.

Customer Feedback

Most users seem happy with their purchase of the TRX3500, with many saying they were impressed with the stability and quality of the machine. Others praised the large running belt, and some even mentioned that assembly is easy with the tools provided.

What I found impressive was the number of people praising Xterra’s customer service, with many saying they deserve 5/5 just for the quick and helpful service, which is always great to hear. It’s much better than the feedback you hear about Noirdictrack customer service and many other popular brands.

A few mentioned that the workout fan was weak, but this is a common problem with most treadmills. Some people thought the monitor console lacked features.

Overall, feedback is very positive for this treadmill, with an average rating of 4.2/5, which is about what I’d give it.

Will I Need a Treadmill Mat?

Many people buy treadmill mats to prevent their treadmills from sliding or moving when exercising on them. This is normally a problem with lightweight treadmills, as they don’t have the weight to keep them firmly planted to the floor. The TRX3500 weighs 213lb, so it’s a heavy machine and shouldn’t need a mat for extra stability.

However, if you want to keep your floors scratch-free, you might need a treadmill mat. That’s why I decided to get one, they do a fantastic job of protecting floors.

And lastly, if you live in an apartment and want to keep the neighbors happy, a treadmill mat is always a good idea. A mat will help absorb some of the vibrations from your workouts.

One Hour Assembly Take Your Time

This isn’t a complicated treadmill to assemble, most of the assembly has been done for you. The hardest part is unboxing and putting the treadmill in place. The box is awkward and weighs 236lb, so you will need some help with it.

All the tools for the job and clear instructions are provided. The Average assembly time is 1 hour, with another person helping.

Other things to remember: Even though the treadmill should be lubricated before it leaves the factory, I always lubricate the belt before first use. You never know if they missed it or forgot. Also, if the belt is loose, you’ll need to tighten it with a fallen key and make sure the belt is centered before first use.

Alternative

NordicTrack T Series 8 Treadmill

I’m not always a huge fan of NordicTrack. They tend to put too much effort into the technology of the treadmill and their iFit app and sometimes forget about the rest of the treadmill.

Still, sometimes, these guys really pull it out of the bag and get everything right. Their new T Series 8 treadmill is one of those machines. It’s a diamond in the rough from NordicTrack. The price is kept low because we don’t have one of their large HD screens and all the essential features haven’t suffered.

Firstly, you have a more powerful motor with this treadmill than the Xterra, the T series motor peaks at 3.6HP, and that little extra is noticeable.

Just like the Xterra TRX3500, the T Series boasts an impressive 12% 12-level incline. Most importantly, it boasts a large 20″ x 60″ running belt, so most people should be able to use this treadmill for running.

Also, this treadmill includes the Selectflex anti-shock system, one of the best cushioning systems out there. You can adjust the cushioning level to suit you, a feature no other treadmill in this price bracket includes.

The Monitor is fairly basic, just like the Xterra monitor, which is a good thing because it keeps the price down. Still, you get 50 workout programs, a fairly large 7″ LCD screen, and, of course, the option to use their iFit app. However, at $39.99 a month, you probably want to give that a miss.

With a weight of 211lb, this thing is sturdy, it’s well built. It costs a little more than the Xterra, but if you want extra power and an adjustable cushioning system, I think it’s worth the few extra bucks. It’s certainly a treadmill worth considering.

To Sum Up

What stands out about the Xterra TRX3500 is its build quality. It’s not commercial grade, but it’s as close as you’re going to get in this price bracket. It’s a sturdy, well-built machine, and this is reflected in the treadmill’s impressive lifetime warranty on the frame and long warranties on parts and labor, which is proof Xterra has a lot of faith in their work and this treadmill.

Is there anything holding it back? I couldn’t find much wrong with this treadmill. Yes, maybe the monitor is slightly dated, but I’m one of those guys who’s not too worried about the latest technology. I would far rather pay for build quality than tech.

The motor, which peaks at 3HP, is slightly underpowered for a treadmill this size. It’s not a deal-breaker, you can still jog and run on this machine every day, the motor will handle it. But it’s not a heavy-duty motor, so if you’re serious about running and training for marathons, you will need to spend a little more and go for something more powerful. Look for motors that peak at 7HP for marathon training.

Xterra TRX3500 Treadmill FAQs

What is The Weight Limit of The Xterra TRX3500 Treadmill?

The weight limit of the Xterra TRX3500 is 350lb. This is 50lb over most treadmills in this price range.

Does Xterra Make a Good Treadmill?

Xterra Fitness is known for supplying high quality low-cost treadmills. Their treadmills may include less tech than other home treadmills, but this is what helps keep their prices low.

Does The Xterra FItness TRX3500 Treadmill Include an Incline?

Yes, the TRX3500 includes an auto-adjustable incline. You can adjust the incline from the monitor or the handrail control buttons. The TRX3500 boasts a 12% 12-level incline, perfect for hill-running workouts.