Xterra TRX5500 Treadmill Review: High End Build – Mid Level Price

The Xterra TRX5500 is Xterra’s top-of-the-line treadmill. They don’t make anything more heavy-duty than this. It is a 230-lb heavy-duty treadmill, which is still not quite commercial grade but impressive for the price point. It’s a solid treadmill. There isn’t any movement when running on this machine.

The more well-built and sturdy you can get for your money, the better, and at well under $2k, Xterra is offering you a lot of treadmill for your money. That’s why I like this company. They concentrate their efforts on the essentials like build quality, belt size, and power, and the tech comes second.

So, basically, you get a high-end treadmill with a mid-level price tag. Yeah, you don’t get all the fancy, techy features of a NordicTrack treadmill, but you get a more solid, durable machine that’s going to take years of heavy use without breaking down.

So far, I like Xterra’s new heavy-duty offering. In today’s review, I’ll take a close look at this impressive machine, its pros, and drawbacks, and compare it with another best seller in this price bracket: the Sole F65 treadmill. It will be interesting to see how these two match up.

First a quick look at the Xterra TRX5500 product specs!

Why Do We Like The Xterra TRX5500 Treadmill?

What I like about the TRX5500 is the same as what I liked about the TRX4500 and TRX3500. It’s how much treadmill you get for your money,. Yes, their machines may not include high-end features, but they do have a high-end build, which is why I like them so much.

You’re not paying a ton of cash for a 22″ large HD screen and a load of other features, like VR, that you’ll never use.

With Xterra treadmills, you pay for build quality. They’re well-made treadmills that get all the basics right.

The 230lb weight of the TRX5500 is proof of this; in general, the heavier the treadmill, the higher the quality of parts used in the build.

A decent heavy-duty treadmill should feel solid with no off-putting movement when running, which is what you get with the TRX5500 Treadmill. Many users have praised how sturdy and gym-like this thing feels when running, which is exactly what you want from a home treadmill.

The closer you can get to the feel of a commercial gym treadmill for your money, the better.

Large 20″x 60″ Running Belt

A commercial treadmill, like the machines you use in your local gym, usually boast a belt size of 22″ x 60″, and we’re not that far from that size with the TRX55500 running belt. It measures 20″ x 60″, this is a large running belt—almost commercial size—and excellent to find on a sub $2k treadmill.

A belt this size will allow users up to 6’3″ to run comfortably on this treadmill without feeling restricted.

Also, the belt is wide, which is important, especially if you want to use this machine for fast-paced cardio such as running.

You need to be confident when running on a treadmill belt, and a 20″ width gives you that confidence. You don’t have to worry about steeping off the side of the belt in the middle of a workout, which is a problem with narrow running belts.

Click here to check price of Xterra TRX5500 on Amazon

Hill Running With 15 Level Auto Incline

When buying a treadmill its always a good idea to choose one with an incline feature. Incline walking, jogging, or running adds a lot more to your workouts.

You’ll double calorie burn and strengthen and tone hard-to-train muscles such as your calves, glutes, and hamstrings. This is essential if you want to get the most out of each cardio session.

The Xterra TRX5500 boasts a pretty impressive auto-adjustable incline with 15 levelss and a max of 15%, which seems more like a true 12%, but it’s still impressive for the price point.

What I liked about this power incline is that it can be adjusted in two ways. You can use the one-touch buttons on the monitor or the handrail control buttons to adjust it.

I find handrail buttons are most useful because they save you from reaching forward to the monitor while running to adjust the incline. They’re a cool feature, and I wish all treadmills included them.

Crystal Clear 10″ Touchscreen – Easy To Use

As I mentioned earlier, Xterra monitors are nothing to shout home about. Even with their top-of-the-line models like the TRX5500, the monitor is pretty basic for the price point, but that’s okay. I’d rather they put all the cash into the important treadmill specs than monitor features.

Still, I like this monitor. The upgraded 10″ screen is a nice update; it’s crystal clear and easy to use.

It also has Wi-Fi, and what’s cool is that it comes with a load of preinstalled apps, like YouTube and Netflix. This is rare to see on a treadmill monitor, as most only allow you to use the screen for workout programs and fitness apps. So, it was a nice touch from Xterra. I give it a thumbs up.

Plus, there are 30 built-in workout programs, screen mirroring, and Xterra treadmills that work great with running apps like Zwift and KinoMap. So there’s enough there to keep you challenged and coming back for more.

Other features of the monitor include the quick access control buttons for speed and incline, deep cup holders, and a workout fan, which is a little weak but is common for treadmills. And BlueTooth 4.0 with speakers.

This is an impressive monitor for Xterra. The 10″ touchscreen improves on the previous version, and everything is so easy to use with this monitor. Nothing is overly complicated, which is what I like most about it.

Oh, and lastly, there’s a built-in handlebar pulse sensor and wireless heart rate monitoring.

It’s always good to find a treadmill that offers you wireless heart rate monitoring as it’s a much more accurate way to measure your heart rate than the handlebars’ pulse sensors. The only downside is that you’ll need to get hold of a heart rate chest strap. Normally around $30 for a decent one.

How Powerful is a 3.25HP Motor?

The Xterra TRX5500 boasts a 3.35HP motor. It’s a high-torque motor, which is a good thing. Still, 3.25HP is this motor’s peak performance, which means its CHP (Continuous Horsepower) will be around 2HP. Which isn’t that powerful, it’s just about powerful enough for running.

Anything over 3HP should be okay for running. 4HP is ideal, but at this price point, we’ll never see one.

So, yes, you can use this treadmill for running. The motor is powerful enough, however, a motor with a peak of 3.25HP will burn out quickly if it moves heavy loads daily.

What’s best is to keep the max weight capacity below 250lb if you plan on using this treadmill for running and under 300lb or so for lighter cardio, such as jogging or power walking, this will help preserve the life of the motor.

Protects Your Joints – XtraSoft

Most good treadmills come with some sort of deck cushioning to help protect your joints from the impact of each footstrike.

Xterra’s XtraSoft anti-shock system works well. I started reviewing their treadmills over ten years ago, and they’ve always used this system, which is said to reduce impact by a whopping 30%.

And you can really feel it, it’s a little harder than most shock systems, but that’s a good thing. It’s better than being too soft. Xterra uses dual rubber shock absorbers placed between the deck and the running belt, it’s not an adjustable system, as you’ll find on a few high-end treadmills, but it’s good enough.

A Breeze To Fold and Store

Treadmill decks are heavy, especially on large treadmills like the TRX5500, so you need a folding system that does all the work for you.

The only system I’ve found that works great for larger treadmills is a hydraulic folding system, like the one Xterra uses on its treadmills.

Xterra calls it the soft assist system, while other companies call it the soft drop system. It’s basically a folding system that uses hydraulics, and it’s by far the best system for a treadmill.

To unfold the TRX5500 deck, just kick the hydraulics a light kick, and the running deck folds down gently in front of you.

And folding it can be done with one hand, takes a couple of seconds. Once folded the treadmills overall footprint is almost halved, handy foranoyone whos tight on space.

Do I Need a Treadmill Mat?

Many people purchase treadmill mats because they can help with treadmill stability. Lightweight treadmills usually suffer most from stability issues, as they do not have the weight to keep them fairly planted on the floor. A treadmill mat will help prevent any unwanted movement.

The TRX5500 weighs 230lb out of the box, its a heavy treadmill, it has enough weight to keep it planted on the floor, its a sturdy machine. So, you shouldn’t need a treadmill mat for this reason.

Still, if you have polished floors, you might want a treadmill mat to help protect your floors from scratches.

Also if you live in an apartment a treadmill mat will help soak up a lot of the vibrations from your workouts, an essential buy if you want to keep the neighbours happy.

I found Sunny Health & Fitness makes the best cheap treadmill mats. I’ll leave a link below.

Sunny Health & Fitness Treadmill Mat

Under an Hour Assembly

Most of the TRX5500 assembly has already been done for you. Still, you’ll have to attach the uprights and the monitor. It’s not a difficult job, but you’ll need a second person to hold the uprights while you bolt the uprights to the base.

Also, when this thing is delivered, the box is large and very heavy, so again, a second person is necessary to help you unbox and put the treadmill in place.

Other things you need to remember before first use: I always lubricate the treadmill belt before first use. They should be lubricated at the factory before they’re shipped, but you never know if they forgot or missed it. So, to be on the safe side, I recommend lubricating first.

If the treadmill belt is loose, you might need to tighten it. Don’t over-tighten it; just make sure there are no folds in the running belt. Then, tighten it with a fallen key. It takes a few minutes. Also, make sure the running belt is centred before you use it for the first time.

Alternative

Sole F65 Treadmill

Sole is similar to Xterra because, just like Xterra, Sole Fitness puts most of its efforts into the build and essentials, and the tech comes second. So don’t expect any large HD screens with Sole Fitness treadmills. What you can expect are well-made solid treadmills.

The F65 is one of the best treadmills these guys make. It’s a 270-lb beast of a machine. It really is a solid treadmill. Many users mention that it feels the same as a running treadmill at their gym, which is just what you want to hear when looking for a home treadmill.

The running belt is commercial-size—22″ x 60″—which is as good as it gets for a treadmill and is excellent to see on a treadmill costing under $1500. Like the Xterra, the Incline is impressive, with 15 levels and a max of 15%, which is perfect for hill running. 

Even though the F65 excels when it comes to the essentials, the monitor might leave some people wanting.

It’s a fairly basic monitor with just seven built-in workout programs and quick-access buttons for speed and incline. It tracks all your workout stats, such as speed, distance, time, pulse, calories, pace, etc., but there’s no HD color screen. The F65 has a 9″ backlit LCD.

Still, there is BlueTooth and free access to the Sole+ running app, which includes hundreds of workouts and routes for you to enjoy.

The F65 offers a lot for the money: a heavy-duty build, a commercial-size belt, a great incline, and one of the best warranties you’ll find on any treadmill. For many years, it’s been my favorite treadmill for under $1500. It’s a solid machine that won’t let you down.

To Sum Up

The Xterra TRX5500 impressed me. For around $1500, it’s a steal. For that price, you’re getting a heavy-duty machine that you can use for running.

It’s a good choice for anyone who takes their cardio seriously. There isn’t anything I could fault about it. Yeah, the workout fan isn’t that great, and the speakers could use upgrading, but these are just small things, nothing that affects how the treadmill performs.

The only other treadmill that can challenge the TRX5500 at this price point is Sole’s F65 which is another heavy duty offering for under $1500 that can also be used for running. Both of these treadmills are owned by the same company which is why they’re so similar in quality and features. Which ever one you choose you wont be disappointed. Both are superior to anything else in this price range.

Xterra Fitness TRX5500 Treadmill FAQs

How Much Does The Xterra TRX5500 Weigh?

The shipping weight for the Xterra TRX5500 is 249lb. The item weight, when taken out of the box, is 223lb. It’s a heavy treadmill that takes two people to assemble.

What is The Maximum User Weight of The Xterra TRX5500 Treadmill?

The max user weight for the Xterra TRX5500 treadmill is 350lb (160kg), which is 50lb above the industry standard.

What is The Running Surface Size of The Xterra TRX5500 Treadmill?

The TRX5500’s running belt is 20″ x 60″. This is a large belt—not quite commercial size, but large enough for jogging and running. People up to 6’2″ tall should have no issue running on a belt this size without feeling restricted.

What Apps Can I Connect to With The Xterra TRX5500 Monitor?

Xterra Treadmills work great with apps like KinoMap and Zwift. The TRX5500 monitor has seven built-in apps, including YouTube, Netflix, and news channels.