When it’s ridiculously hot (or raining – this is the UK, after all) outside, or you’re unable to get out of the door for whatever reason, a treadmill is a convenient way to tick off your training session. But with most of the best treadmills on the market retailing for over £1,000, suddenly the convenience of these running machines comes with an almighty price tag.
So, what if there was an option for far less? Enter, the JTX Slimline treadmill, retailing for just under £500. This affordable tread is able to fold almost completely flat, and can be stood up against a wall using the foldable stands. So, if you’re short on space, this could be a good option for you.
Our testing team at the Hearst Institute has been putting the JTX Slimline through its paces (quite literally), to help you decide if it’s the right machine for you. Here’s their verdict.
Product specs
| Dimensions | 158(l) x 73(w) x 26.5(h)cm |
|---|---|
| Belt size | 122cm x 45cm |
| Maximum speed | 16kph |
| Maximum user weight | 100kg |
| Warranty | 2-years |
JTX Slimline treadmill: Set-up & key features
Setting up the JTX Slimline is almost a workout in itself, involving unfolding the treadmill and loosening and tightening several screws. It’s surprisingly heavy to lift and maneuverer too, so you’ll definitely want to rope in a friend or a partner to help you.
Size wise, it has a 122 x 45cm running deck, which makes it one of the smallest treadmills we’ve tested – convenient if you live in a small house or flat and are limited on space.
Now to the most important part: it’s got a top speed of 16kph – that’s roughly a 3:45 min/km pace or 6:03 min/mile. While this will be more than fast enough for beginner to intermediate runners, for advanced athletes, or anyone looking to run short, rapid intervals, you’re probably going to need a machine with a slightly higher top speed.
The treadmill also comes with 40 pre-set workout programs, which will automatically adjust your pace based on your chosen workout. If you want to up the duration of each pre-set workout, you can do this easily by pressing the speed +/- buttons. Again, pre-set workouts wouldn’t be suitable for advanced athletes as they’re basic and relatively low level.
If you’re not a fan of any of the pre-set workouts, creating your own is simple and you’re able to customise the speed during each segment. However, you can’t save any workouts you’ve created, so you’ll have to start from scratch each time – this is kind of frustrating, but at under £500, can you really expect the world from the JTX Slimline?
Silver linings, though, it does have the ability to connect your phone and interact with the machine through different running apps. Plus, it comes with a 2-year In Home Repair Warranty.
JTX Slimline treadmill: Performance
Generally, the cheaper the machine, the more flimsy you’d expect the belt to be, and the faster and nosier the motor. But that’s simply not the case here. In fact, the JTX Slimline is probably the quietest treadmill we’ve tested. The exception is if you’re using a device in the tablet/phone holder – here, there was some rattling noises as the device isn’t held in that securely.
Water bottles are easy to reach, but not so easy to put back in the holder as the frame obstructs its view.
Onto the screen: it’s bright and easy to read, and the speed buttons are located on the handles which makes them easy to adjust. However, it can take a while to get to the speed you want as the machine only goes up in 0.1 increments, and the belt also takes a few seconds to catch up with the speed shown on the screen. If you were hoping to smash out a rapid interval session (think, Barry’s Bootcamp style), you may be disappointed.
Heart rate sensors displayed on the screen are also clear and easy to read, and the display switches from calories to heart rate.
Once you’ve reached the end of your run, the only way to see your workout summary screen is to pause the workout just before it ends, as a summary screen isn’t shown once your workout has ended. This is a pretty annoying feature, especially if you’ve got your head down for one final push.
HI verdict
With its slim, compact design and foldability, the JTX Slimline treadmill is definitely an ideal option for smaller spaces. However, it’s worth noting that its manual process to fold down means it might not be accessible for everyone.
If you’re a beginner to intermediate runner, we reckon the JTX Slimline will fit the bill for you, reaching speeds of 3:45 min/km or 6:03 min/mile. And at £499, it’s an absolute steal – just don’t expect all the extra bells and whistles that come with higher end machines. That being said, advanced athletes looking for more advanced workout programs or a machine with incline options would benefit from spending slightly more.
Shop the JTX Slimline treadmill
Health and Fitness Tester
Jodie is our Health and Fitness product tester. She runs tests on a wide variety of products, including gym leggings, walking boots, fitness trackers and more. Jodie has managed the testing for 577 products to date, including working with over 600 panellists.
