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The LifeSpan Fitness TR5000-DT5 treadmill desk combines their most powerful treadmill base with their most affordable multi-width workstation.
But are there enough upgrades to justify what’s usually a $500 price difference between this design and the TR1200-DT5?
That’s one of the questions we’ll be answering in this review, by making some important comparisons between the top-of-the-line models from LifeSpan’s treadmill desk collection.
The TR5000-DT5 also features a fresh design for 2016, and represents the mid-range model in a collection that also features the TR5000-DT7 and the compact TR5000-DT3 under-desk treadmill.
Design and safety features
The LifeSpan TR5000-DT5 uses the same top-of-the-line TR5000 treadmill base as the DT3 model, but now includes the feature packed DT5 workstation.
In fact, the only difference between this design and LifeSpan’s most advanced TR5000-DT7 treadmill desk is the type of desk height adjustment. On this model it’s manual, whereas it’s electronic on the DT7, allowing you to adjust the height straight from the console and store up to 2 settings in memory.
As for the treadmill features, the walking surface measures 20″W x 50″L with a 2-ply tread belt, and uses their most powerful 3.0 HP continuous DC motor to move between a speed range of 0.4-4.0 mph. The console also gives you the option to lower the maximum belt speed from 4.0 mph to 2.0 mph.
The heavy duty reversible running deck includes anodized-aluminum side rails which form part of a stronger base construction, capable of supporting up to 400 lbs. That’s compared to the TR800 treadmill which can support up to 300 lbs, and the TR1200 models that have a limit of 350 lbs.
Inside the running deck you have LifeSpan’s suspension system, featuring 6 independent compression shocks to help reduce the impact when your foot strikes the belt, thereby protecting your knee and ankle joints.
In addition to the features mentioned above, you also have a 41″-55″ range of desk height settings, which is capable of supporting users from 4’10” to 6’8″ tall. This is combined with a low 4.6″ step-up height and two of LifeSpan’s most iconic treadmill desk features; Intelli-Step™ and Intelli-Guard™.
Intelli-Step™ and Intelli-Guard™
Intelli-Step™ works as a step counting feature, similar to a pedometer. Pressure sensors in the walking deck sense when your foot strikes the belt and accurately display the total step count on the console screen.
Intelli-Guard™ works as an additional safety feature, complimenting the safety key and side rails. If you were to step off the belt for more than 20 seconds, the belt motion will automatically pause. This is a feature that can be disabled via the settings menu on the console if it’s not a feature you’ll use.
Safety features
The LifeSpan TR5000-DT5 includes 2 features designed to improve the safety of your workout. These are Intelli-Guard™ and the safety key that connects an item of your clothing to the console.
The safety key works by disabling the treadmill belt if you move too far from the console.
LifeSpan Fitness TR5000-DT5 – Features Summary
- Speed range of 0.4 – 4.0 MPH
- Maintenance free 2.5mm thick walking belt
- 20 x 56-inch (w x L) walking surface
- 6 impact-reducing compression shocks gently respecting your feet, knees, hips, and back
- 3 HP continuous-duty AC motor
- Up to 10 hours continuous use
- Console displays: distance Traveled, calories burned, time and step count
- Bluetooth-enabled to support Lifespan apps
Display console features
In terms of the basic console features, there’s very little difference between the DT3, DT5, and DT7 desks. They all provide the same readouts via an LED display, and offer Bluetooth connectivity for wirelessly syncing your workout data.
The TR5000-DT5 is no different, with a console that provides workout feedback for the number of steps taken, distance, time, speed, and number of calories burned.
Bluetooth connectivity to LifeSpan’s Active Trac app enables you to sync workout data so that it can be viewed using your LifeSpan Fitness Club account. This is where you can create a complete overview of your activity, whether that’s walking on your treadmill desk or running on the treadmill at your local gym.
The console itself has been integrated into the edge of the desktop surface, between the padded arm rests that provide an added level of comfort when you’re working.
If you’re using more than one monitor or would simply like more space to work, the DT5 desk is also available in two different widths – 38″ and 48″. This is something you need to choose during checkout, with the wider variation usually costing around $50 more than the 38″ version.
Workout programs and user profiles
LifeSpan Fitness treadmill desks share many of the same features as their commercial and folding treadmills, such as the deck suspension system, motor power, deck construction, and belt type (2-ply).
Unfortunately there isn’t a single treadmill desk that offers preset workout programs, such as heart rate controlled, weight management, healthy living, or sports training.
These are a few of the preset workouts you can expect from their bestselling home treadmills, such as the TR1200i or TR3000i. They also include the same Intelli-Step™ feature that you’ll find on the TR5000-DT5, as well as workout data sync to your LifeSpan Club account.
If you were to upgrade to the TR5000-DT7, you have the option f storing up to 2 desk height settings in memory, but none of LifeSpan’s treadmill desks offer any kind of user profile.
Ease of assembly and maintenance
In recent years fitness equipment companies have invested a lot of time in simplifying the assembly process as much as possible for treadmills and ellipticals.
NordicTrack have their SpaceSaver collection with SNAP assembly system, as does ProForm with their Smart Strider ellipticals. Although LifeSpan Fitness doesn’t have a complete fold-flat solution, the treadmills that accompany their treadmill desks do arrive completely pre-assembled.
All that’s required is to setup the workstation and connect the treadmill base to the console by following the steps outlined in the TR5000-DT5 user manual.
The instructions themselves are easy to follow, with clear written explanations, exploded diagrams and parts references to show how each piece fits together. But if you would rather not worry about the assembly and simply want to get started with your first workout, there is another option.
Professional assembly services
If you choose to purchase direct from the LifeSpan Fitness website, you can select one of 4 delivery options; Standard Delivery, Inside Delivery, Room of Choice, and White Glove.
Standard Delivery is free and will ensure delivery to the driveway, but it will be your responsibility to move the boxes inside and complete the remaining assembly.
Inside Delivery and Room of Choice are similar in the sense that the boxes will be placed inside your home, but White Glove is the only option that provides the full home assembly package.
This includes delivery of the treadmill desk, placement in your room of choice, unpacking, assembly, and removal of packaging materials. But at $199 it’s not for everyone, and it might be more cost efficient to ask a friend or neighbour to assist you, or even use Amazon’s home assembly service.
Amazon has launched a wide range of home services, which range from furniture assembly through to home improvement and house cleaning. There’s also a service for treadmill assembly.
Each service allows you to select from a list of local businesses, where you can often compare prices and read reviews from other customers on the quality of their work.
Maintenance
Before buying any new piece of fitness equipment, it’s worth finding out as much as you can about the maintenance required, and the cost of any specialist cleaning products you need to use.
Fortunately the TR5000-DT5 uses a maintenance-free Habasit® belt, with a reversible running deck that helps evenly distribute any signs of wear and essentially double the life of your tread belt.
Although a number of LifeSpan treadmill desks were redesigned for 2016, there are still some older versions of the user manuals available online, which don’t include a section for maintenance.
However, in the TR5000-DT7 manual we did find a section that explained the maintenance routine, as well as some useful information in the LifeSpan Fitness FAQ section.
Maintenance routine:
- Daily – Wipe down the treadmill after each use to remove dirt from the belt, painted parts and the display.
- Monthly – Remove the motor cover and clean around internal parts, including the motor.
- Yearly – Lubricate the running belt with LifeSpan’s 100% silicone spray to reduce friction.
We found no mention of any specialist cleaning solutions, but LifeSpan do recommend using their own 100% silicone treadmill lubricant on the bottom of the walking belt. Application should be once every 3 months for their TR1200 models, or once per year for the TR5000.
What’s covered by the warranty?
- Frame: Lifetime
- Motor: 3 years
- Parts: 2 years
- Labor: 1 year
Review Overview
Overall Review Rating
5 / 5
At the time of writing this review the TR5000-DT5 cost just under $1800, with the TR5000-DT3 priced at just under $1500. If you were to buy the desk separately this leaves you with just $300, which isn't enough to buy a height adjustable desk on its own.
Most height adjustable VariDesk models cost in excess of $400, and that doesn't include the cost of buying the desk that it rests upon. TreadDesk workstations are also outside of this price range, retailing for over $1,300.
If you don't already own a height adjustable desk, buying the TR5000-DT5 treadmill and desk combination is the most cost effective option. But in our opinion the added motor power, weight capacity, and 4 extra hours of continuous run time probably aren't worth the extra $500 to upgrade from the TR1200-DT5.
Product dimensions: 68.5"L x 38"W or 48"W
Product weight: Treadmill: 119 lbs. Desk: 86 lbs.
Weight capacity: 400 lbs
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