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The LifeSpan Fitness TR1200-DT3 under-desk treadmill is an upgrade to the TR800-DT3 model, with a more powerful motor, wider walking area, and lower step-up height.
But although the recommended continuous run time has been increased from 3 hours (TR800-DT3) to 6 hours, is it worth buying?
In our TR1200-DT3 review we’ll be making comparisons between all LifeSpan Fitness under-desk treadmills, to help you decide on the best treadmill for walking and working. We’ll also walk you through a few different options for workstations, in case you don’t already have one at home.
Design and safety features
LifeSpan currently produce 2 main types of treadmill desk; the DT5 and the DT7, with their DT3 models providing you with just the under-desk treadmill.
If you simply need a single platform on which to work, the DT5 and DT7 desks are still excellent options. But if you already own a height-adjustable workstation or are looking to have one custom built, the TR1200-DT3 would be a much better choice.
The footprint is very similar to that of the TR800-DT3, but with a slightly wider and shorter walking surface, measuring 20″W x 50″L (18″W x 52″L on the TR800).
You also get a little more power from the motor, which is now 2.25 HP continuous duty, but built with the same high quality components that suppress mechanical noise and vibration in all LifeSpan treadmills.
Although the belt speed is only rated at 0.4-4.0 mph, LifeSpan have actually marked the 2-ply belt to indicate when it’s in motion, because of how quiet the motor is.
Inside the treadmill deck you have 6 independent compression shocks to reduce the impact on your knee and ankle joints when walking for a longer period of time. Unfortunately there are no incline settings, but if you’re looking for a treadmill desk that has a 10% gradient as a feature, we would recommend taking a look at NordicTrack’s design.
The deck itself has a 4.6″ step-up height, and is made from 3/4″ phenolic board. This is often found on high-end treadmills and is highly rated for being heat resistance and having a low level of moisture absorption.
Intelli-Step™, Intelli-Guard™, and safety
Even though it’s not built into a desk, the LifeSpan TR1200-DT3 does still provide you with a console for controlling the belt speed, syncing workout data, and checking your workout feedback. It also supports the use of a safety key, which is designed to stop the tread belt if it becomes detached from the console.
In addition to the safety key, LifeSpan have a feature called Intelli-Guard™. This works in a similar way, but will only pause the belt if you step off the belt for longer than 20 seconds.
Intelli-Step™ acts more as a pedometer with a high level of accuracy. Every time you take a step on the belt it’s recorded and displayed as a total on the console screen. This allows you to monitor your performance and can be motivational for helping you reach the recommended 10,000 steps per day.
LifeSpan Fitness TR1200-DT3 – Features Summary
- 2.25 HP High Torque Continuous Duty Motor
- Bluetooth communications capable
- 8′ cord from treadmill to console
- 0.4 to 4.0 MPH range
- 4.6″ step-up height
- 350 lb capacity
- 6 Independent Compression Shocks
- 20″W x 50″L walking surface
- Records time, steps, calories, speed, distance
Display console features
Top-of-the-line treadmills designed for cardio and high intensity workouts are usually packed with entertainment features, particularly if you’re shopping for one of the NordicTrack or ProForm models. But treadmill desk consoles are a little more simplified.
Unfortunately there are no built-in speakers, MP3 compatibility, web-enabled console, or cooling fan. But the assumption is that you’ll be combining this treadmill with a single or multi-level workstation, so will have access to a computer that allows you to do all of this anyway. Also, because the maximum speed is 4 mph (or 2 mph depending on your choice of setting), you probably won’t need the cooling fan anyway.
Instead LifeSpan have developed a console that clearly displays all of your most important workout feedback. This includes the number of steps taken, distance, time, and number of calories burned.
After completing your exercise, you can then sync your results via Bluetooth to the Active Trac app. This is part of the LifeSpan Fitness Club – an online health management program which allows you to monitor your health metrics and maintain a history of your performance.
Despite being lightweight and relatively compact (12.9″W x 2″H x 3.25″L), there’s also a convenient USB charging port for mobile devices.
Workout programs and user profiles
Because there are so few treadmill desks with incline settings, user profiles, or belt speeds above 4 mph, we’re not surprised that the TR1200-DT3 is another model not to include any preset workout programs.
Although the treadles give them a much wider range of motion, modern TreadClimbers have a similar belt speed but offer a variety of built-in workouts.
It’s unlikely that LifeSpan will include this in future models, as their treadmills are typically designed to support walking workouts while you’re working.
Whereas a TreadClimber workout might typically last 30 minutes, the TR1200-DT3 is designed to support continuous use for up to 6 hours. A few simple goal programs might be a useful addition, such as target distance or target step count, but because the time spent working is likely to vary, it would be much more difficult to identify an increase in pace or number of calories burned.
Ease of assembly and maintenance required
Because there’s no desk to assemble, you can start using the TR1200-DT3 straight out of the box, thanks to LifeSpan’s pre-assembly.
The treadmill itself weighs around 114 lbs, so it can be useful to have someone help you carry the box to the space you’ll be using it. There are transport wheels fitted to the front to make changing locations a bit easier if you move your desk in the future.
If you were to buy a LifeSpan Treadmill Desk (DT5 or DT7), there would be a small amount of assembly involved. Although it comes as an additional expense, both LifeSpan and Amazon have professional home assembly services.
Maintenance
LifeSpan don’t actually included a set maintenance routine in the user manual, but there are some basic steps to follow with any treadmill that also apply to the TR1200-DT3.
To reduce heat and friction on the underside of the belt and prolong the life of the electronics and motor, you can use LifeSpan’s 100% silicone spray lubricant. A $15 bottle will last around 4 applications, or approximately 1 full year of use.
The bolts and cables should also be checked regularly for wear, and the floor space around the treadmill kept clean to help prevent dust and dirt being pulled inside the deck.
What’s covered by the warranty?
- Frame: Lifetime
- Motor: 3 years
- Parts: 2 years
- Labor: 1 year
Review Overview
Overall Review Rating
4 / 5
At the time of writing this review, the DT3 was the only LifeSpan treadmill left in the TR800 collection, after the TR800-DT5 and TR800-DT7 were discontinued. But for what's usually a $300 price difference, does the TR1200-DT3 do enough to warrant the higher price tag?
In terms of upgrades, the TR1200 gives you an extra 50 lbs of weight capacity, 1 more year on the parts warranty, a lower step-up height and a slightly higher rated motor (2.25 HP vs. 2 HP). There's no added speed settings, console functions, workout programs, user profiles, or entertainment features.
However, the TR1200 base still remains LifeSpan's most popular compact treadmill for the home and office, with upgraded internal components and a longer continuous run time (6 hours compared to 3 hours for the TR800).
In our opinion it's this continuous run time that's really worth the extra money. If you're working for a full day you want the freedom to work and walk for a full morning or afternoon. The last thing you want to do is have to stop and switch back to a seat because you're worried about damaging the motor. At the same time not everyone needs the 10 hour run time of the TR5000 models.
Overall the TR1200 has to be our top choice of LifeSpan's under-desk treadmills, due to its balance of features and affordability. The DT3 version also gives you the freedom to use an existing height-adjustable desk, or choose one of the custom options from a company such as TreadDesk or VariDesk.
Product dimensions: 63"L x 28.5"W x 7.27"H
Product weight: 114 lbs
Weight capacity: 350 lbs
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