|
 LA
Times
review
by:
Roy
Wallack:
Start,
look
and
listen
January
15,
2007
Life's
most
agonizing
decision
—
Oprah
or
your
workout
— is
now
officially
a
thing
of
the
past.
Meet
the
multimedia
treadmill,
which
mates
a
TV,
DVD
player
or
MP3
jack
with
a
cable-ready,
speaker-
equipped
exercise
machine.
Debuting
a
couple
years
ago
in
lower-end
products
targeted
at
non-serious
exercisers
—
whom,
it
was
assumed,
needed
a
"distraction"
to
keep
running
—
these
hybrids
now
have
better
quality,
heart-rate
control
and
lots
of
programs.
They're
also
available
from
top
brands
with
solid
warranties.
Hard-core
runners
may
scoff
—
until
they
discover
the
multi-tasking
joy
of a
Jay
Leno
monologue
at 8
mph.
If
you
prefer,
listen
to
music
Spirit
XT600:
Value-packed,
fold-up
tread
with
an
MP3
input
jack
and
speakers.
Likes:
Loaded
with
user-friendly
features.
Has
10
programs,
two
fans,
easy-access
speed
and
elevation
controls
on
the
arms.
Instant-response
speed
keys
with
a
maximum
speed
of
12
mph
(even
numbers
only)
allow
interval
training.
Maximum
elevation
of
15%.
Belt
is
20
inches
by
58
inches.
Solid
feel
with
space-saving
convenience
of a
fold-up.
Dislikes:
Data
readout
numbers
a
bit
small.
|
