This is USA Health Reports’s Lifespan TR1200-DT3 review. We took a closer look at the treadmill and spent time walking on the treadmill with and without a standing desk to see how it compares to the rest of the best under-desk treadmills.
We’ll save you some time and tell you that it is indeed the best treadmill we’ve tested yet. It’s not for everyone, though: Someone who just wants an inexpensive, easy-to-store treadmill to help with walking while watching TV might be better off with a leaner, lighter running pad like the Bluefin Fitness Task 2.0.
This treadmill is heavier: it has wheels for easier transport, but so is Christian Bale’s Batmobile. It’s a larger treadmill than most walking pads, and it’s great for those with medium or larger standing desks and most office spaces, both at home and at work. It’s a bit too impractical for small spaces and handy storage in a closet or behind the sofa.
However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that this is a great treadmill. It’s expensive, but not as pricey as its older cousin, the TR5000. It has a weight capacity of 350 lbs. It is quiet. It has smart-step technology. The Bluetooth console is extremely easy to use, especially from a standing desk. If you have a large standing desk at your disposal, this under-desk treadmill is the perfect addition if you’re a power user or a heavier walker.
Lifetime TR1200-DT3 Under the Desk Treadmill: Price & Availability
The Lifespan TR1200-DT3 treadmill costs $1,199 in the US and £1,099 in the UK, and no Australian price is currently available. Amazon is unfortunately out of stock at the moment, but there are some units available on the Lifespan website (opens in new tab) worldwide.
Lifetime TR1200-DT3 Under the Desk Treadmill: Design
Design Score: 5/5
The aesthetics of the TR1200 are quite unremarkable. At 160 cm long, 72 cm wide and 18 cm high, it is a sturdy, matte machine with two front-mounted wheels. It comes almost ready to go right out of the box so you can just drive it to the designated station and there it is. Other than connecting the console to the treadmill, no assembly is required.
However, due to the thickness and weight of the machine, it is more difficult to put in, for example, a cupboard or behind a sofa. Unless you have a large storage area, it will be a very permanent addition to your office.
The belt is wide and long, 127cm x 51cm, so big enough to walk on very comfortably and marked so you can clearly see when the treadmill is running, which is essential if you have a particularly quiet treadmill as it claims to be. There’s no hand or side rail to flip up and turn the treadmill into a “running mode”: this is a walking machine specifically.
The deck itself is made of phenolic thermoset plastic, while more plastic makes up the housing. Six independent compression shocks provide suspension to the belt, reducing any impact while walking. The treadmill is built for heavy users, with a maximum weight of up to 350 lbs or 159 kg. In terms of design, the TR1200 has almost everything you could ever want in a running-specific treadmill.
Lifetime TR1200-DT3 Under the Desk Treadmill: Features
Feature Score: 3/5
Like other under-desk treadmills, the TR1200 isn’t exactly overcrowded with content. It’s made to do one thing and one thing well: let you walk while you work in comfort.
There is no incline, as according to Lifespan, “walking on an incline while working is not recommended by ergonomists because it takes your body out of a neutral position and puts strain on your back and joints.” Top speed is up to four miles per hour, enough for a quick walk or jog, but no real running modes to speak of.
However, it does have some very cool features that we wanted to highlight here, most of which can be found on the control console. For starters, the console can be connected to the treadmill, but it must primarily run on Bluetooth, giving you the freedom to place it wherever you want. However, it is designed to be supported on a desk or other device, highlighting how this machine should work. If you only want to use the treadmill as a free-standing device in your front room, the console is not an ergonomic remote control.
The console has a built-in pedometer so you can check how far you’ve walked and whether you’ve reached that magical 10,000 today. The usual stats, including time, calories and distance, are all tracked, and you can enter your height and weight for more accurate calorie and step tracking.
The console is also where the safety key is located: clip it to your clothes, and when you jump (or fall) off the treadmill, away from your desk, the key is pulled and the console sends a Bluetooth signal to the treadmill to stop.
Lifetime TR1200-DT3 Under the Desk Treadmill: Performance
Performance Score: 5/5
The Lifespan is comfortable to walk on. The wide strap gives plenty of tread space, and those six shock absorbers pull their weight, making every step remarkably comfortable, whether you’re in specialty trainers or flats.
We tested it with both traditional running shoes and relatively unsupportive Vans sneakers, and it was a pleasant experience in both. I felt like I didn’t have to face my direction on the treadmill when I held my work meeting on it, and I could comfortably stare at my screen.
The device does claim that the treadmill is whisper quiet, which is a bit of a misnomer: there’s a definite hum from the 2.25 horsepower continuous motor, but it’s quiet enough to zoom out and focus on your tasks, especially if you wear headphones the office. However, the shock absorbers mask your steps well once you get into a rhythm.
The safety key was nice and responsive when we jumped off the treadmill to test it and the treadmill stopped within a second. You can key in a specific time or goal you want to run for on the console, and the numeric readouts will count you down before it starts, giving you time to prepare. You can also pause for breaks without losing your progress.
