Landice L8 Cardio Treadmill Review 2024

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Last Updated: January 2, 2023

The Landice L8 Cardio is a durable treadmill with a full, non-folding frame and an extended running track. Measuring 22” wide and 63” long, the L8 is one of the longer tread-belt style treadmills on the market. This is ideal for taller users or those looking for more stride length in their treadmill. The Landice L8 is a quality machine with sturdy steel frame, uprights, a 12mph max speed and incline up to 15%. This treadmill rivals those found in commercial gyms and is rated for residential or light commercial use. This treadmill has a whopping 500lb max weight capacity. The L8 has cushioning in the deck to reduce joint impact and comes ready to add some serious training programs to your regimen. The Landice L8 is marketed for residential use with a full lifetime warranty or it can be used in light commercial settings. The L8 will retain its warranty in any non-dues paying commercial environment with less than 5 hours per day of use.

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Who It’s For: Runners looking for an extended length tread belt, quality construction and a 500lb max user weight

The L8 Cardio is best suited for:

• Residential homes with serious athletes
• Light commercial environments like apartment fitness centers, hotels or home gyms
• Users who want a larger 22” wide by 63” long running surface
• Those with adequate space since the L8 doesn’t fold up
• Athletes willing to pay a little extra for top of the line treadmill
• Those who want extra cushioning in the deck with the VFX Shock Absorption System
• Users who value the Landice name and quality reputation

In-depth Review of the Landice L8 Cardio Treadmill

Landice has a reputation for building high-quality treadmills with extended warranties and sturdy frames. The L8 Cardio is a step up from the L7 with a bit more functionality and a larger deck. The L8 is commercial quality and often used in small, non-dues paying gyms and hotel fitness facilities, but it also works as a sturdy residential treadmill with impressive specs and a few unique add ons.

Construction

Frame

It would be an understatement to say the L8 is hearty. This machine has a rust-free aluminum frame with cast aluminum side rails and end caps. It sits firmly on the ground and will not rock or wiggle when in use. The L8 weighs 435lbs, so this is a sizable machine. But the weight of the treadmill itself helps provide added stability underfoot. The footprint is 35” wide and 83” long, so make sure you have a dedicated space to place the L8. The L8 requires a dedicated circuit so it will need to be placed close to a wall outlet. An extension cord is not advised. The 500lb max user capacity is about the highest we’ve seen and another reflection of the quality build. This machine is not designed to be moved around, so we recommend assembling it where you plan to use it. Upstairs floors and/or apartment buildings may not provide adequate support or space for the L8.

Deck

Cushioning/Feel

The L8 has a 1” thick reversible deck and is cushioned by Landice’s VFX Shock Absorption System. This is designed to be one of the most cushioned treadmills on the market. Landice claims the L8 deck is 5x softer than grass. While it is certainly cushioned, we didn’t find it to be quite that soft. The NordicTrack x32i which is priced about $1000 less and inclines to a 40% grade feels equally if not more cushioned than the L8. But the impressive weight capacity can’t be beat. For larger users over 300lbs, the L8 is your best bet.

Optional Orthopedic Shock Absorption System

Landice offers an Orthopedic Shock Absorption System as an upgrade on the L8. The upgraded system provides even more of an impact reduction with an orthopedic belt and softer shock absorbers. Landice claims this system is 7x softer than grass. The upgrade will add $500 to your purchase price.

Length/Width

Another area where the L8 excels is deck size. Offering 22” of width, the L8 provides plenty of elbow room which again makes it perfect for those who need a bit more space. The 63” of length is about the longest we’ve seen on a residential treadmill. The length makes a difference to all users, even if you aren’t over 6 feet. When running, it is helpful to have length for a full stride. The L8 provides plenty of room for a solid mid-foot strike, toe off and backwards stride. Our only concern here is a rather large motor hood that sits at the top of the deck. A large motor hood can get in the way of your forward foot step and sometimes runners may graze their shoe along the top of the hood. Standing an inch or two back away from the console helps solve this problem, but the motor hood on the L8 is quite sizable and sits up off the deck just a bit.

Belt and Rollers

The L8 has a 4-ply belt — again, one of the thickest we’ve seen. It also uses 3 ½” diameter, 22lb steel rollers to move the belt along. Larger rollers provide more surface area to hold and move the belt, which reduces belt tension and underfoot vibration.

Handrails and Side Rails

There are two sets of handrails. The side handrails extend forward from the console alongside the track. The handrails are full length and provide a secure handhold while getting on or off the machine and also during workouts when needed. These have a plastic overlay for both protection and comfort. The side handrails are moisture and sweat resistant and can be wiped down to sanitize. A horizontal bar connects from the side rails to the center of the console. This bar is narrower for an easier grip and has heart rate sensors in the center for each hand. Users can hold the sensors to provide a readout on the console screen. The L8 will also sync with a chest strap heart rate monitor. We do not recommend holding the handrails while running.

Motor

The L8 Cardio has a 4.0 horsepower motor that peaks at 8.0 horsepower. This motor provides plenty of power and supports smooth speed and incline adjustments. The motor is quiet and the motion of the deck is fluid as it moves up and down. Users can continue to run or walk as the deck adjusts without having to hold the handrails for balance.

Console/Controls

Console Design

The L8 Cardio features a 9” color LCD touchscreen display. The console is equipped with interactive heart rate control, Bluetooth, and four user profiles. There are two panels you can select on the L8 both of which are equally priced.

Cardio Panel

The Cardio Panel combines an LCD display with a variety of training programs. There is also a numeric keypad for quick data entry and multiple heart rate programs. This panel is ideal for precision interval training or just aiming to lower your 10K time. This panel is also recommended to those who plan to use the L8 for walking or jogging.
The Cardio Panel has the following features:

• Numeric keypad with express speed and incline keys
• 9 Built-in programs with variable time, speed and elevation
• 5 User-defined programs
• Time, distance, laps, and calorie goal programs
• 2 HIIT programs
• 3 Fitness tests: Balke, Firefighter, Army
• 2 Built-in heart-rate monitoring programs
• 2 User-defined heart-rate monitoring programs
• Displays data in English or metric configurations
• Interactive HRC programs, contact heart rate and wireless-chest-strap heart-rate monitoring system
• Bluetooth connectivity

Pro Sports Panel

This panel also uses an LCD screen combined with program options, numeric keypad, contact heart rate and a wireless chest strap. Features included on the Sports Panel include:

• Numeric keypad with express speed and incline keys
• 5 Built-in programs with variable time, speed and elevation
• 5 User-defined programs
• Displays data in English or metric configurations
• Contact heart-rate and wireless-chest-strap heart-rate monitoring system
• Time, distance, and calorie goal programs

Accessories and Storage

Two pockets sit just next to the console panel for water bottles or other items. An accessory tray sits just below the upper console for a phone or other device. There is not floating storage tray above the deck.

Speakers

There are speakers on the console. Bluetooth functionality also makes it so you can sync your phone with the L8 Cardio to play your music through the speakers.

Tablet Holder

There is a tablet shelf in the upper console panel. However placing a tablet here will most likely block your screen. The screen still works, but you may have to move your tablet to use the touchscreen. However, if you plan to use the Run Social app, this is a perfect place to watch the program.

Optional Tablet Bracket

Landice offers a tablet bracket that will connect a tablet clip to the top of the console to hold your tablet up above the screen if preferred. This adjustable tablet holder will securely hold any iPad, tablet or electronic reader while you use the treadmill. With this bracket your tablet will not block the screen since it sits above the console.

Optional Landice Vision System

Landice includes the option of a 19” Widescreen HDTV LCD screen which comes with HDMI and coaxial cable inputs and a VESA-D bracket for easy mounting. This allows you set up your own entertainment system around your treadmill. There is an included Broadcastvision remote — this screen does not have speakers and does not project sound externally — however, the remote includes a headphone jack and volume controls. To operate a Cable or Satellite receiver requires the remote specific to that provider. The Landice Vision System (LVS) has a 2 year parts warranty from Broadcastvision Entertainment. The LVS can be selected at check out for an additional $800.

Functionality

Performance

The L8 Cardio treadmill is sturdy with a quiet, powerful motor and smooth incline adjustments. Speed changes are responsive as well. The cushioning is noticeable, which is a valuable feature for anyone with joint or mobility issues. The Landice L8 performs well under both quality and performance tests.

Incline / Decline range

The L8 Cardio inclines to 15%. In the preset programs the speed and inclined are automated, so for rolling hills or steep incline training, you don’t have to adjust the controls, the machine will automatically change. The manual setting allows the user to manage all controls. You can always override the automated settings in any program to adjust speed or incline up or down as needed. Incline training is not only harder, it also targets different muscle groups for balanced leg musculature. Many runners develop tight hip flexors and weak glutes due to all the forward running motion. Adding an incline allows users to recruit and strengthen hamstrings and glutes. Incline training also burns significantly more calories in the same amount of time due to the added challenge of working uphill. Some treadmills in this price range also descend to anywhere from -2% to a -6% decline, so that is something to consider with the L8. There is no decline on this treadmill.

Pre-programmed workouts

The preloaded programs include the following:

• 9 Built-in programs with variable time, speed and elevation
• 5 User-defined programs
• Time, distance, laps, and calorie goal programs
• 2 HIITS programs
• 3 Fitness tests: Balke, Firefighter, Army
• 2 Built-in heart-rate monitoring programs
• 2 User-defined heart-rate monitoring programs

Noise Level

The L8 Cardio motor is quiet and smooth. As with other treadmills, there is a bit of impact noise, but this is relatively subtle. Since the L8 Cardio doesn’t decline, it sits firmly on the floor and most noise absorption is retained under the treadmill. This is a serious training machine that should be properly used by an attentive athlete.

Storage / Folding

The Technogym L8 Cardio does not fold. We recommend placing the L8 Cardio on a solid surface with a treadmill mat underneath. Since the L8 Cardio weighs 435lbs it should be used with care on an upper floor or apartment. Make sure you have enough overhead space for the incline feature and extra width alongside the machine to safely get on and off. This treadmill requires a dedicated space, so it is best to assemble it in the room you plan to use it. In the event you do need to move it, we recommend having several friends on hand to do so safely.