XTERRA TRX3500 Treadmill Review – 2023

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Last Updated: January 3, 2023

The Xterra TRX3500 has a lot of impressive features for a pretty affordable price. We love a good hop-on-and-go kind of treadmill, and the TRX3500 fits the bill. We love that it has a 3.0 HP motor and 20” x 60” running surface. With these specs, we anticipate that you should be able to walk, jog, and lightly run on the Xterra TRX3500. The 12 mph max speed and 12 levels of incline also guarantee a lot of varied training options that will be challenging for most users.

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It has some similarities to the Xterra TRX5500 which is the premium model in Xterra’s Performance Series lineup. All of our reviewers have used the TRX5500 extensively, so I’ll highlight how we expect the Xterra TRX3500 to perform based on our experience with the TRX5500. Throughout this Xterra TRX3500 spec review, I’ll give you our team’s analysis of this treadmill so you can decide if you should take it home.

Why You Should Trust Our Review Of TRX3500 Treadmill

Testing treadmills is our job, so when we review one we haven’t been on, we’re able to pull from our experience while we examine the features and specs. Based on the information from the manufacturer, we’re able to gauge what kind of use and performance you’re likely to get out of a treadmill before we step foot on it. This is how we’re able to compile thorough spec reviews. It also helps if we’ve used a treadmill from the brand.

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In-depth Review of the Xterra TRX3500 Treadmill

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Preprogrammed Workouts And Third-Party Apps

Fitness subscription content that requires a monthly fee has become extremely popular in recent years. A good rule of thumb is that if you see a large screen attached to a treadmill, know that it most likely comes with an additional monthly cost in order to use everything on the screen. The Xterra TRX3500 has a simple LCD display with onboard workouts, rather than a large touch screen. So, if you’re looking for a treadmill with lower-tech that doesn’t require a subscription membership, then this one is a good option.

You’ll find 30 preprogrammed workouts on the TRX3500. These have preset speed and incline levels so the treadmill will adjust to these during your workout. You can create your own with the custom mode, and do target heart training, too. If you want to do your own thing, however, there’s also a manual mode. All of these workouts and modes are free to use and come built into the console.

Although the TRX3500 doesn’t come with preloaded apps like Netflix to stream from like the TRX5500, it does have bluetooth connectivity. When you use your own device, you can connect to training apps like Kinomap, Wahoo SYSTM, and Zwift. You also have a lot of tracking capability when you sync apps like Strava and Map My Fitness with the Xterra App. This lets you see your progress from the treadmill on your device within an app.

We appreciate all the capabilities that the TRX3500 has to offer, but if you’re looking for more entertainment and tech, then we recommend looking into a treadmill with a touch screen.

Console

The console is where you control the treadmill. Upon examining the console on the TRX3500, it looks similar to the TRX5500, so we assume it functions a lot like the higher-end model. The 6.5” LCD display is blue and backlit so it should be visible in lower light. Metrics such as pace, calories, time, distance, pulse, speed, and incline are displayed on the screen so you can track your progress.

There are additional adjustment buttons on either side of the LCD screen, and on the side handles. On the console, they’re displayed as numbers. These represent the speed (right) and incline (left) levels that the treadmill will adjust to when you press that button. So, when I press the 10 on the left side, the treadmill will adjust the incline level to level 10. The same happens when I press one of the buttons on the right. We love these buttons and often refer to them as quick-touch buttons or controls because they allow you to adjust the treadmill quickly and efficiently. We’ve found them to be really great for interval training.

On the side handles there are speed and incline buttons for adjusting, too. I really like having extra adjustment options on the side handles because they’re convenient for me to reach. These are found in front of the pulse grips that will read your heart rate when you place your hands on them. Unfortunately, the Xterra TRX3500 doesn’t come with a chest strap heart monitor.

The fan looks like the same one on the TRX5500, which we’ve found to be underwhelming. It’s nice to have a fan built into the console, but we’re assuming this one might not provide ample airflow to actually help cool you off. Be aware that you might need to use a separate fan if you want extra air.

There is a tray to place your device below the LCD screen when you’re connected to the treadmill through Bluetooth or streaming your own content. A large tablet rested here might block the TRX3500’s screen, though. There are 2 cupholders that should hold your water bottle in place. They could also be used to hold personal items, too.

Construction Quality / Durability

I’m really taken with the 350 lb max weight limit on the Xterra TRX3500 Treadmill. This high capacity helps indicate that the treadmill can handle larger users and that it is well-built. Paired with the fact that Xterra offers a lifetime warranty for the frame and motor, suggests that the overall construction is of high quality.

Frame

The heavy-gauge welded steel frame supports the deck and also folds up when you’re not using it. The Lift Assist and Safe Drop features should make folding the treadmill up and down, pretty easy.

The steel uprights that connect to the frame to hold the console in place, have extra stability with the additional steel crossbar that is secured in between them. In our testing, we’ve found that crossbars like these can help minimize the shaking of the console when you’re running. The frame does appear to be slightly different from the TRX5500, but we assume the TRX3500 will perform similarly.

Another difference is the side handles. I love that they have the same functions as the TRX5500, but they’re a little slimmer and shorter. There isn’t a front horizontal bar so this treadmill might not be suitable for someone who needs extra balance assistance.

Motor

The Xterra TRX3500 has a 3.0 HP motor that we anticipate should handle walking, jogging, and light running. Other treadmills with this size of motor accommodate this level of training just fine, so we expect the TRX3500 to be similar.

Be aware that this size of a motor isn’t best for heavy training. So, if you’re looking to run long distances (5-10+ miles) and/or use the treadmill at high speeds (10-12 mph) daily, then I would check out other treadmills with larger motors. You will have plenty of variability in your training with the 12 levels of incline and the 12 mph max speed, though.

Treadmill Deck

Another factor that helps indicate to us that the Xterra TRX3500 can handle use up to light running for all users, is the 20” wide and 60” long deck. In our testing, we’ve found that this length is sufficient for most users to run comfortably with proper stride and form. If you do like a little bit more room to move around, then you might want to check out treadmills with 22” wide decks. For most people though, this size should be plenty large.

The Xterra TRX3500 also comes with Xterra’s “XtraSoft” deck cushioning, as does the TRX5500. When using the TRX5500, we have found it to be great for absorbing shock and impact, but it’s on the firmer side of cushioning from treadmills we’ve tested. I’m assuming the TRX3500 will feel similar underfoot.

Warranty & Customer Service

Xterra backs the TRX3500 with lifetime warranties for the frame and motor. They also include 2-year warranties for the deck and parts and a 1-year warranty for in-home labor. This warranty package is among some of the most extensive that we’ve seen brands offer. Setting up the TRX3500 will most likely require at least 2 people.

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