XTERRA TRX5500 Treadmill Review – 2024

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Last Updated: May 2, 2023

Subscription fitness apps have exploded in the past year, and an increasing number of brands like Peloton, NordicTrack, ProForm, and Bowflex have integrated them into their machines. Lately, when you buy a treadmill, you’re also buying a monthly subscription to get access to fitness content.

It’s no secret that the classes in these programs are engaging and fun, but what about if you’re not into following along with an instructor or even concerned about having a wifi connection on your treadmill?

Enter the Xterra TRX5500 Treadmill. With plenty of custom onboard workouts to choose from, you can use the TRX5500 as just a treadmill without a wifi connection, or connect to wifi and easily watch Netflix because it’s preloaded and ready for you.

The Xterra TRX5500 Treadmill has a steel frame, uprights, and a crossbar that make it feel very solid and sturdy.

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However you want to work out, the Xterra TRX5500 lets you be in control of how you use it. That’s what I liked best about this treadmill.

In this Xterra TRX5500 Treadmill review, I’ll share all the entertainment options available, because there’s plenty, and also dive into the solid and sturdy construction that impressed our team.

Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The Xterra TRX5500 Treadmill

From setting up to logging miles, our team extensively tested the Xterra TRX5500 Treadmill for 2 weeks and compared it against models we feel are its top competitors.

3 of our team members quite literally hopped from the TRX5500 to the Sole F85, NordicTrack 1750, and Proform Pro 2000, among other treadmills, to see how they all compare and get a good feel of the treadmill so we can bring you the most in-depth review possible.

Video Review – XTERRA TRX5500 Treadmill

In-depth Review: XTERRA TRX5500 Treadmill

Preloaded Apps, Content, And Third-Party App Features

The Xterra TRX5500 has an interactive touchscreen where you can view your stats, workouts, change your speed/incline, and also access and use your favorite preloaded and third-party apps. Choose what you want for entertainment on the TRX5500.

Conveniently use the icons at the bottom of the screen to access your current workout stats, your profile, the preloaded apps, and other entertainment features.

The TRX5500 is the only treadmill in Xterra’s lineup where you have the option to stream from 7 pre-downloaded apps like Netflix and NBC News. I had no problem accessing all of the apps and logging into them.

When I was watching Hulu, I could keep an eye on my stats listed on the border of the screen, or choose to not see them at all and focus on my show. When the stats are in view, you can change your incline and speed on the touchscreen as well.

A notification at the bottom of the screen would pop up whenever my speed or incline changed, to keep me informed. This was especially helpful during pre-programmed workouts when the speed and incline would automatically change.

The TRX5500 is Bluetooth enabled, so you can pair it to your phone/tablet and use apps like Zwift. When I used Zwift, I had to have my phone already connected to the treadmill through Bluetooth. Once I opened the Zwift app on my phone, I was able to pair the TRX5500 and see my speed and heart rate in the app while I was running.

When I increased my incline on the treadmill, this wasn’t shown in the Zwift app. While connecting Zwift through Bluetooth, I could only see and hear the app on my phone. In order to see my Zwift avatar and hear the app on the TRX5500, I had to use the screen-mirroring feature.

Using the screen-mirroring feature, I was able to take a class on the iFit app while seeing my stats on the border of the screen, or press a button and hide the stats to look at the end of my workout.

The screen-mirroring feature is just that; whatever content you watch on your phone or tablet, you can watch on the Xterra TRX5500’s 10” screen.

I really enjoyed this feature and liked that I could stream classes from iFit directly onto the TRX5500’s screen. Although I did experience some lag when I mirrored my phone to the screen, the image quality was comparable to my iPhone and the sound quality was excellent through the TRX5500’s speakers.

With this feature, I could get the speakers to go pretty loud by adjusting the volume on my phone rather than simply using the volume mode on the treadmill.

When trying to mirror an Android phone, one of our reviewers had more difficulty using this feature because it required downloading the Xterra mirroring app just to mirror the phone. With an iPhone, this wasn’t necessary. While using Bluetooth, we were only able to connect my iPhone; the Android would not connect.

You can also download the Xterra and Xterra+ apps onto your phone to keep track of your workouts on the TRX5500, and sync them with apps like Apple Health. All of the data is synced through Bluetooth.

Regardless of if you have an internet connection or not, you can use all of the training and workout programs on the Xterra TRX5500. This is great if you don’t have wifi in your home gym and just want to be able to use the treadmill without all the added entertainment features.

I really liked how each of the 30 pre-programmed workout plans is customizable. You can decide how long you want each workout to be in time ranging from 10 minutes up to 99 minutes, and where you want your maximum speed to be prior to starting the workout.

One thing to note is that you can’t skip ahead in these workouts and the intervals and incline levels are predetermined for you.

This screen displays when you use the manual mode.

On top of the preprogrammed workouts, there is a manual mode that only requires you to select a time frame before starting. In this mode, you control where you want your speed/incline to be as you go.

The custom mode is where you create personalized workouts that are broken up into 20 segments. Within each segment is where you input your speed and incline based on a percentage from your preselected max speed and incline.

I found this mode to be best for my HIIT and interval workouts because once I created a workout, the treadmill adjusted my speed and incline automatically, so I could just focus on having a great workout.

When you use the included wireless heart rate chest monitor, the heart rate program is great for target heart rate training. Before your session, you input where you want your target heart rate to be and then follow the speed recommendations from the Xterra TRX5500. The machine will work to keep you within 5 beats of your target heart rate.

TRX5500 Console

During our testing process, our team found the Xterra TRX5500 console to be very simple and easy to use. Every function is well within reach and very accessible while working out. Although you can use the touchscreen to control almost all of the settings, the flat-lying buttons are also there as a quick option to use.

The console consists of a 10.1” touchscreen, AUX jack, USB charging port, 2 speakers, a small fan, 2 cupholders, and a reading rack for your phone/tablet/book. Towards the bottom are keys to adjust the incline on the left and speed on the right. Start and stop buttons are easily reachable on either side of the safety key.

Everything is very accessible on the console. Being the shortest member of our team at 5 feet tall, I had no problem reaching everything while I ran.

The speakers point at you while you’re on the treadmill and the volume level goes up to 15. Although we were able to hear our shows on the preloaded apps while running and with the fan on, we wish the volume on the speakers would go louder.

You can turn the fan on/off by using the touchscreen or with the pinwheel button on the console. The fan has one setting and is practically silent. The air output however, is weak. I couldn’t feel the air unless I placed my hand directly in front of the vent.

The cupholders on either side of the console make grabbing water quick and easy. I didn’t have to reach down low or around anything, and they could hold my 22 oz water bottle as well as my iPhone.

Another convenient spot for your phone or tablet is on the reading rack which is a small indentation found above the fan. When a larger tablet or book is placed here the screen is covered, so just something to be aware of.

Xterra TRX5500 Construction Quality & Durability

The heavy gauge welded steel frame makes the Xterra TRX5500 treadmill solid and secure for all sizes of users. This treadmill does well handling larger runners and overall is well-constructed and quiet.

Frame

The steel frame and uprights make the Xterra TRX5500 feel very secure and stable while running.

With the steel frame, uprights, and crossbar, we didn’t experience any shake or blurriness of the screen when running because the console is securely in place and doesn’t move.

The handles are plastic and include silver pulse grips on each to track your heart rate, as well as speed and incline buttons to give you a third option for quick adjustments. Although they are plastic, they feel secure and their features are easy to see and reach.

Motor

The Xterra TRX5500 has a 3.25 HP. This motor feels like a workhorse and that it’s going to last a long time. It has a very similar feel to treadmills from Sole. The Xterra is a new treadmill for us, so we will be monitoring how it holds up overtime and I’ll update this review as we continue to use it over a longer period of time.

When undergoing exercises like walking, running, sprinting, jump squatting, and interval work, the motor was able to handle everything while staying quiet and consistent. The speed is adjusted by 0.1 increments which let you have plenty of variety when determining how fast/slow you wish to move.

I really enjoyed the practically silent incline motor on the Xterra TRX5500.

The incline motor on the TRX5500 is extremely quiet and adjusts evenly while the speed is changed as well. When running at higher RPMs I couldn’t hear the incline motor as it moved the deck all the way up to 15% or back down to 0%. The setting for the incline increases 1 at a time from 0 to 15.

Treadmill Deck

Here you can see the hood, cushioning label, side rails, and the low sitting deck.

The hood is comparable in size to the F85 Treadmill from Sole Fitness. None of us had an issue with touching it while we walked and ran.

The 20” x 60” deck on the Xterra TRX5500 Treadmill gives plenty of room to exercise and the traction of the belt grips nicely and handles all types of movement. Considering the AssaultRunner Elite Treadmill from Assault Fitness which is known for helping to promote better running form has a belt that’s 17” wide, the running surface on the Xterra should provide enough space.

The side rails are about a ¼” narrower than Sole’s treadmills, and about ¾” narrower than NordicTrack’s and ProForm’s. We noticed that we had to watch where we put our feet when we stepped on the side rails to make sure we didn’t catch the side of the moving deck. So this is just something to make note of when you use this treadmill, especially if you have wider feet.

Although Xterra claims on their site that the deck height is 5.8”, when I measured it from the floor to the deck at the back end of the treadmill, it was close to 8” high. This height is very similar to the F85 from Sole. When the TRX5500 is fully inclined, it measures at about 13” high from the deck to the floor. So, if you have a lower ceiling, this is something to take into consideration.

The deck is also foldable to provide easy storage and has 4 wheels, so moving the treadmill around is not a problem.

The lift assist and safe drop let me fold and unfold the deck with ease.

The XTRASoft deck cushioning is firmer than the Commercial 1750 from NordicTrack and the ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill. However, I was able to put it through workouts without having any discomfort in my legs or feet. The cushioning feels very similar to the Sole F85 Treadmill which has a harder feel. So, if you have significant joint issues and prefer running on a softer surface, this is something to keep in mind.

Performance & Functionality

Overall, the Xterra TRX5500 Treadmill performed well for our team and we found it to be a steady piece of equipment. It can handle a weight capacity of up to 350 lbs, so most users should be able to enjoy this treadmill. For reference, our tallest reviewer is 6’5” and 230lbs and he didn’t have any trouble running or doing other exercise on the TRX5500.

The only component we were missing with the Xterra TRX5500 is quick-touch adjustment keys that let you jump from higher to lower speeds and inclines. Without these, interval training in manual mode can be more difficult because you have to hold down a button and wait until you get to your desired speed/incline.

My tip if you plan to do interval training, is to stick to the custom mode function and pre-program your speed and incline ahead of time. All of the other treadmills in Xterra’s Performance Series include quick adjustment keys, so we would love to see them added to this model in the future.

Along with interval training, our reviewers were able to perform all kinds of movements and run easily on the TRX5500. This treadmill feels great for beginner runners and walkers, but more seasoned runners and workout enthusiasts should also enjoy the sturdy and straightforward design as well as the added features.

Warranty/Customer Service

Xterra offers lifetime warranties on the frame and motor. They include a 5-year warranty on the deck, a 2-year warranty on parts, and a 1-year warranty on in-home labor for home use as well.

Xterra’s customer service is available in the U.S. as well as internationally. They can be reached by phone 5 days a week from 8 am to 7 pm CST, or you can fill out the form on their website and they will get back to you within 1 business day.

The assembly of the TRX5500 was pretty straightforward and all of the parts needed were included. It took 2 of us on our team to assemble the treadmill.