Schwinn 810 Treadmill Review: A Popular Bike Company with Treadmill Appeal? (2024)

When you think of the best treadmills, you may not initially think of Schwinn because they’ve been making top-performing bikes and fitness machines for the last century. However, this brand brings their innovation to treadmills with the 810. The Schwinn Fitness 810 treadmill is a budget buy with an impressive 2.6 CHP motor, 10 percent incline, and 10 miles per hour max speed. Our team has tried out 40 of the most popular machines, and we’re providing you our honest review on how the Schwinn 810 stacks up against the rest.

We know treadmills. Intimately. But not in a weird way. The BarBend roster is filled with CrossFit athletes, former D.1 athletes, and marathon runners who have logged some serious miles and rated each treadmill on a scale of 1 (yuck) to 5 (fantastique) across categories such as workout experience, durability, value, and footprint. The Schwinn 810 brings impressive continuous horsepower at a wallet-friendly price of $899, and we think it would be best for those new to jogging and others who are coming back to their routine after some time away.

Main Takeaways

• This is a solid budget home treadmill at $899 with a 2.6 CHP motor powering a 10-percent incline and a max speed of 10 miles per hour, suitable for walking, jogging, and some light running.
• There are Bluetooth capabilities that allow connectivity to apps like Explore the World or Zwift, but you’ll have to plug in with an adapter to play music through the console speakers.
• The 55-inch running belt may be too short for taller runners or those with longer gaits.

Schwinn 810 Treadmill Highlights

• Price: $899
• Max Speed: 10mph
• Max Incline: 10%
• Motor: 2.6 CHP
• Dimensions: 56.7″ H x 69.1″ L x 35.6″ W; 60.2” H x 39.5” L x 35.6” W (folded)
• Running deck: 20” W x 55” L
• Weight: 155lbs
• Weight Capacity: 275lbs
• Preset workout programs: 16
• Manufacturer: Nautilus
• Warranty: 10-year frame and motor, 1-year parts, electronics, and labor

While budget buys may not be suitable for those looking for the bells and whistles often associated with the best high-end treadmills, the Schwinn 810 provides a powerful motor and industry-standard speed and incline capabilities at only $899. Having run, walked, and jogged on over 40 treadmills, our team appreciated this treadmill’s capabilities, scoring customization, adjustability, conveniences, and value a 4 out of 5.

The 2.6 CHP motor powers up to 10 percent incline and 10 miles per hour max speed, allowing racers to reach a 6-minute mile pace. “A 2.75 to 4.0 CHP [motor is best] for running and sprinting, and a 2.5 CHP or higher [is best] for jogging,” noted certified personal trainer and our expert reviewer Amanda Capritto. While we tend to recommend around a 3.0 CHP motor for serious runners, we rarely see a motor as strong as this one at this price.

While you won’t find a large touchscreen to stream content on the Schwinn 810, Bluetooth capabilities allow connectivity with apps on your smart device like Zwift or Bowflex’s Explore the World. There are speakers on the console, but you won’t be able to stream your shows or music through Bluetooth. An included jack can have you plugged in and playing your jams, but many more modern phones don’t include this plug anymore, so you’ll need to buy a separate adapter (these aren’t expensive, don’t worry).

This foldable treadmill is only 155 pounds, about 50 to 100 pounds lighter than some of the top treadmills we’ve tried, and the transport wheels and SoftDrop folding system makes for easy storage when not in use. This hydraulic assistance when unfolding this machine means you won’t have to worry about the running deck slamming against the floor.

With a 69-inch length, this treadmill is about 8 inches more compact than the comparable Sole F63 treadmill and the Horizon T202. While this smaller footprint saves on floor space, it comes at the cost of the running deck length. While our tester had no problem with their stride on the 810’s 55-inch running surface, “you’ll want a deck… 60 inches long,” recommended Capritto, “for running, and especially sprinting.” While a 55-inch running deck is standard on most treadmills, taller runners may need to give this area some consideration.

[Related: The 7 Best Treadmills for Tall Runners]

Pros

• This treadmill is under $1,000.
• SoftDrop folding system makes folding and unfolding this treadmill easy.
• The 10-year frame and motor warranty mean this treadmill should last you a decade if not longer.
• While the 2.6 CHP motor isn’t as strong as the 3.0 CHP motors we like to recommend for running, it’s stronger than most treadmills we’ve seen at this price.

Cons

• You won’t find an HD touchscreen on this treadmill for streaming content or programming.
• The 55-inch running deck may be too short for taller runners or those with longer strides. 
• The SoftTrack deck cushioning system doesn’t feel all that soft or cushioned.

Training With the Schwinn 810 Treadmill

There are a lot of great qualities in this budget-friendly treadmill. While the LCD display isn’t the most advanced technology, it still provides workout programming and tracks basic training metrics. Plus, the media shelf can hold your phone or tablet so that you can stream content while you train. The 10 miles per hour max speed and 10-percent incline provide users access to a variety of cardio intensities for jogging, running, and walking. 

Display and Console

The blue backlit LCD screen provides workout metrics like speed, distance, incline, program, and calories burned. There are two user profiles and 16 built-in workout programs such as goal calories burned, interval training, and heart rate which adjusts your speed to maintain your desired heart rate zone. There are heart rate pulse sensors on the handlebars or you can pair a chest strap heart rate monitor to the console. You’ll also have access to a USB charging port, so you can keep your phone powered.

On either side of the display are quick adjust speed and incline buttons, so you can toggle to a different training intensity with just a push. Our tester and BarBend editorial member Ben Emminger noted, “The quick style controls do require you to hit an extra ‘enter’ button for activation. But other than that, it’s a pretty straightforward console.”

Explore the World App

You’re not getting a touchscreen on this treadmill, however the media shelf allows you to stream content or programming from your phone or tablet. With Bluetooth connectivity, you can connect to the Explore the World app, which allows you to travel the world while running. This is a subscription-based service that will cost you a monthly $9.99. However, there are three free routes you can try to see if you’d benefit from this membership.

Choose a route through Japan, Ireland, the Alps, and other exotic locations, and immerse yourself in the scenery as your pace dictates how quickly you move through the landscape. You won’t have an instructor leading the way like you would in iFIT or Peloton, so if you don’t like being told what to do while you’re working out, this could be a good app for you.

[Related: The 9 Best Running Apps]

Sound

There are dual speakers on top of the console and a media holder for your phone or tablet in the middle for re-watching “Twin Peaks” since you didn’t understand what was happening the first time you watched it. However, one thing to note is that you’ll have to plug your device into the console to play music or audio from the treadmill’s speakers. And the jack that comes with this purchase may not work for newer phones without a separate adapter.

Additionally, the motor on this treadmill is exactly my type, strong and silent. So you’ll be able to hear your tunes even when you’re crushing your cardio goals. Emminger noted, “You do have the common treadmill hum and landing response, but it isn’t a massive machine that drowns out a room.” Noise received a 4 out of 5.

Incline and Speed Capabilities 

While the best incline treadmills often provide up to 12 or 15% incline, the budget-friendly Schwinn 810 comes in right behind with its 10% incline capabilities. Amanda Capritto, certified personal trainer and our expert reviewer noted, “If you’re training for something specific, like a hike or an outdoor 10K, you’ll probably want incline capabilities to better mimic the outside world.”

You’ll also have a top speed of 10 miles per hour so you can run up to a 6-minute mile pace. The 2.6 CHP motor provides power for both features and does so quietly. Workout experience scored a 4 out of 5 with our team.

Belt Deck

The running deck measures 20 inches wide by 55 inches long, which is standard for treadmills in this budget price range. However, our tester Ben Emminger noted, “There isn’t enough room across the belt for long strides.” For tall runners wanting to pick up the pace, we like to recommend decks a little longer. “People who intend to run or sprint on their treadmill should look for a running deck of at least 60 inches in length… [However] 50 to 55 inches can usually cut it for walking and light jogging,” noted Capritto.

While this treadmill touts Softtrak cushioning to aid in impact absorption, one tester wasn’t impressed, noting, “It didn’t feel all that cushioned and I wouldn’t say this is one of the best treadmills for bad knees.”

What to Consider Before Buying the Schwinn 810 Treadmill

There are dozens of factors to consider when shopping for a treadmill. Combing through the available options is a full time job, but you can lighten the load by being prepared with the type of training you’re interested in doing, your budget, and the available floor space you have. 

Fitness Goals

If you’re searching for a treadmill to support walking, jogs, and some high-intensity interval training, the Schwinn 810’s 10 mile per hour max and 10 percent incline could be just what you need. However, more advanced runners may want speeds that go up to 12 miles per hour and some serious vertical hikers may want to opt for incline training that’ll reach 12 or 15 percent.  

From weight loss to increasing your daily step count, nailing down your goals and the type of training you want to do will help you figure out the training capabilities you need.

Price

The Schwinn 810 is a budget treadmill that comes out to $899. While we’ve seen treadmills at this price range with similar speed and incline capabilities, this treadmills 2.6 CHP motor has left us impressed. While a treadmill like the Horizon 7.0 AT ($999) will provide 12 miles per hour max speed and 15 percent incline, it comes with a 3.0 HP motor which is lower quality than the Schwinn 810’s.

The console’s Bluetooth capabilities were also created to pair your treadmill with training and health apps. The Explore the World app by Bowflex comes with a $9.99 monthly membership and gives you access to scenic runs that adjust based on the speed of your treadmill.

Footprint and Foldability

This treadmill measures 69.1 inches long, 35.6 inches wide, and 56.7 inches tall when set up, that’s about 17 square feet. When compared with other treadmills at a similar price point, it’s roughly 4 square feet smaller. Additionally, at 155 pounds, it’s between 50 and 100 pounds lighter as well. 

A standout feature of this treadmill is its SoftDrop folding capabilities, providing hydraulic assistance with lowering and folding. When folded this treadmill transforms from 69.1 inches long down to 39.5 inches. 

[Related: The 8 Best Folding Treadmills of 2024 (Expert Tested)]

Schwinn 810 Treadmill Vs. The Competition

The treadmill market is saturated with options, so we drew up a comparison chart to help you get a sense of how the Schwinn 810 stacks up against the competition.

While the Schwinn 810 has the lowest user weight capacity out of its top competitors (275 pounds is higher than the 250 pound user weight capacity we tend to see on budget treadmills), it boasts one of the strongest motors, second only to the ProForm Carbon TLX’s 3.0 CHP motor. 

Users who are tight on floorspace may also want to take note of the Schwinn 810’s footprint, as it’s one of the smallest and can save you 8 inches in length as compared to Sole F63 or nearly 7 inches when compared to the Horizon 7.0 AT.

Where the Schwinn 810 gets roasted and toasted is when it comes to its 10 miles per hour max speed and 10 percent incline capabilities. Nearly every other option in our comparison chart, besides the Horizon T101, outperforms with 12 miles per hour max speed and between 12 and 15 percent incline.

Places to Buy the Schwinn 810

You can buy the Schwinn 810 directly from the Schwinn website, as well as via online retailers like Amazon, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, and Target.

Warranty

Schwinn provides a 10-year warranty on the frame and motor, and a one-year warranty on parts, electronics, and labor. While the industry standard for top-performing treadmills is a 15-year to lifetime warranty on frame and motor, budget treadmill warranties often fall below this standard.

For an additional $129 you can buy a three-year Schwinn protection plan which extends your parts and labor coverage to three years. To contact Nautilus to make a warranty claim or to establish warranty eligibility, you can call 1-800-605-3369.

Company Information

Schwinn was founded in 1895 in Chicago where they started out producing World Bikes, their earliest bicycle model. Throughout the last century, they’ve led the pack in fitness equipment innovation creating faster, stronger, more versatile, and eco-friendly gear to keep users moving. While Schwinn is renowned for their transport bikes, they also produce some of the best exercise bikes, ellipticals, and treadmills.

To reach Schwinn customer support, you can call 1-800-556-2896.

Final Words

The Schwinn 810 is a great treadmill at a budget-friendly price that’ll provide a mild amount of training versatility. Those looking for an entry-level machine may find the 10-mile-per-hour max speed and 10 percent incline suitable for their training needs. While the 55-inch running deck is lower than the 60-inch we like to see for runners, users who aren’t too tall or who aren’t trying to win any speed trials should find these deck’s length suitable for walking and light jogging.

After reviewing the Schwinn 810, we think this would be a great purchase for someone who’s just getting into running or someone who’s never purchased a treadmill before. For $899 you’re getting loads of value with a powerful 2.6 CHP motor and a 10-year frame and motor warranty. You can connect your treadmill console so that your workout gets tracked in apps, or use the Explore the World app with the tablet holder to run your way through scenic trails around the globe. However, serious runners may want to look elsewhere for larger max speeds and incline capabilities.

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