Weslo Cadence R 5.2 Treadmill Review

With a price point under $400 there is fierce competition to be the best treadmill.  Choosing which model to go for can be a daunting task!  In this post we review the Weslo Cadence R5.2 Treadmill.  It is the second model in the Weslo Cadence range with a few extra features extra over its less expensive stable mate.

What makes the Weslo Cadence R5.2 Tick?

For such a reasonably priced treadmill we were surprised how sturdy this treadmill is when  assembled. It size is reasonable, in fact its one of our favorite Small Treadmills, fitted with a 50″ long belt which is perfect for jogging at medium speeds.

To make things a little more comfortable Weslo have fitted what they call comfort Cell Cushioning beneath the treadmill belt.  This has a couple of functions, first it does a great job of absorbing the impact of your running, it also helps keep the sound down.  This is great if you are planning on working out while watching TV or in a room with family members nearby.

Display

To help keep your workout data there is a clear and easy to read console.  Its well laid out and feels nice to use, buttons give nicely under your touch, and the blue display is back lit so you can still see if running in a dim room or basement.

Operating this treadmill could not be more simple, there is only a handful of buttons, and they are well marked and intuitive to use.  The only slight issue is that the display is not height adjustable, so when you raise the incline on the treadmill base you effectively lower the control panel.  This only really becomes a problem if you are quite tall and when you try and use the built in heart rate monitor grips.

We love the little graphical display of the workout which fills in as you run.  The display also keeps track of your workout time, distance, speed, heart rate and calories burned.  The heart rate is monitored via contact sensors built into the handle bars.  You may find these a little tricky to use when running fast!

Running Track

Well I say running, this treadmill is really designed for low to mid speed work.  The top speed is limited to 10mph, which in practice is fine for most people.

Although its quite a compact unit, the main belt is only 50″ long, we like its solid feel.  The belt its self has some cushioning built in, great if your trainers lack their own natural spring!  We liked the traction on the belt and never felt in secure.

With the built in cushioning it was a comfortable run, with no knee pain or stresses to contend with after.  The display really helped keep the workout on track and gave a good cool down and warm up.

One slight disadvantage is the built in and non adjustable incline.  After a while you do get used to it, and the slight rise does add to the workout.  If you are just starting out it may make your first few workouts just a little bit harder.