The Weslo Cadence R 5.2 is a relatively small entry-level motorized electric treadmill designed for walking, jogging and recreational running. It’s a basic model without a lot of bells and whistles. If that’s what you are looking for then this treadmill might be a good choice.
PROS
- Easy assembly process
- No bells and whistles
- Small design
CONS
- The LCD display hasn’t got a backlight
- Mainly designed for low- to mid-intensity workouts
- Short warranty period
KEY FEATURES
- Small design, fold the treadmill after you’re done with your workout to save space. Additionally, there are wheels under the treadmill which make it possible to move the treadmill to another location.
- Relatively lightweight, the treadmill weighs 118 pounds, which is useful if you plan to move the treadmill often.
- When using one of the 6 preset workouts it’s possible to manually change the speed by pushing the speed buttons. This is useful if you feel like you are going too fast or too slow. It will automatically readjust to the speed settings of the next one-minute segment of the workout program.
REVIEW OF THE PRODUCT
Build Quality: 3.5/5
The R 5.2 treadmill is powered by a 2.5 HP Impulse motor. This is strong enough for walkers & joggers, but depending on your weight the motor might not be strong enough for a comfortable higher intensity run.
Additionally, it’s good to be aware of the fact that you will only get 90 days of warranty from the date of purchase, this applies to the; drive motor, parts and labor. This isn’t very long, so make sure you assemble this treadmill within a few days to check if there are any problems whatsoever.
Comfort: 3.5/5
Directly under the tread belt, there is a layer of cushioning, which Weslo calls the ‘comfort cell cushioning’. The cushioning helps to reduce the impact on your feet while working out. Plus, it gives you more comfort just like the name says.
Higher-end treadmills usually have an automatic incline which you can change by pressing the incline buttons. This one doesn’t. The treadmill has to be folded to change the incline. You can choose between two incline levels by rotating the incline feet underneath the tread belt. So, either you’ll have to stop your training or change the incline before you start.
Ease of Use: 5/5
The R 5.2 has a very basic console with some basic functions. Of course, there’s the possibility to change the speed from 1 to a maximum of 10 mph. Other than that, you can select one of the intensity training workouts or weight loss workouts. The weight loss workout programs are specifically designed for people who want to lose weight.
The workout display shows standard information, like; calories burned, time, distance and speed. If you place your thumb on the heart symbol the display can also show your current heart rate. For the most correct reading of your heart rate, it is advised to hold your thumb on the heart symbol for at least 15 seconds.
Lastly, it’s good to know that the blue display doesn’t have a backlight. This means that you will have to make sure that your room is light enough to be able to read the display.
Ease of Assembly: 4.5/5
Because it’s a basic treadmill there are only 6 steps to assemble the whole treadmill. All of the steps are quite straightforward. For most people, it probably won’t take a lot of time to assemble the treadmill.
Before you start there are 2 things to take into account; the assembly requires 2 persons and some tools are not included. The tools which are not included are needle-nose pliers and a Phillips screwdriver. So, make sure you have these tools before you start.
"HOW DOES IT COMPARE?"
Weslo Cadence G 5.9
You might have also heard about the Weslo Cadence G 5.9. This is a very similar (almost identical) Weslo treadmill.
The main difference is that the Cadence G 5.9 has a 2.25 HP motor, which is a bit less powerful than the 2.5 HP motor of the R5.2. Joggers might notice the difference, but walkers probably won’t even notice it. Other than that, there aren’t any significant differences.
ProForm 505 CST
Joggers might want to take a look at the ProForm 505 CST. The 505 CST is still a basic treadmill but does offer a more comfortable workout for joggers. The backlit display, 10 percent adjustable incline and the larger 20 by 55-inch running surface are the main differences.
The adjustable incline and larger tread belt are especially appealing for joggers. Because adjusting the incline by pressing a button means you don’t have to interrupt your training to change the incline.
Plus, the larger belt is useful because when you jog you usually have a longer stride compared to walking.
Confidence GTR Power Pro 1100W
The Confidence GTR Power Pro is a treadmill mainly designed for walking. Because it has a smaller 15.75- by 43.5-inch belt, a maximum speed of 7.5 miles per hour and a total weight of 62 lbs.
The smaller belt and lower maximum speed aren’t particularly interesting for joggers, but won’t matter much if you are going to use the treadmill for walking. Except for those who have a broader stance. So, the smaller belt and lower maximum speed make this treadmill less attractive for joggers.
Lastly, the low overall product weight of 62 lbs. might be interesting if you want to store your treadmill after you’re done with your workout.