Echelon Stride 6 Review

Echelon makes a full range of exercise equipment, including bikes, rowers, stair climbers, ellipticals, and an entire line of treadmills; most benefit from their interactive app connectivity. The Stride 6 is their entry-level treadmill that comes without a dedicated display, but it doesn't skimp on features that count. Foremost is the treadmill's ability to fold to just 12" tall. This allows users to store it under a bed, against a wall, or even behind a door.

Performance Comparison

Exercise Quality

After testing several high-end models, we were impressed by the Stride's comfort and power. Although some compromises have been made compared to other models, the Stride still delivers relatively high exercise quality. We found it suitable for users of all fitness levels, and if you prioritize storability, this model is a great choice.

The Stride has a large running surface due to its waterfall design that conceals the motor beneath the deck. Measuring 60.5 inches in length and 20.5 inches in width, it provides ample space for running at any pace without worrying about catching the side rails or kicking a motor cover. The absence of a conventional motor cover makes it ideal for tall users with long strides and fast runners who require extra space. The console's upright supporting arms mount to the tread deck instead of the frame. This is nice because the console maintains a consistent height from the running surface; on some treadmills, the steeper you crank up the incline, the further away you are from the screen and controls. The downside to mounting the console to the running deck is that vibration from your steps is transmitted to the display and controls. This can blur your view of a connected tablet, particularly at higher speeds and inclines.

With a top speed of 12.4 mph, our testers found it suitable for everything from walking and jogging to sprint workouts. It is quite comfortable with above-average cushioning in the deck. Using our distance-accuracy test, which we performed multiple times, we measured 521.9 feet in 60 seconds at six mph. That gives the Stride 6 98.8% accuracy, which should suffice for all but competitive track runners. The machine's incline is adjustable from 0 to 10.5%, but oddly, the console controls only get you as low as 1%; getting to flat requires using the handrail controls.

How comfortable is this machine? Testing the Stride 6's DuroFlex Cushion Deck, we measured 658 Newtons of force to flex the deck 0.5 inches. This flex and compliance provides comfort and relief for sore joints. Incline running is especially comfortable on this surface as your footfalls sink in; it feels like running uphill on a dirt trail. We've long relied on our tester's feedback, blind tests, and adjectives to describe the comfort of a treadmill's running surface. The data we're collecting from using a custom jig and force meter mostly coincides with our testing impressions, but we find value in quantifying the data.

Companion App/Connectivity

The Stride 6 can be used without an app, and it works perfectly fine, although it is a tad boring. It doesn't include a screen, so you must pair your tablet or smart TV if you want to utilize connected features. The Echelon app includes a deep library of pre-recorded workouts for Running, Riding, Rowing, Yoga, Pilates, and more. A Premier membership costs about $40/ month and can be used for up to 5 members. It integrates with Apple Health and Strava, giving you access to live classes and “Gamified Workouts” with Echelon Worlds. There are also Scenic runs that take you to some beautiful locations around the world; these are amazing in theory, but many of them feel like low-quality dash cam videos. The Premier membership also gives you an extension on your machine's warranty coverage; if you pay annually, you get a slight discount. If that sounds like a bit much, Echelon also offers a Fit-Pass for $12/ month, including unlimited pre-recorded classes for one member. Fit-Pass also includes off-machine classes in Core, Yoga, Boxing, Meditation, and much more. If you like the motivation and coaching an instructor provides, the Echelon app has plenty to offer.

User Interface/Ease of Use

Using the Stride 6 is pretty simple. To begin a manual workout, hop on the machine, clip on the safety key, touch the start button, and wait for the countdown timer to start. Increasing and decreasing speed and incline are easily done on the console's ascending buttons. If you're using the app for a connected workout, there are a few more steps, including selecting your workout and connecting to the machine via Bluetooth.

The handlebars feature scroll wheels that adjust speed, incline, and volume on the fly. Each scroll wheel has two functions, and switching between them requires pushing a button just in front of the wheel. The wheel's color changes from blue to green to indicate which mode you're in. The left wheel adjusts incline while it's blue or volume while it's green. Rolling the wheel forward increases incline / volume, and rolling it backward decreases incline / volume, but sometimes rolling it a single detent has no effect, and other times, the adjustments happen readily. The right scroll wheel functions similarly but controls the speed in 1 mph increments when green and 0.1 mph increments when blue.

Features

The adjustable angle console measures 20.75" x 13.5" and can hold a tablet in a low or high position. In the lower position, it can hold a tablet as wide as 15". A small fold-out shelf and expandable clip create an upper position for a tablet with a maximum height of 7.25". Integrated LED screens display workout metrics, with lower screens showing current speed and incline and upper screens displaying alternating information every 5 seconds: distance/pulse on the left and elapsed time/calories burned on the right. To read your pulse, connect a heart rate strap or rest your palms on sensors located on the handlebar. The console also features a cooling fan, a USB-A charging port, two drink holders, and an accessory tray. The treadmill isn't exactly feature-packed, but it's not lacking. There is no Bluetooth FTMS, so speed and incline adjustments must be made manually instead of initiated by a class or instructor.

The main feature and highlight of the Stride 6 is itsPatented Auto-Fold feature, allowing it to collapse to just 12 inches in seconds. A full-sized machine that can be tucked away when not in use almost overshadows everything else. A handle at the rear of the tread deck allows you to lift and move or pivot the machine on its front wheels. If you stand it on end, another set of wheels allows you to slide it sideways, like you might along a wall. Should you have a dedicated storage spot against a wall, the machine includes a safety strap that can be screwed into the wall to prevent the machine from tipping.

Ease of Assembly

In this metric, the Stride 6 easily bests the competition. There are very few treadmills that we've assembled that aren't at least a little bit frustrating. The ability to open the box, remove packaging, unfold the machine, and start exercising puts the Stride in a class of its own. There are some smaller models you can set up this quickly, but none are even remotely as capable as the Stride. Our shipping box on the pallet had a stated weight of 195 lbs, so moving it will be the hardest task.

After opening the treadmill box, there is a small amount of packaging to remove. We recommend cutting the box open at this point and rolling the treadmill out on its wheels. Once you get it into place, you fold the arms up, expand the console, and plug it in. It's important to check the belt's alignment and ensure it's centered on the tread deck. You can use the included 6mm Allen wrench to adjust the rear roller if it isn't. If you plan on using the Echelon app, download it on your tablet or smart TV and pair your device to the treadmill; you're now ready to start striding.

Storability

For obvious reasons, the Stride 6 does quite well in this due to its unique Auto-Fold feature. Unless you have an enormous home gym space, adding a treadmill might preclude you from doing other activities. While this is still a full-sized treadmill, it folds faster and smaller than any other model we've tested. As we covered above, the four different wheels on the front of the treadmill allow it to be moved in multiple directions easily, making storing it out of the way exceptionally easy. This is a game changer for a piece of fitness equipment of this size. I live in the mountains and enjoy trail running; this machine gets stashed away for six months of the year and stays out of site.

Pushing the buttons beneath the handrails allows the console to fold forward. Then, stepping on the release pedal collapses, the support arms, allowing the entire machine to be folded in just seconds. The Stride is still a substantial piece of equipment with a footprint of almost 65 inches long and 31.5 inches wide, but its impressive 12" height gives it unrivaled storage capabilities. This may allow for it to be stored beneath a bed or under a couch, where most treadmills couldn't fit even when disassembled.

There is a steel handle under the back of the tread for lifting that doubles as a safety bar preventing anything from being sucked underneath the machine. When it's lifted vertically, the stride balances on its end and the forward transport wheels allow you to roll it sideways, making it easy to maneuver behind a door or against a wall. An included strap can secure the machine to the wall, providing additional vertical storage options. If space is a premium and you still want a good spot to stretch your running legs, the Stride 6 just might be the ticket.

Noise Level

With its brushless motor tucked beneath the belt, the Stride 6 is one of the quietest treadmills we've tested. The previous Stride was also low on the decibel meter, but we attributed that to its underpowered motor. This machine has a 2.5 CHP motor but emits the same amount of noise. Overall, there isn't a huge variation in noise levels amongst the machines we've tested, but if you live in a place where you want to minimize noise, this would be a great option.

Should You Buy the Echelon Stride?

The Stride6 is an impressive machine that should satisfy most fitness enthusiasts. With a massive running deck, quiet motor, handrail controls, and the ability to use any app you want, there's little reason to look elsewhere. The Stride's impressive storability only sweetens the deal for most users. The small trade-off in high-speed stability should be a consideration for fast runners and those over 250 pounds, but running the app through a smart TV or not using a console-mounted tablet negates the issue. Echelon gives a 1-year comprehensive warranty; extending that warranty requires paying the Premier Membership cost. If you want to make a commitment to running without committing a massive amount of space to a machine, we recommend the Stride; even for folks that have the dedicated space and don't need its folding functionality, we still think the Stride 6 is a great way to get your steps in.

What Other Treadmills Should You Consider?

If your priority is solely exercise quality and you have the budget and space for a commercial-sized machine, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is a spectacular machine. Its tread surface is an inch wider, with a higher incline position and a decline feature for downhill running. The integrated touchscreen and Auto Adjust speed and incline help you immerse yourself in its iFit workouts. If the folding functionality of the Stride appeals to you but you're not ready for the financial or space commitment, give the UREVO 2 in 1 Folding Treadmil a look. It doesn't have any incline adjustability or many features, but it can accommodate light running up to 7.6 mph and folds flat for super easy storage. It can also be used under a desk and costs a fraction of what most treadmills sell for.