XTerra Fitness TRX3500 Review

XTerra Fitness probably isn't one of the first names that comes to mind when considering a top treadmill, but the brand is fairly well established and produces a full line of affordable to moderately priced home exercise equipment. The TRX3500 caught our attention for its large tread surface, 12 mph top speed, and connected features at a competitive price. It may lack the fancy touchscreen interface of the more expensive competition, but it provides an excellent quality workout for any fitness level at a comparatively lower price.

Performance Comparison

Exercise Quality

The TRX3500 provides a high-quality exercise experience that is a result of its large running surface, 12 mph top speed, and incline adjustment range. It works great as a standalone treadmill for manual workouts, plus it has 30 programs workouts and is FTMS Bluetooth enabled to work with your choice of third-party training apps. No matter your fitness level or training goals, the XTerra has you covered.

The size of a treadmill's running surface is a very important element that directly impacts how hard you can work out on it. At 60-inches long and 20-inches wide, the tread surface on the TRX3500 is large enough to accommodate long strides and running at high speeds without too much fear of accidentally catching the side rails. Attention still needs to be paid, of course, but we found it to be much easier to run on this model than those with shorter and narrower belts. A top speed of 12 mph also provides a huge speed range that can support everything from walking to high-intensity sprint workouts and everything in between. Adjustable incline between 0 and 12% also makes it possible to do some moderate incline and hills training, and the XTRA Soft deck cushioning works well to absorb and dampen impact.

The TRX3500 is FTMS Bluetooth enabled, but it works very well on its own without connecting to any training apps. Starting manually controlled workouts is quick and easy, plus it has 30 pre-programmed workouts to choose from. In addition to the 30 programs, it also has 2 custom programs that you can create yourself for your ideal workout, as well as 1 heart rate control program to keep you in your desired heart rate training zone.

Companion App/Connectivity

The TRX3500 is FTMS (FiTness Machine Service protocol) Bluetooth enabled, so it can connect to your tablet or smartphone to work with a variety of third-party FTMS training apps. While it doesn't have a fancy screen or dedicated companion app, it gives you the option to use various apps using your own device to serve as the screen. While integrated screens and apps are certainly appealing, we really like the flexibility the TRX3500 provides. We tested it with Zwift, and found it works quite well. According to the XTerra Fitness website, it also works with Kinomap, Wahoo SYSTM, and others, so you can pick the experience you're after.

User Interface/Ease of Use

The TRX3500 has a large console with intuitive, user-friendly controls and a bright digital display. Starting workouts is very straightforward, and all of your pertinent workout data is clearly displayed. It can't quite compete with the more expensive, screen-equipped models in this metric, but we feel it is the best we tested of the models without a touchscreen. Of course, should you connect to an app through your own device, it becomes the screen for viewing your chosen workout.

The TRX3500 has a 6.5-inch diagonal digital display that is bright blue with white numbers and letters. Across the top of the screen, it shows your running pace, estimated calories burned, elapsed time, distance, and pulse. Below that, it shows your incline, heart rate profile, workout profile, and tread speed. On the left and right sides of the display are quick jump buttons for incline and speed, respectively, so you can easily increase/decrease them in large increments. Lower on the console are up and down buttons for speed and incline along with a start/stop button, program and enter buttons, and a button for the cooling fan. On the handles, there are buttons to adjust speed on the right and incline on the left that are easy to reach while you are running or walking.

Should you choose to connect with an app, you'll need to open the app on your tablet or phone, then connect to the treadmill through Bluetooth. Once connected, your device serves as the interface with the app, and the shelf on the console holds it in a good position for viewing.

Features

The TRX3500 comes with a number of features that help enhance the user's experience. The folding tread deck has a lift assist to help make folding it up and down much easier, and transport wheels are helpful for moving it around on firm surfaces. XTRA Soft deck cushioning works well to soften impact while running.

At the console, two bottle holders make it easy to keep drinks handy, and a small accessory tray is a great spot to keep smaller items like a phone. There is also a small fan to circulate some air as well as built-in speakers to play music or listen to the app program you're following. Bluetooth FTMS capability means you can connect to your own device to use third-party training apps, and a shelf on the console holds it for viewing while you exercise. It also has integrated heart rate sensors on the handles as well as easy-to-reach controls for speed and incline adjustments.

Ease of Assembly

The TRX3500 is about average in terms of its assembly. There are quite a few steps required to prepare it for use, but it's far from the most challenging or time-consuming model we tested. Due to its size and weight, 236 lbs claimed shipping weight, one of the biggest challenges is moving it in the box and removing it from the package, and you'll definitely want an extra set of hands.

Once removed from the box and all the packing materials, it took our testers about one hour to finish the remaining assembly. It comes with clear printed instructions and all the tools needed to complete the process, and you'll want to have another person available for a few steps like attaching the console and console wires, but otherwise, we found it to be relatively straightforward and hassle-free.

Storability

The TRX3500 is both heavy and large. This is the kind of treadmill that you'll want to set up and leave in a dedicated workout space. It does have small transport wheels, so it isn't too difficult to move around on firm surfaces, but with an assembled weight of over 210-pounds, it is definitely challenging to move it up or down stairs or between rooms.

With dimensions of 77-inches long by 35.5-inches wide and 56-inches high in its open position, the TRX3500 is among the largest treadmills we tested. Fortunately, the tread deck can be folded up when not in use, decreasing its length to 51-inches, but increasing its height to 65.8-inches tall. It has a soft-drop piston that lower the deck slowly and assists when lifting it, and a spring-loaded pin locks it in the up position. Unlike some models that have a foot release, you need to reach down to release the locking pin. While it is great that the deck folds up, it still takes up quite a bit of space in your home no matter what.

Noise Level

The TRX3500 produces about the same amount of noise as the other models we tested. The differences in noise level between the models we tested are fairly slim. It isn't particularly loud, by any means, but like any treadmill, it is far from silent. We measured the decibels at a range of speeds with the treadmill on its own and with a person walking and running on the tread surface. The 3.0 HP motor and the moving tread produce a very acceptable level of noise, with short spikes when a user's footfalls are introduced. The XTRA Soft deck cushioning works pretty well at dampening vibration, and in turn, additional noise.

Should You Buy the XTerra Fitness TRX3500?

If you're seeking a high-quality treadmill with connected features without the high-end price tag of the screen-equipped models, then the XTerra Fitness TRX3500 should be on your shortlist. This sturdy model has a 12 mph top speed, incline from 0-12%, and a 60" x 20" tread surface that is suitable for everything from walking to intense interval training and everything in between. While it doesn't have a touchscreen, its FTMS Bluetooth capabilities make it compatible with third-party training apps like Zwift, Kinomap, and Wahoo SYSTM through your own device for the connected running experience. Intuitive controls and 30 programs workouts make it easy to use and plenty functional without apps as well. Considering its exercise quality and long list of features, we feel the TRX3500 is a great value.

What Other Treadmills Should You Consider?

If storage space is at a premium, but you still want a treadmill that provides a great running experience and/or connected features, then the Echelon Stride is a great option. The Stride's handrail and console fold down flat, making it exceptionally small when not in use so it can be slid under a bed or leaned up against a wall. Its collapsed size is particularly impressive given the size of its running surface, speed range, and incline adjustment, plus it works with the Echelon app through your own device. If you're not looking to spend that much, the NordicTrack T6.5 S costs a little less but still provides a quality workout. Its running surface is a little shorter and its top speed is 10 mph, but we feel it is suitable for most users. It is also compatible with the awesome iFit app for the connected experience.