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.

The XTerra TRX3500 has remained physically unchanged for many years and that's not a bad thing. While the machine is simple and decidedly not very modern-looking, it's durable and easy to use. XTerra did update their software for better Bluetooth FTMS transfer rates and reduced latency. XTerra also developed its own app with fitness classes and workout tracking. It's no Peloton or Echelon but it costs less than $10/month.

Tested and Rated

It can be hard to find a treadmill review from someone who wasn't paid to produce it or got the machine for free; that's not how we work at GearLab. When we decided to test the 3500, we logged on to the XTerra fitness site and purchased it in the same fashion you would. When it arrived at our door, I was surprised by how large the box was. Most treadmills arrive by semi truck and the 3500 was no exception. This machine doesn't look modern or particularly impressive but I found it to be a great training companion.

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 programmed workouts and is FTMS Bluetooth enabled to work with your choice of third-party training apps. For most fitness levels or training goals, the XTerra has you covered.

The size of a treadmill's running surface is an important element that directly impacts how hard you can train. 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 getting too nervous about 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. Adjustable incline between 0 and 12% also makes it possible to do some moderate incline and hill training, and the XTRA Soft deck cushioning works well to absorb and dampen the impact of your footfalls.

The TRX3500 is FTMS Bluetooth enabled, which enables two-way communication between the machine and the app of your choice. It also works as a standalone treadmill 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 allow you to create your ideal workout, as well as a heart rate control program to keep you in your desired heart rate training zone.

Companion App/Connectivity

The TRX3500 is Bluetooth-enabled FTMS (FiTness Machine Service protocol), 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, it gives you the option to use various apps on your own device to serve as the screen. While integrated screens and apps are certainly appealing, I appreciate the flexibility the TRX3500 provides. I tested the Zwift app for several runs and was impressed by how seamlessly it integrated. The XTerra Fitness website is constantly updating with new apps that you can use with the machine like Kinomap, Wahoo SYSTM, and even an XTerra app that mimics the offerings of Echelon or JRNY.

User Interface/Ease of Use

The TRX3500 has a large console with intuitive, user-friendly controls and a bright digital display. Starting workouts is straightforward, and all of your pertinent workout data is displayed on the console. It doesn't have the modern interface of the more expensive, screen-equipped models in our review, but the mechanics of this machine are solid. It's simple but not low-tech, giving you impressive integration with your own choice of tablet and app.

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 and 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 few features that help enhance the user's experience. The folding tread deck has a pneumatic lift assist to help make folding it up and down much easier, and transport wheels help move it around on hard floors or low pile carpets. The XTRA Soft deck cushioning provides some give and helped me stay fresh feeling as the mileage counter ticked up.

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. A small fan helps you feel like you're not standing still and built-in speakers provide tunes or directions from your app. Bluetooth FTMS capability means you can connect to your device to use third-party training apps, but also let those apps control your speed and incline while you focus on your stride. A small shelf on the console provides a nice perch for an iPad 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, you might want to call a friend or two to help with the assembly.

Once removed from the box and all the packing materials were clear, it took me 66 minutes to finish the remaining assembly. It comes with clear printed instructions and all the tools needed to complete the process, but having another person available for a few steps, like attaching the console and console wires was super helpful.

Storability

The TRX3500 is fairly large and heavy. This is the kind of machine hat you'll want to set up and leave in a dedicated workout space. There are small transport wheels on the front but you won't want to move it far as it weighs over 210 pounds. It's challenging to fit through a doorway and up or down stairs is just about out of the question.

With dimensions of 77 inches long by 35.5 inches wide and 56 inches high in its open position, the TRX3500 is on the larger side of the treadmills I've tested. The tread deck can be folded up when not in use, which decreases its length to 51 inches but increases its height to 65.8 inches. It has a soft-drop piston that lowers 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. I loved how easy it was to fold but it still takes up quite a bit of space in your home and dominates a room.

Noise Level

The TRX3500 produces about the same amount of noise as the other models we tested. The differences in noise levels between the models I tested are fairly slim. It isn't particularly loud, but like any treadmill, it doesn't go unnoticed. 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 whiny whir with short spikes when a user's footfalls are introduced. The XTRA Soft deck cushioning helps dampen the noise and it wasn't hard to carry on a conversation while running (if you had the fitness).

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 sizable tread surface that is suitable for everything from walking to intense interval training. While it lacks a touchscreen, its Bluetooth RTMS capabilities give it a leg up on the connected running experience. Intuitive controls and preprogrammed workouts make it easy to use and plenty functional without an internet connection. Considering its exercise quality and useful 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. Like this machine, it lacks a touchscreen but can be used with your own device. If you can spend a bit more, the Sole F80 costs a few extra dollars and provides a quality workout. Its running surface is a little wider, and it has the same speed range; making it suitable for most users.