Reebok Floatride FR20Z Treadmill Review

Introduction:

I purchased the Reebok Floatride FR20Z from Sweatband.com back in September for £539. Since then I’ve logged just shy of 100 miles covering easy runs, intervals, and tempo runs. That’s been enough time to get a solid feel for how it performs. I logged thousands of miles on my old ProForm treadmill, so I will also have that to compare it to.

Dimensions:

Dimensions: 177 cm (Length) × 69 cm (Width) × 115 cm (Height)

Weight (approximately): 72 kg
Maximum User Weight: Around 120 kg (≈ 264 lb).

Specs:

Motor: 2.25 HP eco-Kinetic (peak)
Maximum Speed: ~18 kph (≈ 11.2 mph)
Incline Levels: 15 power incline levels
Running Belt / Deck: 140 cm long × 46 cm wide
Cushioning: Floatride+ cushioning technology

Features:

Programs: 24 built-in workouts + user-defined modes (also works with Reebok Console app)
Display: Touch-responsive LED console with adjustable pivot feature.
Metrics Shown: Incline, speed, time, distance, calories, pulse/heart rate.
Connectivity: Compatible with Reebok Console app, Kinomap and Zwift for interactive training
Audio: Integrated Bluetooth speaker system.
Extras: Transport wheels, smart device media dock, quick speed/incline keys.

Assembly:

Assembly was offered at £150, but after looking at the manual online I decided I would do it myself. Now, the hardest part of this was getting the Reebok Floatride FR20Z upstairs. The box it arrived in was huge (taller than my doors) and weighed over 83kg. Now, I will say, it says to assemble in the box (keeping the track on the bottom of the box). Even with the help of a friend, there was no way we were getting the entire box upstairs. Instead, I opened the box and took up the arms, console, bolts, etc up first. This then just left the belt to be carried up, which was much more manageable.

I didn’t assemble my last treadmill, but the two men that did had a real hard time with it! So yeah, I was a little apprehensive about doing it myself. But honestly, getting it into my gym room was the hardest part. The assembly process was around 6 steps. Despite the instructions recommending two people, I was able to do this by myself. Another pair of hands may have been handy in places, but it was manageable. It’s simply bolting the two arms on, then attaching the console. The wiring was already pulled through which sped the process up.

Running:

Unlike my previous ProForm treadmill, I opted for a non-folding model this time. As it’s in a dedicated space it won’t need to be moved or lifted. I also wanted a more cushioned and stable belt (not that I had issues previously). I’d already laid down some cushioned flooring and got four thickened rubber stands for the legs. I was hoping to reduce the noise and impact on the floor as much as possible.

To start a run you simple press the green triangular button. The belt will start off slowly to reach 0.6 miles per hour. You then have incline controls on the left and speed controls on the right handles. Alternatively, you can use the buttons on the console. There are also 3 quick select inclines and speeds to choose from. This is the one area that my previously treadmill excelled at – it had a lot more incremental incline and speed shortcuts to select from. These adjustments feel smooth and the pace can be adjusted in increments of 0.1mph. Incline adjustments increase by 1 degree.

Running on the Reebok Floatride FR20Z feels comfortable. The belt is quite long and I never find myself feeling like I’m too close to the end. It’s also a good width for me to not feel cramped. The cushioning feels comfortable and the belt seems stable even when using the incline function. The motor isn’t loud, even when I bumped up the speed for my interval or tempo sessions. I asked my neighbours if they’d heard anything and they said they hadn’t, so that’s a bonus!

I do really like the Bluetooth audio connection; it has worked flawlessly with my Android phone and my laptop. You don’t have any volume or track controls on the treadmill, so still have to adjust those via your device. The volume has been plenty loud enough. In fact, I haven’t ever used the maximum volume even when running faster intervals.

The heart rate sensors are on the side handles. These show your heart rate and calories burned. Personally, I don’t use these as I always have my Garmin chest strap on anyway.

Maintenance:

Typically it’s advised to lubricate a treadmill belt every 6 months if used for around 3-5 hours a week, or every 100-150 miles. The Reebok Floatride FR20Z flashes up and beeps to let you know when the belt needs lubricating. This is something my old treadmill didn’t advise of. I will say, this is handy for a reminder, but annoying during a run. It doesn’t just alert you once or twice… instead it will nag you constantly! So yeah, if you get the warning flash up and you’re at the beginning of your run, I’d recommend stopping to lubricate and then continuing, otherwise it will keep beeping at you the entire time.

The lubrication process itself is straight-forward. There are two bolts on each end of the running belt which need to be loosened. These then loosen the tension of the belt. After loosening, you can lift the belt up at the sides and apply the oil. The Reebok Floatride FR20Z comes with a small bottle (around 20ml) so I would recommend investing in more. Once the oil has been applied, tighten the bolts back up. When I loosened them, I counted how many left turns I made so that I could tighten it back up the same way. Once tightened, walk on the treadmill at a slow pace for 1-3 minutes to allow the oil to spread evenly. If any happens to spill over the side of the belt, just wipe it up and continue.

Final Thoughts:

I chose the Reebok Floatride FR20Z for a number of reasons. Firstly, because it offered a higher speed than most other models in the price range (others were typically 16kph). I also really liked the aesthetics – it comes in blue, red, or yellow; I opted for the red. The connectivity options were also a strong selling point for me. I have used Zwift in the past, and was also interested in trying the Kinomap app. The inbuilt speaker was also a nice to have, but I had low expectations. I will hold my hands up on this one as it has definitely impressed me.

So, after running nearly 100 miles, what do I think? If I had to choose again, I would make the same choice. I did debate the FR30Z for the extra speed and bigger motor, but it just wasn’t worth the extra £460. I really like the aesthetic design of the Reebok Floatride FR20Z; it’s bold and I like the splash of colour. The only thing I’d prefer is to have more quick select speed and incline options.

The Reebok Floatride FR20Z is a solid choice for beginners and intermediate runners alike. It has a stable and good sized running deck, a competitive top speed, and app connectivity. Some people might want a more fancy touchscreen interface, but I like the simplicity. The device holder is adjustable and has held my 2in1 laptop with no issues. I feel for the retail price of £699 (although can be found on sale) it is a solid choice.