FreeMotion Fitness was initially a commercial-only division of ICON Health & Fitness, a US-based global leader in the fitness equipment industry. Since 1999, FreeMotion machines have been purchased by thousands of hotels and fitness clubs worldwide – and now the products have been adapted for home use.
The brand’s high-quality offerings include numerous commercial, light commercial, and residential products: ellipticals, exercise bikes, incline trainers, striders, treadmills, strength-building products, and vibrating platforms.
Special Features of FreeMotion Fitness Equipment
» Premium quality is a hallmark of FreeMotion Fitness. While ICON owns a number of fitness equipment brands, it devotes special attention to this luxury line. Customers benefit from the blending of premium parts and ICON’s team of 200 engineers.
» Excellent warranties also help customers keep peace of mind. For example, the relatively basic FreeMotion Treadmill t5.2 is sold with a lifetime warranty on the frame, 15 years on the motor, five years on parts, and two years of labor. Some FreeMotion home fitness products have even longer warranties.
Another FreeMotion Brand Advantage: Customer Service
While some ICON brands rank poorly for customer service, the FreeMotion line is distinguished by its great consumer relations. Managers’ names and toll-free numbers are readily available, agents are US-based, and a number of helpful troubleshooting videos are posted to YouTube.
FreeMotion Fitness Equipment Lines
Home Treadmills & Incline Trainers – FreeMotion’s home treadmill line has 7 models. This includes: two incline trainers; the FreeMotion 750; the XTr; and treadmill models t5.2, t5.6, and t5.8. Here are some highlights:
Commercial Treadmills & Incline Trainers - FreeMotion sells two commercial treadmills, two light commercial treadmills, and one light commercial treadmill/incline trainer. All have long two-ply belts, superior cushioning, and powerful 5.0 motors. Their decks are coated with extra-thick resin and are reversible to last twice as long as non-reversible decks.
The top-of-the-line light commercial FreeMotion trainer is named the i7.7. It has a 30% incline for intense workouts, wireless and grip heart rate monitors, and a multi-speed fan to keep exercisers cool. Generous warranties are included for home and commercial settings.
The brand’s commercial treadmill is available with and without a TV. While it’s an excellent machine, it seems overpriced when compared with the significantly more affordable light commercial options.
Striders – Sometimes referred to as stairclimbers, striders are hybrids of elliptical machines and incline trainers. They’re designed to let people simulate walking or running without putting undue pressure on their joints. In addition to providing great arm and leg workouts, these machines target core muscles with every push-and-pull motion, effectively having users do crunches while standing.
FreeMotion features two striders for home use, the F 5.6 and the F 5.8. Both have extra-long strides – they’re adjustable up to 35” — but they take up minimal floor space.
Both include entertainment, excellent cushioning, and a workout fan. They also have iFit card readers for targeted personal training. The more advanced version, the F 5.8, has a small digital TV on the console.
There’s also a commercial strider, the FreeMotion. It lets users take up to 44” strides. This 385-pound luxury exercise machine features iFit technology, an iPod dock, and a TV console. The brand’s light commercial strider, the s7.8, also has a 44” variable stride and can be used with iFit cards.
Strength Training – Strength training equipment can be used to strengthen the core body (abs, shoulders, etc.) while also sculpting the arms and legs. FreeMotion highlights two of its light commercial products for home use: the EXT Adjustable Bench and the EXT Dual Cable Cross. Both products take up relatively little space. They can be used together or separately.
FreeMotion manufactures three products for the light commercial market: two multi-use gyms and an adjustable bench. Their commercial strength training line includes a whopping 58 products. Its fitness machines are more targeted than the light commercial group’s multi-purpose gyms. Some product examples include FreeMotion Chest, FreeMotion Bicep, and FreeMotion Squat. The even higher-end products are named FM Epic (e.g., FM Epic Chest and FM Epic Bicep).
The commercial line also features military presses, Olympic weight and bar sets, Beauty Bells, and other strength training equipment.
Vibrating Gym Equipment
Vibrating gym equipment is one of the hottest trends in fitness. Vibration training capitalizes on instability: a machine’s vibration causes the user’s muscles to automatically contract as they seek equilibrium. This enhances workout efficiency. Whole-body vibration training can easily be integrated into any exercise regimen.
FreeMotion’s commercial Vertex machine has handles for stability. Users can stand, sit, or lay down as the machine moves through vibration exercises. The Vertex accommodates users weighing up to 400 pounds.
Drawbacks of FreeMotion Fitness Equipment
iFit requirements – To enjoy many of iFit’s special features, the user needs to have wireless internet technology in the workout area. Also, the cost of an iFit Live membership and/or iFit cards should be figured into the purchase price if applicable.
Price – These high-quality products usually aren’t sold for a bargain. However, with the exception of a few models, FreeMotions are worth the extra investment. They have excellent warranties and will remain useful for many years.