The FEIER Treadmill – Our Review

Horizon Fitness, XTERRA Fitness, Sunny Health & Fitness…the list goes on…

If you’re in the home treadmill hunt and unless you’re looking at something like Nordictrack (which is ironically actually headquartered in France) or maybe Woodway, a lot of the company names are going to start running together, if not being completely unknown to you.

For some reason, the same companies renowned for making home gym equipment (think of the Rogues and REPs, of the world) aren’t nearly as well known for their treadmills, if they even sell them.

The FEIER Fitness Star 100 Folding Treadmill (henceforth referred to simply as the FEIER Treadmill) is one such treadmill from one of the lesser-known companies that we had the opportunity to work with for a bit.

In the rapidly-expanding folding treadmill market, it boasts a few unique features to go along with its relatively affordable price point and smaller-than-average (where smaller is better) footprint.

Let’s take a longer look to see if it should be one of names to put at the top of your home treadmill search list.

Assembly

Right off the bat, one of the areas where the FEIER treadmill really shines is in its assembly process…or, to be more accurate, its lack of assembly process.

It literally comes fully assembled; when you remove it from the box, it is immediately ready for you to unfold it and get running.

On a quasi-related note, I should mention that actually removing the treadmill from the box is pretty difficult unless you go full “scorched Earth” and all but completely destroy the box. However, if you’re like most people and don’t really care if your treadmill packaging gets messed up, this shouldn’t be much of a concern.

Assembly: 97.5

Functionality

In terms of overall functionality, I would classify the FEIER treadmill as a lower-mid tier treadmill (all treadmills considered) and as a solidly middle-tier at-home/home gym treadmill. This equates to the treadmill being perfectly adequate for the majority of users, but lacking, in some cases, somewhat significantly, for a select group of other users.

One of the areas where this disconnect is likely most apparent is with the machine’s top-end speed capabilities. With an 11.2 MPH top speed, most people are going to be pretty well satisfied. I seriously doubt that there are that many people who can sustain sub 5:30 miles for an extended period of time, yet alone people who are into regular treadmill training.

On the flip side, I regularly run at a sub-1:20 400-meter pace during workouts and go even faster when sprinting at the end of a metcon. This treadmill limits the kind of running that is common in HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and I would say that it’s not really suitable for even mid-level functional fitness athletes.

I also find the incline settings to be a bit underwhelming. Despite the incline being stated as going as high as 12 percent, I don’t really feel a significant incline at all, even when I jack it up to the highest level. I’m not sure if it’s my particular machine or if my perception of what a 12 percent incline should feel like is off or has been skewed, but I’m not the biggest fan of the treadmill’s incline capabilities.

Obviously, if you prefer to walk without incline, this isn’t an issue.

On a somewhat related note, I notice a bit of bouncing when I run on the FEIER treadmill, even at a relatively moderate pace. This slight jostling doesn’t really affect my running gait, but it is slightly distracting and it is a little loud.

To expand on this point, I should point out that I’m 190 pounds; when my 120-pound wife runs on it there is less, but still noticeable bouncing although when my 60-pound son runs on it, there is no movement at all.

Overall, the FEIER treadmill is probably plenty functional for most people’s needs. As long as you’re not looking to sprint or walk at a significant incline, you should be in good shape. However, if you are an adult of any size, prepare for a bit of bouncing during your run.

Functionality: 85

Footprint

I think it is pretty safe to assume that if you are considering a folding treadmill that you’re looking for a piece of equipment that won’t take up too much place in your home gym or even in a place like your home office or bedroom.

Although there is a bit of a drop-off (in the context of “bigger drop-off equals takes up more space”) from the very compact, very budget folding treadmills, there isn’t much of a difference from the second tier of treadmills on downward.

The FEIER treadmill isn’t in this first category, but it all but leads the second category, coming in with dimensions of 67 inches (length), 31 inches (width), and 50.5 (height) when unfolded and 67 inches (length), 31 inches (width), and 10.5 inches (height) when folded.

Most other folding treadmills have slightly larger footprints which, in some cases, might be preferable, especially if you prefer a larger walking and running area. In regard to overall footprint (where smaller is better), the FEIER treadmill is in really good shape.

A final item to note in this area is that actually folding the treadmill into its more compact size is more difficult than I anticipated. I find that I have to support a pretty significant amount of its weight as I fold it down which I, an experienced fitness professional, am capable of doing. However, smaller, trainees without substantial strength might find it very difficult to support the weight of the treadmill while folding it. Because of this, I deducted a few more points here.

Footprint: 90

Programs

I’m not really into treadmill programs, but I can respect that the FEIER treadmill has quite a few to choose from. By my count, there are actually 36 different programs to choose from, each with 10 different levels or settings to choose from.

Some of these programs are rather intricate in that they really try to replicate a certain type of terrain or course with various inclines and speeds worked in at what sometimes seems like an almost random configuration. I pretty much stay away from these.

In contrast, there are other programs that are much more straightforward and are easier to select and get started with. For example, as simple as it sounds, I’m actually partial to the one-mile run program. This is something that comes up somewhat often in my CrossFit programming and it is nice to be able to test and retest in in the same, programmed conditions each time.

Programs: 90

Tech Capabilities

The FEIER treadmill may not have as many technological capabilities as some of the truly tech-heavy treadmills, but its offerings are substantive and welcome, nonetheless. Of course, all of these will apply to some people more than others and the ones that stick out the most to me are the following:

• Heart Rate Monitor: These are really common on treadmills, but I have found that they are often hard to get reads with at times, yet alone somewhat accurate reads. Some type of finger clip may be required which is just kind of awkward when you’re running. In contrast, I just need to lay my fingers on the designated sensors and FEIER’s treadmill gives me an almost instant (and, in my opinion, pretty accurate) reading.
• Wireless Charging: This probably isn’t as interesting of tech capability area, but is the one that I’m the most impressed with. I have both a MagSafe case as well as an OhSnap holder attached to my phone. Even with these items creating potential barriers, I just set me phone on the control panel area and it charges.
• Bluetooth: I have found that the treadmill’s Bluetooth syncs with my phone very easily (after selecting the “Run Music” setting). However, the sound quality isn’t all that great. The speakers seem to be internal in the control panel/display area and the sound is pretty muffled. I just opt for wearing headphones or earbuds, to be honest.

Overall, the FEIER treadmill’s tech capabilities aren’t mind blowing, but the things I’m most interested in, they do at least decently well at.

Tech Capabilities: 90

Noise

Despite being an at-home/home gym treadmill, I have found the FEIER treadmill to be a bit louder than other treadmills of its kind that are mainly designed for home use. To be honest, I actually find it to be a bit louder than treadmills that you’d find in a commercial gym.

To this latter point, and as I mentioned before, the FEIER treadmill’s much lower total weight causes it to bounce a bit when I’m running on it. This lack of “firmness” compared to many other home gym treadmills and to just about every commercial gym treadmill creates more of a “knock” with each step, especially if I’m landing “heavier” (which tends to happen when I’m moving at higher speeds).

The treadmill isn’t as loud when I’m walking, but I wouldn’t say its overly quiet, either. All in all, this isn’t the quietest treadmill I’ve ever used.

Noise: 80

Warranty

The FEIER treadmill comes with a warranty that is pretty decent, but nowhere close to being the most comprehensive or extensive treadmill warranty on the market.

In a field of folding treadmills that include numerous “lifetime motor and frame” warranties FEIER’s three-part “frame”; “steel-made components”; and “other components” warranty (each area covered for between 6 and 12 months) doesn’t really stand out as being overly “extended”.

It’s definitely possible to find folding treadmills with warranties that fall into these timeframes (this is more common than the lifetime warranties), putting the FEIER treadmill more or less in line with its competitors in this category.

Warranty: 80

Price

Retailing at just under $1500, the FEIER treadmill is definitely not the most affordable folding treadmill on the market and could even be classified in the “expensive” category. To be fair, this is when it is compared to other home, folding treadmills of all build types and designs, to include those classified as “walking pads”.

The good news is that if you’re really interested in purchasing it, you can save about $300 by using the discount code REVISITED when you check out. At $1200, the FEIER treadmill’s price score rises pretty significantly, putting it closer to many other options out there.

Price: 80*** (if the 20% discount code REVISITED is used)

Customer Reviews

At the time of this writing, the FEIER treadmill boasts a combined customer reviews score of 4.7 out of 5 based on just over 80 reviews. These ratings are exclusively found on the FEIER Fitness website; it is difficult to find any product reviews for any of the company’s products on other platforms or even on large retail sites like Amazon.

Most notably, of the 82 total reviews, only 2 award the treadmill less than 3 stars and only 6 total are 1, 2, or 3-star reviews. The 63 5-star reviews make up the lion’s share of all of the current customer reviews.

While we would like to see reviews from sources that aren’t only on the company’s page, it appears as though every person who has included a review score has also left at least a partial written review. Of the lower-rated reviews, there doesn’t seem to be any type of “running theme” or problem that is consistently being reported, which bodes in FEIER’s favor here.

Overall, customers seem to be pretty happy with their respective purchases with few reporting any type of significant problem or other issues.

Customer Reviews: 94

Customer Service

I have never directly communicated with anyone from FEIER Fitness, but I know that Tom has been in somewhat regular contact with them when they have arranged products to be sent.

When initially scheduling for the delivery of the FEIER treadmill, he mentioned that a tracking number was provided (a few days after it had originally been shipped) which made it easier to follow as it made its way to my place. He also mentioned that the FEIER personnel followed up with him after they received confirmation that it had been delivered (I confirmed that it had in fact made it).

I know that Tom had a few questions about a few items that he wanted me to include in the review and he reached out to the company for clarification. They always got back to him, but sometimes were a bit slow in replying, taking almost a week in some cases to provide answers to purely technical questions.

I haven’t had any problems with the treadmill that have required either of us to contact FEIER personnel, but I have no reason believe that there would be any problems (other than the response to potentially being longer then preferred).

Customer Service: 90

Who is the FEIER Treadmill really for?

If you’re in the market for a folding treadmill for you home, you’re already in a pretty niche market. Let’s dig a little deeper and determine who in this market would most appreciate this particular treadmill:

People who want a functional treadmill with the smallest possible footprint

We mentioned in some of the categories above that it is possible to get a smaller folding treadmill (some of these don’t even have top handles and are more of glorified walking pads) or a less robust one.

With that being said, if you’re not really in the market for a treadmill with a very small space to move/run or one that is going to be moving all around as you run, the FEIER treadmill is probably your best bet as far as space-saving treadmills go.

It still isn’t as robust as many others, but the sturdiness-to-footprint ratio is pretty good.

People who enjoy technological features on their treadmills

I’m not one to go on a casual run or walk on a treadmill and most of my runs are shorter and more intense in nature. Because of this, I rarely get to enjoy listening to my favorite music or knowing exactly how hard my heart is working while I’m running.

On the other hand, if you’re the type who has a more…conventional workout regimen, if you actually run or walk at a consistent pace for longer periods of time and you want to enjoy these little, technological novelties while they’re sweating, FEIER has you covered.

Not for home gym trainees who sprint

With a top-end speed of 11.2 MPH, the FEIER treadmill goes fast enough for the vast majority of runners. I’m emphasizing runners here because there are few people who are able to maintain a sub-6:00 per-mile pace for an extended period of time. In just about all cases, if you’re inching into the 11-plus MPH range, you’re doing it for a short period of time.

If you’re actually a legit runner and can maintain sub-6:00 miles or you expect to find yourself sprinting out the last few hundred meters of your workouts with regularity, you’re probably going to have to find a machine with a higher top-end speed capacity.

How we tested the FEIER Treadmill

I don’t actually do a ton of running in my CrossFit training and when I do, I almost exclusively run outside. Despite that, getting a hold of the FEIER Treadmill when I did was actually really fortuitous for a couple of reasons:

• The weather was just starting to change, getting a bit colder and in some cases rainier. I grew up with colder weather, but would rather run indoors when it’s really bad outside.
• I’m training for the 1st Phorm Legends Championship CrossFit competition in December and have added more different types of cardio (to include things like swimming and more running) into my training.
• I’m into some backwards walking, popularized by the Knees Over Toes Guy and this treadmill is ideal for this work

Besides using the treadmill for my own running work, my son has put it to good use. He’s a stud on his youth hockey teams and already understands the edge that cardio training provides (in case you’re wondering, he gives the treadmill his full endorsement).

FEIER Treadmill Alternatives

If you’ve been on the folding treadmill market for long, you’re probably well aware of the numerous options at your disposal. Here are a few that might be good alternatives if you like FEIER’s offering, but are looking for something a little different:

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s not every day that you probably go searching for a leg extension/leg curl machine for your basement or garage. Let’s answer some of those lingering questions you might have:

The FEIER treadmill…a solid machine with a wide audience

There aren’t too many pieces of fitness equipment that are going to make me want to change my whole training approach. An interesting folding treadmill isn’t on this list.

However, I can appreciate the FEIER treadmill for what it is and for what it offers as well as the people who would likely find it to be quite appealing.

Although it is pricier than other options and not exactly a quiet machine, for those who prioritize a treadmill’s space-saving capacity, FEIER’s offering definitely fits the bill.