Controls: The incremental, speed-control buttons are oriented as expected with the increase button on the top or right-hand side. They are positioned appropriately being right next to one another. The button size is considered fair making it somewhat difficult to operate while exercising. An alternative set of quick speed-controls provide the ability to select every, whole-number speed, using a complete set of control buttons. The incremental, incline-control buttons are oriented as expected with the increase button on the top or right-hand side. They are positioned appropriately, being adjacent to one another. The button size is considered fair making it somewhat difficult to operate while exercising. An alternative set of quick incline-controls provide the ability to select every, whole-number incline except zero, using a complete set of control buttons. Display: The monitor displays white characters on a blue colored background. The size of the characters showing the "speed" is considered poor and the size of the characters showing "incline" is considered poor. All exercise statistics are presented in the same physical window. Programs: This machine comes equipped with 30 built-in exercise programs. But there is no listing of progrms shown on the console, making it inconvenient to know what programs are available. There is no graphical illustration of the program's exercise profile shown on the console. Ergonomics: The step-up height to the running deck is 8.5 inches from the floor. This machine does not have a front handgrip surface. A partial side-handrail provides both security and easy access. Exercise: The minimum incline for this machine is 1.4 percent. The maximum incline is 10.1 percent. The manufacturer-stated, top speed is 12 mph. A top speed of 11.9 mph was measured. Construction: This machine features a motor with a 3.25 hp rating. The 2 floor-levelers provide some amount of leveling adjustment. Performance on our durability test - simulating a half-year of usage - was very good, showing only minor signs of wear. Safety: The "stop" button size was considered good. The magnetic style safety-key disengaged without issue when a user approached the end of the running belt, which stopped the motor and running belt as expected. After the safety key was removed from its receptacle, the running belt coasted to a stop from a speed of 6 mph, in 5.7 seconds. The average stopping time for all tested treadmills is 5.7 seconds. When walking within reach of the control console, the motor housing which resides at the front of the running belt, created some interference with a user's feet, but it was infrequent.

The Xterra TRX4500 is part of the Treadmills test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Treadmills models like the TRX4500 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Ergonomics: Ergonomics considers how well the machine accommodates the needs of users and includes belt size, foot-rail design and handgrip design.

Construction: Construction considers aspects that impact quality like the motor and related components, running deck and the results of our durability tests.

Ease of use: Ease of use considers the ease of using the controls, functions, programs and reading the display.