Xterra Trail Racer 6.6

Controls: The incremental, speed-control buttons are oriented counter intuitively, with the increase button on the bottom or left-hand side. They are positioned appropriately being right next to one another. The button size is considered very good making it somewhat easy to operate while exercising. An alternative set of quick speed-controls provide the ability to select every-other, whole-number speed, using a limited set of control buttons. The incremental, incline-control buttons are oriented counter intuitively, with the increase button on the bottom or left-hand side. They are positioned appropriately, being adjacent to one another. The button size is considered very good making it somewhat easy to operate while exercising. An alternative set of quick incline-controls provide the ability to select a few, whole-number inclines using a limited 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 fair and the size of the characters showing "incline" is considered fair. All exercise statistics are presented in the same physical window. When glare is evident, the characters affected by the glare are washed out and illegible. Programs: This machine comes equipped with 7 built-in exercise programs. A list of programs is convenienty shown on the console. A graphical illustration of each program's exercise profile is shown on the console. Ergonomics: The step-up height to the running deck is 8.75 inches from the floor. This machine does not have a front handgrip surface. A partial side-handrail is provided which provides both security and easy access. Exercise: The minimum incline for this machine is 3.1 degrees. The maximum incline is 11.2 degrees. The manufacturer-stated, top speed is 12 mph. A top speed of 11.96 mph was measured. Construction: This machine features a motor with a 3 hp rating. The 2 floor-levelers provide some amount of leveling adjustment. Performance on our durability test - simulating a half-year of usage - was excellent, showing little signs of wear. Safety: The "stop" button size was considered excellent. 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. When walking within reach of the control console, the motor housing which resides at the front of the running belt, created frequent interference with a user's feet.

The Xterra Trail Racer 6.6 is part of the Treadmills test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Treadmills models like the Trail Racer 6.6 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.