The Truth about treadmill and elliptical review sites
The Truth about treadmill and elliptical review sites
Sadly, there is more misinformation out there than honesty. There are a few honest websites that review equipment, though there is little expertise in most of them: Consumer reports, Treadmilldoctor, Fitnessprofessor, and a few others try to be objective in their reviews.
CAVEAT EMPTOR (Buyer Beware)
The plain fact is that 95% of the review sites on the internet are what is called 'affiliate sites,' web pages put up to look like legitimate reviewers, but are paid commissions by unscrupulous manufacturers. These sites are no longer easy to spot, as they purposely disguise themselves by reviewing wellknown fitness brands as well as junk. Then they give the brands that are paying them nearly the same ratings as the well known ones at a quarter of the price, and normally call these "best buys" or "editor's pick".
The biggest give away is that somewhere, there are direct links to the manufacturer's site or purchasing site. It will look something like this.
Buying Tip: In order to cut out the middleman and keep prices low, Smooth sells directly from their website... Plus...
a special coupon... get $200 off the sale price...etc.
The manufacturers do this knowing that the site owners will say whatever it takes to convince people to click on the link on their page. They also know that they have created a search engine-nightmare with dozens of sites proclaiming how wonderful these junk machines are. Quite simply, these charlatans have created a system that pays people to write up falsified reviews, and therefore blanketing the industry with false information.
Protect yourself. Take the time to try before you buy. Make sure that the place you buy it from has service, selection & a competent track record. And remember, Gym Source designs, supplies, and services more gyms than anyone on the planet. For over seventy years, we've done it longer, we do it better, and we never stop proving it.
