Cardio isn’t always the most exciting thing to do, especially for those who don’t enjoy running or walking indoors. The best treadmills offer a convenient way to work on your cardiovascular fitness from the comfort of your home, but if you don’t enjoy using them, the financial investment can be hard to justify.
Thankfully, modern treadmills like the Aviron Summit have completely revolutionized the cardio game with interactive virtual workouts, games, and much more, which can help make your workouts genuinely enjoyable.
If you find yourself dreading your next treadmill session, a virtual workout may be just what you need. In this Aviron Summit Treadmill review, I’ll share everything you need to know about this powerful machine. We spent plenty of time testing it, and we’ve got you covered with the pros, cons, and details you need to know to decide if it’s the right treadmill for you.
Our Aviron Summit Treadmill Review, Summarized
The Aviron Summit Treadmill is a powerful machine, with incline settings ranging from -6% to 42%, powered by a 4.5 CHP commercial-grade brushless motor. It also offers excellent interactive programs, including unique virtual workout games via the Aviron World platform, but it costs significantly more than the average treadmill.
How We Test Treadmills
Since most home gym owners have limited space for cardio machines, it’s important to consider how large a given piece of equipment is.
For a treadmill to earn 3 out of 5 stars for footprint and portability, one or two people should be able to easily move it around if needed. Smaller machines may receive above-average scores if they take up less space or can fold, while bulkier, heavier machines that are difficult to move may receive scores below 3.
Our ergonomics score is based on how comfortable a treadmill is, and considers the belt size, length, and any built-in cushioning. For 3 out of 5 stars, we should see a minimum deck size of 55 inches long by 18 inches wide, a single-ply belt measuring 0.8 to 1.1 millimeters thick, and at least some degree of built-in cushioning.
Treadmills that offer larger running decks and better cushioning score higher, while those with compact decks and minimal cushion may receive lower scores.
Most treadmills come with at least a handful of built-in programs, with some offering far more options than others. Our programming score is based on the available preset programs, including any streaming workout services or app integrations. For 3 out of 5 stars, we want treadmills to have at least a handful of built-in workouts you can easily access from the console or an app. We award higher scores to treadmills with better virtual workouts or instructor-led classes.
Before reviewing any treadmill, our team of fitness experts take it through an in-depth testing process. We carefully test every aspect, including the treadmill’s max speed and incline settings, cushioning, the running deck size, tech features, interactive programming, and more. After taking the treadmill through multiple workouts, our testers use our treadmill testing methodology to rate each machine on a scale of 1 to 5 for categories like durability, conveniences, value, and more.
The GGR team of expert testers includes certified personal trainers, strength coaches, Olympic lifters, CrossFit enthusiasts, gym owners, and endurance athletes. We’ve personally tried over 80 of the most popular treadmills on the market, and we continue to test as many new treadmills as possible.
The Aviron Summit treadmill offers wide-ranging adjustability, including declines down to -6%, inclines up to 42%, and a top speed up to 14 miles per hour. This treadmill is also equipped with a pivoting 16-inch touchscreen (standard) that’s compatible with Aviron World—an entertainment hub featuring gamified workout programming, scenic routes, streaming apps, and more. While it’s not particularly compact and does not fold, this treadmill features all of the bells and whistles expected of a home gym centerpiece.
What to Know Before You Buy
- The Summit offers incline and decline settings that range from -6% to 42%, which is one of the largest incline ranges we’ve ever seen.
- While it’s quite heavy and bulky, it has built-in wheels that allow you to move it around your workout space if needed, though it may not fit through doorways, and it won’t be easy to move up and down a flight of stairs.
- Many smart treadmills these days offer trainer-led workouts, streaming media, and scenic runs, but Aviron has the best interactive games we’ve ever seen, and they can be truly addicting.
Is the Aviron Summit Treadmill Worth It?
This treadmill has a powerful 4.5 CHP motor, the highest incline we’ve ever seen (as of this writing), and world-class virtual programming and workout games. However, it’s also quite expensive, and we know a lot of people may be hesitant about spending this much.
Here’s who we think the Summit is best suited for, as well as who may want to consider a different option, like the more affordable Aviron Podium treadmill, which offers similar features for those who don’t need such a steep incline.
If you think this may be a good fit, keep reading, as we’re about to get into our detailed review covering the key features, all the specs you need to know, and our detailed testing experience.
Aviron Summit Treadmill: Key Features & Specs
| Price (Original MSRP) | $3,999-$4,799 (varies based on screen size) |
| Dimensions | 67″ L x 37″ W x 71″ H |
| Running Belt | 61” L x 22” W |
| Foldable | No |
| Step-Up Height | Not disclosed |
| Product Weight | 364 lbs |
| User Weight Capacity | 350 lbs |
| Speed Range | 0-14 mph |
| Incline/Decline Range | -6%-42% |
| Motor | 4.5 CHP |
| Display & Programming | 16”, 22”, or 27” touchscreen; classes, streaming services, virtual workouts, interactive games through Aviron World |
| Warranty | 20 years (if you buy directly from Aviron and maintain your membership) |
Experience Using the Aviron Summit Treadmill
If you’re looking for interactive features to make working out feel like an addictive game, Aviron’s programming is some of the best we’ve seen. We’ve previously reviewed the Aviron Victory treadmill, which has now been replaced with three new models: the Aviron Justice, Podium, and Summit home treadmills:
- The Aviron Justice Treadmill is a folding treadmill for compact spaces
- The Podium Treadmill has a longer deck with upgraded cushioning.
- The Summit is the top-of-the-line treadmill with the most incline and decline settings.
As with all Aviron machines, the focus is on workout gamification, designed to make workouts fun and engaging.
On the Summit Treadmill, users can challenge themselves with both decline and incline training, as the treadmill ranges from -6% to 42%. This provides a significant added challenge for fitness enthusiasts, as incline training has been shown1 to result in greater muscle activation and increased energy expenditure compared to walking on a flat surface.
It’s all powered by a 4.5 continuous horsepower motor, and it features a 350-pound weight capacity. However, Aviron’s most impressive feature is the interactive games you can enjoy with the large touchscreen.
Offering virtual workouts with instructors or scenic rides is fairly common these days, but Aviron takes it one step further with Aviron World, a behavioral science-based program designed to get you hooked on exercise with gamified workouts. For those who’ve struggled with consistency in the past, this is a game-changer.
“Not everyone needs the advanced features on the Summit Treadmill, but as an outdoorsperson, I have to say I’m incredibly impressed with the capabilities. There are very few treadmills on the market that can truly simulate outdoor training for ultramarathons and mountain expeditions, and this one fills a gap by making indoor training for such activities actually enjoyable.”
-Amanda Capritto CPT, CSNC, CES, CF-L1
Aviron Summit Treadmill Rating
Footprint and Portability
The Aviron Summit earns 4 out of 5 stars for its footprint and portability. For a treadmill like this, you’re primarily choosing it for its commercial-grade motor and impressive incline capabilities, not because it’s lightweight and easy to move, but it still offers impressive portability for its size.
“This has a compact area, but the area that requires most consideration is the height, since the incline goes up to 42%.” our expert product tester told me. “The treadmill weighs 364 pounds, but it has wheels located in the front that allow for easier movement of the machine.”
This probably isn’t something you’ll want to be moving up and down a set of stairs on a regular basis, but simply moving it around your workout space shouldn’t be too difficult, though you may need an extra hand.
Delivery and Setup
Despite being a large, bulky machine, the assembly process is pretty straightforward, and earns 4 out of 5 stars. Aviron says it arrives 80% assembled and only takes about an hour to complete, which was our experience, too. You’ll need to attach the upright arms, console, and screen, but the instructions are very clear.
It took our builder just under an hour, according to our product tester, although she recommends having a second person to help. She told me, “This one is a bit heavier than the other two Aviron treads, so you want to make sure you’ve got good upper body strength, or a second person to hold the arm pieces up during assembly.”
Aviron also ships everything you need to complete the assembly, so you won’t need to use your own tools.
Durability
This treadmill comes with a high weight capacity and commercial-grade motor, and we gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars for durability.
“I felt very stable while walking on this treadmill at all inclines, and felt very minimal shaking or instability,” our tester notes. “There were no creaking or noises that indicated that the treadmill was unstable, and I didn’t notice a difference in the integrity of the machine while adjusting the incline.”
She also noted that the floor stabilizers around the treadmill help you get rid of any wobbling due to uneven flooring, which can be relatively common in home gyms.
While the 350-pound weight capacity is impressive, we’ve seen similar treadmills on the market offering a 400-pound weight capacity, so we docked half a point, but it’s still an excellent machine for most people.
Customizations
When it comes to customizations, this may be the most impressive treadmill we’ve tested yet, and it easily earns 5 out of 5 stars.
“Since this is a hiking treadmill, it has great incline options up to 42% and declines option up to 6%, which is not available on many treadmills on the market,” our tester says. “This treadmill also goes up to 14 miles per hour, so it’s great for sprinters or high-speed runners.”
The 42% incline is one of the highest we’ve seen yet, and even beats the NordicTrack Commercial X24, which maxes out at a 40% incline. Most commercial gym treadmills max out around a 12-15% incline, so 42% should be more than enough for any of your incline treadmill workouts.
Adjustability and Ergonomics
For this category, our tester gave the Aviron Summit 4 out of 5 stars. We’re mainly looking at the belt size and any built-in cushioning, both of which are above-average on the Summit.
“This treadmill has a 61-inch running deck that’s 22 inches wide, and doesn’t feel cramped at all,” our tester told me. “The running belt is pre-waxed and features the Max-Cloud cushioning system for supported and comfortable walking or running experience. There are hiking handles to assist with walks at high inclines, which this treadmill specializes in.”
Walking on steep inclines isn’t easy, but with the Aviron Summit, you’ll feel comfortable and safe. The screen also tilts up and down, so you can adjust it as needed for a better viewing angle at various inclines.
Tech Capabilities
Since the Aviron Summit has some of the best software in the market, we had high expectations for its tech features, too, and it lived up to them, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars.
It has a spacious console that’s available in 16 inches, 22 inches, or 27 inches, with a touchscreen that our tester said was very user-friendly and easy to navigate. She also noted that the built-in heart rate sensors are very accurate, and matched the data on her fitness watch.
RELATED: Best Treadmills with a TV Screen
These are fairly common features with modern treadmills, but our tester pointed out another excellent feature we don’t typically see.
“I was most impressed with the safety lighting included with the Summit treadmill,” she says. “This illuminates the sides of the running belt to outline the edge of the belt, allowing people to run early in the morning or late at night, or even in the dark if that is their preference. I felt safer with this lighting, and I honestly think it just looks cooler.”
Conveniences
For conveniences, the Aviron Summit has everything you need to keep your most-used items nearby, and we gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars. While we love interactive workouts, those who prefer to train with their own entertainment can keep their things within easy reach.
“I really like the layout of the cupholder and tray on this treadmill, and there’s ample room for your phone, keys, iPad, books, or whatever you like to do while working out,” Paige explains. “The cupholders have plastic spoke additions that keep your water bottle in place and keep your drink from rattling around when you are using the treadmill.” This is a really neat feature that we don’t come across often.
She also told me that the safety stop button and cupholders are easily accessible at all inclines, and the accessory tray has a built-in wireless charger that you can use to charge compatible phones without requiring an extra cable. The three-speed adjustable fan also helps keep you cool during intense workouts.
Dynamic Programming
Dynamic programming is Aviron’s strongest feature, in our opinion, so this is an easy 5-out-of-5-star rating.
To start, it offers features we’ve come to expect on treadmills with built-in streaming services. The pivoting touchscreen allows you to go on a virtual run and explore scenic destinations, and there are structured training programs, too, if you prefer to workout with a virtual trainer.
However, while we love scenic workouts, the real standout feature is the gaming side. Aviron’s virtual world offers some truly addicting games designed to get you hooked on exercise.
“From coached workouts, games, and competitions, there is truly something for all users whether you are walking, hiking, or running,” our tester says. “The coaches are all very thorough and take time to introduce the machine before beginning the workout, which I appreciate as a new user.”
RELATED: HIIT Treadmill Workout
We had several testers try out the latest Aviron treadmills, and they all agreed the games are quite fun and can be very addicting. Another tester told me that he particularly loves how the games are interactive—for example, changing your speed and incline influences what’s happening in the game.
Aviron’s games include options like Zombie Apocalypse, Bug Blaster, Pros vs Joes, Explorer, and many more. Research shows2 that gamified workouts produced small to moderate improvements in physical activity
Aviron’s programming is based on behavior science, and is designed to keep you coming back over and over to climb the leaderboards. Of course, if you don’t want any of these, you can easily access manual mode to set your own speed and incline.
And if gaming isn’t your thing, you can also use the built-in streaming apps to watch entertainment from Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, Spotify, and more, but we really suggest trying the games.
Value
When it comes to value, our tester gave the Summit 5 out of 5 stars. It’s expensive, but for the amount of features you’re getting, both on the hardware and software side, we think it’s worth it.
At the time of writing, it’s listed at $3,999 for the 16-inch screen, but currently marked down to $2,999. If you want the 27-inch screen, the MSRP is $4,799, currently marked down to $3,597.
Our tester said that with all of the integrated programming, great conveniences, and impressive decline and incline ranges, the Summit is well worth the cost. It also comes with a 20-year warranty if you buy the treadmill directly from Aviron and maintain the monthly subscription, which adds to the value.
The monthly fee to access all of Aviron World’s great features costs $29 per month when billed annually, or $34 per month if you do month-to-month. While you can use the treadmill without this and see your basic stats and metrics, this fee unlocks Aviron World, so we think it’s well worth the additional cost.
Customer Experience
For the customer experience, which focuses on the checkout process, warranties, and customer support, we give Aviron a solid 5 out of 5 stars.
Qualified buyers can finance their order through Affirm, and it’s HSA/FSA eligible, too. We also appreciate the 20-year warranty, but you’ll need to maintain the Aviron membership to keep your warranty, which isn’t very clear until you dig into the terms and conditions.
If you let your membership go, you’ll revert back to the standard 10-year frame and motor coverage with 1 year of coverage for the other parts.
This isn’t a dealbreaker in our opinion, as most users will want to keep the membership active to access all of the features, and we feel that the exceptional return policy, financing options, and responsive customer support make up for it.
Customers can try the treadmill for up to 30 days and return it for a full refund, including the ground shipping, and no restocking fee. If you paid for the white glove delivery, that won’t be refunded, but this is still a very impressive policy.
Customer Reviews
The Summit treadmill currently has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5, but it’s confusing. When we click on reviews, it takes us to a page that shows reviews for a variety of Aviron products, not just the Summit, and most of them seem to be for the Aviron Strong Go Rower.
RELATED: Aviron Strong Go Rower Review
We dug through the review pages and couldn’t find any for the Summit, so while the score seems to be high, take it with a grain of salt, as all three treadmills show the exact same review score and review count, with no proof of actual reviews. We’ll update this section in the future if we see customer reviews on the Aviron site.
Aviron Summit Treadmill Vs
This treadmill is quite expensive, and may not be everyone’s top choice, especially if you don’t need such an aggressive incline.
If you love the idea of Aviron World but want to save some money, we highly recommend the Aviron Podium Treadmill. The screen sizes are the same, and the 4.5 CHP motor is the same; it’s just lacking the decline options, and the incline is capped at 18%. The deck length is longer than the Summit, too, and it has slightly less cushion, but we still found it to be quite comfortable.
The Podium is about $500 cheaper than the Summit, so it’s a good choice for people who want the best features, and don’t plan on using it for steep hikes. For more, read our in-depth Aviron Podium Treadmill Review.
On the other hand, if you do want a steep incline, but aren’t sold on Aviron World, another contender worth considering is the NordicTrack Commercial X24 treadmill. It also offers both decline and incline settings, ranging from -6% to 40%. That’s 2% lower than Aviron, but close enough for most people.
The X24 features a 24-inch touchscreen and a 400-pound weight capacity, 50 pounds more than Aviron offers, but it also has a lower top speed of 12 miles per hour (Aviron can reach 14 miles per hour). Also, iFIT, NordicTrack’s software, costs $39 per month, compared to Aviron World’s $29 monthly cost (or $34 if billed monthly).
Overall, we think the Aviron Summit is better for those who want virtual games and the highest possible incline, while the NordicTrack X24 may be better for users who need the higher weight capacity, or have previously used iFIT and prefer it over virtual games.
Read more in our comprehensive NordicTrack X24 Treadmill Review.
|  |  | |
| Aviron Summit Treadmill | Aviron Podium Treadmill | NordicTrack X24 Treadmill | |
Rating | |||
| Speed Range | 14 mph | 14 MPH top speed | 0 to 12 mph |
| Incline Range | -6% to 42% | Up to 18% | -6% – 40% |
| Deck Size | |||
| Foldable? | — | — | |
| Programs | Aviron World | iFIT | |
| Display | 16-, 22-, or 27-inch | 16″, 22″, or 27″ HD touchscreen | 24″ pivoting touchscreen |
| Warranty | 20-year warranty | 20-year limited warranty | Lifetime treadmill motor warranty |
Final Verdict of Our Aviron Summit Treadmill Review
While it’s expensive, we think the Aviron Summit is one of the best treadmills on the market for the right user. The software is excellent; it has one of the highest incline settings we’ve seen; and it’s very comfortable and enjoyable to use.
Sure, it’s bulky and heavy, but so are most commercial-grade treadmills. If you want decline and incline settings, virtual games, and a 20-year warranty, it’s hard to beat the Summit. However, if you’re not going to use most of the virtual options nor the steep incline settings, you may want to choose something a bit more affordable, like the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 or Sole F85.
- Aviron World offers the usual virtual workouts, scenic routes, and streaming media apps we see in smart treadmills, along with some of the best interactive games that make working out feel addicting.
- This treadmill can be used for both decline training and very steep incline training, making it an excellent choice for people who want a challenge or need to simulate outdoor settings.
- To access the best features and keep the 20-year warranty, you’ll need to pay for the monthly subscription, which costs $29 per month with the annual plan.
Aviron Summit Treadmill: FAQs
Is Aviron a good brand?
Yes. Aviron is known for high-quality rowers, treadmills, and bikes that are well-made and offer some outstanding software features. In particular, Aviron World offers some of the best virtual workout games we’ve used, designed to keep you looking forward to your next workout.
Do I need a subscription for an Aviron treadmill?
You can use the treadmill without a subscription, but you’ll only be able to access basic features, like your workout stats and metrics. A subscription is required to access the streaming workouts, media, and virtual games.
Is walking 30 minutes a day on a treadmill enough to lose weight?
It can help, but weight loss is the result of a sustained calorie deficit, so it’s important to follow an appropriate nutrition plan, too. Walking on a treadmill can help you burn more calories, but it’s also important to consider how many calories you’re consuming.
Which Aviron treadmill should I get?
If you want a compact, foldable option, the entry-level Aviron Justice is a great choice. It has a 22-inch HD touchscreen and 3.5 CHP brushless motor, with a max speed of 12.5 miles per hour, and a max incline of 15%.
The Aviron Podium introduces a 4.5 CHP motor and larger screen options, along with a longer running deck that’s great for taller people. It also can reach speeds up to 14 miles per hour, and up to 18% incline.
Finally, the Aviron Summit has the same 4.5 CHP motor, but it introduces more incline settings as well as decline options, allowing users to set the treadmill anywhere from -6% to 42%.
References
- Kim, J., Lee, H. J., Lee, S. H., Lee, J., Chang, W. H., Ryu, G. H., & Kim, Y. H. (2021). Correlation between cardiopulmonary metabolic energy cost and lower-limb muscle activity during inclined treadmill gait in older adults. BMC geriatrics, 21(1), 469. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02401-9
- Mazeas, A., Duclos, M., Pereira, B., & Chalabaev, A. (2022). Evaluating the effectiveness of gamification on physical activity: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(1), e26779. https://doi.org/10.2196/26779
