A Review of the Echelon Stride-6: The No-Frills Treadmill Every Home Gym Needs
A casual runner’s dream
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Winter has a way of sabotaging even the best workout routines. While icy sidewalks replace sun-soaked trails, limited daylight and blustery wind chills make getting outside for your daily jog feel borderline impossible. But here is where the humble treadmill shines—as the cold-weather backup plan for runners and walkers alike. Meet the Echelon Stride-6 ($2,000; $1,700), a fan-favorite treadmill that blends “smart innovation with everyday convenience.”
To find out if it lives up to the hype, we called on longtime runner and new mom, Mary Rogers, to put it through its paces. As a Massachusetts resident, she’s no stranger to the frigid temps of a New England winter. The Echelon Stride-6 was the perfect addition to her at-home gym, and it helped her carve out the me-time she’s been craving to rediscover her stride (with the baby monitor nearby, of course). Here’s her honest review, from set up and delivery to the overall workout experience.
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Original photo by Mary Rogers
What Is the Echelon Stide-6 Treadmill?
The Echelon Stride-6 is a compact, yet powerful treadmill designed for at-home use. The five-star machine features a 12 percent incline range with speeds up to 12.5 MPH, as well as a waterfall open-front design and whisper-quiet motor. Bluetooth connectivity allows users to seamlessly connect with heart rate monitors and the Echelon Fit App, where you can stream workouts across multiple modalities, including running, rowing, cycling and more. Though it doesn’t have an integrated touchscreen, it does include an extra-large device holder, perfect for streaming Netflix or guided runs on your personal phone or tablet. For those tight on space, it also features auto-fold technology and multi-directional wheels for easy storage and maneuverability.
Fast Facts
- Speed Range: 0 to 12.5 MPH
- Incline Range: 12 levels (up to 12.5 percent)
- Price: $2,000 with financing options available (often on sale)
- Dimensions: 64.25" long x 32" wide x 57" high
- Belt Size and Type: 20.5" wide x 60" long, pre-lubricated belt
- Display: LED console with extra-large device holder (no integrated touchscreen)
- User Weight Limit: 300 pounds
- Built-In Speakers: Yes
- App Integration: Echelon Fit App (includes running, cycling, rowing, yoga, strength, Pilates and HIIT)
- App Subscription Cost: Starting at $11.99/month (no subscription required to use the machine)
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes, for Echelon Fit App and heart rate monitors
- Additional Features: Auto-fold technology for storage, multi-directional wheels for easy transport, quick wheel dial for speed and incline adjustment, waterfall belt design
Our Review of the Echelon Stride-6 Treadmill
Set Up and Delivery
Rogers’s first day with the Echelon Stride-6 couldn’t have gone smoother. “The treadmill was delivered and set up for me,” she says. “[The delivery team] tested all the buttons and made sure everything was working before showing me the basics of how to use it,” including the wheel feature on the handrails that allows users to quickly change both the speed and incline, even while mid-stride. “They also took the box and all the trash away. It couldn’t have been easier!”
Original photo by Mary Rogers
The Treadmill Experience
At first glance, the Stride-6 treadmill may seem like a basic option (especially compared to the other Echelon offerings), but that’s exactly what Rogers loves most about it. “I don't really like all the bells and whistles you’ll find on most other treadmills,” she admits. “I don't need a high-def screen casting a video of a non-descript mountain trail while I'm trying to zone out and get a good run in. For me, that’s just a distraction.”
Instead, she opts to use her iPad to stream shows and catch up on emails, and the extra-large device holder makes that possible. “The tablet holder actually feels super secure,” she says, noting the improvement compared to a previous treadmill she’s used, where her iPad would annoyingly slide around. “I have a ten-month-old baby and am just getting back into the swing of things with running. Having a spot for the iPad to zone out to a show and still have space for the baby monitor, my phone and a water bottle makes things way easier for me.”
Original photo by Mary Rogers
Rogers also appreciates how quiet the treadmill’s motor is. “I don't feel like I need to crank the volume all the way up on my iPad,” she says, while also noting she’s not concerned about it waking the baby during nap time. “I also love the roller balls on either side [of the handrails] for speed and incline. [They’re] super easy to use and they don't move too fast, so I don't feel like I'm suddenly going to be caught in a sprint,” though some online reviewers mention they wished the speed change response was quicker to better support interval training. In addition to the Echelon Fit app, which Rogers notes “has been fun to use [when] trying out different workouts, [the treadmill] is also pretty compact and easy to fold up,” making it easy to stash in a large closet or under a bed.
Original photo by Mary Rogers
The Bottom Line
What We Like
- Quiet motor
- Extra-large device holder
- Auto-fold feature
- Compact design
- Reasonable price point
What We Don't Like
- No integrated touchscreen
- Not great for interval training
Echelon
If you’re looking to beef up your home gym with a powerful, yet easy-to-use treadmill, the Echelon Stride-6 will not disappoint, thanks to its simple features that are engineered right. From walks to runs to hikes uphill, this workhorse machine can easily do it all—with a reasonable price tag to boot. “I've had a hard time finding time for myself to work out again,” Rogers says. “This treadmill makes me feel like I can finally take that time back.”
Executive Managing Editor
- Oversees editorial operations; covers a mix of lifestyle topics including fitness, wellness, beauty, travel
- Former D1 athlete, certified nutrition coach, avid runner
- B.A. in English and biology from Lafayette College
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