Sunny Health & Fitness Slim Folding Treadmill Trekpad with Arm Exercisers - SF-T7971 Review
Sunny Health & Fitness released their SF-T7971 Trekpad Treadmill just last year as a walking treadmill and Trekpad combination with speed settings only up to 4.0 MPH.
Being a Trekpad, i.e. having a pair of optional arm exercisers aka trekking handlebars gives it an upper hand over other walking treadmills since it can give the user a full-body workout rather than just walking.
Published: January 29, 2022.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7971 Trekpad Treadmill Specifications
- Dimensions when assembled: 57 x 27 x 53.5 inches (145 x 69 x 136 cm) (L x W x H)
- Dimensions when folded: 25.2 x 27 x 52.8 inches (64 x 69 x 134 cm) (L x W x H)
- Weight when assembled: 86 lbs. (39 kg)
- Maximum user weight capacity: 220 lbs. (100 kg)
- Dimensions of the belt: 47 x 16 inches (119 x 41 cm) (L x W)
- Speed: 0.5 to 4.0 MPH
- Warranty: 3 years on frame, 180 days on parts
Features of Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7971 Treadmill
Assembly
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7971 comes almost fully assembled. They may just have to erect the trekking handlebars if they want to use them. Thus, users just have to unpack it, connect it to a power source, and start exercising.
The package includes an Allen wrench (5mm) for adjusting the tread belt if needed. It also includes a bottle of silicone lubricant. The instructions for these tasks are present in the manual.
Frame
The frame of the Sunny SF-T7971 is made of heavy-duty steel. However, the covers of the side rails and motor are made of thermoplastic material. All steel parts have a coating of corrosion-resistant black paint. The arm exercisers have a chrome paint finish in their top parts.
Footprint
The completely assembled unit measures around 57″ (145 cm) in length and 27″ (69 cm) in width. Plus, a clearance of at least two feet should be left on each side and of at least 3 feet on the back for safe and easy access and operation.
Folding Design
The SF-T7971 has a folding design and so, it saves space when not in use. The user can fold up and lock its deck in an upright position. In the folded position, it occupies a space measuring only 25.2″L x 27″ (64 x 69 cm) and its height becomes 52.8″ (134 cm).
Users can store the machine in the upright position behind a door or closet or can slide it under the bed in a horizontal position.
It features a soft-drop type of folding mechanism that slowly lowers the deck to prevent any damage.
Portable
The SF-T7971 can be easily relocated with the transportation wheels fitted in its front base.
Console
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7971 being a Trekpad treadmill doesn’t feature a typical treadmill console, but a large 13.5” x 5.5” LED digital display that shows workout metrics such as time, distance, speed, steps, and calories burned. Distance and speed are displayed in miles and MPH respectively. The display is integrated into the front part of the deck.
The console is easy to use with only two modes: Manual and Standby. But it features a Lubrication Reminder function which pops on the display every 188 miles, and a Power Save function that turns the machine off after ten minutes of inactivity.
Controls
The controls of the unit are not present in the console. The Start/Pause controls and Speed Adjustment controls are present on the moving arms.
Remote Control: The SF-T7971 also features a remote control that enables the user to control the treadmill just about anywhere. It helps the user toggle the display, adjust the speed or start/stop the treadmill.
Arm Exercisers
The front part of the frame features the arm exercisers with adjustable length. They have Start/Stop nad speed controls integrated in them. Additionally, the left grip comes with a magnetic key that users can attach to their clothes and it stops the belt if the user falls down or is drifted back.
Users can fold the arm exercisers when they don’t want to use them or while using the treadmill under a desk.
Tread Belt
The tread belt of the SF-T7971 Trekpad Treadmill measures 47″ (119 cm) in length and 16″ (41 cm) in width. It may limit the motion of a 6’5″ (196 cm) tall person. But since it’s a walking treadmill, it’s not designed to offer a full stride. Still, most users find the stride offered by this treadmill comfortable.
The top layer of the tread belt is non-slip and is designed to reduce static. It integrates eight shock absorbers arranged in four pairs on each side of the metallic rails. The cushions at the foot strike area are thicker so as to absorb the higher impact generated with each step.
It should be noted that the deck is not perfectly horizontal, but is a little inclined by around 1° and thus offers a little challenge to the user during walking exercise, although it doesn’t have an incline or decline feature.
The deck is also low-profile with its front being around 5″ (12.7 cm) above floor level and rear 4″ (10.1 cm) above floor level. This makes it easy for the user to store the unit under a bed with a clearance of at least 5″ (12.7 cm) underneath.
Drive Motor
Since it’s a walking treadmill, the SF-T7971 doesn’t feature a very powerful motor. However, it does withstand prolonged workouts, although Sunny Health & Fitness advises to switch it off for ten minutes after every two hours of usage.
The motor is also not very loud. It makes only the characteristic treadmill sound. And since it’s a walking treadmill, the user’s cadence too should not make a loud noise. Because it’s not a powerful motor, it saves on energy too.
Speed
The SF-T7971 offers a speed range from 0.5 MPH to 4.0 MPH. Adjustments can be made in increments of 0.1 MPH. As mentioned above, speed adjustment controls are located in the right arm exerciser. In addition, the unit also features a remote control with which the user can give several commands.
Maintenance
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7971 needs only a little maintenance. The user has to keep the tread belt clean to prevent any textile fibers or other debris from entering the motor. Also, the belt should be lubricated after every 188 miles of usage with the lubricant included in the package.
Pros of Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7971 Treadmill
- Strong steel frame
- Slim folding space-saving design
- Soft-drop mechanism prevents any damage while unfolding
- Foldable arm exercisers with Start/Pause and speed controls
- Left arm exerciser integrates a magnetic safety key to avoid accidents
- Remote control for several commands is also included
- Easy relocation with the transportation wheels
- Deck integrated shock absorption elements
- Speed range between 0.5 MPH and 4.0 MPH
- Speed increments of 0.1 MPH give the user the chance to find their perfect speed for the workout
- Large LED digital display shows all important workout metrics
- Console features lubrication reminder function and auto turn off function
- Very little maintenance
- Lubricant bottle included
- Not very loud
- Good warranty
- No assembly required
Cons of Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7971 Treadmill
- No heart rate monitoring
- No preset workout programs
- No incline or decline features although the deck is slightly inclined to offer a challenge during the workout
Bottom Line
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7971 Trekpad Treadmill is a perfect exercise machine for those who are looking for light walking exercise and arm exercises at home, although it may not be perfect for those who are looking for running, jogging, and more rigorous exercises.
It has a strong built and sturdy tread belt with shock-absorbing elements to make the walking exercise easier on joints than walking outside on concrete or asphalt. The speed range of 0.5 to 4.0 MPH it offers is also decent. The strong tread belt has 220 lbs. of maximum user weight capacity.
The machine saves space with its folding design and integrates a soft-drop mechanism to prevent damage. The foldable arm exercisers are unique to a treadmill and offer arm exercises. These are foldable and integrate Start/Pause and speed controls and a magnetic safety key to prevent accidents.
Due to the foldable arm exercisers, users can use the treadmill even under their desks.
All in all, although the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7971 is a simple workout machine, it comes with all the necessary features, designed for offering adequate exercise along with safety and comfort to the user, and can be an excellent investment if one is looking for stamina development, muscle toning, weight loss, cardiac and overall strength and even for recovery training.
For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to follow the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7971 Slim Folding Treadmill Amazon link (link opens in the new window).
