Tunturi FitRun 50i

I use my Fitrun 70 in combination with the Tunturi Routes app to make the workouts at home more fun. It took me a while to fully master the app, but after that I got a lot of training opportunities and training fun.

to install Connecting the Tunturi Routes app to my treadmill went very smoothly. I created an account in the app and then it all became quite self-explanatory. It is important that your bluetooth is on and that you stay close to your fitness device.

Strava and Runkeeper The app reminds me of the Strava and Runkeeper app I've used before for running and cycling. I like this myself, because I also want to use the possibilities of those apps when I'm on the treadmill at home. I also connect my Tunturi Routes app to the Runkeeper app, so that the data from my outdoor workouts is stored on the treadmill along with my workouts. This way I just achieve my goals in the app without having to run outside in the cold.

Get to know the app When I first used the app, I couldn't see the wood for the trees. You see quite a lot of information at first glance, but after I calmly went through all the pages and options, it became clear. Now I don't find it difficult at all.

Interactive routes I connected Tunturi Routes to my television, so that I can follow the routes on an extra large screen. This works great, as long as your internet connection is stable. Otherwise, the image may appear a little bit choppy. I think the interactive training in particular is a big plus of the app. The faster you run, the faster the image goes and when there is a hill, the incline on my treadmill also automatically adjusts.

Mario Kart race One of the nicest things about Tunturi Routes is racing against other users. It seems like you are in a Mario Kart race. On your screen you see the map of the route and on it you see all participants moving forward. This gives extra motivation to run faster. I can definitely recommend using this app if you need extra motivation and variety while training.

I have been using the device for almost three weeks now, and the whole family has already run more than 100 km on it. The children can also handle it perfectly, given the simplicity of the controls.

After all, the Tunturi FitRun series (I have the 70i) is a bit of an outsider at Tunturi; instead of mainly linking more expensive prices to more extensive screens and programs, the choice has been made here to keep the console, operation, and functionality very simple, but to upgrade the treadmill itself. So you get a very wide and long treadmill here for a reasonable price (and that is so easy and safe to use!) with a pretty strong motor (3.5 hp, up to 20 km/h) and a good, automatic incline ( in 15 steps, up to about 5° total slope if I measured it correctly). That incline is a bonus, because according to research, a treadmill runs about the same as walking outdoors on a 2° incline, and that corresponds to step 4 or 5 on this machine (I set it to 5; just to be sure :) ) .

As mentioned, the operation is very simplistic, just like the information provided. You have four displays: one for kcal or incline (the incline is only visible during and just after you change it), one for time, one for distance, and one for speed. The time measurement is in minutes and seconds up to one hour, and then in hours and minutes. So if you walk longer, you only have minute resolution. The clock runs (as someone else pointed out) a bit slow. I've checked it a few times with my smartwatch, and the Tunturi loses about 30 seconds in an hour. That's not dramatic, of course, but it's there. The programs are very limited, but I don't use those things. For me it's long-distance running, and I set everything manually. There's bluetooth for pairing with apps like Kinomaps, but I haven't even tried that; am not a fan of it.

There is a central tablet or phone holder that exposes the four displays of the device, and it also works well, although it is recommended to cover premium tablets or phones (with metal or glass backs and/or bottoms), otherwise they may go for a quick walk. After all, they are on a plastic edge, against the plastic of the console, and that has little grip on its own. I've also noticed that when the incline is at 0 degrees, tablets sometimes venture to the left (say, an inch every few minutes), but this stops once the incline is used. This is because at an inclination of 0° the device really 'springs' at the front (which is fine for shock absorption), and that movement is slightly passed on to the console. As soon as a slope is used, that spring movement is gone, and the tablet remains standing. I think I'll stick another strip of non-slip to the tablet ledge; that will probably also solve the sliding without slope.

It is also important to recognize that a treadmill does require some light maintenance, especially one that is used more intensively. My device, for example, started beeping after a week (and about 50 km). That was quickly solved with a can of silicone spray from the hardware store: I just lifted the treadmill, and lubricated all visible nuts and bolts, and that immediately solved the problem. So keep in mind that such a can of silicone spray is really useful for fitness equipment. Of course, the treadmill itself should also be regularly lubricated with a thicker silicone oil (so not from the spray can!), but you can buy it in bulk (e.g. 500 ml) for a reasonable price (between 20 and 40 euros, depending on brand and place where you buy them). With 500 ml you can easily last a year with intensive use. In any case, there is a canister with 20 ml of silicone oil near the treadmill to bridge the first weeks.

Attention on delivery: the device is heavy (see also description), and it is actually impossible to move the box alone, or to take the device out of the box alone. It is doable with two. Also be careful: the front, where the engine is, is much heavier than the rear; this is also neatly indicated on the box! Assembly was dead simple. Clear instructions, and just tighten some screws. Just pay attention at the end: there is a steel cable that anchors the treadmill to the chassis (for transport safety) that you also have to loosen. It is neatly stated in the manual, but important, of course.

In summary: the Tunturi FitRun 70i is an excellent treadmill if you want to run hard and a lot, have no problem with somewhat limited programs, and all modern bells and whistles can be stolen from you. If, on the other hand, you want a device with dozens of built-in programs and adjustable color displays, you better look at something else. But then you pay half the price before you have the same specifications for the treadmill itself.

My right leg was recently amputated and now I can practice in private without comments. I was introduced to a treadmill at the Radboud hospital and immediately decided to buy one. Now I can walk if I want to.