RW verdict: The JTX Sprint-8 Pro is a sturdy, mid-range treadmill that delivers gym-level stability, smooth cushioning and a generous running deck for serious training at home. While it lacks a flashy HD screen, its simple console, Bluetooth connectivity and foldable frame make it practical and easy to use. If you want reliable performance without the £2k+ price tag, it’s one of the best options in its bracket.
When you’ve tested as many treadmills as I have, from budget models to commercial-grade beasts, you quickly learn where the money goes. Price usually comes down to three things: stability, belt cushioning and size, as well as the console – whether that’s a simple LED display or a huge HD touchscreen that can stream scenic runs.
The JTX Sprint-8 Pro falls somewhere in the middle of the treadmill spectrum. A semi-commercial machine, it has got a generously-sized, six-layer cushioned belt and a wide, stable frame – but you’re sacrificing a snazzy screen for those immersive workouts. I’ve put it to the test alongside our wider network of experienced testers, which includes both novice runners and seasoned athletes. We’ve evaluated its ease of use, size, sound and set-up and logged several miles across a range of paces and inclines to assess comfort, smoothness and stability underfoot. Here’s our verdict.
Pros
- Very sturdy
- Suitable for beginners and experienced runners
- Quiet motor
- Pre-programmed workouts
Cons
- Folding is simple but it's not the most storable
- No HD screen
| Dimensions (L X W X H) | 193 x 92.5 x 149cm |
|---|---|
| Running belt (L X W) | 153 x 55cm |
| Max user weight | 130kg |
| Speed range | 0-20kph |
| Incline range | 0-15% |
Belt cushioning and size
The Sprint-8 Pro is a semi-commercial folding treadmill designed for endurance training at home, with a slightly more compact design than the pricer Sprint-9 Pro (which doesn’t fold, but does have a slightly more powerful motor).
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At 153cm x 55cm, the belt is plenty wide and long enough for me (I’m 5’9”) as well as my fellow 6’3” tester Luke Chamberlain (Men’s Health’s e-commerce editor). At a hefty 115kg, it provides a firm, steady base and feels like a high-quality treadmill that you’d find in a gym. The drawback is that you’ll need to keep up with your strength training if you want to manoeuvre it round once it’s set up.
Another thing to note: the space on either side of the belt is fairly narrow. I do most of my speed training on a treadmill and keep the machine running while I rest between sets, jumping off onto the sides and using the handlebars to support myself. I do have to take a bit more care doing this on the Spring-8 Pro – especially when I’m wearing carbon-plated shoes which can feel a bit wobbly. If you’ve got large feet, you’ll need to do the same.
Still, the support bars are well-positioned, sturdy and don’t get in your way during your workout.
Controls, console and usability
The machine has an incline of 15% and a top speed of 20km/h (which is a pace of 4:50 min/mile or 3:00 min/km), making it suitable for newbies and seasoned runners alike. There’s no decline, though, so if you’re training for a trail race, you might want to step up to a pricer option.
To change the speed/incline, you’ll need to use the up/down buttons located on the console. There are no additional controls on the support bars, although you do have handy quick-jump buttons on the console. These allow you to jump between speeds of 4, 8, 12 and 16km/h and inclines of 3, 6, 9 and 12%. The machine does take a couple of seconds to register the change, but they save you hammering the +/- buttons – especially if you’re interval training.
As I alluded to earlier, one of the main differences between a sub-£1500 treadmill and a £2000+ treadmill comes down to the console. The Sprint-8 Pro’s isn’t the fanciest – you don’t have a large, HD screen that showcases immersive runs from around the world. It is, however, simple to use and shows all your running stats, including time, speed, distance and calories burned. If you do want to follow workouts, you can connect directly with training apps like Zwift and Kinomap via Bluetooth – there’s space for a tablet on the console, positioned at eye level. Alternatively, there are 36 pre-programmed workouts to flit between, or you can simply do what I do: hop on and start running.
Beneath the console, there’s so much storage space that you could practically host a picnic. Water bottle, snacks, spare layer – you name it, it’ll fit. This is definitely a machine designed to withstand several hours of training.
In terms of additional features, you can connect to the built-in speakers wirelessly and listen to your favourite playlist or podcast. Be warned that there’s no built-in fan, however, so make sure that you position the treadmill somewhere in your home that’s cool or near to a window for ventilation.
Even when you run on the Sprint-8 Pro at higher speeds, there’s zero wobbling and the belt is extremely smooth underfoot. As far as treadmills go, the motor on this one is pretty quiet, too, minimising the likelihood of disturbing family or flatmates during early morning training sessions.
Finally, the hydraulic assist makes it easy to lift the running deck for storage, but the treadmill is still fairly bulky to move. Also, because the console and handlebars don’t fold, it can’t be stored completely flat – so the foldability is only really useful if you have a (large) cupboard to tuck it into, or you’re happy to reclaim the floor space but leave the machine standing out.
RW verdict
If you’re not fussed about following immersive workouts on a HD screen, the JTX Sprint-8 Pro is an impressive piece of kit that will elevate your home gym set-up. The speed and incline ranges should be enough for even the most seasoned athletes, while the stability, belt cushioning and smooth motor make it just as suitable for long, steady endurance runs as intense interval sessions.
It feels solid and reliable underfoot – much closer to a commercial gym treadmill than some of the flimsier, sub-£1,000 models that I’ve tested – and the spacious running belt gives you plenty of confidence, whether you’re cruising or pushing the pace. Add in the folding deck and the quick-jump controls and you’ve got a machine that ticks most of the big boxes without straying into the £2,000+ bracket.
Sure, the lack of a flashy screen won’t appeal to runners who thrive on virtual coaching or scenic routes and there’s no decline for trail athletes – but if what you want is a no-nonsense treadmill built for serious training, the Sprint-8 Pro is one of the best mid-range options out there.
