Fortis T1 Ultra Slim Walking Smart Treadmill

where's the app on Play Store? – The app disappears on the internet and its website, the remote control consumes a lot of battery resources

Price gouging – Forits is definitely price gouging. As another user pointed out, this was $599 and now they've increased it to $699. I doubt the cost of making this had increased by that much.

Kogan is price gauging – In Jan/Feb 2020, the price of the T1 was $299, now it's $359. When our gyms shut down it was $599. Just look at the previous reviews and today's price will verify this.

Great! Fortis T1 Treadmill vs Lifespan Walkstation B – I purchased this Treadmill a few months ago and have tested it extensively. I also own a Lifespan Walkstation B treadmill which I use on a different work desk, so I was able to compare these two models, too. First I would like to say that walking while working really is possible, and it's made a great difference to my health, within weeks of using it. I've lost several kg of body fat effortlessly, it's become easy to reach 10.000 steps per day even during long working days and I feel more mentally alert and healthy overall.

The Fortis T1 is sold by Kogan and also through the Dick Smith Website. It is essentially a rebranded 'Ypoo Mini Pad' which is also sold in other countries under different names. First I'd like to list the pros and cons of this model as I've experienced it and then compare it to the more expensive Lifespan model

Pros & Cons: - I love the design. I think it strikes the perfect balance between functionality and portability, the walking surface has an ideal size (not too big, not too small, I'm 1.83m by the way), the weight makes the machine easy to handle and it seems solid and well designed. I use an Ikea 'Bekant' electric standing desk (best value and amazing 10 years of warranty) and I like to walk for some hours, stand for some hours and also sit for some hours at my desk. The size of the Fortis T1 is perfect as it allows me to easily move it when not needed anymore. I can slide it under the bed, or I can tilt it on its side and slide on the carpet next to my desk, where I lean it against the wall. - I wish the power switch was not at the short end side but on the long side of the treadmill, then the treadmill could be stood up vertically and leaned against the wall for storage (but with the power switch being on the short side this doesn't work, as standing up the treadmill like this would break the switch) - relatively quiet, but has some squeaking noises. I originally returned the treadmill I bought to Kogan because of the squeaking noise it was making and received a brand new replacement, however the replacement also made a squeaking noise. To be fair though, I don't use the treadmill at full speed (that's when the noise is the loudest, I only use it at about 3.8km/h) and once I start walking on it the natural noise of the walking covers up the squeaking. I also showed the treadmill to a friend of mine and he said he wasn't bothered by the squeaking, it seemed normal to him. I'm probably just fussy here. - The motor of the treadmill seems just sufficient for my weight (I'm 80kg) and the intended purpose. I notice at faster speeds (fast walking / jogging) that as my foot comes down the belt slows down momentarily. This makes the belt feel like it is 'slipping' , but really I think it's just because of the motor needs to be stronger to be able to keep the belt running at a consistent speed at all times. However, this is not noticeable when using the treadmill for what it was originally designed, which is walking at slower speeds (under 4km/h) while working on a desk. I normally use it at my desk at 3.8km/h and don't notice it then. I would however not want to use this treadmill freestanding at higher speeds to jog or run. For that, look at the Fortis T3 maybe, I haven't tested it but its specs show it has a stronger motor. The Lifespan Treadmill has a much stronger motor again and doesn't show this problem at any speed. (Fortis T1 = 0.6 HorsePower Motor Strength, Fortis T3 = 1.0 HP, Lifespan = 2.25 HP) - Not ideal for freestanding exercise, as hand support (hand rail) is not available. This is simply a limitation of the design. Other models that have the hand rail are suitable for freestanding exercise at higher speeds, but if you choose one of these make sure the motor is strong enough so the belt doesn't feel like it's slipping. - Great value. I bought it when it was on sale at Kogan for $299, and the extra 3 years of protection are only $39 when it's on sale. At that price it is exceptional value for a new product, especially considering the 3 years of warranty, backed by a large retailer. - As mentioned earlier, I had originally exchanged the treadmill due to the squeak. Kogan customer service has been very responsive and helpful, but the processes are relatively slow, so keep in mind that if there is a problem with the treadmill you may be without it for several weeks until the problem is solved (between first contacting customer service, booking in a pickup for the treadmill, waiting for problem assessment by tech team and then receiving the replacement product). - I have ignored the little lubricant inlet on the side of the treadmill, I think lubricating the treadmill works much better doing it the traditional way (loosen screws for belt and apply by hand, just look it up on youtube)

How does the Fortis T1 compare to the Lifespan Walkstation B? I much prefer the Fortis, as it is so much more portable and easier to handle, the design of the Fortis is simply superior! The Lifespan is too heavy to be moved away from the table after a walking session, it sits permanently at my desk. This turned out to be a bit of a pain, as I had to find a new comfortable working chair that I could put on top of the treadmill when I want to work on my desk sitting, as my office chair - and most other office chairs - didn't fit on top of the treadmill. (I ended up buying an Ikea 'Karljan' chair which has great lumbar spine support and normal chair legs instead of the office chair roller legs, and I'm using a large carpet tile for protection underneath the chair). While the Lifespan treadmill is better made (no squeaking, better belt, stronger motor, no squeaking noises) it is extremely bulky and large and also much more expensive. I much prefer the Fortis T1, it's negatives are outweighed by its positives. The only reason for choosing the Lifespan would be if you are significantly heavier than me (I'm 80kg), simply because it has got a much stronger motor.

Final Verdict: I'm using the Fortis T1 for hours every day and love it. It's not perfect but think it's a perfect compromise of size / value / quality for the purpose of walking at your desk. I highly encourage you to get one if you are on the fence.

I hope this review helps you in your research. These are some links to videos I also found really helpful when researching walking while working:

https://youtu.be/vgi-aXvsaH4

https://youtu.be/ULiQz-ddxjI

https://youtu.be/XMq5Y63hQa4

P.s. I walked 2km while writing this review