I traveled down to Orlando, Florida this spring to check out the new lineup of Echelon equipment, including its treadmills. Downright awesome is the key phrase here. Known also for their bikes, rowers, and steppers, the fact is, Echelon makes some of the best treadmills on the market too. The Stride-8S is their top machine this year, with a 22″ high-definition touchscreen with tilt, pivot, and swivel functions, and a 6.0 HP motor with 3.75 Continuous Horsepower (CHP). Priced at $2,999.99, it’s regularly on sale for $2,499.99. This puts it squarely in the same category as the NordicTrack Commercial 2450, and as you’ll see below, the Echelon Stride 8S comes to compete and compete doggone well.

Other great features include a wireless charging pad for your phone, heart rate sensors built into the handlebars, Bluetooth to the max, and a 20″ x 60″ tread deck, which is plenty for users of most heights. The coolest element of it has to the dynamic LED lighting built into the deck which you can sync to your favorite color, music, or workout. The colors flash while you run and make for terrific workouts in the dark. It also has neat handlebar controls for speed and incline by way of rotating roller balls. Those are first of their kind that I’ve seen. Read below to see the rest of the specs and a detailed analysis of the Echelon Stride-8S to see if this treadmill might be for you.

Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The Echelon Stride-8S

At TreadmillReviews.net, we bring you comprehensive reviews of treadmills so you can decide which one is right for you. Our staff thoroughly test all the treadmills we review. We install them, walk on them, run on them, and try out all of the features. We get to know each and every treadmill we review extremely well. Our reviewers log miles on the deck. We listen and record the sound of the motor, we test and measure the incline/decline, try out all aspects of the console and try the treadmill’s features.

Every treadmill we review undergoes the same rigorous process. That way we can compare and contrast them and give you an honest review of what we think. This particular treadmill has been around for many years, and we’ve done previous reviews of the Echelon Stride-8S. So, in this review, we also compared it to the previous models.

Our reviewers are treadmill and fitness experts. Brian, the author of this review, is a competitive bodybuilder, and is a 7-time national qualifier in both men’s bodybuilding and classic physique within the NPC competitions. He has coached and been coached on cardiovascular training, HIIT, and nutrition, particularly as it pertains to weight loss for competitions. He is an expert at treadmills, has been on this treadmill, and you can trust his opinion on all of the treadmills he reviews.

In Brief

The 2026 Echelon Stride-8S is a top-of-the-line treadmill from that manufacturer, and brings a really great 22″ high-definition screen which is designed to work with the Echelon fitness app. The Stride-8S also comes in an “Open Box” format with slightly different screening options. This year moving forward, the high-definition touchscreen of the Stride-8S brings a much more advanced manual option for those opting out of the $39 per month Echelon Fit app, which means you’re freer to experiment a bit. That said, as I tested it myself, I found the improvements to the app awesome. Now I can access a whole host of online apps from Netflix, Amazon Prime and Spotify to Facebook, X, Instagram and news outlets. If you had an Echelon machine in years past you’re in for a big and happy surprise here, I can say.

Also, the touchscreen swivels, tilts and pivots for viewing at any angle. The machine is built like a tank and you won’t feel a wobbling here. As I’ve said before, I’ve never a doubted Echelon their quality of construction. Priced at $2,999.99 MSRP and on sale online for $2,499.99, the treadmill measures 67″ x 33.1″ x 63″ when in use, so in keeping with the rest of the lineup, it’s a bit smaller than some of the other machines on the market, and many buyers want that. It does bring a whopping 6.0 HP motor with 3.75 CHP, meaning you’re not likely to ever burn that baby up. You’re getting a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour and 12% incline, which is very much on par with the needs of most users. It also features really unique adjusting dials for the resistance, unlike any I’ve ever seen, on the handlebars.

Echelon Stride-8S – Pros & Cons (2026) - Key Specs:

In-Depth Review of the Echelon Stride-8S

Why We Like It

The Echelon Stride-8S brings a terrific 22″ touchscreen and console, as well as a sizeable 3.75 CHP motor. All in all, it’s a solid folding treadmill with the 12% incline and speeds up to 12 miles per hour that are needed to get the job done. With heart rate sensors built into the handlebars as well as cool resistance dials, the 20″ x 60″ can handle about any kind of workout you want. It’s a slightly smaller unit than many comparable treadmills in its price class, and that should suit those with smaller homes or those who simply want a smaller unit. Still, it brings a great 300-pound user weight maximum, which should be more than sufficient for the average user.

The Echelon Stride-8S sports a 6.0 HP motor with 3.75 CHP. Photo by TreadmillReviews.net

Huge 22″ HD Touchscreen Which Rotates, Pivots, and Swivels

If you like enjoy interactive programming during exercise, then 22 inches of touchscreen is plenty. When using screens of this size myself, I feel like I’m in a movie theatre. Consider that this one of the largest screens around. I’d offer up the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 as a contrast, given its size and cost. The Echelon unit offers a great manual mode if you do opt out of the Echelon Fit app program. But with it comes access to not just entertainment apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime, but also news apps, Facebook, Instagram, and X. It’s incredibly versatile. The value to the rotation of the screen is you can get off the treadmill and engage in dumbbell work, yoga, or stretching. I like to use the Echelon fitness app’s High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) programs which incorporate all of the above, and the screen’s rotation makes that easier. It also helps you adjust for glare from overhead lights.

The Echelon Stride-8S sports a massive 22″ high-definition touchscreen that pivots, tilts and swivels. You see my iPhone attached to the handy charging station here. Photo by TreadmillReviews.net

Great Comfort Features

The Echelon Stride-8S features a user-friendly fan as well as comfort tray for keys or other devices. You’ll also get two bottle holders for your workout drink, and the emergency Start/Stop button and safety key are right below. I’m also really digging the cool, silver speed and resistance dials on the handlebars, right next to the heart rate sensors. All in all, it’s a terrific looking treadmill and one that will keep you moving. The treadmill is Bluetooth from tip to top if you want to bring your own headphones or heart rate monitor. There’s also a handy phone charging pad right below the screen.

The Echelon Stride-8S has cool adjustment dials shaped like rolling balls for the speed and incline. Photo by TreadmillReviews.net

The Echelon Fitness App

The great thing about this treadmill is you don’t need the Echelon fitness app, but you can still get it if you want. One of the great things about using the Echelon program is the choice in pricing. At the FitPass level, you’re paying $11.99 per month and get access to unlimited on-demand classes and thousands of on-demand video workouts. The Premier plan is either $33 per month if paid annually, or $39 if done monthly. Like most training apps, this one features exercise programs in everything from running to weightlifting, yoga, and rowing. It’s also downloadable meaning you can use it with other equipment either at home or away. The Premier option includes integration with Strava, Zwift, Apple Health, and entertainment streaming with FitOS as well as gamified workouts using Echelon Worlds. Whether you like high intensity interval training (HIIT), or long, slow walks, this app package gives you plenty of diversity. In my experience, the $11.99 FitPass is one of the best deals on the market in terms of bang-for-buck.

Also, if you have a home gym set up and are wanting a rower, bike, stepper, elliptical, or any strength gear, then the Echelon Fit app will work and sync with them automatically. Downloadable onto any device, it’s a one-stop shop for any activity including boxing.

The Echelon Stride-8S features shock absorption in its deck to reduce the impact on your feet. Photo by TreadmillReviews.net

Bluetooth and Built-In Heart Rate Monitoring

In my experience using the Echelon Stride-8S, the heart rate monitors built into the handlebars were on par with those on my own Oura ring. But if you want to use your own Bluetooth heart rate monitor you can do that here. Some people prefer an armband or chest strap as there’s continuous contact, whereas the handlebar grips only work when you’re touching them. The same goes for headphones. The speakers on the Echelon Stride-8S are premium quality, and you can adjust the volume of the instructor independently of the music, meaning turn one up over the other. But, if you like to jam to Bluetooth headphones, that too works here.

Echelon Stride-8S Dimensions

The dimensions of the Echelon Stride-8S are 67.0″ x 33.1″ x 63″ when in use. I’d recommend having ceilings at least 8′ high when placing this treadmill, and keep in mind you’ll need a doorway that’s wide enough to roll this through with the monitor and handlebars as well.

Echelon Stride-8S Weight

The Echelon Stride-8S weighs 220 pounds. It can support up to 300 pounds in user weight.

What We Like:

• Great 22″ HD Touchscreen

  The Echelon Stride-8S screen is large enough to make you feel like a movie-goer. The screen also rotates and pivots. This lets you adjust it any way you want and get onto the floor for stretching if you want.

• Heart Rate Sensors

  The Echelon Stride-8S features handlebar heart rate sensors, which is a really nice touch for a treadmill of this price. I found the sensors to be accurate and consistent while checking the metrics on the treadmill’s touchscreen.

• 6.0 HP and 3.75 CHP Motor

  A 3.75 continuous horsepower motor is right on the money when it comes to jogging, walking, or running. You have a total of 6.0 horsepower at your disposal though; in case you ever need that. You can read more on the topic of horsepower and motors here in our review treadmill motors.

• Silver Speed Dials

  Okay, I just like the way these look. That said, they do perform well too. Instead of relying on touchpad numbers, you’ll be able to dial up or down your resistance with more precision. These little roller balls are super sensitive, and I was able to skip up and down the levels almost by thought.

• Incline Abilities

  The Echelon Stride-8S inclines up to 12%, which helps increase your resting metabolic rate, ramp up cardiovascular conditioning level, and build muscle strength simultaneously. I’m a big fan of hill climbing and hiking workouts, and they’re just not the same without an incline.

• Great User Weight Max

  I consider the maximum user weight to be an indicator of stability, and at 300 pounds, you should be in good shape. If you really need more than that, you should consider some of the treadmills designed specifically for larger users. But overall, this model should suit even big folks and those who want to train with weighted vest, which you can read about here.

• Cushioned Tread Deck

  This cushioned 60″ x 20″ tread deck gives you plenty of space to move. At 5’10” myself it’s perfect, but even taller people will have no problem with it.

The Echelon Stride-8S features heart rate monitors in the handlebars. It’s also Bluetooth-enabled for monitors and headphones alike. Photo by TreadmillReviews.net

What We Don’t Like:

• Non-Folding

  This treadmill doesn’t fold up, so be sure to place it where you want it. At 220 pounds it’s not terribly difficult to move, but you should know this in advance.

This Treadmill Could Be For You If:

• You want a top-tier treadmill with premium parts
• You want a 22″ high-definition touchscreen that pivots, tilts, and swivels
• You want interactive training apps and entertainment programming
• You want the benefits of built-in heart rate sensors.

My Final Verdict:

If you can afford it, do it. If you want something a little less expensive, the Echelon lineup includes the Stride 50 RCX Pro, the Stride-6 and Stride-6S. Here the “S” stands for screen, and you can buy a model that lets you bring your own device if you want. In terms of durability, Echelon makes treadmills to last. I’ve had other units in my own home and they’re veritable tanks. The new improvements to the Echelon Fit app are also legion. I feel like they answered all of the past customers questions here by making an awesome, and easy to access, manual screen if you want to opt in and out of the paid app. You can also access Facebook or Netflix while jogging, as well as just about any other app you want. Given the price, I’d say it’s a top pick any day and it goes well with the brand’s other units like rowers, bikes, and steppers.