| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Motor | Incline | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AFG Sport 5.5 AT Check Discounted Price | L:71" W:34" H:57" | 300 lbs | 2.5 CHP, 0.5-10 MPH | Automatic, 0%-10% | Frame: Lifetime Motor: Lifetime Parts: 1 year Labor: 1 year |
The AFG Sport 5.5AT is a mid-range treadmill designed for home use. It doesn’t have the range of features of the AFG 7.3AT, but nonetheless, it does have a sturdy construction and offers a decent array of workout apps.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 71L x 34W x 57H inches (181L x 87W x 145H cm)
- Assembled weight: 172 lbs (78 kg)
- Tread belt dimensions: 55L x 20W inches (140L x 51W cm)
- Maximum user weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Motor: 2.5 CHP
- Incline: Automatic, 0%-10%
- Deck cushioning: Yes
- Speed levels: 0.5-10 MPH
- Console: 4 workouts applications
- Amenities: Sound system, cooling fan, accessory trays, tablet tray
- Warranty: Frame lifetime / Motor lifetime / Parts 1 year / Labor 1 year
Frame and deck
Although this AFG treadmill can be considered a light model, its overall construction is definitely not light. Its assembled weight is 172 lbs (78 kg), which means it offers excellent stability. This being said, its deck delivers a steady and secure feel. On top of that its front
base of the frame is equipped with adjustable rubberized stabilizers. Handling and moving the completely assembled machine is not difficult despite its weight, as its base integrates two sets of wheels.
Like most treadmills, the AFG Sport 5.5AT is not exactly a small machine. It’s 71″ (181 cm) long, and 34″ (87 cm) wide, which means it may not be the best choice for a cardio training machine if storage and usage space are an issue. However, since it’s a treadmill designed for home use, its deck has a folding mechanism and can be folded up. With the deck folded up, the machine’s length is cut by approx. half. The folding mechanism consists of a hydraulic cylinder, which assists you with the lowering of the deck.
The machine’s deck offers a medium running surface of 55″L x 20″W (140 x 51 cm), which means it can accommodate comfortably users up to 6’0″ (183 cm). Taller users should also be able to use this machine, however, the running surface may be a little bit restricting for them. It also has quite a sturdy construction, being rated for users up to 300 lbs (136 kg).
The deck integrates three pairs of standard elastomers which serve as shock absorbers. Differently put, it absorbs 20% of the running shock, which results in less workout related joint and lower back pain. This will allow you to undertake longer, and more consistent workouts.
Needless to say, the deck is constructed on a steel frame. All its steel parts are coated with corrosion resistant paint, the only available color for this model being silver.
Incline & step-up height
Even though it’s an entry-level mid-range treadmill, without a wide array of belts and whistles, the AFG Sport 5.5AT does have a motorized incline system. This means the incline can only be adjusted from the machine’s control panel. Some of the onboard programs involve incline as well, and if you choose to exercise by using one these 
programs, the machine will adjust the incline of the deck automatically, according to the current segment of the workout.
The incline system is situated at the front of the deck. It consists of a small motor and a lever which will raise the front of the deck depending on the selected level.
This particular treadmill offers 10 levels of incline (from 0% to 10%), which can be adjusted gradually from the up/down arrow keys, of directly, from the quick keys on the left of the console.
Evidently, a maximum of 10% incline is not that much, and cannot be compared to the 40° incline that some of the commercial grade machines offer. However, even the slightest incline to the running surface will add considerable difficulty to your workouts. Therefore, this feature can definitely put a lot of diversity into your training.
The deck’s step-up height is approx. 8″ (20 cm) and with the incline set at maximum 10%, the front part of the deck will rise by a few inches. Therefore, in order to avoid any ceiling height issues, make sure that the ceiling height in the room where you’ll be using the machine is at least 20″ (51 cm) higher than your own height.
Motor
The AFG Sport 5.5AT treadmill is equipped with a 2.5 CHP motor, designed to withstand prolonged workouts at full speed, without losing performance or overheating. The motor is equipped with a small flywheel which adds steadiness to the belt’s motion, reducing the level of vibration as well.
This motor offers a speed range between 0.5 MPH and 10 MPH. In other words, the starting speed of the tread belt is 0.5 MPH. However, up from that point, the speed of the tread belt can be adjusted in increments of 0.1 MPH. This is quite a plus as it gives you the possibility to find the perfect pace for your workout.
Just as the incline, speed can be adjusted gradually from the up/down arrow keys on the right of the control board, but there also are quick keys which allow you to quickly select a speed level between 1-10 MPH. Evidently, the speed of the belt won’t abruptly adjust, in order to prevent accidents.
Since it’s a motorized treadmill, it requires being connected to a power circuit of 110-120V, with a minimum 15-amp. A power cord with a plug (not an adapter) is included, the plug being the U.S. standard 3-prong type.
Last but not least, the motor itself does not generate a lot of noise. But just as for other treadmills, the cadence sound generated during a running session on it is not to be neglected. Although it may not cover the sound of your TV, it may still be heard by the other members of the household, or the neighbors, if you live in an apartment building.
Control unit
This AFG Sport treadmill model features a console with a rather basic LED display, which indicates time, distance, calories, heart rate, speed, and incline. But despite this rudimentary display, it does have 4 workout application, several of them featuring 
multiple difficulty levels. The workout applications are Manual Mode, Intervals, Weight Loss and Target Profiles.
The Manual Mode gives you the possibility to exercise freely, just by starting the belt, then adjusting incline and speed as you like.
The Intervals application features 10 levels of difficulty, using different speed intervals. For these intervals, speed will change automatically, and segments will repeat after 90 sec. and 30 sec.
The Weight Loss application also has 10 levels of difficulty, focusing on burning as many calories as possible. This app involves both speed and incline, the segments of the workout repeating every 30 sec.
The Target Profiles program actually has two main categories: Target 1 – Distance and Target 2 – Calories. The first one has 13 distance workouts including mile, 2 miles, 5k, 5 miles, 10k, 8 miles, 15k, 10 miles, 20k, half marathon, 15 miles, 20 miles and marathon goals. For these workouts, you can set up a desired incline and speed. The calories category has 9 pre-set workouts, designed for burning 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, or 900 calories.
The console offers the possibility to save various user profiles, great function to have if several people use the machine, or you simply want to swap between various saved workouts. It also allows you to input your weight, in order to calculate the calories burned percentage.
In case you’re wondering, the distance can only be calculated in miles, while speed only in MPH for this model. Also, the control unit is not telemetric, so it can only read your pulse if you hold on to the metallic sensors integrated into the front handlebars.
In terms of amenities, the control board integrates several. Among them, we can count a 2-speaker sound system, cooling fan, accessory trays and tablet tray. The sound system can actually render a pretty decent sound, far superior to the speakers of a tablet or phone. It’s compatible with most MP3 devices, phones or tablets, and a connection cable adapter is supplied with the machine. The workout fan, although not extremely powerful, it does deliver a bit of cooling. The accessory trays are situated on each side of the dashboard and can accommodate small accessories, such as earplugs, remote control, keys etc. And finally, the tablet tray is situated in the middle of the console, right atop the display, and can fit most tablets. However, keep in mind that the AFG Sport treadmill model does not include a USB port, so you cannot dock your tablet or phone for recharging.
Assembly and Maintenance
The assembly of the AFG Sport 5.5AT is a simple and straightforward process. The deck with the rollers, motors, and belt comes fully assembled. You only have to add the lateral console masts, the handlebars, and the console, operation which shouldn’t take more than 45 min – 1 hour. The tools required for assembly are included, while the manual provides pretty clear assembly instructions.
Maintenance requires the lubrication of the belt; for this, the manual provides the necessary instructions, while a bottle of silicone lubricant is included. Apart from that, it’s recommended to periodically vacuum under the deck and wipe the tread belt in order to prevent any textile fibers or small objects to be dragged into the motor and cause damage to it. Other than that, the periodic inspection for loose bolts and parts is recommended.
The Pros
- Sturdy frame construction, with a weight capacity of 300 lbs;
- Folding frame, space-saving design;
- Cushioned deck, reducing some of the running impact;
- Motorized incline, 0% – 10%;
- 2.5 CHP motor, offering speed levels up to 10 MPH;
- Speed can be adjusted increments of 0.1 MPH, allowing you to find the perfect pace for your workout;
- Quick keys for speed and incline;
- EGK pulse sensors integrated into handlebars;
- 4 preset workout applications, some of them with several levels and settings
- Various amenities such as sound system, cooling fan, tablet holder and accessory trays;
- Quiet operation;
- Fairly easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- Console display is pretty basic;
- No online connectivity.
Bottom Line
The AFG Sport 5.5AT is a mid-range treadmill designed for home use, featuring a 2.5 CHP motor and motorized incline. It has quite a sturdy construction, and a folding design. Its console, although not a high-end one, it provides 4 main workout applications some of them having multiple levels to choose from. It’s a treadmill that supports running workouts, not just jogging or walking. It’s perfect for beginners and intermediate users, offering the possibility to undertake interval or weight loss workouts, and excellent machine to perform a consistent daily cardio routine. Finally, it’s not an expensive treadmill, offering a decent price/value ratio.