| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Motor | Incline | Console programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunny FA-7967 Check Discounted Price | L:60" W:29.5" H:47.5" | 220 lbs | 1.6 HP, 0.5 - 7.5 MPH | Manual, 3 levels | 1 Manual, 12 Pre-set, 3 HRC, 3 User profiles, 1 Body Fat, Goals |
The Sunny Health & Fitness FA-7967 is another treadmill from the “Fitness Avenue” series. It’s almost identical to the Sunny FA-7966 model that we’ve already reviewed here but lacks the automatic incline feature. It still has a manual incline system, though, similar to the XTERRA TR150 model, featuring folding rear stabilizers.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 60L x 29.5W x 47H inches (152L x 75W x 119H cm)
- Tread belt dimensions: 48.7L x 17W inches (123L x 43W cm)
- Assembled weight: 104 lbs (47 kg)
- Supported weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
- Motor: 1.6 HP, 0.5 – 7.5 MPH
- Incline: Manual, 3 levels
- Console programs: 12 pre-set, 3 HRC, 1 body fat, 1 manual, 3 user profiles
- Extras: Sound system, Bluetooth, USB charging port, bottle holders, device holder
- Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 180 days
Frame construction
The Sunny Health & Fitness FA-7967 Fitness Avenue treadmill features a steel frame made of rectangular
tubing and coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish. The machine also integrates several thermoplastic parts in its construction. For example, the motor cover, the side rail covers, and the console dashboard are made of durable thermoplastic material.
The fully assembled trainer is not too large. Its footprint is only 60″L x 29.5″W (152 x 75 cm) so it can fit pretty well even into a small room or apartment. It is recommended, though to allow at least two feet of clearance on each side of the deck, and at least three feet of clearance at the rear, for ease of access and safe usage.
This Sunny Health & Fitness treadmill is a bit lighter than the Sunny FA-7966 model that we’ve already covered here. However, it still weighs approx. 104 lbs (47 kg) so it is recommended that the packaged unit should be carried by to people. Once it is assembled, it can be moved by only one person as its front base frame has transport wheels.
Like many other treadmills made for home use, the Sunny Fitness Avenue FA-7967 has a folding frame. Its deck can be folded up so that the machine can offer better storage possibilities. With the deck folded up, the unit’s footprint remains approx. 36″L x 29.5″W (91 x 75 cm), while its height reaches 49″ (124 cm).
The folding mechanism involves a hydraulic element. It doesn’t fold up automatically as it is the case for some commercial treadmills, but the hydraulic element is quite useful when unfolding the deck as it lowers it slowly preventing damage to the floor.
Deck construction and incline
The Sunny Health & Fitness FA-7967 is a light-capacity treadmill made for home use. This means it doesn’t
have the super solid deck as a commercial model. However, it can still support users up to 220 lbs (100 kg). It offers a walking surface of 48.7″L x 17″W (123 x 43 cm). This being said, it should accommodate users up 6’0″ (183 cm), or even taller if they only perform walking or light jogging workouts.
The treadmill is equipped with a multi-layered belt with the top layer thicker and rubberized for improved contact. The exact diameter of the rollers is not specified, but they are crowned in order to provide superior traction and belt stability. They also integrate sealed bearings for a smooth motion.
The machine’s deck doesn’t have visible cushioning elements on its sides like other treadmills but does integrate 8 rubber cushions (4 on each side) which are concealed by the side rail covers. These reduce the impact generated by each foot strike, resulting in less shock on your joints and lower back.
The Sunny Fitness Avenue FA-7967 is equipped with a manual incline system. This being said, you cannot adjust the incline of the deck during the workout. The incline system consists of two folding foot stabilizers placed at the rear corners of the deck. These are made of heavy-duty thermoplastic material (probably polypropylene). Each folding foot has three adjustment holes, so you can lock it in the desired position via a removable metallic rod.
Needless to say, the incline provided by the two adjustable rear stabilizers is not extreme. When they are folded, the deck offers an incline of approx. 2°. When they are unfolded, the running platform is almost at 0°.
The deck step-up height is approx. 7″ (18 cm) when the rear stabilizers are unfolded (or locked in the highest position). Therefore, to avoid any inconveniences, it is recommended to use this treadmill in a room with a ceiling that is at least 10″ (25 cm) higher than the height of the tallest user.
Drive motor
The Sunny Health & Fitness FA-7967 treadmill is designed for walking and jogging workouts. It is equipped
with a 1.6 HP motor. Although it doesn’t offer the peak power of a commercial treadmill motor, it still offers the possibility to walk or jog for a fairly long period of time without losing performance or overheating. It is recommended, though, to stop the treadmill and let it rest for at least 10 minutes after every 2 hours of usage.
The motor offers a speed range between 0.5 MPH and 7.5 MPH. The speed adjustment increments are 0.1 MPH. There are speed adjustment controls integrated into the right grip and on the console. There also are six quick speed selection keys for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 MPH.
Since the machine’s motor only offers a peak power output of 1.6 HP, its power consumption is also minimal. This being said, even if you will be using it daily, it shouldn’t add more than a few dollars to the electricity bill. Also, the motor itself doesn’t generate a lot of noise when in use, but depending on how fast you go, your cadence may generate more or less noise.
Console
The Sunny FA-7967 treadmill is equipped with a fairly decent console for a home-use machine. Although it
doesn’t have online connectivity and it is not compatible with any online fitness apps, it does offer quite a few workout programs.
The first workout program is the Manual mode. This program allows you to adjust the speed manually throughout your workout. The P1-P12 programs are pre-set. Each one of them has its segment layout engraved on the console. For each program, you will have to set up a total duration and since each program has 20 segments, the duration of each segment will be 1/20 of the total selected duration. Needless to say, the programs will auto-adjust the speed of the belt.
Three user programs, three HRC programs, and one Body Fat program are also available. The three user programs are U1, U2, and U3. For each one of them, you can create your own custom segment layout, save it, and re-use every time you want. The HRC programs have pre-set speed limits. They depend on your current heart rate so, in order to use them, you have to hold on to the sensors integrated into the side grips of the machine. When an HRC program is in use, the treadmill adjusts the speed of the belt automatically in order to keep you in the selected heart rate interval. And finally, the Body Fat program calculates your body mass index based on your age, gender, height, and weight.
The console features an LCD display with blue LED backlight. It indicates time, distance, speed, calories burned, and heart rate. Speed and distance are by default set to English units (mph and miles) but there is also the option of metric units (kmh, kilometers). Also, the console is not telemetric. This means that it doesn’t sync with any fitness bands or wireless HR chest straps.
Other notable console features are the sound system the USB charging port, the bottle holders, and the device holder. The sound system consists of two speakers visible on each side of the console. It has Bluetooth connectivity so you can sync your smartphone or tablet with the console in order to play your music through the integrated speakers. The USB port only offers a device charging function. You cannot transfer workout data via USB flash drive. The bottle holders are placed one on each side of the console dashboard; they are large enough to accommodate any hydration bottle. And finally, the device holder consists of a small shelf above the console controls which can provide support for your tablet or smartphone.
Assembly and Maintenance
The treadmill comes pre-assembled and folded. All you have to do for the assembly is unfold the two upright bars with the console, lock the two console masts in the upright position, and attach the joint covers. This shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes of your time. All the necessary tools are included, and the manual provides clear assembly instructions and attached illustrations.
Once the machine is assembled, the deck requires lubrication before the first use. A bottle of lubricant should be included with the treadmill. The console has a lubrication reminder function as well and should notify you when you should lubricate the deck again. Other than this, you only have to keep the machine clean, especially the belt, and periodically check for loose bolts and parts, and re-align the belt if necessary.
The Pros
- Compact design;
- Folding deck with soft-drop mechanism;
- Transport wheels;
- Integrated deck cushioning;
- Manual incline, 3 levels (0° – 2°)
- Speed range between 0.5 and 7.5 MPH;
- Speed adjustment increments of 0.1 MPH;
- Speed controls built-in the side grips;
- Quick selection speed controls for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 MPH;
- Low power consumption;
- LED-backlit display;
- 12 preset workout programs;
- 3 user profiles;
- 3 HRC programs;
- Body Fat calculator;
- Lubrication reminder function;
- Sound system included;
- Bluetooth connectivity for the speakers;
- USB charging port;
- Tablet holder included;
- Bottle holders built-in the dashboard;
- Pulse reading function;
- Little assembly required;
- Little maintenance required;
- Decent warranty.
The Cons
- A tablet placed on the device holder may cover the console display;
- No online connectivity.
Summary
The Sunny Health & Fitness FA-7967 Fitness Avenue is an electric treadmill designed for walking and jogging. It is equipped with a 1.6 HP motor, a manual incline system with 3 levels, and a console with multiple workout programs, sound system, and a USB charging port. It’s a great home-use machine for stamina development, muscle toning, and weight loss. In all, it’s a fairly decent trainer, offering excellent value for the price.