Home > Best Treadmills for Home Use Reviews > California Fitness Malibu M8 Treadmill Review

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Overview

Shell out just under $4,500 and you can have access to one of the best midrange treadmills for home or office use. Built for durability and more than ample protection for the knees, the Malibu 8.0 is a no-brainer buy. Even after hundreds of miles, the reasonably powerful 5HP will continue to purr quietly and operate efficiently after taking a good pounding in all four seasons.

What the 8.0 is all about

After several weeks of rigorous testing, we’ve come to the conclusion that the Malibu 8.0 is an absolute must-buy for the serious indoor workout maniac who’s looking for a midrange treadmill build to last several decades, at the very least.

To be honest, at an initial glance, we didn’t think it would take the heavy pounding, courtesy of an HIIT-based workout, or incline jogging done at a stretch. We were wrong! The 8.0 performed flawlessly, barely making any noise from the 5HP three-phase AC motor. It should also be noted that the ortho-grade no-slip suspension provides a level of comfort and cushioning which literally made us feel like we’re walking on thin air.

There’s plenty of presets to choose from and ample connectivity options. We really were in a world of our own, while listening to David Guetta tunes through the treadmill’s USB port and bright 7-inch screen. The program customization options in particular deserve praise – the menu navigation was as slick and user-friendly as you can imagine.

Our Favorite features

• The ability to connect any USB-based music player is a major plus
• Superb suspension feedback – practically like walking on air
• Even though parts are extremely durable, there’s a minimum 10-year warranty
• Aesthetically built and super-quiet motor makes for a memorable indoor running/walking experience
• Intuitive interface makes for easy program customization on the fly
• Commercial-grade build quality rivals some of the best commercially available treadmills at higher price tags
• Guard rails strategically positioned; touchscreen and buttons within easy reach, in case users lose their balance while running/briskly walking

notable Specs

• Forged Steel Frame built to last a lifetime
• Suspension designed to reduce knee stress by 70%
• Cotton polyester texture under the belt means it never slips no matter what the speed or incline level
• Powerful 5HP motor allows users to reach speeds of up to __ MPH without the treadmill overheating or showing signs of stress
• Lifetime warranty for motor and steel frame
• 7-inch LCD screen
• Premium quality built-in speakers for music

Our least favorite Features

• We tried hard not to nitpick; however, we feel the factory presets could have been more varied, along with perhaps slightly more detailed explanations of each
• Compared to powerful iPod headphones, built-in speakers can seem inadequate

The bottom line

For this price tag, one would be daft not to invest in such a well-built treadmill. The motor is definitely among the key highlights, not to mention the lifetime warranty, as is the non-slip belt and suspension that will never stress out the knees... unless you’re feeling more adventurous than usual!

pros

• Among the best quality midrange treadmills available today
• $4,499 price tag justified; superb build materials compared to commercial midrange treadmills
• More than adequate shock cushioning owing to non-slip belt
• Quick-start options let you dive right into workouts
• Highly durable; fantastic long-term value for money

Cons

• May not be the best for serious pro-level athletes
• For the midrange treadmill price tag, could have offered more features over commercial treadmills