If you have around $2,500 to spend then you will find there are some really serious treadmills out there competing for your attention. The Smooth 9.45ST certainly lives up to Smooth's reputation of quality, but also offers some really great features that mean you can get a lot of treadmill for your money!

The first thing people talk about when they bring up a Smooth treadmill is the completely unique running surface. Smooth offers a cushioned belt that has plenty of give in the front but remains stable in the rear so you have something to push yourself forward. It's an experience unique to Smooth, but it is one you need to try in order to understand. With the 9.4ST model, you also get a hydra-suspension system that allows you to adjust how soft or hard your run is. While it may seem unnecessary, it is nice to have the option to customize your run how you see fit.

The motor is a standard 3 horsepower motor and the belt is a good size at 60 inches. This longer belt makes the model great for taller runners. However, the motor will only take you to 10 miles per hour so serious runners may have to upgrade to something a little more expensive. However, the model does come with plenty of programs and profiles to keep most runners busy. With the additional 15 levels of incline, you'll get more than enough from this model to keep you running for a long time.

One feature that is a little out of the ordinary is the new hands free speed control. Smooth have placed motion sensors in the arms which can detect the movement of your hands. So to increase the speed you wave one hand, and wave the other hand in order to slow down. While some people may find this a great idea, I personally find it a little gimmicky. There aren't many other extras on this model and I would have preferred to stick with the old fashioned method of reaching out to the console to change the speed in return for having more built in features. Another disappointment is that the unit will not fold up in order to save space when not in use.

What you then get is a higher end treadmill without too many extra options. Instead, you get a sold quality and a run that you would expect from a more expensive treadmill. If you prefer fancy bells and whistles, this may not be a good treadmill for you. But if you want a running experience that you would expect to pay a lot more money for, this treadmill should definitely be on your list.