Echelon Treadmills UK 2006: The Complete Stride Range Compared

Treadmill Brand Guide

Echelon makes one treadmill line, the Stride, and sells it in eight versions from a £499 folding walker to a £2,499 commercial-grade runner. They are connected treadmills built around the Echelon Fit app, but every one also works as a standalone machine. Here is the whole range compared, with our pick for each kind of buyer, scored on our RunRank system.

By the HomeTreadmill team  |  Updated for 2026  |  Researched and compared, not affiliate-ranked

The Stride range, comparedSwipe to see all 8
Editor’s choice
Best overall
Echelon Stride 50 RCX folding treadmill
Echelon Stride 50 RCX
RunRank 4.5
£999
  • Motor 2.0 CHP
  • Speed 12.5 mph
  • Incline 15 levels
Check price at Sweatband
Best budget
Echelon Stride 30 Sport folding treadmill
Echelon Stride 30 Sport
RunRank 4.1
£499
  • Motor 2.0 HP
  • Speed 10 mph
  • Incline 12 levels
Check price at Sweatband
Entry walker
Echelon Stride-20 Sport folding treadmill
Echelon Stride-20 Sport
RunRank 4.0
£499
  • Motor 1.75 HP
  • Speed 10 mph
  • Incline 12 levels
Buy direct from Echelon
Best touchscreen
Echelon Stride 50 RCX-22 folding treadmill
Echelon Stride 50 RCX-22
RunRank 4.4
£1,499
  • Motor 2.0 CHP
  • Speed 12.5 mph
  • Incline 15 levels
Check price at Sweatband
Best folding runner
Echelon Stride 6s folding treadmill
Echelon Stride 6s
RunRank 4.3
£1,499
  • Motor 3.0 CHP
  • Speed 12.4 mph
  • Incline 12 levels
Buy direct from Echelon
Best value auto-fold
Echelon Stride-6 Auto-Fold connected treadmill
Echelon Stride-6 Auto-Fold
RunRank 4.2
£1,099
  • Motor 2.5 CHP
  • Speed 12.4 mph
  • Incline 12 levels
Buy direct from Echelon
Best premium
Echelon Stride 8s smart connected treadmill
Echelon Stride 8s
RunRank 4.4
£1,999
  • Motor 3.75 CHP
  • Speed 12.5 mph
  • Incline 12 levels
Buy direct from Echelon
Flagship
Echelon Stride 9s Pro commercial treadmill
Echelon Stride 9s Pro
RunRank 4.5
£2,499
  • Motor 4.0 CHP
  • Speed 15.5 mph
  • Incline 15 levels
Check price at Sweatband

Prices checked regularly and change with sales. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Echelon is a connected-fitness brand, and its treadmills all sit under the Stride name. Across the range they share a family look, folding decks (the 6 and 6s auto-fold; the 8s and 9s Pro are designed to stay put), handlebar speed and incline controls, and tight integration with the Echelon Fit app for live and on-demand classes. What changes as you go up the range is motor power, top speed, deck size, and how much screen is built in.

The line splits into three tiers. The Sport models (the Stride 20 and Stride 30) are the budget, walking-focused options. The RCX models (Stride 50 RCX and RCX-22) are the value runners, the same strong engine with or without a built-in screen. And the s-series (6s, 8s and 9s Pro), along with the screen-free Stride-6 Auto-Fold, are the premium folding and studio machines, topping out in genuine commercial territory. Every model gets a RunRank score across performance, build, tech and value.

Stride 6, Stride 6s, RCX: what do the names mean?

Echelon’s naming causes a lot of confusion, and it is worth clearing up because the older “Stride 6” name is still what many people search for. The current screen-free model is the 2026 Stride-6 Auto-Fold, which pairs a 2.5 CHP motor with Echelon’s new waterfall open-front deck and hands-free Auto-Fold, and uses a Bluetooth LED console with an oversized device holder rather than a built-in screen. The Stride-6s is its touchscreen sibling: it adds a 10-inch HD touchscreen and steps the motor up to 3.0 CHP. The RCX models are the value mid-range with a 2.0 CHP engine (3.0 HP peak) and 15 incline levels, sold either screen-free (50 RCX) or with a 22-inch touchscreen (RCX-22). If you came here searching for a “Stride 6”, the Stride-6 Auto-Fold is the current screen-free model and the 6s is the screen version; but for most buyers the cheaper 50 RCX is still the better-value all-rounder.

The Echelon Fit app and membership, the honest bit

This is the most important thing to understand before buying any Echelon treadmill. The machines are designed around the Echelon Fit app and its Premier membership, which unlocks live classes, thousands of on-demand workouts and instructor-led sessions. A 45-day free trial is included, but after that the full connected experience is an ongoing monthly or annual subscription, and that recurring cost is the most common complaint about Echelon.

You do not have to subscribe. Every Stride works as a standalone treadmill without a membership: you can set speed and incline manually and see your basic metrics. The subscription only unlocks the classes and app content. So factor the membership into the true cost if you want the connected side, but know the hardware still earns its keep if you just want to run.

The Stride range at a glance

ModelBest forMotorSpeedInclineFoldsRunRankPrice
Echelon Stride 50 RCXBest overall2.0 CHP12.5 mph15 levelsFolds4.5£999
Echelon Stride 30 SportBest budget2.0 HP10 mph12 levelsFolds4.1£499
Echelon Stride-20 SportEntry walker1.75 HP10 mph12 levelsFolds4.0£499
Echelon Stride 50 RCX-22Best with touchscreen2.0 CHP12.5 mph15 levelsFolds4.4£1,499
Echelon Stride-6 Auto-FoldBest value auto-fold2.5 CHP12.4 mph12 levelsAuto-Fold4.2£1,099
Echelon Stride 6sBest folding for runners3.0 CHP12.4 mph12 levelsAuto-Fold4.3£1,499
Echelon Stride 8sBest premium / studio-grade3.75 CHP12.5 mph12 levelsFolds flat*4.4£1,999
Echelon Stride 9s ProFlagship / commercial-grade4.0 CHP15.5 mph15 levelsNon-folding4.5£2,499

Motor figures are continuous horsepower (CHP) where Echelon publishes it; the Stride 30 Sport is quoted in peak HP. *The 8s folds flat only by removing two screws, so it is best treated as a stay-put machine.

Every Echelon Stride, reviewed

Best overall

Echelon Stride 50 RCX

£999

Folds · 2.0 CHP (3.0 HP) · 12.5 mph · 15 incline levels · no built-in screen

Echelon Stride 50 RCX folding treadmill
RunRank4.5 / 5
Performance4.5
Build4.5
Tech4.0
Value4.8

The Stride 50 RCX is the pick of the range for most people, and the one we would steer a treadmill buyer towards first. It pairs a 2.0 CHP motor (3.0 HP peak) with a 12.5 mph top speed and 15 levels of powered incline, so it genuinely handles running and hill work rather than just walking, on a roomy 22 by 57 inch cushioned deck. It folds away for storage, and adds LED deck lighting, a wireless charging pad and Quick-Speed and Quick-Incline keys. Max user weight is a generous 150 kg.

The clever part is what it leaves out. There is no expensive built-in touchscreen: you prop your own phone or tablet on the console and run the Echelon Fit app from there, which is why it undercuts the screen-equipped RCX-22 by £500 while running the same engine.

For
  • 2.0 CHP motor (3.0 HP peak), 12.5 mph, 15 incline levels
  • Roomy 22 x 57in cushioned deck, 150 kg capacity
  • Folds for storage, LED lighting, wireless charging
  • Same engine as the RCX-22 for £500 less
Against
  • No built-in screen, you supply a phone or tablet
  • Echelon Fit classes need a paid membership
Verdict: The best-value Echelon for a runner and our top pick of the range. Buy this unless you specifically want a built-in touchscreen, in which case see the RCX-22 below.
Best budget

Echelon Stride 30 Sport

£499

Folds · 2.0 HP · 10 mph · 12 incline levels · 5in LCD console

Echelon Stride 30 Sport folding treadmill
RunRank4.1 / 5
Performance3.8
Build4.2
Tech3.8
Value4.7

The entry point to the range at £499, the Stride 30 Sport is built for walking and steady jogging rather than fast running. A 2.0 HP motor, 10 mph top speed and 12 levels of incline cover incline walking and easy runs comfortably, on a compact 40 by 127 cm deck, and it folds away like the rest of the range. The console is a simple 5-inch backlit LCD rather than a touchscreen, so you again bring your own device for the Echelon Fit app. Max user weight is 113 kg.

For
  • Lowest price in the range
  • 12 incline levels for incline walking
  • Folds for storage
  • Well reviewed at 4.6 stars
Against
  • 2.0 HP and 10 mph suit walking and light jogging, not fast running
  • Compact 40 x 127 cm deck and basic LCD console
Verdict: A solid budget connected treadmill for walkers and occasional joggers. If you plan to run properly, stretch to the 50 RCX.
Entry walker

Echelon Stride-20 Sport

£499 (was £699)

Folds · 1.75 HP · 10 mph · 12 incline levels · 5in backlit LCD

Echelon Stride-20 Sport folding treadmill
RunRank4.0 / 5
Performance3.6
Build4.1
Tech3.8
Value4.5

The Stride-20 Sport is the most affordable way into the Echelon range, built for walking and steady jogging rather than running. A 1.75 HP motor, 10 mph top speed and 12 levels of power incline cover incline walking and easy jogs, on a compact 41 by 119 cm (16 by 47 inch) cushioned deck, and it folds away with a rear carry bar and built-in wheels. The console is a 5-inch backlit LCD with 15 pre-programmed workouts, three custom user modes and a body fat calculator, plus two pulse heart rate sensors and Bluetooth. As with the rest of the range you prop your own phone or tablet on the holder to run the Echelon Fit app. Max user weight is 114 kg.

For
  • Lowest RRP in the range
  • 12 incline levels for incline walking
  • Folds away, rear carry bar and built-in wheels
  • 15 pre-set workouts plus Bluetooth and pulse sensors
Against
  • 1.75 HP and 10 mph suit walking and light jogging, not running
  • Compact 41 x 119 cm deck and basic LCD console
  • Sits at the same sale price as the more capable 30 Sport
Verdict: The entry walker of the range, and a good shout if you mainly want to walk or jog gently and store it away afterwards. If you think you will run, the 30 Sport’s stronger 2.0 HP motor and larger deck are worth the small step up.
Best with touchscreen

Echelon Stride 50 RCX-22

£1,499

Folds · 2.0 CHP (3.0 HP) · 12.5 mph · 15 incline levels · 22in HD touchscreen

Echelon Stride 50 RCX-22 folding treadmill with touchscreen
RunRank4.4 / 5
Performance4.5
Build4.5
Tech4.5
Value4.0

This is the Stride 50 RCX with a 22-inch HD touchscreen built in. Same 2.0 CHP motor (3.0 HP peak), same 12.5 mph and 15 incline levels, same folding deck and 150 kg capacity, but instead of propping up your phone you get a large built-in display for the Echelon Fit classes. If you want the immersive screen experience while keeping a deck that still folds, this is the one.

For
  • Same engine and deck as the 50 RCX
  • Large 22in built-in HD touchscreen
  • Still folds, unlike the non-folding 9s Pro
Against
  • £500 more than the screen-less RCX for the display
  • Classes still need a membership
Verdict: Worth the premium over the standard RCX only if a built-in screen matters to you. The running experience is identical.
Best value auto-fold

Echelon Stride-6 Auto-Fold

£1,099 (was £1,299)

Auto-Fold · 2.5 CHP (3.0 HP peak) · 12.4 mph · 12 incline levels · Bluetooth LED console, no built-in screen

Echelon Stride-6 Auto-Fold connected treadmill
RunRank4.2 / 5
Performance4.2
Build4.3
Tech3.8
Value4.5

The Stride-6 Auto-Fold is the screen-free sibling of the 6s, and the value pick if you want a genuine folding runner without paying for a built-in display. It pairs a 2.5 CHP brushless motor with a 12.4 mph top speed and 12 levels of power incline, on a roomy 20.5 by 60 inch impact-absorbing deck. The headline feature is Echelon’s hands-free Auto-Fold: at the touch of a button the deck folds itself to around 10 inches tall for storage, and vertical and horizontal transport wheels make it easy to move. The new waterfall open-front design gives you room to lengthen your stride.

In place of a touchscreen you get a Bluetooth LED console and an oversized device holder, so you prop your own phone or tablet and run the Echelon Fit app from there, which is how it undercuts the 6s by around £400. Max user weight is a generous 136 kg, and there is a cooling fan, USB-A charging, two drink holders and an accessory tray. As with the rest of the range, the live and on-demand classes need an Echelon Premier membership, with a 45-day free trial included.

For
  • 2.5 CHP brushless motor (3.0 HP peak), 12.4 mph, 12 incline levels
  • Hands-free Auto-Fold, folds to around 10in for storage
  • Roomy 20.5 x 60in waterfall deck, 136 kg capacity
  • Around £400 less than the 6s for the same folding running experience
Against
  • No built-in screen, you supply a phone or tablet
  • Echelon Fit classes need a paid membership
  • LED console rather than the 6s touchscreen
Verdict: The most affordable way into Echelon’s Auto-Fold running deck. Buy this over the 6s if you are happy to bring your own screen; step up to the 6s only if a built-in touchscreen matters.
Best folding for runners

Echelon Stride 6s

£1,499

Auto-Fold · 3.0 CHP (3.5 HP) · 12.4 mph · 12 incline levels · 10in touchscreen

Echelon Stride 6s folding treadmill
RunRank4.3 / 5
Performance4.4
Build4.3
Tech4.2
Value4.2

The 6s is the model behind most of the “Echelon Stride 6” searches, and it is more capable than its price-mates suggest. It runs the strongest folding motor in the range, a 3.0 CHP unit (3.5 HP peak) that out-muscles even the RCX-22, reaches 12.4 mph with 12 levels of incline, and uses Echelon’s patented Auto-Fold to lift the deck up and out of the way. It also has a 10-inch HD touchscreen plus an LED display, and a 136 kg capacity. It is, in effect, the Stride-6 Auto-Fold with a built-in screen and a slightly stronger motor.

For
  • Strongest folding motor in the range (3.0 CHP / 3.5 HP)
  • Auto-Fold deck for easy storage
  • 10in HD touchscreen plus LED display
  • 12.4 mph and 12 incline levels
Against
  • 12 incline levels, three fewer than the RCX
  • Around £400 more than the screen-free Stride-6 Auto-Fold
Verdict: The most powerful Echelon that still folds, and the pick if you want a real running motor, a built-in screen and easy storage. If you do not need the screen, the Stride-6 Auto-Fold saves you around £400.
Best premium / studio-grade

Echelon Stride 8s

£1,999

Folds flat (disassembly) · 3.75 CHP (6.0 HP) · 12.5 mph · 12 incline levels · 22in swivel touchscreen

Echelon Stride 8s smart connected treadmill
RunRank4.4 / 5
Performance4.7
Build4.7
Tech4.3
Value4.0

The Stride 8s is the studio-style step up: a 3.75 CHP motor (6.0 HP peak), a generous 20 by 60 inch quad-cushioned deck and a 22-inch HD touchscreen that tilts and swivels for off-machine workouts. It is built for frequent, heavy use, with a 10-watt wireless charging pad, adjustable cooling fan and an LED deck strip. It is not a quick-fold treadmill: it can be folded flat by removing two screws for storage or moving, but in everyday use it stays put.

For
  • Powerful 3.75 CHP motor (6.0 HP peak), stable stay-put frame
  • Large 20 x 60in quad-cushioned deck
  • 22in swivel touchscreen, charging pad, cooling fan
Against
  • No quick fold, only a flat-pack disassembly for storage
  • Trackball console controls can feel fiddly
  • Premium price
Verdict: A studio-grade machine for serious, frequent runners with the space and a want for a big built-in screen. Overkill for casual use.
Flagship / commercial-grade

Echelon Stride 9s Pro

£2,499

Non-folding · 4.0 CHP (6.0 HP) · 15.5 mph · 15 incline levels · 22in 1200p touchscreen

Echelon Stride 9s Pro commercial treadmill
RunRank4.5 / 5
Performance5.0
Build4.8
Tech4.5
Value3.8

The flagship. The Stride 9s Pro is a genuine commercial-grade treadmill: a 4.0 CHP continuous motor (6.0 HP peak), a 15.5 mph top speed and 15 levels of incline on an extra-long 22 by 61 inch quad-cushioned deck, with a 136 kg (300 lb) user capacity and a home-and-commercial-use warranty. The 22-inch 1200p HD touchscreen, integrated pulse sensors and Bluetooth round it out. If you run fast, or want a machine that will shrug off years of daily use, this is it.

For
  • Commercial 4.0 CHP motor (6.0 HP peak)
  • 15.5 mph top speed, the fastest Echelon
  • Extra-long 22 x 61in quad-cushioned deck
  • Sharp 22in 1200p HD touchscreen, internet connected
Against
  • Most expensive in the range
  • Does not fold and is heavy (164 kg)
  • Far more treadmill than most home users need
Verdict: The one to buy if you run fast or want commercial durability at home. For everyone else the 50 RCX delivers most of the experience for a third of the price.

Which Echelon Stride should you buy?

Best overallStride 50 RCX at £999. Proper running engine, folds away, no pricey screen. The one to buy for most people.
Entry walkerStride-20 Sport at £499 (was £699). The cheapest way in, for walking and gentle jogging.
Budget all-rounderStride 30 Sport at £499. A stronger 2.0 HP motor and larger deck, still folds away.
Want a screenStride 50 RCX-22 at £1,499. The RCX plus a 22in touchscreen, and it still folds.
Auto-fold, less to spendStride-6 Auto-Fold at £1,099. The 6s waterfall deck, hands-free Auto-Fold and 2.5 CHP running motor, without the touchscreen.
Most folding powerStride 6s at £1,499. The strongest motor that still folds, with a 10in touchscreen and hands-free Auto-Fold.
Serious runnerStride 9s Pro at £2,499. Commercial 4.0 CHP motor, 15.5 mph, 136 kg capacity. Or the Stride 8s at £1,999 for studio-grade with a swivel screen.

If your space is tight or you want to compare Echelon against other brands, see our best folding treadmills and best home treadmill guides, or our roundup of treadmills with incline.

Frequently asked questions

Do Echelon treadmills need a subscription?

No, not to run. Every Stride works as a standalone treadmill with manual speed and incline and basic metrics. The Echelon Fit membership (45-day free trial included, then a monthly or annual fee) unlocks the live and on-demand classes and the app content. Factor it in if you want the connected side.

Which Echelon Stride is best for running?

For value, the Stride 50 RCX: a 2.0 CHP motor (3.0 HP peak), 12.5 mph and 15 incline levels handle proper running. For the fastest running, the commercial-grade 9s Pro adds a 4.0 CHP motor and a 15.5 mph top speed. The 6s is the strongest folding option at 3.0 CHP, with the screen-free Stride-6 Auto-Fold close behind at 2.5 CHP for less money. The Stride 30 Sport is better suited to walking and light jogging.

Do Echelon Stride treadmills fold?

Most do. The Stride 20 Sport, 30 Sport, 50 RCX and RCX-22 fold for storage, and the Stride-6 Auto-Fold and 6s use Echelon’s patented hands-free Auto-Fold to fold themselves nearly flat. The 8s only folds flat by removing two screws, so it is best treated as a stay-put machine, and the 9s Pro does not fold at all.

What is the difference between the Stride-6 Auto-Fold and the 6s?

They share the same waterfall Auto-Fold deck, 12.4 mph top speed and 12 incline levels. The 6s adds a built-in 10-inch HD touchscreen and a slightly stronger 3.0 CHP motor (versus 2.5 CHP on the Stride-6 Auto-Fold), which is why it costs around £400 more. If you are happy to prop up your own phone or tablet, the Stride-6 Auto-Fold gives you the same folding running experience for less.

What is the difference between the Stride 50 RCX and RCX-22?

They share the same 2.0 CHP engine (3.0 HP peak), 12.5 mph top speed, 15 incline levels and folding deck. The only real difference is the screen: the RCX-22 has a built-in 22-inch HD touchscreen, while the cheaper 50 RCX expects you to use your own phone or tablet with the app.

How fast do Echelon treadmills go, and how much incline?

It depends on the model. Top speeds run from 10 mph (Stride 20 Sport and 30 Sport) through 12.4 to 12.5 mph (Stride-6 Auto-Fold, 6s, 8s and RCX models) up to 15.5 mph on the 9s Pro. Incline is 12 powered levels on the Sport models, Stride-6 Auto-Fold, 6s and 8s, and 15 levels on the RCX models and the 9s Pro.

Is the Echelon Stride 50 RCX worth it?

For most home runners, yes. It runs the same motor, speed, incline and deck as the £1,499 RCX-22 but skips the built-in screen, so you get the full running experience for £999 and supply your own device. It is our pick of the range.

Our pick of the Echelon range

For most people the Stride 50 RCX at £999 is the sweet spot: a proper running engine and a folding deck, without paying for a screen you may not need. Step up to the 9s Pro only if you want commercial-grade power.

We research and compare products independently using our RunRank system. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices are checked regularly and change with sales and discount codes, so always confirm the current price on the retailer’s site.

Author

  • Chris Linford

    Runner and home fitness enthusiast reviewing treadmills and walking pads for everyday use.

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