Reebok Jet 100z Treadmill Review – Best Budget Entry?

Motor: 2.0 HP | Speed: 0.6–11 mph | Incline: 12 levels | Deck: 130 × 43 cm | Max User Weight: 110 kg | Folding: Yes | Price: ~£499

The Reebok Jet 100z is the cheapest way into Reebok’s Air Motion cushioning system. That is its strongest selling point, and it is a genuine one — Air Motion is a meaningfully better cushioning technology than the One Series system used in the cheaper GT40z, and it makes a noticeable difference to how your joints feel after a 30-minute session. If cushioning is your top priority and budget is tight, the 100z delivers something the GT40z cannot.

But the rest of the spec sheet tells a more complicated story. At around £499 (regularly discounted from an RRP of £699), the Jet 100z costs roughly the same as the GT40z — sometimes less on sale, sometimes more — and on several key metrics, the GT40z actually beats it. Wider deck (45 cm vs 43 cm), faster top speed (11.2 mph vs 11 mph), more programs (43 vs 28). The GT40z also launched more recently with updated connectivity features. These are not enormous differences, but when the prices overlap, they matter.

The 100z is not a bad treadmill. User reviews are overwhelmingly positive, the build quality is solid, and Air Motion cushioning is the real deal. But the narrow 43 cm deck is a genuine limitation that stops it from earning a higher recommendation in a range where the GT40z exists at the same price point. If you can find the 100z discounted below £450 and cushioning matters more to you than deck width, it is a smart buy. At full price, the GT40z is the better all-round machine.

Reebok Jet 100z Specs

Key Features and Benefits

Motor and Speed

The 2.0 HP motor delivers a top speed of 11 mph — fractionally slower than the GT40z’s 11.2 mph, and noticeably behind the 12.4 mph offered by the Jet 200 and Jet 300. For walking and jogging, that 11 mph ceiling is more than enough. It is a 5:27/mile pace, which is faster than the vast majority of home treadmill users will ever run. If you are training at paces below 8 mph — and most home users are — you will never touch the speed limit.

Where 11 mph becomes a constraint is high-intensity interval training. A proper HIIT session wants sprint capacity at 10–12 mph with recovery at 4–5 mph. With the 100z, your top-end sprint is capped before you reach the kind of pace that creates genuine anaerobic effort for fitter runners. Beginners will not notice. Intermediate and advanced runners will feel the ceiling.

Quick speed buttons on both the console and handlebars allow mid-stride adjustments. The handlebar controls are particularly useful — you can adjust speed without leaning forward toward the console, which keeps your running posture natural and reduces the temptation to grab the front bar for balance.

Incline

12 levels of power incline, identical to the GT40z. Good for 12-3-30 workouts, hill intervals, and structured programs that use incline variation. Transitions between levels are smooth and controlled, with no abrupt jerking.

Three fewer levels than the Jet 200 and Jet 300 (both 15 levels) and six fewer than the Z-Tech AC (18 levels). The missing top-end levels matter most for steep gradient training and advanced hill simulation. For general fitness use, walking, and moderate incline work, 12 levels is plenty.

Running Deck

This is the Jet 100z’s weakest point. At 130 × 43 cm, the deck matches the GT40z on length but is 2 cm narrower. That 2 cm gap sounds trivial on paper. In practice, it creates a running surface that feels noticeably tight at anything above jogging pace.

43 cm is 17 inches. At walking speed, it is fine — you naturally stay centred and there is enough lateral room. At jogging pace (5–7 mph), you start to become aware of the edges. At running pace (8+ mph), the width becomes a genuine constraint. Your arms swing wider at speed, your feet land slightly further apart, and the margin for lateral drift shrinks. None of this makes the treadmill dangerous, but it creates a subtle tension that affects the quality of the running experience.

Length is adequate but not generous. At 130 cm, the deck suits users up to about 5 ft 8 comfortably at running pace. Taller users can walk and jog without issues but may find themselves unconsciously shortening their stride at higher speeds. The Jet 200 adds 10 cm of length and 3 cm of width. The Jet 300 adds 20 cm of length and 8 cm of width. Both feel meaningfully more spacious.

The 43 cm width is the primary reason the Jet 100z scores lower than the GT40z despite having better cushioning. A wider running surface is something you benefit from every single stride of every single session. Superior cushioning is important but cannot fully compensate for a deck that feels narrow at pace.

Air Motion Cushioning

Here is where the Jet 100z earns its place in the range. Air Motion Technology is Reebok’s mid-tier cushioning system, and it is a genuine step up from the One Series rubber blocks used in the GT40z.

Air Motion uses air-filled cushioning pods built into the deck. When your foot strikes, the pods compress and transfer air between chambers, redistributing the impact force dynamically rather than just absorbing it. The front pods handle landing impact. The rear pods provide push-off support. The air transfer between them creates a more responsive, adaptive running surface than static rubber blocks can deliver.

In practice, the Jet 100z feels softer and more forgiving underfoot than the GT40z, particularly during longer sessions. Your knees and ankles register less accumulated fatigue after 30–45 minutes of walking or jogging. The difference is most noticeable on incline work, where the repeated impact of uphill walking can batter joints on less cushioned machines.

Air Motion is not as sophisticated as the Energy Transfer Cushioning on the Z-Tech AC or the Floatride+ system on the FR range, but it sits comfortably in the middle of Reebok’s cushioning hierarchy and represents excellent value at this price point. If you have joint issues, are recovering from injury, or simply prioritise comfort over everything else, the Air Motion system alone might justify choosing the 100z over the GT40z.

Console and Programs

The 5-window LED display shows speed, time, distance, calories, steps, incline level, and heart rate. Functional and clear without being flashy. No touchscreen, no colour display, no virtual running track animation — just the numbers you need, presented legibly. Hand pulse sensors in the handlebars provide real-time heart rate feedback.

28 total programs: 24 presets covering fat burning, hill intervals, endurance, and cardiovascular work, plus 1 user-defined program where you set your own speed and incline targets, plus 3 target modes for distance, time, or calories. A body fat test function is also included. Fewer programs than the GT40z’s 43, but the presets are well-designed and cover the essentials. Most users cycle through 3–5 favourite programs and ignore the rest anyway.

The adjustable cooling fan built into the console is a nice touch that the GT40z also offers. Not a replacement for a proper room fan, but a steady stream of air across your face and chest during longer sessions that you appreciate more than you expect.

Connectivity

Bluetooth connectivity with Zwift, Kinomap, and the Reebok Console App. A 30-day free Kinomap trial is included in the box. This is the same app ecosystem available across the Reebok range, giving you access to virtual running worlds, filmed real-world routes, structured coaching, and performance tracking.

Zwift compatibility turns the 100z into a social running experience — race other users in virtual worlds, follow structured workouts from elite coaches, and log every session. Kinomap adds filmed real-world routes with automatic speed and incline adjustment. Both apps run on your phone or tablet, connected via Bluetooth, propped on the built-in device shelf.

The device shelf is functional but basic — a small ledge above the console that holds a phone or small tablet. It works, but larger tablets may partially obscure the LED display. The GT40z’s tablet holder is similarly basic. The Jet 200 and 300 offer slightly more robust holders.

Build Quality and Folding

At 65 kg, the Jet 100z sits between the GT40z (61 kg) and the Jet 200 (78 kg). Heavier than budget machines in this price range, which translates to better stability. Minimal wobble at walking and jogging speeds. Some lateral movement at higher running speeds — a function of any treadmill in this weight class — but nothing alarming.

The soft-drop hydraulic folding mechanism works identically to the GT40z. Lift the deck, the hydraulic assist takes over, and the deck rises smoothly to the upright position. Unfold, and the hydraulic slows the descent — no slamming, no pinched fingers. Transport wheels on the base allow rolling the folded machine against a wall or into a corner.

Folded dimensions of 98 × 73 × 143.5 cm are compact. Smaller footprint than the GT40z folded (103 × 77 cm), which makes sense given the slightly smaller assembled size. The 100z folds marginally more compactly overall, which is a modest advantage in tight UK living spaces.

Assembly is minimal. The 100z arrives approximately 90% assembled — unfold the frame, tighten pre-inserted bolts, connect the console, fit plastic covers. Most people complete setup in 20–30 minutes. No specialist tools required. Two people recommended for unpacking due to the 65 kg weight.

Who Should Buy the Jet 100z

• • Joint-conscious walkers and joggers. If you have knee issues, ankle problems, or any reason to prioritise cushioning above all else, Air Motion is worth the entry price. The difference between Air Motion and One Series (GT40z) is noticeable and cumulative over longer sessions.

• • Bargain hunters. The 100z regularly drops below £450 on sale at Argos and other UK retailers. At that price, you are getting Air Motion cushioning, Zwift/Kinomap connectivity, and a solid Reebok warranty for less than the GT40z’s standard price. When the sale price hits, it becomes the best value entry-level Reebok.

• • Lighter, shorter users. If you weigh under 85 kg and stand under 5 ft 8, the 43 cm deck width and 130 cm length are genuinely adequate. The width constraint matters most for heavier, taller, or wider-shouldered users who naturally need more lateral room.

• • Space-constrained buyers. The folded footprint is the smallest in the Reebok folding range. If every centimetre counts, the 100z packs away more neatly than any other full-featured Reebok treadmill.

Who Should Not Buy the Jet 100z

• • Anyone over 5 ft 10. The 130 × 43 cm deck is simply too tight for comfortable running at taller heights. Walk and jog, yes. Run at pace, no. Step up to the Jet 200 (140 × 46 cm) at minimum.

• • Regular runners. If you run three or more times a week at 7+ mph, the 43 cm width and 11 mph speed cap will both feel limiting. The Jet 200 at £799 is the minimum spec for regular running.

• • Heavier users. At 110 kg max user weight, the same as the GT40z, the 100z excludes a significant portion of the UK population. If you are near or above 100 kg, consider the Jet 300 (140 kg capacity) or Z-Tech AC (150 kg).

• • Buyers who can afford the GT40z at equal price. When both machines cost £499–549, the GT40z’s wider deck and higher speed make it the better all-round purchase for most users. The 100z only wins on cushioning.

Jet 100z vs GT40z vs Jet 200

The 100z wins on cushioning quality and frame warranty versus the GT40z. The GT40z wins on deck width, top speed, and program count. At equal prices, the GT40z is the better choice for most people — deck size affects every session, cushioning differences are more subtle. When the 100z drops to £429–449 on sale, it becomes genuinely competitive, particularly for users who prioritise joint comfort.

Stepping up to the Jet 200 at £799 addresses every limitation of both entry-level models — bigger deck, more incline levels, more motor power, higher weight capacity. If budget allows, the Jet 200 is the sweet spot of the range for actual runners.

Where to Buy the Reebok Jet 100z in the UK

• • Argos — The most reliable UK stockist. Currently around £499, frequently discounted to £429–449 during sales. Check regularly, as Argos price drops happen without fanfare and the 100z has been as low as £429. Free delivery over £50, or reserve and collect.

• • Amazon UK — Stock varies. When available, typically £499–549. Amazon’s 30-day returns policy is useful for treadmills — if the deck feels too narrow, return it.

• • Sweatband — Lists the Jet 100x variant (functionally identical to the 100z with minor spec differences). Free two-man delivery. DivideBuy finance available.

• • Reebok Fitness Equipment — The official UK site. Often backordered, so check availability.

Assembly is straightforward and takes 20–30 minutes. The 100z arrives 90% pre-assembled, which is one of the quickest setups in the Reebok range. Unfold, bolt, connect, run. Two people recommended for unboxing due to the 65 kg machine weight, but a single person can manage assembly once the box is open.