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Are you someone who will only run when you absolutely have to, but you still want to reap the benefits of cardio exercise? In our Xebex Trekker review we’ll lay out the pros and cons of this unique hill-climbing treadmill meant for hiking, trekking, and sled training.
Speaking of the benefits of cardio, it’s worth knowing that the Xebex Trekker 4000 may offer additional health benefits for bone density over a traditional treadmill. While it’s well-researched that weight-bearing activities like walking and running can help stimulate bone mineral growth1, a 2017 study2 found that both uphill and downhill training have a particularly positive effect on bone density. So let’s get moving on the details, shall we?
More Than 50 Treadmills Tested
Our expert testers have assembled, evaluated, and scored more than 50 treadmills at Garage Gym Reviews HQ. We’ve even ranked our favorites in our best treadmill for home gyms roundup.
And we’re not just a bunch of product junkies—we’re a team of fitness experts including certified personal trainers, CrossFit Level 1 Trainers, and Olympic-level athletes—which means you can trust us to deliver honest reviews (because we genuinely understand strength and conditioning equipment).
For this Xebex Trekker review, GGR Lead Reviewer Lindsay Scheele used the incline treadmill across all three training modes to assess, score, and review several categories using our in-depth fitness equipment testing methodology. A few of those categories include:
- Footprint and portability: We consider dimensions, foldability, and power requirements.
- Construction and durability: We look for an inclusive weight capacity, minimal shaking during use, and high-quality construction.
- Adjustability and ergonomics: We assess the running belt dimensions and other specs that allow a wide variety of people to use the machine.
Xebex Trekker 4000
Xebex Trekker 4000
Product Highlights
- Non-motorized treadmill
- Sled drag and climbing modes
- Manual incline settings
- Foldable treadmill
- Pre-set interval programs
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable price
- Shipping included
- Challenging sled resistance
- No power required
Cons
- Limited running speeds
- Short belt
- Only 2 incline settings
- Light weight capacity
Bottom Line
The Xebex Trekker 4000 is a non-motorized treadmill with three training options: hiking, trekking, and sled mode. You can certainly run on this machine, but the manual settings and non-motorized belt make it ideal for mimicking a sled push and hiking at 22% or 27% incline.
A Quick Look at the Xebex Trekker 4000
Xebex Fitness has been designing unique fitness equipment for over three decades and manufactures both strength and cardio equipment ranging from squat racks to rowing machines.
Our experts have considerable experience with Xebex Fitness (as you can see in our Get RX’d Xebex Air Bike review and the high-tech Xebex XT3 Sled review) and were excited to test the Trekker 4000 for its incline capabilities.
The TRK-4000 is unlike many treadmills we’ve tested for several reasons: It’s permanently inclined, doesn’t require a power outlet, and provides multiple levels of resistance through a patented generator.
Typically, when a machine doesn’t require/y electricity, the resistance comes from a magnetic flywheel or air intake (like on a rower). The idea behind the generator is that it can produce heavy resistance even at low speeds, which is difficult to do with a flywheel or air intake that needs speed to create more resistance.
Before You Buy
- The Xebex Trekker is a permanently inclined treadmill with two settings: 22% and 27%.
- The Trekker 4000 is a non-motorized treadmill and does not require a power cord.
- At the time of this review, Getrxd.com was selling the TKR-4000 for $1,099 marked down from $1,299.
Xebex Trekker 4000 Full Video Review
Is the Xebex Trekker 4000 Worth It?
The TKR-4000 is worth it for the right home gym owner. If you prefer walking at an incline and want a machine that will challenge you more than a traditional treadmill, this is an excellent option. The Xebex Trekker is also ideal for folks who are serious about hiking, trekking, backpacking, or even backcountry skiing.
Not everyone is going to be thrilled about a treadmill that can’t be set to anything lower than 22% incline. However, if you’re a mountain sports enthusiast, the Trekker is the ultimate off-season machine. For about $1,000 (if you can snag it while it’s on sale), you’ll have a non-motorized treadmill that offers difficult resistance and sled pushing capabilities. We scored the machine 4 out of 5 stars for value, and docked a point because it’s not as versatile as other machines in this price range.
RELATED: Best Treadmills Under $1,000
Great for:
- Saving electricity
- Hill training
- Developing bone density
Not recommended for:
- Folks who want interactive programming
- Serious runners
- People over 265 lbs
Xebex TKR-4000 Specs
| Price | $1,299 |
| Footprint | 60” L x 28” W x 60” H |
| Running deck | 51” L x 18” W |
| Weight | 143 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 265 lbs |
| Drive system | Non-motorized, self-powered drive |
| Speed | 10 levels |
| Incline | 2 manual settings (22% and 27%) |
| Display | LCD |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 years frame, 1 year parts |
Using the Xebex Trekker 4000
GGR expert tester and CPT Lindsay Scheele used the TKR-4000 through all 10 levels of speed settings, both incline settings, and did forward and backward walking. Lindsay also used some of the preset programs for HIIT treadmill workouts, which she thought was super challenging for her cardiovascular endurance.
While the Xebex Trekker 4000 is technically a treadmill, it functions a lot like a climber machine. It is permanently inclined and doesn’t support speeds over 3.7 mph, so don’t expect to run on this machine. The TKR-4000 has three training modes to choose from:
- Hike mode: When you set the TKR-4000 to the 22% incline, you can use the lowest resistance settings to walk with speeds up to 3.7 mph for a heart-pumping uphill walk.
- Trek mode: With the incline set to 27%, you’ll have a steeper climb while still being able to walk up to 3.7 mph. The higher incline can be more challenging for the lower body and help folks gain endurance for long excursions and overnight hiking.
- Sled mode: With the incline set to either 22% or 27% incline, you can set the resistance to the heaviest settings, hold the handlebars, and push uphill as if it were a sled push. You can also turn around for a backward sled push to engage your posterior chain.
While Lindsay enjoyed her testing experience on the Xebex Trekker 4000 treadmill, it’s worth noting that she didn’t feel too much difference between the hike mode at 22% incline and trek mode at 27% incline. She found you’re really either walking at an incline or sled pushing at an incline on this machine. But, Lindsay did like this machine for backward walking and sled pushing, so there are still multiple training options.
RELATED: Bells of Steel Dreadmill Review
Footprint and Portability
If you’re looking for an incline trainer that’s fairly compact, you’ll like knowing the Xebex Trekker 4000 earned 5 out of 5 stars in our footprint and portability category. The machine is 5 feet long, 5 feet tall, and under 3 feet wide. Plus, the deck folds and locks in place with a pop-pin.
The machine is fairly lightweight at 143 pounds and has transport wheels to easily roll this out of the way while not in use. Not only will it be easy to roll around, you won’t be restricted to where you can plug it in. There is no power cord, which means you can roll it out of your garage gym and workout in the driveway if your kids are playing outside.
RELATED: How to Move a Treadmill
Durability and Construction
Lindsay scored the durability and construction on the Xebex Trekker 4 out of 5 stars. Overall the hill climber machine was sturdy and didn’t rock or shake during higher speeds or high resistance workouts, which is important because during sled mode, you’ll actually be pushing into the machine.
Lindsay docked a point in this category mainly due to the user weight capacity of 265 pounds. The weight rating is a factor we use to determine the overall durability of a cardio machine, and TKR-4000 falls short of the 275-pound industry standard (and the 300-pound user weight capacity we typically see on heavy-duty treadmills like the NordicTrack Commercial 1750).
Adjustments and Ergonomics
On a traditional treadmill, we’re typically looking for a 55- to 60-inch-long deck to support running speeds and a full running gait. However, with the Trekker 4000 being an uphill hiking machine, the 51-inch-long deck is suitable for the permanently inclined belt. Plus, there is no motor hood to get tripped up on even if your incline stride is fairly long.
The two incline options (22% or 27%) are manual and will require you to step off the machine to make adjustments. This wasn’t a dealbreaker for Lindsay, but she scored this category a moderate 3 out of 5 stars, mostly due to the limited adjustments.
When it comes to adjusting speeds, you’ll choose from level 0 to 9 on the console, which controls the speed through the patented generator. “The first three resistance levels are the hardest. You will not be able to run because the resistance is really strong at levels 1, 2, and 3,” says Lindsay.
“The next three are a little easier, and the last three (levels 7, 8, and 9) are the easiest and don’t offer a ton of resistance, which means you’ll be able to fast walk or jog,” she says.
RELATED: Incline Trainer vs Incline Treadmill
Technology and Conveniences
You won’t find much in the way of technology or conveniences on the TKR-4000, which is why this machine earns a low 2-out-of-5-star rating in this category. In fact, there is not even a water bottle holder for your convenience.
What you will find is a basic LCD console that displays time, distance, watts, calories, pace, speed, resistance level, and heart rate. The TRK-400 is compatible with 5khz heart rate monitors, which essentially connects to the console with a radio frequency (not a Bluetooth or wireless connection).
RELATED: Best Heart Rate Monitors
Xebex Trekker 4000 vs Xebex SledTrac 6000
Xebex ST-6000
Xebex SledTrac 6000
Product Highlights
- Treadmill with sled drag options
- 6 different training modes
- Incline and decline training
- Basic display
- Bluetooth connectivity
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 6 ways to train
- Belt runs backwards and forwards
- Safety key included
- Pulse sensors for heart rate
- Bluetooth connectivity to chest straps or apps
Cons
- Hefty price tag
- Large footprint
- No built-in touchscreen
Bottom Line
The XEBEX SLEDTRAC 6000 is a home gym dream. Within one footprint you can walk, jog, run, and sled drag. Plus, this treadmill has 15 levels of incline training and the ability to use the machine forwards or backwards. That also means you can sled drag forwards and backwards.
Xebex Fitness manufactures several curved manual treadmills in addition to three treadmills with sled training options. Since we tested the heavy-duty sled training machine for our Xebex ST-6000 treadmill review, we think it’s worth comparing the TKR-4000 side-by-side with the ST-6000.
The Xebex ST-6000 is considerably more expensive than the TKR-4000 treadmill. However, the ST-6000 is a lot more versatile with a heavier weight capacity, 15 incline settings, speeds up to 12.5 mph, and powerful 3.0 horsepower motor.
These are all specs we like to see on treadmills designed for running, but it doesn’t end there. The ST-6000 has a running belt that moves in reverse, which means you can walk backwards without turning around. You’ll also have handlebars for mimicking sled pushing, which can be set in a fixed position or work against resistance bands.
The Xebex Trekker treadmill doesn’t offer nearly as much training variety, so the price point is much lower. But if you’re mostly interested in treadmill hill workouts and sled pushing, you’ll have what you need with the capabilities of the TKR-4000.
| Xebex TKR-4000 | Xebex ST-6000 | |
| Price | $1,299 | $3,799 |
| Footprint | 60” L x 28” W x 60” H | 77.8” L x 34.2” W x 60.9” H |
| Foldable | Yes | No |
| Weight capacity | 265 lbs | 352 lbs |
| Speed | 10 levels; up to 3.7 mph | 0.1-12.5 mph |
| Incline | Two settings: 22% or 27% | 15 levels, up to 10% |
| Warranty | 5 year frame, 1 year parts | 5 year frame, 2 year parts |
Customer Experience
Contacting Xebex is straightforward with multiple methods listed on Getrxd.com including general inquiry form, email, phone number, and live chat. We appreciate that the brand lists operating hours, too.
The Xebex Trekker 4000 is backed by a five-year warranty on the frame and one year on parts. This policy is below the industry standard for traditional treadmills, which is why we docked a point and scored this category 4 out of 5 stars.
If you need to return your Xebex treadmill, you’ll have a 30-day window to contact the company and initiate a return. Expect to be refunded minus a 15% restocking fee and return shipping costs.
Ordering and Assembling the Xebex Trekker 4000
Ordering the Xebex Trekker 4000 is a cinch, all you have to do is click “add to cart” and you’ll have the option to pay up front with your credit card or finance your purchase through Affirm.
You’ll have a few options for shipping depending on your location. Most folks will choose from either freight shipping or traditional ground shipping. Once it arrives at your door, you’ll want to grab a friend for assembly.
Our experts put it together in under two hours, but fumbled a bit with the bolts. Our assembly expert says most instruction manuals with images have lines drawn from the bolt to the corresponding hole. The Xebex Trekker 4000 lacked those helpful lines, which made the process a bit more unclear.
Additionally, our expert notes the uprights are tricky to attach because the bolts are exceptionally short, which made it extra difficult to line up all four holes. This is where an additional person will be helpful.
Customer Reviews
At the time of writing this review, there are only three customer reviews on the Xebex website. However, all three customers were satisfied with their purchase and TKR-4000 has an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
One customer notes the Trekker 4000 was an ideal choice for increasing their heart rate more than running without the high impact on the joints. Another customer says, “I hate it! But I love it.”
Final Verdict of Our Xebex Trekker Review
The Xebex Trekker 4000 treadmill is a unique hill climbing machine, offering a ton of resistance for heavy sled pushing workouts. It’s not the most suitable treadmill for all exercisers, but for some people it’ll be an excellent investment. We suggest considering the TKR-4000 if you:
- Prefer walking at high incline levels versus running
- Want to have full-body treadmill workouts via sled training
- Need to implement off-season training for mountain sports like hiking, backpacking, or backcountry skiing
Full Rating
Xebex Trekker
The Xebex Trekker 4000 is a non-motorized treadmill with three training options: hiking, trekking, and sled mode. You can certainly run on this machine, but the manual settings and non-motorized belt make it ideal for mimicking a sled push and hiking at 22% or 27% incline.
Product Brand: Xebex
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 1299.00
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.8
Xebex Trekker Review: FAQs
Is Xebex a good brand?
Xebex Fitness offers unique and cutting-edge fitness equipment. Our GGR product experts agree the brand manufactures high-quality equipment. While the brand offers traditional treadmills, rowers, and air bikes, it’s known for its unique blend of strength and conditioning in machines like the Xebex Trekker 4000, Xebex SledTrac 6000, and XT4 Sled.
How much does a treadmill cost?
Treadmills can range from a few hundred dollars to over $5,000. Our GGR experts suggest that a quality treadmill designed for running will need a 60-inch deck, speeds up 10 mph, and a weight capacity of at least 275 pounds. A treadmill with these specs will typically cost around $1,000. We have more insight in our guide to how much does a treadmill cost?
Is 30 minutes of treadmill a day enough?
Using your treadmill at a moderate to vigorous pace for 30 minutes at least five times per week can help you meet the CDC guidelines3 for adult physical activity.
References
- Hind, K., & Burrows, M. (2007). Weight-bearing exercise and bone mineral accrual in children and adolescents: a review of controlled trials. Bone, 40(1), 14–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2006.07.006
- Kang, Y. S., Kim, C. H., & Kim, J. S. (2017). The effects of downhill and uphill exercise training on osteogenesis-related factors in ovariectomy-induced bone loss. Journal of exercise nutrition & biochemistry, 21(3), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.20463/jenb.2017.0010
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition.
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