How to Find the Best Treadmills

A treadmill is among the most beneficial fitness investment you can make for your home. It lets you exercise at your own pace, without worrying about the weather and the journey to the gym.

A high-quality treadmill is also a great method to track your fitness progress over time. A treadmill is a must-have for anyone training for a marathon, or simply seeking to keep their fitness level.

1. Motor

When looking for a treadmill home, search for one that offers a powerful motor. If you plan to log more than 20 miles a week and performing high-intensity interval training, you should choose one that has an uninterrupted 3.0 horsepower motor that has 60 inches of deck long. If you're a beginner, or just want to walk and jog on occasion, incline consider an option that is smaller and has a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.

Choose if you want a smart treadmill with a touchscreen and virtual classes as well as a console, or a simple model without one. Some models can fold down to make it easy to store.

The Peloton Treadmill is a well-designed treadmill that sports a sleek design with an impressive array of features. It's more expensive than our top pick however it offers an enjoyable running experience with a simple touchscreen and a great selection of on-demand workouts with instructors who are live and virtual. The incline controls are located on the handrails and quick dials make it easy to adjust speeds and inclines while exercising. The only cup holders on this treadmill are made of plastic and are only used to hold water bottles.

The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is another treadmill that is worth a look. It's a bit more affordable than the Peloton Treadmill, but it has a good set of features. With its iFit integration, you can access a range of workouts designed by trainers around the world. You'll require a subscription to access the app, which is included for 30 days and costs $39 per month after that. The treadmill also comes with a large 22-inch touchscreen and a cushioned deck. It can reach a maximum speed of 12 mph, and comes with an incline range of between -3% and 15% for an exercise that is more challenging.

2. Design

The design of a treadmill is vital as is any other piece of fitness equipment. If you're planning to train for a challenging outdoor race you'll need to choose the treadmill with the highest incline settings that mimic outdoor terrain. If you like to follow the workout class, choose models that feature a large screen and iFIT compatibility which lets you access studio-style classes, virtual coach programs, Explore the World scenic runs, and off-treadmill exercises.

Other design elements we consider are responsive speed and incline controls (on the handrails and lower console) that can adjust to your preferences without having to use the touchscreen, simple buttons, and a user-friendly interface. We also take into consideration whether the treadmill can fold and, if so, how long does it take to do so. We also consider if the treadmill needs assembly and whether the process is quick and painless.

3. Technology

The technology used on treadmills makes a big difference in how easy they are to operate and whether they have any issues. When evaluating a treadmill within this category, we consider touchscreens and easy-to-use controls. We also look at user-friendly interfaces, easy-to-use controls and other tech features. We also take into consideration if treadmills are mobile and folds at the touch of a button, which could be crucial for those who often move their treadmills around their home or have to fit them in tight space.

We were impressed by the Nordictrack 1250 treadmill sale's responsive speed and incline adjustments based upon previous workouts, its lengthy belt and cushioning that is comfortable, as well as the iFIT integration that provides access to studio-style classes, virtual coaches, Explore the World scenic runs, as well as off-treadmill training options (though it occasionally had problems with Bluetooth connectivity). Its 22" attractive, vibrant touchscreen in color and iFIT integration made this a top treadmill.

The ProForm Carbon T10 is another treadmill that scores high. It sports a 10" display and offers live and on-demand content from the iFIT platform for running, walking and running. We love that the incline and speed changes are simple to navigate through the touchscreen, as are the ergonomically-placed buttons that allow for quick adjustments, and the iFIT integration that allows you to stream workouts from Zwift and Hulu Max (subscriptions required). The only drawback is that there's no USB or headphone ports.

4. Comfort

The best treadmills should be comfortable for those who use them. Those with bigger bodies and longer strides should concentrate on the dimensions of the deck and how much space it gives for running or walking while others might be more about ergonomic features, such as well-placed speed and incline controls. We also looked for features that make the bike more enjoyable to use, like front-facing speakers and an USB charger port, tiny cooling fans, incline or plenty of storage space for your water bottle and other accessories.

We also considered the ability to store each treadmill, because not everyone has room in their home for an entire treadmill. Fortunately, nearly all the treadmills we tested fold down or have support arms to reduce their footprint when not in use. We evaluated how easily they folded up and put away and set up, how quickly they could be set up, and whether or not they were easy to move on firm surfaces.

If you're planning to run many of the hilly outdoor routes, you'll also want to consider the maximum incline of the machine. This feature is important because it can help you prepare for more difficult outdoor climbs.

We searched for responsive touchscreens and a user-friendly interface on every treadmill. We also examined the design of the treadmill and whether it was compatible with fitness apps from third-party companies. This helped us determine whether each treadmill offered enough features to justify the cost. A high-quality treadmill at your home can help you overcome the obstacles of weather conditions and costly gym memberships. It will also boost your motivation to keep your fitness levels up.

5. Safety

A treadmill can be a danger to equipment if it is not used in a safe manner. It's a massive, heavy machine with an incline that can move at speeds of 10 or 12 miles per hour. Anyone who uses a treadmill for walking and running should avoid leaning on the hand rails, because this could throw off balance and lead to injuries. Tripping hazards can also be created by a cluttered area surrounding the treadmill. Keep it tidy and clutter free during storage and during use.

The best treadmills have safety features, such as a removable safety magnetic connected to the belt. If a runner loses their balance, the magnet detaches and stops the belt instantly. This feature can help prevent serious injuries to runners and others. This type of technology is typically used on treadmills in gyms. Home users should purchase one to decrease the amount of accidents that can occur on home exercise equipment.

It is crucial to listen for the "beep" when the treadmill belt starts moving. Do not jump off before the belt has stopped. Many people make the error of stepping off the treadmill before the belt has stopped. This could result in serious injuries. Be certain to know where the emergency shut-off button is located and how to use it.

It's also a good idea to ensure that the treadmill is turned off and unplugged once you're done. This will decrease the risk of accidental use by visitors or children. The fact that it is kept in a different room and a clear area above and around it can help keep other people from accidental contact with it, as well.