How to Find the Best Treadmills
A treadmill is among the most beneficial fitness investment you can build for your home. It allows you to exercise at your own pace, without worrying about the weather or the commute to the gym.
A quality treadmill is a great tool for tracking your fitness progress. A treadmill is essential for anyone who is training for a marathon or just seeking to keep their fitness level.
1. Motor
Look for a treadmill with a powerful motor when shopping. If you plan to run more than 20 miles a week, and engage in intense training, choose a machine with an all-time motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should measure 60 inches in length. If you are a beginner, or only want to walk or jog at times, think about a model with an engine that's between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.
You must also decide if you'd prefer to opt for a treadmill with a touchscreen and virtual classes or opt for a more basic model without a console. Some models can be folded for easy storage.
For a sleek treadmill with a sleek style and an impressive range of features, take a look at the Peloton Treadmill. It's more expensive than our top pick but it provides an effortless running experience with a simple touchscreen and a wide range of workouts available on-demand from instructors both live and virtual. The incline controls, which are located on the handrails allow for easy adjustment of the speed and inclines while exercising. Unfortunately, the only cup holders are plastic and only hold water bottles. There's no fan on this treadmill.
The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is another treadmill to consider. It's a bit more affordable than the Peloton Treadmill, but it comes with a great set of features. With its iFit integration it allows you to access a variety of virtual workouts developed by trainers all over the world. You'll need a subscription to access the app, which is free for 30 days and costs $39 per month after that. The treadmill also features an enormous 22-inch touchscreen as well as a cushioned deck. It can go up to 12 mph, and it has an incline range between -3 % and 15% for a more challenging exercise.
2. Design
Like any other piece of fitness equipment, the way in which a treadmill is designed is important. If you're preparing for a challenging outdoor race, you'll want to select a treadmill with maximum incline settings that mimic the terrain of the outdoors. If you like to follow the workout class, look for models that feature a large screen and iFIT compatibility, which allows you to access classes in the studio virtual coach programs, Explore the World scenic runs and off-treadmill workouts.
Other design elements we consider are responsive speed and incline controls (on the handrails and the lower console) that can adjust to your preferences without having to touch the touchscreen, easy-to-use buttons, and a user-friendly interface. We also consider whether the treadmill can fold and if it is then how long it will take to fold it. We also look at whether the treadmill has to be put together and if it's an easy and quick process.
3. Technology
The technology used in treadmills can make a huge difference in how easy they are to use and whether or not there are any glitches. When evaluating a treadmill within this category, we consider touchscreens and easy-to-use controls. We also consider user-friendly interfaces, intuitive controls, and other tech features. We also look at whether treadmills are portable and folds with the push of a button. This might be important for those who move their machines around their homes or need to squeeze them into tight spaces.
We were awestruck by the Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill's receptive 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, and off-treadmill exercise options (though it sometimes had issues with Bluetooth connectivity). Its 22" attractive, vibrant touchscreen with a color display and iFIT integration made this treadmill a top choice.
The ProForm Carbon T10 is another high-scoring treadmill. It sports a 10" display and provides live and on-demand content from iFIT for walking, running and jogging. We like the fact that the speed and incline changes are easy to navigate on the touchscreen, the ergonomically-placed buttons that allow for quick adjustments as well as the iFIT integration which lets you stream workouts from Zwift and Hulu Max (subscriptions required). The only drawback is that there are no USB or headphone ports.
4. Comfort
The most efficient treadmills are those that feel at ease for the person who is who is using them. Those with bigger bodies and taller strides should focus on the size of the deck and the amount of space it offers to walk or run while others might be more about ergonomic features, such as well-placed speed and incline control. We also searched for additional features that make it more enjoyable to use the machine, such as front-facing speakers and a USB charging port, a tiny cooling fan, as well as plenty of storage options for your water bottle and other accessories.
Then, we looked at the storability of each treadmill, as not everyone has room in their home for an entire treadmill. Fortunately, nearly all the treadmills we tested fold up or have support arms to reduce their footprint when not in use. We tested how easily the machines folded and stowed away and how long it took to set up, and if they were easy to move on hard surfaces.
If you plan on running a lot of hilly routes outdoors, it is important to be aware of the highest slope. This is essential because it will help you prepare for more difficult outdoor climbs.
In terms of the technology on each treadmill, we searched for touchscreens that are responsive and easy to navigate during training as well as an intuitive interface. We also looked for a non-slip design and whether or not the treadmill was compatible with fitness apps from third parties. This helped us determine if each treadmill had enough features to justify the price. Having a quality home treadmill eliminates the obstacles of weather or costly gym memberships and boosts your motivation to get in shape.
5. Safety
A treadmill could be a risky piece of equipment if not operated properly. It's a huge heavy machine with a belt that moves at speeds of 10 or 12 miles per hour. Anyone who uses treadmills for walking or running should not lean on the hand rails, as this can throw off balance and result in injury. A risk of tripping is also caused by a clutter-filled area around the treadmill. Keep it tidy and clutter-free throughout the use of it and when storing it.
The most reliable treadmills come with security features such as an adjustable safety magnetic that is connected to the belt. The magnet will come off and stop the belt right away if a runner loses balance. This feature can help prevent serious injuries to the runner as well as other people. Treadmills at gyms are usually equipped with this technology, and home users might want to consider purchasing one in order to help decrease the number of accidents that occur when exercising at home equipment.
It is important to listen for the "beep" when the treadmill belt begins to move. Don't leap off before the belt has stopped. Many people make the mistake of trying to save time by jumping off before the belt is completely stopped, treadmills on sale which could result in injuries. Also, be sure to be aware of the location of the emergency shut-off button is located and how to use it.
It's also a good idea to make sure that the treadmill is shut off and unplugged when you're finished with it. This reduces the chance of your children or visitors accidentally turning it on and running. Keeping it in a separate area and a clear space above and around it will prevent other people from coming into contact with it as well.