How to Find the Best Treadmills

A treadmill is one of the best fitness investment options you can build for your home. It allows you to work out at your own speed, without worrying about the weather and the long commute to the gym.

A good quality treadmill can also be a great tool to track your fitness level over time. A treadmill is a must-have for anyone training for a marathon, or simply wanting to maintain their fitness level.

1. Motor Vehicles

Find a treadmill that has powerful motors when shopping. If you intend to run more than 20 miles per week, or engage in high-intensity training, choose a machine that has an unstoppable motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should be 60 inches long. If you are a beginner or just need to walk or run often, you should consider the model that has motors that range between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.

It is also important to decide if you'd prefer to go for a smart treadmill that features a touchscreen and virtual classes, or if you prefer an easier model that doesn't have a console. Certain models fold for easy storage.

The Peloton Treadmill is a smart treadmill that has a sleek design with an impressive array of features. It's a bit more costly than our top choice, however, it provides smooth running and a simple touchscreen. It also comes with a wide selection of exercises on demand with virtual and live instructors. The incline controls, situated on the handrails allow you to easily adjust speed and inclines during exercise. Unfortunately, the only cup holders are plastic and only hold water bottles. There's no fan on this treadmill.

Another treadmill to consider is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's a bit more affordable than the Peloton Treadmill, but it offers a number of features. With its iFit compatibility, you can access a variety of virtual workouts developed by trainers around the world. The app is only available as a subscription that costs $39 per month. The treadmill features a 22-inch touchscreen as well as a cushioned deck. It can go up to 12 mph, and has an incline range from -3 % to 15% for a more challenging exercise.

2. Design

As with any piece of fitness equipment, how a treadmill is designed matters. If you're training for a race that is hilly it is recommended to choose the treadmill with the highest incline settings that mimic the terrain outdoors. If you like to follow classes, choose models with a large screen and iFIT compatibility. This allows you to access studio style classes, virtual coach programs, Explore the World scenic run, and off-treadmill workouts.

Other design factors that we consider are the incline and speed controls that are responsive (on the handrails as well as the lower console) which adjust to your needs without needing to use the touchscreen, simple buttons, and a user-friendly interface. We also consider whether the treadmill can be folded and, if it can how long it will take to fold it. We also look at whether the treadmill needs to be assembled and if it is a quick and painless process.

3. Technology

The technology utilized in treadmills makes a big difference in how easy they are to use and if they are prone to glitches. We consider touchscreens as well as user-friendly controls, intuitive interfaces and other features when scoring a machine in this category. We also consider if the treadmill is portable and folds with the push of a button. This might be important for those who move their treadmills around their home or have to squeeze them into tight spaces.

We were awestruck by the Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill's responsive speed and incline adjustments based on previous workouts, its wide belt with a comfortable cushion, the iFIT integration that gives access to virtual coaches, studio-style classes, Explore the World scenic runs, and off-treadmill exercise options (though it occasionally had problems with Bluetooth connectivity). Its 22" striking, sharp touchscreen with a color display and iFIT compatibility made this a top treadmill.

Another treadmill with high scores is the ProForm Carbon T10. It has 10" display and provides live and on-demand content from iFIT for running, walking and running. We like the ergonomically placed buttons for quick adjustments, as well as the iFIT integration, which allows you to stream workouts on Zwift or Hulu Max with a subscription. The only drawback is that it doesn't have a headphone port or USB ports.

4. Comfort

The best treadmills should be comfortable for the people using them. People with larger bodies and taller strides should concentrate on the dimensions of the deck and how much space it provides for running or walking while others might be more about ergonomic features, such as the right-placed speed and incline controls. We also looked for features that make the machine enjoyable to use, such as front facing speakers, a USB charger port, tiny cooling fans, or plenty of storage space for water bottles and other accessories.

We also looked at the storage options of each treadmill. Not everyone has enough space in their homes to store a full-sized treadmill. Fortunately, the majority of treadmills we tested fold down or have support arms to reduce their footprint when not in use. We examined how easily the machines folded and could be stowed away and how long it took to set up, and if they were easy to move on hard surfaces.

If you intend to run a lot of hilly routes outdoors, you must be aware of the highest incline. This is a vital feature that will help you train for more challenging outdoor climbs by simulating the ascent with the treadmill.

In terms of the technology on each treadmill used for sale, we searched for touchscreens that are responsive and easy to navigate during an exercise as well as an intuitive interface. We also looked for a non-glitchy design and whether or not the treadmill was compatible with third-party fitness apps. This helped us decide which treadmills home had the right 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 can also help you stay motivated to keep your fitness levels up.

5. Safety

A treadmill could be a dangerous piece of equipment if it is not used in a safe manner. It's a large, heavy machine with a belt moving at speeds up to 12 or 10 miles per hour. Avoid leaning on the handrails while using treadmills to walk or run. This could cause injury and throw your balance off. A risk of tripping is also caused by a messy area around the treadmill. Keep it clean and clutter free during use and when storing it.

The most reliable treadmills come with safety features like an adjustable safety magnetic that is that is attached to the belt. If a runner loses balance, the magnet detaches and stops the moving belt instantly. This feature can help prevent serious injuries to runners and others. This feature is typically found on treadmills in gyms. Home owners should consider purchasing one to decrease the amount of accidents that occur with home exercise equipment.

It is important to listen for the "beep" when the treadmill belt begins moving. Don't jump off before the belt has stopped. Many people make the error of jumping off the treadmill before the belt has completely stopped. This could result in serious injuries. Also, you should be familiar with the position and operation of the emergency shut-off switch.

After you've finished using the treadmill, it's a good idea to unplug it and turn it off. This will decrease the risk of accidental use by visitors or children. It can also be kept in a separate location with a clear space around it to keep other people from touching it accidentally.