How to Find the Best Treadmills

A treadmill is among the best fitness investments you can build for your home. It lets you exercise at your own pace, without worrying about the weather and the commute to the gym.

A quality treadmill is also a great method to monitor your fitness progress over time. A treadmill is essential for anyone preparing for a marathon or simply seeking to keep their fitness level.

1. Motor Vehicles

Choose a treadmill with a powerful motor when shopping. If you intend to run more than 20 miles per week, and engage in intense training, select a treadmill with an all-time motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should measure 60 inches long. If you're a beginner or simply need to walk or run often, you should consider the model that has a motor that is between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.

You must also decide if you'd like opt for a treadmill that features a touchscreen and virtual classes or opt for an easier model that doesn't have an console. Certain models fold to make it easier to store.

The Peloton Treadmill is a well-designed treadmill with an elegant design and impressive range features. It's a bit more costly than our top pick, but it offers smooth running and an intuitive touchscreen. It also has a wide selection of workouts on demand from virtual and live instructors. The incline controls are placed on the handrails and quick dials allow you to alter the speed and incline while exercising. The only cup holders are made of plastic and only hold water bottles. There's no fan on this treadmill.

The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is another treadmill worth considering. It's more affordable than the Peloton Treadmill but has a lot of good features. Its iFit compatibility lets you to access a wide range of virtual workouts from trainers around the world. The app is available as a subscription that costs $39 per month. The treadmill also comes with 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 percent for a more challenging exercise.

2. Design

Like any other piece of fitness equipment, how a treadmill is constructed is crucial. If you're preparing for an outdoor race that is a bit hilly it is best to select a treadmill with the highest incline settings. If you like to follow the class select models with a big display and iFIT compatibility. This lets you access studio-style classes, virtual coach programs, Explore the World scenic run, and off-treadmill exercises.

We also consider the ease of using the buttons as well as the user-friendly interface. We also look at whether the treadmill can fold and if it is, how long does it take to do so. We also take into consideration if the treadmill requires assembly and whether that process is quick and painless.

3. Technology

The technology used in treadmills can make a big difference in how simple they are to use and whether or not there are any glitches. When we evaluate a treadmill in this category, we consider touchscreens and intuitive controls. We also consider user-friendly interfaces, intuitive controls and other features that are technologically advanced. We also look at whether a Treadmill Best is portable and folds with the press of a button, which is important for those who frequently move their machines around their homes or need to squeeze them into tight spaces.

The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its rapid speed and incline adjustments based on previous workouts, long belt, comfortable cushioning and iFIT integration, which offers access to studio style classes, virtual coaches and Explore the World scenic run options, in addition to exercises that are not on the treadmill (though Bluetooth connectivity was sometimes difficult). This treadmill was rated highly because of its 22" color touchscreen that has sharp, eye-catching graphics and the iFIT compatibility.

The ProForm Carbon T10 is another treadmill that scores high. It has a 10" display and provides live and on-demand content from iFIT to aid in running, walking and running. We love the ergonomically-placed buttons that allow for quick adjustments, as well as the iFIT integration, which lets you to stream workouts via Zwift or Hulu Max with a subscription. The one downside is that it does not 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 longer strides may be more concerned with the dimensions of the deck, as well as the amount of space available for running or walking. Others might be more interested in ergonomic features such as well-placed controls for speed and incline. We also looked for features that make the bike more enjoyable to use, like front-facing speakers, the USB charger port as well as tiny cooling fans, or plenty of storage space for your water bottle and other accessories.

Then, we looked at the storage capacity of each treadmill, because not everyone has room in their home to accommodate an entire treadmill. Fortunately, the majority of the models we tested fold up or have support arms that reduce their footprint when they are not in use. We examined how easily they folded up and put away, how quickly they set up and whether or not they were easy to move on firm surfaces.

If you intend to run a lot of hilly routes outdoors, you must consider the maximum gradient. This is a vital feature that will allow you to prepare for more challenging outdoor climbs by allowing you to simulate the ascent with the treadmill.

We looked for responsive touchscreens and a simple interface on every treadmill. We also sought out a non-slip design and whether or not the machine was compatible with fitness apps from third parties. This helped us determine whether each treadmill offered enough features to justify the cost. 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 and heavy machine that has a belt that moves at speeds of up to 10 or 12 miles per hour. People who use treadmills 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 caused by a messy space around the treadmill. Keep it clean and clutter free during use and when storing it.

The best treadmills will include safety features such as an ejectable safety magnet that is attached to the belt. If a runner falls off their balance, the magnet detaches and stops the belt instantly. This feature could prevent serious injuries to the runner and other users. Treadmills at gyms are usually equipped with this technology, and home users should consider purchasing one to help decrease the number of accidents that occur when exercising at home equipment.

When using a treadmill at home, it's crucial to pay attention to the safety "beep" that comes on when the belt begins to move, and don't jump off until the belt has stopped. Many people make the mistake of jumping off the treadmill before the belt has completely stopped. This can result in serious injuries. Be sure to familiarize yourself with where the emergency shut-off switch is and how to use it.

It's important to make sure that the treadmill is turned off and unplugged after you're finished with it. This will reduce the chance of your children or visitors inadvertently turning on and using the treadmill. The fact that it is kept in a separate room and a clear area above and around it can help keep other people from coming into contact with it, as well.