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 pace, without worrying about the weather or the long commute to the gym.

A treadmill of good quality is a great instrument to track your fitness improvement. If you're preparing for an upcoming marathon or simply want to keep your fitness level having a treadmill at home is a must.

1. Motor

When shopping for a treadmill, search for one with an efficient motor. If you plan to run more than 20 miles per week, or engage in high-intensity training, choose a machine that has a continuous motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should be at least 60 inches long. If you're a beginner, or just want to walk and jog on occasion, consider smaller models that has a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.

You must also decide if you'd prefer to opt for a treadmill with a touchscreen and virtual classes or if you prefer simple models without the console. Some models can be folded to make it easier to store.

If you're looking for a modern treadmill with a sleek style and a plethora of features, look into the Peloton Treadmill. It's more expensive than our top choice, but it offers an enjoyable running experience and a simple touchscreen. It also offers a wide selection of exercises on demand with virtual and live instructors. The incline controls are placed on the handrails, and the quick dials make it simple to alter the speed and incline while exercising. The only cup holders on this treadmill are made of plastic and only hold water bottles.

Another treadmill to consider is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's less expensive than the Peloton Treadmill, but it has a good set of features. Its iFit compatibility allows you to access a variety of virtual workouts from trainers all over the world. You'll require a subscription to use the app, which is included for 30 days and is $39 per month after that. The treadmill also features a huge 22-inch touchscreen and a cushioned deck. It can reach a maximum speed of 12 mph and offers an incline adjustability range of -3% to 15% for an exercise that is more challenging.

2. Design

Like any other piece of fitness equipment, how a treadmill is designed is important. If you're planning to train for a challenging outdoor race you'll need to choose a treadmill with maximum incline settings that replicate outdoor terrain. If you enjoy following the class, choose models with a large display and iFIT compatibility. This allows you to access studio-style classes, virtual coach programs, Explore the World scenic run, and off-treadmill exercises.

Other design aspects we consider are the incline and speed controls that are responsive (on the handrails as well as the lower console) which adjust to your commands without you having to use the touchscreen, simple 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 consider if the treadmill requires assembly and whether the procedure is quick and easy.

3. Technology

The technology used on treadmills makes a significant difference in how easy the machines are to use and if they have any glitches. We take a look at touchscreens as well as user-friendly controls, intuitive interfaces and other tech features when scoring a machine in this category. We also take into consideration whether a treadmill can be folded and moved easily. This is essential for those who have to move their machines frequently or have to fit them into tight spaces.

The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill best impressed us with its responsive speed and incline adjustment according to previous workouts, a long belt, comfortable cushioning, and iFIT integration, which provides access to studio style classes, virtual coaches, and Explore the World scenic run options, as well as exercises that are not on the treadmill (though Bluetooth connectivity was sometimes difficult). Its 22" attractive, vibrant touchscreen in color and iFIT compatibility made this treadmill a top choice.

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

4. Comfort

The most efficient treadmills are those that are comfortable for the person using them. People with larger bodies and longer strides could be more concerned about the size of the deck and the amount of space available for walking or running. Others may be more concerned about ergonomic features such as well-placed speed controls and incline controls. We also looked for extras that make it more enjoyable to use the machine, such as front-facing speakers, an USB charging port, a small cooling fan, and plenty of storage options for your water bottle and other accessories.

We also considered the storage of each treadmill. Not everyone has enough space to store a full-sized treadmill. Fortunately, most of the models we tested fold up or have support arms to reduce their footprint when not in use. We looked at how easily they folded and stored away, how quickly they set up, and whether or not they were easy to move on firm surfaces.

If you plan to run many of the hilly outdoor routes, you'll also want to take into consideration the highest incline of the machine. This is essential since it will allow you to prepare for more challenging outdoor climbs.

In terms of the technology on each treadmill, we looked for touchscreens that are responsive and easy to navigate during training and have an user-friendly interface. We also considered the design of the treadmill and if it was compatible with fitness apps that are made by third parties. This helped us decide whether each treadmill offered enough features to justify the price. Having a quality home treadmill removes the barriers of weather or costly gym memberships and boosts your motivation to get into shape.

5. Safety

If not used correctly the treadmill could be dangerous. It's a huge, heavy machine with an incline that can move at speeds of up to 10 or 12 miles per hour. Avoid leaning against the handrails while using a treadmill to walk or run. This could cause injury and cause you to lose your balance. A risk of tripping is also caused by a messy space around the treadmill. Keep it tidy and clutter-free during the use of it and when storing it.

The best treadmills will have security features like a removable safety magnet attached to the belt. If a runner loses their balance, the magnet detaches and stops the moving belt instantly. This feature can prevent serious injuries to the runner as well as other people. This feature is typically used on treadmills in gyms. Home users should purchase one to reduce the number of accidents that occur with home exercise equipment.

It is important to be attentive to the "beep" when the treadmill belt starts moving. Don't jump off before the belt has stopped. Many people make the mistake of jumping off the treadmill before the belt has completely stopped. This can cause 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 disconnect it and shut it off. This can reduce the risk of your children or visitors accidentally turning it on and running. The fact that it is kept in a separate area and having a clear area over and around it can also protect other people from coming into contact with it, as well.