How to Find the Best Treadmills
A treadmill is one of the best fitness investments you can make for your home. It lets you work out at your own pace and not worry about the weather or the journey to the gym.
A high-quality treadmill is also a great method to track your fitness level over time. A treadmill is an essential item for anyone training for a marathon, or simply wanting to maintain their fitness level.
1. Motor Vehicles
When shopping for a treadmill, search for one that offers an efficient motor. If you plan to log more than 20 miles per week, and doing intense interval training, you should choose an option that comes with an unstoppable 3.0 horsepower motor that has a deck that's 60 inches long. If you're a beginner or just want to walk and jog on occasion, consider an option that is smaller and comes with a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.
Decide if you want a smart treadmill with a touchscreen, virtual classes and a console, or a simple model without a console. Some models can be folded for easy storage.
If you're looking for a modern treadmill with a sleek style and a plethora of features, check out the Peloton Treadmill. It's more expensive than our top choice, however, it provides smooth running and a user-friendly touchscreen. It also comes with a wide selection of workouts on demand from virtual and live instructors. The controls for incline, which are located on the handrails, allow for easy adjustment of the speed and incline during exercise. The only cup holders on this treadmill are plastic and are only used to hold water bottles.
The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is another treadmill worth considering. It's less expensive than the Peloton Treadmill but has a many good features. Its iFit compatibility lets you to access a variety of workouts in virtual form from trainers all over the world. The app is available as a subscription that costs $39 per month. The treadmill has an interactive touchscreen of 22 inches as well as a cushioned deck. It has a maximum speed of 12 mph, and comes with an incline adjustment range from 33% to 15% for an intense workout.
2. Design
Like any other piece of fitness equipment, how a treadmill is constructed is crucial. If you're training for an outdoor race that has a hill you should select a treadmill with the highest incline settings. If you like to follow the workout class, choose models with a large screen and iFIT compatibility which allows you to access classes that are studio-style as well as virtual coach programs. Explore the World scenic runs, and off-treadmill exercises.
Other design aspects we take into consideration are adjustable speed and incline controls (on the handrails and lower console) that can adjust to your commands without you needing to touch the touchscreen, easy-to-use buttons, and a user-friendly interface. We also look at whether the treadmill can be folded and, if it is the case, how long it will take to do so. We also look at whether the treadmill requires assembly and if that process is easy and quick.
3. Technology
The technology used in treadmills makes a big difference in how easy they are to use and if they have any glitches. We take a look at touchscreens, intuitive controls, user-friendly interfaces, and other technological features when scoring a machine in this category. We also take into consideration if treadmills are portable and folds with the touch of a button. This could be crucial for those who often move their treadmills around their homes or need to squeeze them into tight spaces.
The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its responsive speed and incline adjustment based on previous workouts, a 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 off-treadmill (though Bluetooth connectivity was sometimes problematic). This treadmill was rated highly because of its 22" color touchscreen that has crisp, eye-catching images and iFIT compatibility.
The ProForm Carbon T10 is another treadmill with a high score. 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 on the touchscreen, as are 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). It's only downside is that there are no USB or headphone ports.
4. Comfort
The best treadmills are ones that feel comfortable for the person who is using them. For those with larger bodies and taller strides should focus on the size of the deck and how much space it gives for walking or running 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, like tread mill front-facing speakers and an USB charger port, a small cooling fan, or plenty of storage space for your water bottle and other accessories.
Then, we looked at the storability of each treadmill, as there isn't always room in their homes for an entire treadmill. Fortunately, most of the models we tested fold or have support arms that reduce their footprint when not in use. We evaluated the ease with which the machines folded and could be stowed away and how long it took to put them up, and whether they were easy to move on hard surfaces.
If you intend to run many hills outdoors, it is important to consider the maximum incline. This is an important feature that will help you train for more challenging outdoor climbs by simulating the ascent with the treadmill.
We searched for responsive touchscreens and an intuitive interface on every treadmill. We also looked for a non-glitchy design and whether the treadmill was compatible with fitness apps from third parties. This allowed us to determine if each treadmill had enough features to justify the cost. A high-quality treadmill at home can help you overcome the difficulties of bad weather and costly gym memberships. It can also boost your motivation to keep in shape.
5. Safety
If not handled correctly the treadmill could be risky. It's a large heavy machine with a belt that moves at speeds of up to 10 or 12 miles per hour. Avoid leaning against the handrails while using treadmills to run or walk. This could cause injury and throw your balance off. A messy space around the treadmill could also cause tripping hazards therefore it is important to keep it tidy and clutter-free throughout use and storage.
The best treadmills have safety features, such as an adjustable safety magnetic that is attached to the belt. The magnet will come off and stop the belt right away in the event that a runner is unable to maintain balance. This feature can safeguard the runner and others from serious injuries. This technology is usually found on treadmills at gyms. Home users should purchase one to lessen the risk of accidents that happen with home exercise equipment.
When using a treadmill at home, it is important to pay attention to the safety "beep" that comes on when the belt starts to move, and don't jump off until the belt has stopped. Many people make the error of stepping off the treadmill before the belt has stopped. This can result in serious injuries. Also, make sure to be aware of the location of the emergency shut-off button is located and how to use it.
After you've finished using the treadmill it's recommended that you unplug and switch off the treadmill. This can reduce the risk of children or unsuspecting visitors accidentally turning it on and running. It is best to keep it in a different room and having a clear area over and around it will help keep other people from accidental contact with it, as well.