How to Find the Best Treadmills
A treadmill is one of the best fitness investments you can build for your home. It allows you to work out at your own speed, without worrying about the weather and the commute to the gym.
A high-quality treadmill can also be a great tool to track your fitness level over time. A treadmill is essential for anyone who is training for a marathon, or simply seeking to keep their fitness level.
1. Motor
Choose a treadmill with an efficient motor when you shop. If you intend to run upwards of 20 miles per week and performing high-intensity interval training, you should choose one that has a continuous 3.0 horsepower motor and 60 inches of deck long. If you're a beginner or just need to walk or run often, you should consider an option with a motor that is between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.
You must also decide if you'd prefer to choose a treadmill with a touchscreen and virtual classes, or opt for a more basic model without the console. Some models fold up to make it easy to store.
For a sleek treadmill with a sleek style and a wide array of features, look into the Peloton Treadmill. It's more expensive than our top pick however, it provides smooth running and a simple touchscreen. It also offers an extensive selection of workouts that are available on demand from live and virtual 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 are plastic and are only able to hold water bottles; there's no fan on this treadmill.
The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is another treadmill to consider. It's less expensive than the Peloton Treadmill but has a number of great features. Its iFit integration allows users to access a range of workouts online from trainers around the world. You'll require a subscription to use the app, which is included for 30 days and costs $39 per month after that. The treadmill has an interactive touchscreen of 22 inches as well as a cushioned deck. It can reach an maximum speed of 12 mph and offers an incline range of -3% to 15% for an intense workout.
2. Design
Like any other piece of fitness equipment, how a treadmill is designed is important. If you're training for an outdoor race that is a bit hilly you should choose a treadmill that has the highest incline setting. If you enjoy following along with a class select 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 elements we consider include the incline and speed controls that are responsive (on the handrails as well as the lower console) that can adjust to your commands without you needing to touch the touchscreen, easy-to-use buttons, and a slick interface. We also consider whether the treadmill can fold and, if so then how long it will take to fold it. We also examine whether the treadmill must be put together and if it's a quick and painless process.
3. Technology
The technology used in treadmills can make a big difference in how easy they are to operate, and if there are any glitches. When evaluating 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 take into consideration if a treadmill is portable and can fold at the touch of a button, which could be crucial for those who often move their treadmills around their home or have to squeeze them into tight space.
The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its rapid speed and incline adjustments in accordance with previous workouts, its long belt, comfortable cushioning, and iFIT integration, which provides access to studio-style classes, virtual coaches, and Explore the World scenic run options, in addition to off-treadmill exercise options (though Bluetooth connectivity was sometimes problematic). Its 22" attractive, vibrant touchscreen in color and iFIT integration made this a top-rated treadmill.
Another treadmill with high scores is the ProForm Carbon T10. It sports 10" display and features live and on-demand content from the iFIT platform for running, walking and running. We like the fact that the incline and speed changes are easy to navigate through the touchscreen, as are 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's no USB or headphone ports.
4. Comfort
The most efficient treadmills are those that are comfortable for the person who uses them. For those with larger bodies and longer strides might be more concerned with the size of the deck, as well as the amount of space it provides for running or walking. Others may be more concerned with ergonomic features, such as well-placed controls for speed and incline. We also looked for features that make the machine more enjoyable to use, like front-facing speakers, an USB charger port, an insignificant cooling fan or plenty of storage space for water bottles and other accessories.
We also considered the storage options of each treadmill. Not everyone has enough space in their homes to fit a full-size treadmill. Fortunately, the majority of the treadmills we tested fold or have support arms that minimize their footprint when not in use. We looked at how easily they folded and put away and set up, how quickly they could be set up, and whether or not they were easy to move on firm surfaces.
If you plan on running a lot of hilly routes outdoors, it is important to take into consideration the maximum slope. This is an important feature that can help you train for more difficult outdoor climbs by simulating the ascent on the treadmill.
In terms of the technology used on each treadmill, we searched for touchscreens that were responsive and easy to navigate during training as well as an user-friendly interface. We also looked at the design of the treadmill, and whether it was compatible with fitness apps from third-party companies. This helped us decide whether each treadmill offered enough features to justify its price. Having a quality home treadmill removes the barriers of weather or expensive gym memberships, and can increase your motivation to get in shape.
5. Safety
If not properly used, a treadmill could be dangerous. It's a huge and heavy machine that has an incline that can move at speeds of up to 10 or 12 miles per hour. Be careful not to lean against the handrails when using treadmills to run or walk. This could cause injury and cause you to lose your balance. A messy space around the treadmill could also create tripping hazards, so it's important to keep it clean and clutter-free during use and storage.
The most reliable treadmills will come with security features like a removable safety magnet 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 help prevent serious injuries to the runner and others. This feature is typically used on treadmills in gyms. Home owners should consider purchasing one to decrease the amount of accidents that occur with home exercise 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 is stopped. Many people make the mistake of trying to save time by jumping off before the belt has completely stopped, which can cause injuries. Also, make certain to know where the emergency shut-off switch is and how to use it.
When you're done using the treadmill, it's a good idea to unplug it and switch off the treadmill. This will reduce the chance of unintentional use by children or visitors. It is best to keep it in a separate area and a clear space above and around it can help keep others from coming into contact with it as well.