How to Find the Best Treadmills

The treadmill is a great investment for your home. It allows you to exercise on your schedule, without worrying about the weather or the commute to the gym.

A high-quality treadmill can also be a great tool to track your fitness level over time. If you're training for a marathon in the near future or just want to maintain your fitness level having a treadmill in your home is an essential item.

1. Motor Vehicles

Choose a treadmill with an efficient motor when you shop. If you plan to log more than 20 miles per week, and do high-intensity training, select a treadmill that has an unstoppable motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should measure 60 inches in length. If you're a beginner or simply want to walk or run occasionally, you should consider an option that is smaller and has a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.

Choose if you would like a smart treadmill with a touchscreen as well as virtual classes, an console or a basic model that doesn't have one. Some models fold up to make it easier to store.

For a sleek Treadmill best with a sleek style and an impressive range of features, check out the Peloton Treadmill. It's a bit more expensive than our top pick however, it provides an enjoyable running experience and a user-friendly touchscreen. It also has a wide selection of workouts on demand from live and virtual instructors. The incline controls, which are located on the handrails allow you to easily adjust the speed and incline during exercise. The only cup holders on this treadmill are made of plastic and are only used to hold water bottles.

Another treadmill to consider is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's cheaper than the Peloton Treadmill but has a lot of good features. With its iFit integration it allows you to access a variety of virtual workouts created by trainers around the world. You'll need a subscription in order to use the app, which is included for 30 days, and then costs $39 per month after that. The treadmill also comes with an enormous 22-inch touchscreen as well as a cushioned deck. It has an maximum speed of 12 mph, and comes with an incline adjustability range of -3% to 15 percent for an exercise that is more challenging.

2. Design

The design of a treadmill is vital as is any other piece of fitness equipment. If you're preparing for an outdoor race that is a bit hilly, you will want to select a treadmill with the highest incline setting. If you enjoy following an exercise class, look for models with a large screen and iFIT compatibility which allows you to access classes in the studio as well as virtual coach programs. Explore the World scenic runs, and off-treadmill exercises.

Other design aspects we consider include responsive speed and incline controls (on the handrails and the lower console) that can adjust to your preferences without needing to touch the touchscreen, easy-to-use buttons, and a user-friendly interface. We also take into consideration whether the treadmill folds and, if it can, how long it takes to do so. We also look at whether the treadmill needs to be assembled and if it is an easy and quick process.

3. Technology

The technology used in treadmills makes a significant difference in how easy the machines are to operate and whether they are prone to glitches. We look at touchscreens and intuitive controls, user-friendly interfaces, and other technological features when evaluating a treadmill in this category. We also take into consideration whether treadmills can be folded and moved easily. This is essential for people who often move their treadmills around or have to fit them into tight space.

The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its responsive speed and incline adjustment based on previous workouts, 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 exercises that are not on the treadmill (though Bluetooth connectivity was sometimes problematic). This treadmill was rated highly because of its 22" color touchscreen with sharp, eye-catching graphics and the iFIT compatibility.

The ProForm Carbon T10 is another treadmill that scores high. With 10" screen, it offers live streaming and on-demand iFIT running, walking, and jogging video. We like the ergonomically placed buttons that allow for rapid adjustments as well as the iFIT integration, which lets you to stream workouts on Zwift or Hulu Max with a subscription. The only downside is that it doesn't offer headphones or USB ports.

4. Comfort

The most efficient treadmills are ones that feel comfortable to the person using them. People with larger bodies and longer strides could be more concerned about the dimensions of the deck and the amount of space it offers for walking or running. Others may be more concerned about ergonomic features like well-placed control of speed and incline. We also looked for features that make the machine more enjoyable to use, such as front facing speakers as well as the USB charger port, an insignificant cooling fan or plenty of storage space for water bottles and other accessories.

Finally, we considered the storability of each treadmill, as not everyone has space in their home for an entire treadmill. Fortunately, most of the treadmills we tested fold up or have support arms that reduce their footprint when not in use. We tested 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 firm surfaces.

If you are planning to run many hills outdoors, it is important to take into consideration the maximum slope. This is essential because it can help you prepare for more difficult outdoor climbs.

In terms of the technology on every treadmill for sale, we looked for touchscreens that respond and easy to use during an exercise and have an user-friendly interface. We also considered the design of the treadmill and whether it was compatible with fitness apps that are made by third parties. This helped us decide which treadmills had the right features to justify the price. Having a quality home treadmill eliminates the obstacles of weather or costly gym memberships and boosts your motivation to get in shape.

5. Safety

If not used correctly the treadmill could be risky. It's a large and heavy machine that has an incline that can move at speeds of 10 or 12 miles per hour. Those who use treadmills for walking and running should avoid leaning on the hand rails as this can throw off balance and cause injury. A risk of tripping is also caused by a clutter-filled area surrounding the treadmill. Keep it clean and clutter free during use and when storing it.

The best treadmills will include safety features such as an adjustable safety magnet that is that is attached to the belt. The magnet will break off and stop the belt instantly when a runner falls off balance. This feature can help prevent serious injuries to the runner and others. The treadmills in gyms are typically equipped with this technology, and homeowners ought to consider purchasing one to reduce the risk of accidents involving home exercise equipment.

It's important that you be attentive to the "beep" when the treadmill belt begins to move. Do not jump off before the belt has stopped. Many people make the mistake of trying to save time by jumping off before the belt is completely stopped, which could cause injuries. Also, be certain to know where the emergency shut-off button is and how to use it.

When you're done using the treadmill it's recommended to disconnect it and switch off the treadmill. This will minimize the chance of accidental use by visitors or children. It can also be kept in a separate space with an open space above and around it to keep others from touching it accidentally.