How to Find the Best Treadmills

The treadmill is a fantastic investment for your home. It lets you exercise at your own pace, without worrying about the weather or the journey to the gym.

A quality treadmill is a great tool for tracking your fitness improvement. If you're preparing for an upcoming race or just want to maintain your fitness level, having a treadmill at home is a must.

1. Motor

Look for a treadmill with an efficient motor when you shop. If you plan to log up to 20 miles per week and performing high-intensity interval training, you should choose an option that comes with a continuous 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 smaller models that comes with a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.

You must also decide if you'd like to go for a smart treadmill that features a touchscreen and virtual classes or opt for simple models without a console. Some models fold to make storage easier.

If you're looking for a modern treadmill with a sleek style and an impressive range of features, take a look at the Peloton Treadmill. It's more expensive than our top choice, but it combines an effortless running experience with an intuitive touchscreen and treadmill best an impressive selection of on-demand workouts from live and virtual instructors. The controls for incline, which are located on the handrails make it easy to adjust speed and inclines during exercise. The only cup holders on this treadmill are made of plastic and only hold water bottles.

The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is another treadmill that is worth a look. It's more affordable than the Peloton Treadmill but has a lot of good features. Its iFit compatibility allows you to access a wide range of workouts in virtual form from trainers all over the world. You'll need a subscription to use the app, which is included for 30 days, and then costs $39 per month after that. The treadmill features a 22-inch touchscreen as well as a cushioned deck. It has a maximum speed of 12 mph, and comes with an incline adjustment range from between -3% and 15 percent for an intense workout.

2. Design

The design of a treadmill is vital just like any other piece of fitness equipment. If you're planning to train for a race that is hilly it is recommended to choose an exercise machine with the highest incline settings that mimic the terrain outdoors. If you like to follow along with a class, choose models with a large screen and iFIT compatibility. This lets you access studio style classes, virtual coach programs, Explore the World scenic run, and other off-treadmill exercises.

We also take a look at the ease of use of the buttons and the user-friendly interface. We also take into consideration whether the treadmill is foldable and if it is then how long it will take to do so. We also take into consideration if the treadmill requires assembly and whether that process is easy and quick.

3. Technology

The technology used in treadmills can make a big difference in how simple they are to operate, and whether or not there are any glitches. We look at touchscreens as well as user-friendly controls, intuitive interfaces, and other technological features when scoring a machine in this category. We also take into consideration the possibility of a Treadmill Best being folded and moved easily. This is essential for those who move their machines frequently or have to fit them into tight space.

We were impressed by the Nordictrack 1250 treadmill's responsive speed and incline adjustments based upon past workouts, its long belt and cushioning that is comfortable, as well as the iFIT integration that gives access to studio-style classes, virtual coaches, Explore the World scenic runs, as well as off-treadmill training options (though it sometimes had problems with Bluetooth connectivity). The treadmill was highly rated due to its 22" color touchscreen that has sharp, eye-catching images and iFIT compatibility.

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

4. Comfort

The best treadmills should feel comfortable for those who use them. Some people with larger bodies and longer strides could be more concerned about the size of the deck and the amount of space it offers for running or walking. Others might be more concerned with ergonomic features such as well-placed speed controls and incline controls. We also scoured for features that make it more enjoyable to use the machine, such as front-facing speakers, the USB charging port, a tiny cooling fan, and plenty of storage options for your water bottle and other accessories.

We also considered the storage capacity of each treadmill, since not everyone has space in their home to accommodate an entire treadmill. Fortunately, most of the treadmills we tested fold up or have support arms to reduce their footprint when not in use. We tested how easily the machines could fold and store away and how long it took to set up, and whether they were easy to move on solid surfaces.

If you're planning to run many of the trails in the outdoors You should also consider the maximum incline of the machine. This is a vital feature that can help you train for more difficult outdoor climbs by allowing you to simulate the ascent with the treadmill.

We looked for responsive touchscreens and a simple interface on each treadmill. We also looked at the design of the treadmill, and whether it was compatible with fitness apps from third parties. This helped us determine if each treadmill had enough features to justify the cost. A good treadmill at your home can help you get over the obstacles of weather conditions and costly gym memberships. It can also boost your motivation to keep your fitness levels up.

5. Safety

A treadmill could be a danger to equipment if it is not used in a safe manner. It's a large, heavy machine with a belt moving at speeds of up to 12 miles per hour. People who use a treadmill for walking and running should avoid leaning on the hand rails because this could throw off balance and cause injuries. A messy area around the treadmill could also cause tripping hazards so it's essential to keep it tidy and clutter-free throughout use and storage.

The best treadmills come with safety features, such as an adjustable safety magnetic that is that is attached to the belt. If a runner loses their balance, the magnet detaches and stops the belt instantly. This feature can safeguard the runner and other people from serious injuries. Treadmills at gyms are usually equipped with this technology, and homeowners should consider purchasing one to reduce the amount of accidents involving home exercise equipment.

It is crucial to listen for the "beep" when the treadmill belt begins to move. Don't 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 can cause injuries. Also, you should be familiar with the location and usage of the emergency shut-off switch.

After you've finished using the treadmill it's recommended to unplug it and shut it off. This will reduce the chance of your children or visitors accidentally turning it on and using it. It can also be kept in a separate area with an open space above and around it to keep others from touching it accidentally.