How to Find the Best Treadmills

The treadmill is a great investment for your home. It lets you work out at your own pace without worrying about the weather and the commute to the gym.

A high-quality treadmill is also a great way to monitor your fitness progress over time. If you're training for an upcoming race or just want to maintain your fitness level having a treadmill in your home is an essential item.

1. Motor

Find a treadmill that has a powerful motor when shopping. If you plan to log more than 20 miles a week, and engage in intense training, select a treadmill with a continuous motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should measure 60 inches in length. If you're a beginner, or simply want to walk and jog on occasion, consider smaller models that has a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.

You should also decide if you'd prefer to choose a treadmill that features a touchscreen and virtual classes or if you prefer simple models without a console. Some models fold up to make it easier to store.

For a smart treadmill with a sleek appearance and an impressive range of features, check out the Peloton Treadmill. It's more expensive than our top pick but it provides a smooth running experience with a user-friendly touchscreen and an impressive variety of workouts on demand with instructors who are live and virtual. The incline controls, located on the handrails, allow for easy adjustment of the speed and incline during exercise. The only cup holders on this Treadmill Best are 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 comes with a great set of features. With its iFit integration, you can access a variety virtual workouts designed by trainers around the world. The app is only accessible with a subscription, that costs $39 per month. The treadmill also features a huge 22-inch touchscreen and a cushioned deck. It can reach the maximum speed of 12 mph and has an incline adjustment range from -3% to 15 percent for an intense workout.

2. Design

As with all fitness equipment, the way a treadmill is designed matters. If you're training for a challenging outdoor race, you'll want to select an exercise machine with the highest incline settings that replicate the terrain outdoors. If you love to follow the workout class, you should look for models that feature a large screen and iFIT compatibility, which lets you access studio-style classes, 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 the lower console) that adjust to your preferences without having to use the touchscreen, simple buttons, and a user-friendly interface. We also look at whether the treadmill can fold and, if so, how long does it take to do so. We also examine whether the treadmill has to be put together and if it's a quick and painless process.

3. Technology

The technology used in treadmills makes a big difference in how easy the machines are to use and whether they are prone to glitches. We consider touchscreens as well as user-friendly controls, intuitive interfaces, and other technological features when evaluating a treadmill in this category. We also look at whether treadmills can be folded and moved easily. This is crucial for those who have to have to move their treadmills frequently or have to squeeze them into tight spaces.

We were awestruck by the Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill's responsive speed and incline adjustments based upon previous workouts, its wide belt and cushioning that is comfortable, Treadmill best as well as the iFIT integration that provides access to virtual coaches, studio-style classes, Explore the World scenic runs, and off-treadmill training options (though it sometimes had trouble with Bluetooth connectivity). Its 22" attractive, vibrant touchscreen with a color display and iFIT compatibility make this a top-rated treadmill.

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

4. Comfort

The best treadmills should be comfortable for the people who use them. People with larger bodies and longer strides may be more concerned with the dimensions of the deck, as well as the amount of space available to walk or run. Others might be more concerned about ergonomic features, such as well-placed controls for speed and incline. We also looked for features that make the machine enjoyable to use, such as front-facing speakers as well as an USB charger port, a small cooling fan, or plenty of storage space for water bottles and other accessories.

Finally, we considered the ability to store each treadmill, since not everyone has room in their home for an entire treadmill. Fortunately, the majority of the treadmills we tested fold down or have support arms that minimize their footprint when they are 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 solid surfaces.

If you intend to run a lot of hilly routes outdoors, you should also consider the maximum slope. This is essential since it will allow you to prepare for more difficult outdoor climbs.

In terms of the technology used on each treadmill, we searched for treadmills for sale touchscreens that respond and easy to use during an exercise and have an intuitive interface. We also looked for a non-glitchy design and whether the machine was compatible with fitness apps from third parties. This helped us determine whether each treadmill offered enough features to justify the price tag. A quality treadmill at your home can help you get over the obstacles 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 massive heavy machine with an incline that can move at speeds of up to 10 or 12 miles per hour. Those who use a treadmill for walking and running should be careful not to lean on the hand rails, since this could cause a loss of balance and cause injuries. A messy space around the treadmill could cause tripping hazards, so it's essential to keep it clean and clutter-free during use as well as storage.

The best treadmills will have safety features such as an adjustable safety magnet that is attached to the belt. If a runner loses balance, the magnet releases and stops the belt immediately. This feature is able to protect the runner and other people from serious injuries. This type of technology is typically found on treadmills in gyms. Home users should purchase one to lessen the risk of accidents that can occur on home exercise equipment.

When you are using a treadmill at home, it's important to listen for the "beep" that sounds when the belt begins to move. Don't leap off until the belt has stopped. Many people make the error of stepping off the treadmill before the belt has completely stopped. This can result in serious injuries. Also, familiarize yourself 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 switch it off. This will reduce the chance of unintentional use by children or visitors. It can also be kept in a separate location with a clear space above and around it to prevent others from getting it in the wrong way.