How to Find the Best Treadmills

A treadmill is one of the most beneficial fitness investment you can build for your home. It lets you work out at your own speed, without worrying about the weather or the journey to the gym.

A treadmill of good quality is an excellent tool for tracking your fitness improvement. If you're preparing for a marathon in the near future or simply want to maintain your fitness level having a treadmill at home is an essential purchase.

1. Motor Vehicles

Find a treadmill home gym that has an efficient motor when you shop. If you intend to run more than 20 miles a week and doing high-intensity interval training, choose a machine that offers an uninterrupted 3.0 horsepower motor and a deck that's 60 inches long. If you're just starting out or simply want to walk and run on occasion, think about an option that is smaller and includes a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.

It is also important to decide if you'd like go for a smart treadmill that features a touchscreen and virtual classes, or opt for an easier model that doesn't have a console. Some models can be folded to make it easier to store.

The Peloton Treadmill is a sophisticated treadmill with an elegant design and impressive range features. It's a bit more costly than our top pick but it offers an enjoyable running experience and an intuitive touchscreen. It also has an extensive selection of workouts that are available on demand from instructors who are live and virtual. The incline controls, located on the handrails allow for easy adjustment of the speed and inclines while exercising. The only cup holders on this treadmill are made of plastic and only hold water bottles.

Another treadmill worth considering is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's less expensive than the Peloton Treadmill, but it offers a number of features. Its iFit compatibility lets you to access a wide range of virtual workouts from trainers all over the world. The app is only available with a subscription, that costs $39 per month. The treadmill has a 22-inch touchscreen aswell as a cushioned deck. It has a maximum speed of 12 mph, and comes with an incline range of between -3% and 15 percent for an exercise that is more challenging.

2. Design

As with any piece of fitness equipment, how a treadmill is designed is important. If you're training for a challenging outdoor race you'll need to choose a treadmill with maximum incline settings that replicate outdoor terrain. If you like to follow the workout class, choose models that feature a large screen and iFIT compatibility which lets you access classes that are studio-style, virtual coach programs, Explore the World scenic runs, and off-treadmill workouts.

We also consider the ease of use of the buttons as well as the user-friendly interface. We also take into consideration whether the treadmill can fold and if it is the case, how long it will take to do so. We also take into consideration if the treadmill needs assembly and if that procedure is quick and easy.

3. Technology

The technology utilized in treadmills makes a significant difference in how easy the machines are to operate and whether they have any issues. When evaluating a treadmill within this category, we look at touchscreens and user-friendly controls. We also look at user-friendly interfaces, easy-to-use controls and other tech features. We also take into consideration if a treadmill is portable and folds with the press of a button, which could be crucial for those who frequently move their machines around their home or have to place them in tight space.

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 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 difficult). Its 22" eye-catching, crisp touchscreen in color and iFIT integration made this treadmill a top choice.

Another treadmill with high scores is the ProForm Carbon T10. It sports a 10" display and provides live and on-demand content from iFIT to aid in walking, running and running. We love that the speed and incline changes are easy to navigate through the touchscreen, the ergonomically placed buttons for the quick adjustments as well as the iFIT integration which lets you stream workouts from Zwift and Hulu Max (subscriptions required). The one downside is that it doesn't have an audio port or USB ports.

4. Comfort

The most effective treadmills are those that feel at ease for the person who is using them. For those with larger bodies and longer strides might be more concerned with the dimensions of the deck, and the amount of space it provides for running or walking. Others might be more concerned with ergonomic features, such as well-placed control of speed and incline. We also scoured for features that make it enjoyable to use the machine, like front-facing speakers as well as a USB charging port and small cooling fan, as well as plenty of storage options for your water bottle or other accessories.

We also considered the storage of each treadmill. Not everyone has enough space in their home to accommodate a full-size machine. Fortunately, the majority of the treadmills we tested fold down or have support arms that minimize their footprint when not in use. We looked at how easily they folded up and stored away and how quickly they were set up, and whether or not they were easily moved on solid surfaces.

If you're planning to run many hilly outdoor routes it is important to take into consideration the highest incline of the treadmill. This is crucial because it will help you prepare for more difficult outdoor climbs.

In terms of the technology used on each treadmill, we looked for touchscreens that respond and easy to use during an exercise, as well as an user-friendly interface. We also looked for a non-glitchy appearance and whether the machine was compatible with fitness apps from third parties. This allowed us to determine if each treadmill best offered enough features to justify the cost. A high-quality treadmill at your home can help you get over the obstacles of bad weather and expensive gym memberships. It can also help you stay motivated to keep in shape.

5. Safety

A treadmill can be a risky piece of equipment if it is not used in a safe manner. It's a huge, heavy machine with a belt that moves at speeds of up to 10 or 12 miles per hour. Avoid leaning on the handrails when using a treadmill to run or walk. This could cause injury and throw your balance off. A cluttered area around the treadmill could cause tripping hazards, so it's important to keep it clean and clutter-free throughout use and storage.

The best treadmills will include security features like an ejectable safety magnet that is that is attached to the belt. The magnet will come off and stop the belt right away if a runner loses balance. This feature can protect the runner as well as others from serious injuries. Treadmills at gyms are usually equipped with this technology, and home users should consider purchasing one to help decrease the number of accidents involving exercise equipment.

When you are using a treadmill at home, it's crucial to listen for the "beep" that comes on when the belt starts to move, and don't jump off until the belt has stopped. Many people make the mistake of trying to save time by jumping off before the belt has completely stopped, which can cause injuries. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the location of the emergency shut-off button is located and how to use it.

It's important to make sure that the treadmill is shut off and unplugged after you're done with it. This will reduce the chance of kids or unintentionally visiting visitors accidentally turning it on and using it. The fact that it is kept in a separate area and a clear area above and around it can also protect others from coming into contact with it, as well.