How to Choose a Treadmill Best

A good treadmill is an investment in your health. To ensure you pick the most suitable treadmill for your needs, think about:

The continuous horsepower (CHP) rating of a treadmill is crucial. The higher the CHP is, the more you can do on the treadmill.

Some treadmills are simpler to use than others. Some treadmills have features that can keep you motivated, such as speakers that are built-in, as well as interactive training programs.

1. Safety

It is important to note that even the best equipment, if not used and maintained correctly, can be risky. This includes everything from the size and the incline of the belt to the ability to adjust it. Experts, such as ACE-certified functional trainer Noelle McKenzie, rate safety as the most important factor when selecting the right treadmill. They recommend the model with a belt that is at minimum 20 inches wide. This will allow for more movement and minimize the chance of slipping off the treadmill accidentally.

It is also essential that the belt is made of a durable material in order to prevent wear and tear. It is also essential that it is securely attached to the machine. This will stop the belt from becoming a hindrance and you can feel more confident when you're running at a fast pace. It is also essential to wear proper footwear while running on the treadmill, like sneakers, not flip-flops or sandals. This can help to avoid blisters and sore feet, which can cause problems with balance that can result in you falling off the treadmill.

When using a treadmill, it's also important to listen for the warning sound or 3-2-1 countdown before the belt starts moving. It's a good idea to practice this procedure so that you can get used to the sound and understand when the belt starts moving. Use the handrails only when you need to. Leaning on them will cause you to hunch and could result in an injury to your treadmill.

Lastly, it's a good idea to keep your treadmill out of the reach of children and pets who might be curious about it. This decreases the risk of someone slipping and falling over it, as well as lessening the risk of a child or pet being pulled under the belt.

2. Convenience

The addition of a treadmill to your home gives you the flexibility to exercise when it's convenient, versus having to find time in your day to visit the gym. This is why some people prefer bringing treadmills into their homes rather than purchasing one from a gym (which can cost upward of $2,000). The budget-friendly model we recommend that has earned more than 1000 five-star reviews on Amazon and is a great choice for those who don't require a lot of bells and whistles.

A top-quality treadmill is typically equipped with features that improve your workout. For instance the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 offers a spacious running surface and an eye-catching 22-inch touchscreen display which makes it easy to enjoy your workout. It also comes with 3% decline and incline options, which are difficult to find on treadmills. It can also be linked to a streaming app such as JRNY or Echelon, which provides thousands of workouts. However, subscriptions can quickly become expensive.

Functional training specialist ACE-certified Noelle McKenzie says size is the most important aspect to consider when selecting the right treadmill, in addition to security features such as safety keys and rails. She recommends an exercise machine equipped with large LCD screen that displays stats during your workout and has built-in interval training programs. She also mentions physical aspects, such as motor power and belt length, as crucial to take into consideration when shopping for the best treadmills. You want a treadmill that can easily set up, and that runs quietly enough to use while watching TV or working from home. The Lifepro Fitness Portable Treadmill is a compact treadmill that has wheels and folds up.

3. Performance

A treadmill is a great investment in your health. It will help you achieve your fitness goals faster than jogging on the sidewalk. We picked models with features like incline adjustment, built-in speaker, and the ability to monitor your progress using an app. But the top treadmills offer a comfortable, smooth ride, and are easy to set up and use.

We've searched through the Strategist archives and spoke to experts to identify the top treadmills that are affordable and have a variety smart tech features. This budget-friendly model from Sunny Health & Fitness is easy to put together and folds up, and comes with an LCD that displays your distance, speed and pulse. It also comes with nine workouts and three levels of adjustable inclines. It also promises a smoother ride thanks to the extra shock absorption that is integrated into the belt.

This treadmill from Peloton is another great option that is affordable and comes with various smart features built in. It comes with a 24-inch touchscreen for streaming workout videos, as well as quick control buttons for speed and incline to adjust settings while you follow an instructor. It's also quieter and has a wider running deck than other treadmills in this price range.

This treadmill has a small footprint that can be tucked under your desk or into a closet. It also has remote control as well as an app that can track your steps, speed and calories burned. It's more expensive than other treadmills but is a great choice when you're planning to walk at your desk. Its belt is wide enough to accommodate taller runners, and it comes with a larger capacity to carry weight than other models in this price range.

4. Technology

A lot of treadmills have a variety of features that will enhance the experience of exercising. You may also want a treadmill with preset programs integrated into the treadmill, or through an app (like iFIT memberships, JRNY and Echelon United). It is also important to consider the amount of power the motor is. The heavier you are and the harder you work, the more horsepower you'll need and the longer the track you'll have to cover.

If you're interested in cross-training look into treadmills that connect to apps such as Peloton and Zwift for virtual training sessions with trainers and coaches. These machines are able to help with the development of muscles, flexibility, and balance as well as proprioception, in an area that cardio alone cannot.

We searched for treadmills with various of programming options, as well as those that had intuitive controls, user friendly screens, and a smooth operation. We also analyzed the ease with which it was to set up a treadmill and how long it took the process to be completed.

The best treadmills feature digital sensors that respond to your movements quicker than analog sensors. This allows the motor to adjust belt speed more frequently, which results in a smoother running experience and lessens the strain on the motor.

A top treadmill will have a large screen that is easy to read and has plenty of buttons for adjusting the settings. We looked for dials with quick knobs on short handles located at the front of consoles that allow you to increase your speed or the incline. Some treadmills also have touchscreen buttons that are more responsive than others during our tests.

5. Design

We also look at the technology that goes with a treadmill best by looking at things such as touchscreens, a simple interface, non-glitchy programming and how well it operates under various conditions. For instance, we saw how the X22i treadmill, which sports 22-inch screens that are one of the most responsive that we've tested, lets you follow studio-style classes and virtual coaches through its iFIT programming, as well as stream music and movies and works with fitness apps from third-party sources like Zwift.

The X22i also comes with a built-in workout that can be used for 25 times, which is pretty normal for treadmills. It's not much, but enough to give you choices. The treadmill is designed to save space, as well, by letting you prop up the belt using a lever when you're not using it, which allows you to fit it into smaller spaces and keep kids or pets from it.

This small, lightweight treadmill can travel at speeds of up to 12 miles per hour and be inclined by up to 15 percent. It's a little more expensive than some other models, but its straightforward configuration and useful features make it an excellent choice for those who don't have a ton of space in their homes or are just starting out.

This treadmill is one of the smallest treadmills we've tested, featuring a foldable design that makes it easy to fit in even the tightest of spaces. It's also a good option for runners looking to speed up their pace. The speed and incline controls are conveniently placed on the dashboard, making it easy to adjust the speed while running. The only drawback is that it doesn't have the tablet holder and the cup holder isn't enough for training.