How to Find the Best Treadmills

A treadmill is among the best fitness investment options you can make for your home. It lets you work out at your own pace, without worrying about the weather or your commute to the gym.

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

1. Motor Vehicles

Look for a treadmill with a powerful motor when shopping. If you intend to run up to 20 miles per week and doing intense interval training, opt for one that has an uninterrupted 3.0 horsepower motor that has 60 inches of deck long. If you're just beginning or simply need to walk or run often, you should consider a model with an engine that's between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.

Choose if you would like a smart treadmill with a touchscreen and virtual classes as well as an console or a basic model without a console. Some models fold to make it easier to store.

For a smart treadmill with a sleek design and an impressive range of features, look into the Peloton Treadmill. It's more expensive than our top pick but it provides an enjoyable running experience with a simple touchscreen and a wide variety of workouts on demand from live and virtual instructors. The controls for incline, which are situated on the handrails allow you to easily adjust speed and inclines during exercise. 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. With iFit's compatibility it allows you to access a range of workouts developed by trainers around the world. The app is only accessible with a subscription, that costs $39 per month. The treadmill has a 22-inch touchscreen aswell as a cushioned deck. It can run at speeds of up to 12 mph, and it has an incline range from -3 % to 15 percent for a more difficult exercise.

2. Design

Like any other piece of fitness equipment, the way a treadmill best is designed is important. If you're training for an outdoor race that is hilly you should choose a treadmill with maximum incline settings. If you're interested in following classes, choose models with a big display and iFIT compatibility. This lets you access studio style classes, virtual coach programs, Explore the World scenic run, and off-treadmill exercises.

Other design factors that we consider include adjustable speed and incline controls (on the handrails as well as the lower console) that can adjust to your preferences without needing to touch the touchscreen, easy-to-use buttons, and an easy-to-use interface. We also take into consideration whether the treadmill is foldable and if it is then how long it will take to fold it. We also examine whether the treadmill must be assembled and if it is a quick and painless process.

3. Technology

The technology utilized in treadmills can make a huge difference to how easy they are to use, and if there are any issues. We look at touchscreens as well as user-friendly controls, intuitive interfaces and other tech features when evaluating a treadmill in this category. We also consider if the treadmill is mobile and folds at the push of a button, which might be important for those who often move their treadmills around their home or have to fit them in tight spaces.

The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its responsive speed and incline adjustment according to 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). This treadmill was rated highly due to its 22" color touchscreen, which has attractive, sharp images and the iFIT compatibility.

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

4. Comfort

The most effective treadmills are those that feel comfortable for the person using them. People with larger bodies and longer strides may be more concerned about the size of the deck and the amount of space it offers for walking or running. Others might be more interested in ergonomic features like well-placed controls for speed and incline. We also looked for extras that make it enjoyable to use the machine, including front-facing speakers as well as the USB charging port, a tiny cooling fan, as well as plenty of storage options for your water bottle and other accessories.

We also considered the ability to store each treadmill, since not everyone has room in their homes for an entire treadmill. Fortunately, nearly all the treadmills we tested fold down or have support arms to reduce their footprint when not in use. We evaluated how easily the machines folded and could be stowed away, how long it took to set up, and if they were easy to move around on firm surfaces.

If you intend to run many hills outdoors, it is important to consider the maximum incline. This is crucial because it can help you prepare for more difficult outdoor climbs.

We searched for responsive touchscreens and an intuitive interface on each treadmill. We also looked at the design of the treadmill and if it was compatible with fitness apps from third parties. This helped us determine whether each treadmill had enough features to justify the price. Having a quality home treadmill eliminates the obstacles of weather or costly gym memberships, and can increase your motivation to stay in shape.

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 that is moving at speeds up to 12 or 10 miles per hour. People who use treadmills for walking and running should be careful not to lean on the hand rails, because this could throw off balance and result in injury. A messy area around the treadmill could also create tripping hazards, therefore it is important to keep it tidy and clutter-free during use as well as storage.

The best treadmills come with security features such as an adjustable safety magnetic that is connected to the belt. The magnet will detach and stop the belt right away in the event that a runner is unable to maintain balance. This feature could prevent serious injuries to the runner and others. The treadmills in gyms are typically equipped with this technology, and homeowners should consider purchasing one to help decrease the number of accidents that occur when exercising at home equipment.

It is important to listen for the "beep" when the treadmill best belt begins moving. 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 can result in injuries. Also, familiarize yourself with the position and operation of the emergency shut-off switch.

It's also a good idea to ensure that the treadmill is shut off and unplugged after you're finished with it. This will reduce the chance of accidental use by visitors or children. The fact that it is kept in a different room and having a clear area over and around it will prevent other people from coming into contact with it, as well.