How to Choose a Treadmill Best

A high-quality treadmill is an investment in your overall health and wellbeing. To ensure you pick the best one for your needs, take into consideration:

Look at a treadmill's motor power rating, also called continuous horsepower (CHP). The higher the CHP rating, the more you'll be able to do on a treadmill.

Some treadmills are more user-friendly than others. Some treadmills have features that can keep you on track, like speakers built-in or interactive training programs.

1. Safety

It is important to keep in mind that even the best equipment, if it is not used and maintained properly, can be risky. This encompasses everything from the dimensions and inclined of the belt to the ability to adjust it. Experts, like ACE-certified functional trainer Noelle McKenzie, rate safety the most important consideration in selecting a treadmill. They recommend a model that has a belt that is at least 20 inches wide. This will allow for more movement and decrease the risk of falling off the treadmill unintentionally.

The belt should be made of an enduring material to prevent wear and tear. It is important to ensure that it is securely attached to the machine. This will prevent the belt from becoming a hindrance and allow you to feel more comfortable when you're running fast. It is also essential to wear the right footwear when running on the treadmill, for instance sneakers, not flip-flops and sandals. This will help prevent blisters and sore feet which can cause balance issues that could cause you to fall off the treadmill.

It's important to be attentive to the 3-2-1 countdown or the safety beep before the treadmill belt starts to move. It's recommended to practice this technique so that you can get used to the sound and be aware of when the belt is beginning to move. It's also an excellent idea to use the handrails only when needed; leaning on them can make you lean forward and cause back pain, or even a runner's injury.

It's also a good idea not to let pets or children play with your treadmill. They might be interested. This reduces the chance of someone slipping and falling over it, in addition to reducing the risk of a child or pet being pulled under the belt.

2. Convenience

The addition of a treadmill to your home provides you with the chance to exercise whenever it's convenient, versus having to find time during your day to go to the gym. Some people prefer to bring a treadmill home instead of purchasing one at the gym (which can be upwards of $2,000). The budget-friendly treadmill we recommend has more than 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. It's an excellent option for those without many bells or whistles.

A high-end treadmill is usually equipped with features that enhance your exercise experience. For instance, the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 offers a spacious running surface and a 22-inch screen which makes it easy to enjoy your workout. It comes with the option of a 3% decline and an incline option, which isn't something you'll find on most treadmills. It also offers the option to connect with streaming apps, such as JRNY or Echelon United which provides hundreds of workouts, but keep in mind that subscriptions can quickly add up.

ACE-certified functional training specialist Noelle McKenzie says size is the most important aspect to consider when selecting a treadmill, as are safety features like safety keys and rails. She recommends treadmills that has a large LCD screen that displays stats during your workout and has built-in interval training programs. She also mentions physical aspects like motor power and belt length as important to consider when choosing the best treadmills. You want a treadmill that's easy to set up and operates quietly enough to use it while watching TV or working from home. The Lifepro Fitness Portable Treadmill is a portable treadmill that is wheeled and can fold down.

3. Performance

A treadmill for home is a great investment in your health. It can aid you in reaching your fitness goals faster than walking on the streets. This is why we picked models with features like incline adjustments, built-in speakers, and the ability to track your progress via an app. However, the top treadmills offer a smooth, comfortable ride, and are easy to set up and use.

We've looked through the archives of Strategist, and talked to experts to find the best treadmills at a reasonable price with various smart tech features. This budget-friendly model from Sunny Health & Fitness is easy to put together and folds up, and comes with an LCD display that shows your speed, distance and pulse. It also includes nine exercises and three levels adjustable inclines. It also promises a smoother run thanks to the extra shock absorption that is included in the belt.

Another option that is budget-friendly is this treadmill from Peloton, which has an impressive array of intelligent 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 longer running decks than other treadmills of this price.

This treadmill has a tiny footprint that fits under your desk or into a closet. It also comes with remote control as well as an app that tracks your steps, pace and calories burned. It's more expensive than other treadmills but is a good option for those who want to walk at work. Additionally, its belt is large enough to accommodate taller runners, and it has a higher weight capacity than other treadmills in this price range.

4. Technology

Many treadmills have a range of features that can enhance the exercise experience. In addition to a sexy touchscreen, you might want a machine that offers pre-programmed programs that are built into the machine or through a streaming app (like memberships to iFIT and JRNY and Echelon United). It is also important to consider the amount of power the motor is. The more you weigh and the harder you work, the more horsepower you'll require and the longer the track you'll need to cover.

Think about a treadmill with apps like Peloton or Zwift which allow you to do virtual workouts in conjunction with trainers and coaches. These machines are able to help with the development of muscles, flexibility and balance as well as proprioception in the way that cardio alone can't.

We compared treadmills with various programming options and looked for easy controls, user-friendly displays, and non-glitchy operation. We also analyzed how easy it was to install a treadmill and the time it took for the setup process to be completed.

Some of 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, resulting in a smoother running experience and reduces strain on the motor.

A quality treadmill should have a large screen that is easy to read and plenty of buttons for changing the settings. We looked for dials with quick knobs on handles that are short at the front of consoles to increase your speed or incline. Some treadmills also have touchscreen buttons that are more responsive than other treadmills in our tests.

5. Design

We also look at the technology that goes with a treadmill best, looking at things like touchscreens, a user-friendly interface, non-glitchy programming and how well it performs in various conditions. For instance, we saw how the X22i treadmill, which sports 22-inch screens that are one of the most responsive we've examined, allows you to follow studio-style classes and virtual coaches through its iFIT programming and stream music and movies, and integrates with fitness apps from third parties like Zwift.

The X22i also comes with a built-in workout program of 25 that is standard for treadmills; it's not a lot, but it's enough to offer you a variety of the options. The treadmill is designed to help save space, as well, by letting you prop up the belt with an adjustable lever when you're not using it, which allows you to fit it into smaller spaces and keep children or pets away from it.

This small and lightweight treadmill has the capacity to run at 12 miles per hour and it can be inclined up to 15%. It's a bit more expensive than some other models, but its easy configuration and useful features make it a good choice for those who don't have lots of space at home or are just beginning to get started.

This treadmill is lightweight and foldable, making it possible to fit into smallest spaces. It is also a good alternative for runners who want to speed up their pace. The speed and incline controls are conveniently placed on the dashboard, making it simple to adjust your speed while running. The only issue is that it doesn't have a tablet holder and has an adjustable cup holder that meshes for water, which might not be enough if planning on training for an event.