How to Find the Best Treadmills

A treadmill is one of the best fitness investment you can make for your home. It allows you to exercise at your own pace, without worrying about the weather or the commute to the gym.

A treadmill of good quality is an ideal tool for tracking your fitness performance. A treadmill is an essential item for anyone training for a marathon, or simply seeking to keep their fitness level.

1. Motor Vehicles

Find a treadmill that has a powerful motor when shopping. If you plan to run more than 20 miles a week, or engage in high-intensity training, choose a machine that has a continuous motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should be 60 inches long. If you're a beginner or simply want to walk or run on occasion, think about an option that is smaller and includes a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.

Choose if you want an ultra-modern treadmill that comes with a touchscreen as well as virtual classes, a console, or a simple model without a console. Some models fold to make storage easier.

For a sleek treadmill with a sleek design and a wide array of features, look into the Peloton Treadmill. It's a bit more expensive than our top pick but it offers smooth running and a simple touchscreen. It also offers a wide selection of workouts on demand from virtual and live instructors. The incline controls are located on the handrails, and the quick dials make it easy to adjust speeds and inclines while working out. The only cup holders on this treadmill are plastic and only hold water bottles.

Another treadmill worth considering is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's more affordable than the Peloton Treadmill but has a number of great features. With iFit's compatibility you'll be able to access a variety of virtual workouts designed by trainers from all over the world. You'll need a subscription in order to access the app, which is included for 30 days and is $39 per month after that. The treadmill has an interactive touchscreen of 22 inches as well as a cushioned deck. It can go up to 12 mph and also has an incline that ranges from -3 % to 15 percent for a more difficult exercise.

2. Design

As with all fitness equipment, the way a treadmill is constructed is crucial. If you're preparing for an outdoor race that is a bit hilly, you will want to choose a treadmill that has the highest incline setting. If you love to follow an exercise class, look for models with a large screen and iFIT compatibility which allows you to access studio-style classes as well as virtual coach programs. Explore the World scenic runs, and off-treadmill exercises.

We also take a look at the ease of using the buttons and the user-friendly interface. We also look at whether the treadmill is foldable and, if so the case, how long it will take to fold it. We also look at whether the treadmill must be assembled and if it is a quick and painless process.

3. Technology

The technology used in treadmills can make a huge difference in how easy they are to use and if they are prone to glitches. We take a look at touchscreens and intuitive controls, user-friendly interfaces and other tech features when evaluating a treadmill in this category. We also take into consideration whether treadmills can be folded and easily transported. This is important for those who have to often move their treadmills around or have to squeeze them into tight space.

We were awestruck by the Nordictrack 1250 treadmill's responsive speed and incline adjustment based on previous workouts, its lengthy belt and cushioning that is comfortable, as well as the iFIT integration that allows access to virtual coaches, studio-style classes, Explore the World scenic runs, as well as off-treadmill sale training options (though it sometimes had trouble with Bluetooth connectivity). The treadmill was highly rated because of its 22" color touchscreen that has attractive, sharp images and iFIT compatibility.

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

4. Comfort

The best treadmills should feel comfortable for those who use them. People with larger bodies and longer strides will want to focus on the dimensions of the deck and how much space it provides for running or walking while others might be more about ergonomic features like well-placed speed and incline controls. We also scoured for features that make it enjoyable to use the machine, including front-facing speakers and a USB charging port and small cooling fan, and plenty of storage options for your water bottle and other accessories.

We also considered the ability to store each treadmill, because not everyone has room in their home for a full-size treadmill. Fortunately, almost all of the models we tested fold down or have support arms that minimize their footprint when they are not in use. We evaluated how easily the machines folded and could be stowed away, how long it took to set up, and whether they were easy to move around on solid surfaces.

If you're planning to do a lot of hilly outdoor routes, you'll also want to take into consideration the highest incline of the treadmill. This is a crucial feature that can help you train for more challenging outdoor climbs by allowing you to simulate the ascent with the treadmill.

We looked for responsive touchscreens and a simple interface on each treadmill. We also examined the design of the treadmill, and whether it was compatible with fitness apps from third-party companies. This helped us determine which treadmills had the right features to justify the price. A quality treadmill for your home eliminates the obstacles of weather or expensive gym memberships and boosts your motivation to get into shape.

5. Safety

If not handled correctly the treadmill could be dangerous. It's a massive heavy machine with a belt that can move at speeds of up to 10 or 12 miles per hour. Be careful not to lean against the handrails when using the Treadmill Best to run or walk. This can result in injury and cause you to lose your balance. The risk of tripping can also be caused by a clutter-filled area surrounding the treadmill. Keep it clean and clutter free during storage and during use.

The most reliable treadmills will come with safety features, such as an ejectable safety magnet that is attached to the belt. If a runner loses their balance, the magnet disengages and stops the belt instantly. This feature could prevent serious injuries to the runner and other users. Gyms have treadmills that are equipped with this technology, and home owners should consider purchasing one to reduce the risk of accidents that occur when exercising at home equipment.

When using a treadmill at home, it's crucial to listen for the safety "beep" that comes on when the belt starts to move, and don't jump off until the belt is stopped. Many people make the mistake of trying to save time by jumping off before the belt has completely stopped, which could result in injuries. Also, you should be familiar with the position and operation of the emergency shut-off switch.

When you're done using the treadmill it's recommended that you unplug and switch it off. This will decrease the risk of unintentional use by visitors or children. It can also be kept in a separate area with a clear space above and around it to stop other people from getting it in the wrong way.