How to Find the Best Treadmills

The treadmill is a great investment for your home. It allows you to exercise according to your schedule and not worry about the weather or your commute to the gym.

A treadmill of good quality is a great way to monitor your fitness performance. Whether you're training for a marathon in the near future or simply want to keep your fitness level having a treadmill at home is an essential purchase.

1. Motor

Look for a treadmill with a powerful motor when shopping. If you intend to run more than 20 miles per week, and engage in intense training, select a treadmill home that has an all-time motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should measure 60 inches long. If you're just beginning or just want to walk or jog at times, think about the model that has an engine that's between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.

Decide if you want an intelligent treadmill that has a touchscreen as well as virtual classes, a console or a basic model without one. Some models even fold to make it easy to store.

The Peloton Treadmill is a well-designed treadmill that has an elegant design and impressive array of features. It's a bit more costly than our top pick however, it provides a smooth running experience and an intuitive touchscreen. It also comes with a wide selection of exercises on demand with virtual and live instructors. The incline controls are located on the handrails and quick dials make it easy to adjust the speed and inclines while exercising. The only cup holders on this treadmill are made of plastic and Treadmill home are only used to hold water bottles.

Another treadmill worth looking into is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's a bit more affordable than the Peloton Treadmill, but it offers a number of features. With its iFit compatibility it allows you to access a variety virtual workouts designed by trainers around the world. You'll need a subscription in order to use the app, which is included for 30 days and is $39 per month after that. The treadmill also comes with a huge 22-inch touchscreen and a cushioned deck. It can reach an maximum speed of 12 mph, and comes with an incline adjustability range of 33% to 15 percent for an intense workout.

2. Design

As with any piece of fitness equipment, the way in which a treadmill is designed is important. If you are training for an outdoor race that is a bit hilly, you will want to choose a treadmill that has the highest incline setting. If you're interested in following the class select 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 workouts.

Other design factors that we take into consideration are responsive speed and incline controls (on the handrails and lower console) that adjust to your needs without needing to touch the touchscreen, user-friendly buttons, and a user-friendly interface. We also consider whether the treadmill is foldable and, if so, how long does it take to fold it. We also consider if the treadmill requires assembly and whether the process is easy and quick.

3. Technology

The technology used in treadmills can make a huge difference in the ease with which they are to use and if they have any glitches. We take a look at touchscreens, intuitive controls, user-friendly interfaces and other tech features when evaluating a treadmill in this category. We also look at whether treadmills are portable and can fold at the press of a button. This is important for those who frequently move their machines around their homes or need to squeeze them into tight space.

The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its quick speed and incline control in accordance with 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 off-treadmill exercise options (though Bluetooth connectivity was sometimes problematic). This treadmill was rated highly due to its 22" color touchscreen, which has crisp, eye-catching graphics and the iFIT compatibility.

The ProForm Carbon T10 is another treadmill that scores high. It sports a 10" display and offers live and on-demand content from iFIT to aid in running, walking and jogging. We like the ergonomically placed buttons for quick adjustments, as well as the iFIT integration, which allows users to stream workouts on Zwift or Hulu Max with a subscription. The only drawback is that it doesn't have headphones or USB ports.

4. Comfort

The most efficient treadmills are those that feel comfortable to the person who uses them. People with larger bodies and longer strides may be more concerned about the size of the deck and the amount of space available to walk or run. Others might be more interested in ergonomic features, such as well-placed control of speed and incline. We also looked for extras that make it a pleasure to use the machine, including front-facing speakers and an USB charging port, a small cooling fan, as well as plenty of places to store your water bottle or other accessories.

We also considered the ability to store each treadmill, since not everyone has room in their home for an entire treadmill. Fortunately, almost all of the models we tested fold or have support arms that reduce their footprint when they are not in use. We examined how easily they folded and stored away and set up, how quickly they could be set up, and whether or not they were easy to move on solid surfaces.

If you are planning to run lots of hills outdoors, it is important to consider the maximum gradient. This is an important feature that will help you train for more challenging outdoor climbs by allowing you to simulate the ascent with the treadmill.

We searched for responsive touchscreens and an intuitive interface on every treadmill. We also considered the design of the treadmill, and whether it was compatible with fitness apps that are made by third parties. This helped us determine which treadmills had the right features to justify the price. A good treadmill at your home can help you overcome the obstacles of bad weather and costly gym memberships. It can also boost your motivation to keep your fitness levels up.

5. Safety

If not used correctly, a treadmill can be dangerous. It's a heavy, large machine that has a belt that moves at speeds up to 10 or12 miles per hour. Be careful not to lean against the handrails when using the treadmill to walk or run. This can cause an injury and throw your balance off. Tripping hazards can also be created by a cluttered area around the treadmill. Keep it tidy and clutter-free throughout use and when storing it.

The best treadmills have security features such as a removable safety magnetic that is attached to the belt. If a runner loses their balance, the magnet detaches and stops the belt instantly. This feature can help prevent serious injuries to the runner as well as other people. This technology is usually found on treadmills in gyms. Home owners should consider purchasing one to decrease the amount of accidents that happen with home exercise equipment.

When you are using a treadmill at home, it's important to pay attention to the safety "beep" that goes off when the belt starts to move, and don't jump off until the belt is stopped. Many people make the error of jumping off the treadmill before the belt has stopped. This could result in serious injuries. Also, be certain to know the location of the emergency shut-off button is located and how to use it.

It's also a good idea to ensure that the treadmill is turned off and unplugged after you're finished with it. This reduces the chance of kids or unintentionally visiting visitors accidentally turning on and using it. It can also be kept in a separate area with a clear space around it to stop others from accidentally touching it.