How to Find the Best Treadmills

The treadmill is an excellent investment for your home. It allows you to work out according to your schedule, without worrying about the weather or the journey to the gym.

A high-quality treadmill can also be a great tool to track your fitness level over time. If you're training for a marathon in the near future or just want to maintain your fitness level having a treadmill in your home is a must.

1. Motor

Look for a treadmill with a powerful motor when shopping. If you plan to log upwards of 20 miles a week and doing intense interval training, choose an option that comes with an unstoppable 3.0 horsepower motor and a deck that's 60 inches long. If you're just beginning, or only need to walk or run at times, think about a model with motors that range between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.

You should also decide if you'd prefer to opt for a treadmill that features a touchscreen and Space Saving virtual classes or prefer an easier model that doesn't have the console. Some models can be folded to make it easier to store.

For a sleek treadmill with a sleek style and a plethora of features, check out the Peloton Treadmill. It's a bit more expensive than our top choice, however, it provides an enjoyable running experience and a user-friendly touchscreen. It also comes with an extensive selection of workouts that are available on demand from virtual and live instructors. The incline controls are placed on the handrails and quick dials make it easy to alter the speed and incline while working out. Unfortunately, the only cup holders are made of plastic and only hold water bottles. There's no fan on this treadmill.

Another treadmill to consider is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's more affordable than the Peloton Treadmill but has a lot of good features. Its iFit compatibility lets you to access a variety of virtual workouts from trainers across the globe. You'll need a subscription in order to access the app, which is free for 30 days and is $39 per month after that. The treadmill also features an enormous 22-inch touchscreen as well as a cushioned deck. It can reach speeds of up to 12 mph, and 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 is constructed is crucial. If you're preparing for an outdoor race that has a hill, you will want to choose a treadmill that has the highest incline setting. If you love to follow the workout class, choose models that feature a large screen and iFIT compatibility which allows you to access classes in the studio as well as virtual coach programs. Explore the World scenic runs and other off-treadmill exercises.

We also take a look at the ease of using the buttons and the user-friendly interface. We also consider whether the treadmill can be folded and, if it is then how long it will take to fold it. We also look at whether the treadmill has to be assembled and if that is simple and easy to do so.

3. Technology

The technology used in treadmills can make a massive difference to how easy they are to operate, and whether or not there are any glitches. We consider touchscreens, intuitive controls, user-friendly interfaces and other features when evaluating a treadmill in this category. We also look at whether a treadmill can be folded and easily transported. This is crucial for those who have to have to move their treadmills at home frequently or have to fit them into tight space.

The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its rapid speed and incline adjustments based on previous workouts, its long belt, comfortable cushioning and iFIT integration, which gives access to studio-style classes, virtual coaches and Explore the World scenic run options, as well as off-treadmill exercise options (though Bluetooth connectivity was sometimes problematic). Its 22" striking, sharp touchscreen in color and iFIT compatibility made this a top treadmill.

The ProForm Carbon T10 is another treadmill that scores high. It features a 10" display and features live and on-demand content from the iFIT platform for walking, running and running. We like that the speed and incline adjustments are easy to navigate through the touchscreen, the ergonomically-placed buttons for quick adjustments, and the iFIT integration that allows you to stream workouts from Zwift and Hulu Max (subscriptions required). The only drawback is that it doesn't offer an audio port or USB ports.

4. Comfort

The best treadmills for sale near me should feel comfortable for the people using them. People with larger bodies and taller strides should focus on the dimensions of the deck as well as the amount of space it offers for walking or running and others may be concerned more about ergonomic features like well-placed speed and incline control. We also scoured for features that make it more enjoyable to use the machine, such as front-facing speakers, the USB charging port, a tiny cooling fan, as well as plenty of storage options for your water bottle and other accessories.

We also looked at the storage options of each treadmill. Not everyone has enough space in their home to accommodate a full-size machine. Fortunately, most of the models we tested fold up or have support arms that reduce their footprint when not in use. We examined how easily the machines folded and could be stowed away, how long it took to put them up, and whether they were easy to move on solid surfaces.

If you intend to run lots of hills outdoors, you must consider the maximum incline. This is an important feature that will allow you to prepare for more challenging outdoor climbs by mimicking the ascent on the treadmill.

In terms of the technology that is on every treadmill, we looked for touchscreens that respond and easy to use during a workout, as well as an user-friendly interface. We also sought out a non-slip design and whether the machine was compatible with fitness apps from third parties. This helped us determine if each treadmill had enough features to justify the price. A quality treadmill for your home can eliminate the hurdles of weather or expensive gym memberships and can boost your motivation to get in shape.

5. Safety

A treadmill could be a risky piece of equipment if it is not used in a safe manner. It's a heavy, large machine that has a belt that moves at speeds up to 12 miles per hour. Anyone who uses treadmills for walking or running should not lean on the hand rails since this could cause a loss of balance and result in injury. Tripping hazards can also be created by a cluttered area surrounding the treadmill. Keep it tidy and clutter-free throughout the use of it and when storing it.

The best treadmills come with security features such as a magnetic safety that can be removed and that is attached to the belt. The magnet will break off and stop the belt instantly in the event that a runner is unable to maintain balance. This feature could prevent serious injuries to runners and other users. This type of technology is typically used on treadmills in gyms. Home users should invest in one to lessen the risk of accidents that can occur on home exercise equipment.

It's important that you pay attention to the "beep" when the treadmill belt begins to move. Don't leap 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 lead to injuries. Also, you should be familiar with the location and use of the emergency shut-off switch.

When you're done with the treadmill it's recommended to disconnect it and switch off the treadmill. This reduces the chance of children or unsuspecting visitors inadvertently turning on and using it. It is also possible to keep it in a separate location with a clear space saving around it to prevent other people from touching it accidentally.