How to Find the Best Treadmills
The treadmill is a great investment for your home. It lets you work out at your own speed, without worrying about the weather and the long commute to the gym.
A high-quality treadmill is also a great way to track your fitness progress over time. A treadmill is an essential item for anyone who is training for a marathon, or simply seeking to keep their fitness level.
1. Motor Vehicles
Look for a treadmill with a powerful motor when shopping. If you plan to run more than 20 miles a week, or engage in high-intensity training, you should choose a treadmill with an unstoppable motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should be 60 inches in length. If you're just starting out or simply want to walk or jog on occasion, consider an option that is smaller and comes with a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.
Choose if you want an ultra-modern treadmill that comes with a touchscreen and virtual classes as well as an console or a basic model without a console. Some models even fold to make it easier to store.
For a sleek treadmill with a sleek design and a plethora of features, check out the Peloton Treadmill. It's a bit more expensive than our top pick, however, it provides a smooth running experience and a user-friendly touchscreen. It also offers a wide selection of exercises on demand with instructors who are live and virtual. The incline controls are placed on the handrails, and the quick dials allow you to adjust speeds and inclines while exercising. The cups are the only ones available and can only hold water bottles; there's no fan on this treadmill.
Another treadmill worth looking into is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's less expensive than the Peloton Treadmill but has a number of great features. Its iFit compatibility allows you to access a variety of virtual workouts from trainers all over the world. You'll need a subscription in order to access the app, which is free for 30 days and costs $39 per month after that. The treadmill features a 22-inch touchscreen as well as a cushioned deck. It can reach speeds of up to 12 mph and also has an incline that ranges between -3 % and 15 percent for a more challenging exercise.
2. Design
Like any other piece of fitness equipment, the way in which a treadmill is constructed is crucial. If you're preparing for an outdoor race that is hilly you should select a treadmill with the highest incline setting. If you enjoy following along with a workout class, you should look for models that feature a large screen and iFIT compatibility which lets you access studio-style classes as well as virtual coach programs. Explore the World scenic runs and off-treadmill workouts.
Other design elements we consider include the incline and speed controls that are responsive (on the handrails and the lower console) that can adjust to your preferences without having to touch the touchscreen, easy-to-use buttons, and an easy-to-use interface. We also consider whether the treadmill is foldable and if it is, how long does it take to do so. We also consider whether the treadmill needs to be put together and if it's an easy and quick process.
3. Technology
The technology utilized in treadmills can make a massive difference in how easy they are to operate, and if there are any issues. We 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 if treadmills are portable and can fold at the touch of a button, which could be crucial for those who frequently move their treadmills around their home or have to place them in tight space.
We were impressed by the Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill's receptive speed and incline adjustment based on previous workouts, its lengthy belt with a comfortable cushion, the iFIT integration that allows access to virtual coaches, studio-style classes, Explore the World scenic runs, and off-treadmill exercise options (though it sometimes had trouble with Bluetooth connectivity). This treadmill was rated highly because of its 22" color touchscreen, which has attractive, sharp images and iFIT compatibility.
Another treadmill with high scores is the ProForm Carbon T10. It features a 10" display and provides live and on-demand content from iFIT for running, walking and running. We like the fact that the incline and speed changes are easy to navigate on the touchscreen, as are the ergonomically placed buttons for the quick adjustments as well as the iFIT integration that allows you to stream workouts from Zwift and Hulu Max (subscriptions required). The one downside is that it does not have headphones or USB ports.
4. Comfort
The most effective treadmills are those that are at ease for the person who is who is using them. For those with larger bodies and larger strides will want to focus on the size of the deck and how much space it provides to walk or run while others might be more about ergonomic features such as well-placed speed and incline control. We also scoured for features that make it a pleasure to use the machine, like front-facing speakers as well as 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 storability of each treadmill, as there isn't always room in their home to accommodate a full-size treadmill . Fortunately, the majority of treadmills we tested fold up or have support arms that reduce their footprint when not in use. We evaluated how easily the machines could fold and store away and how long it took to set up, and if they were easy to move on solid surfaces.
If you're planning to run a lot of hilly outdoor routes, you'll also want to think about the maximum incline on the machine. This is essential because it can help you prepare for more difficult outdoor climbs.
In terms of the technology that is on each treadmill, we looked for touchscreens that respond and easy to use during an exercise as well as an user-friendly interface. We also considered the design of the treadmill and if it was compatible with fitness apps from third parties. This allowed us to determine if each treadmill offered enough features to justify the cost. Having a quality home treadmill removes the barriers of weather or costly gym memberships and boosts your motivation to stay in shape.
5. Safety
If not handled correctly the treadmill could be dangerous. It's a large, heavy machine with a belt that is moving at speeds of up to 12 or 10 miles per hour. Avoid leaning on the handrails while using treadmills to run or walk. This could cause injury and throw your balance off. Tripping hazards can also be caused by a messy area surrounding the treadmill. Keep it clean and clutter free during the use of it and when storing it.
The best treadmills come with security features such as an adjustable safety magnetic that is connected to the belt. If a runner loses balance, the magnet detaches and stops the moving belt immediately. This feature can protect the runner and others from serious injuries. Gyms have treadmills that are equipped with this technology, and home owners might want to consider purchasing one in order to help decrease the number of accidents involving home exercise equipment.
When you are using a treadmill at home, it's important to listen for the safety "beep" that comes on when the belt begins to move. Don't leap 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 lead to injuries. Be sure to be aware of the location of the emergency shut-off button is and how to use it.
It's important to ensure that the treadmill is turned off and unplugged once you're finished with it. This reduces the chance of children or unsuspecting visitors accidentally turning on and using the treadmill. Keeping it in a separate room and a clear space above and around it can help keep other people from accidental contact with it as well.