How to Find the Best Treadmills

A treadmill is among the most beneficial fitness investments you can build for your home. It lets you work out at your own pace without worrying about the weather or the long commute to the gym.

A good treadmill is a great instrument to track your fitness improvement. Whether you're training for an upcoming race or just want to maintain your fitness level having a treadmill at home is a must.

1. Motor

Choose a treadmill with powerful motors when shopping. If you intend to run more than 20 miles a week, or engage in high-intensity training, choose a machine that has an all-time motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should be at least 60 inches long. If you are a beginner or just want to walk or jog at times, think about an option with an engine that's between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.

Choose if you would like an intelligent treadmill that has a touchscreen as well as virtual classes, a console, or a simple model without a console. Some models can fold down to make it easy to store.

If you're looking for a modern treadmill with a sleek appearance and a wide array of features, take a look at the Peloton Treadmill. It's a bit more expensive than our top choice, however, it provides smooth running and a simple touchscreen. It also comes with numerous workouts that are available on demand from virtual and live instructors. The incline controls, situated on the handrails allow for easy adjustment of the speed and incline during exercise. The only cup holders are plastic and only hold water bottles. There's no fan on this treadmill Best.

Another treadmill worth looking into is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's less expensive than the Peloton Treadmill but has a many good features. Its iFit compatibility allows you to access a wide range of workouts online from trainers across the globe. 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 also has a large 22-inch touchscreen and a cushioned deck. It can go up to 12 mph and has an incline range between -3 % and 15 percent for a more challenging exercise.

2. Design

The design of a treadmill is important, just like any other piece of fitness equipment. If you're preparing for an outdoor race that is hilly, you will want to select a treadmill with the highest incline setting. If you enjoy following along with a workout class, look for models with a big screen and iFIT compatibility, which allows you to access studio-style classes as well as virtual coach programs. Explore the World scenic runs and other off-treadmill exercises.

Other design aspects we consider are responsive speed and incline controls (on the handrails and lower console) that can adjust to your needs without having to use the touchscreen, simple buttons, and an easy-to-use interface. We also look at whether the treadmill can be folded and, if it can how long it will take to do so. We also consider if the treadmill needs assembly and whether that process is quick and painless.

3. Technology

The technology used on treadmills makes a big difference in the ease with which they are to use and if they have any glitches. When evaluating a treadmill within this category, we consider touchscreens and intuitive controls. We also look at user-friendly interfaces, easy-to-use controls and other technological features. We also consider if treadmills are portable and can fold at the push of a button, which could be crucial for those who often move their treadmills around their home or have to squeeze them into tight spaces.

The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its rapid speed and incline adjustments in accordance with 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 color touchscreen and iFIT integration made this a top treadmill.

The ProForm Carbon T10 is another high-scoring treadmill. It has a 10" display and features live and on-demand content from iFIT for running, walking and jogging. We like that the incline and speed changes are easy 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). It's only downside is that there are no USB or headphone ports.

4. Comfort

The best treadmills should feel comfortable for those who use them. For those with larger bodies and taller strides should concentrate on the dimensions of the deck and how much space it gives to walk or run and others may be concerned more about ergonomic features like well-placed speed and incline control. We also looked for features that make the machine more enjoyable to use, such as front facing speakers as well as an USB charger port and an insignificant cooling fan or plenty of storage space for your water bottle and other accessories.

Finally, we considered the ability to store each treadmill, as not everyone has space in their home to accommodate an entire treadmill. Fortunately, nearly all the models we tested fold up or have support arms that reduce their footprint when not in use. We looked at how easily they folded and stored away, how quickly they set up and whether they were easily moved on solid surfaces.

If you're planning to run many hilly outdoor routes, you'll also want to consider the maximum incline of the treadmill. This feature is important since it will allow you to prepare for more difficult outdoor climbs.

In terms of the technology on each treadmill, we searched for touchscreens that were responsive and easy to use during an exercise as well as an user-friendly interface. We also looked for a non-slip design and whether or not the machine was compatible with fitness apps from third parties. This allowed us to determine if each treadmill offered enough features to justify the price tag. A good treadmill at your home can help you overcome the challenges of weather conditions and costly gym memberships. It can also boost your motivation to stay in shape.

5. Safety

A treadmill could be a dangerous piece of equipment if it is not used in a safe manner. It's a massive, heavy machine with a belt moving at speeds of up to 12 miles per hour. Anyone who uses a treadmill for walking and running should be careful not to lean on the hand rails, as this can throw off balance and cause injuries. The risk of tripping can also be created by a cluttered area surrounding the treadmill. Keep it clean and clutter-free during use and when storing it.

The most reliable treadmills will come with security features like an ejectable safety magnet that is that is attached to the belt. If a runner loses balance, the magnet disengages and stops the moving belt immediately. This feature can prevent serious injuries to the runner as well as other people. Treadmills at gyms are usually equipped with this technology, and homeowners ought to consider purchasing one to help decrease the number of accidents involving exercise equipment.

It is important to be attentive to the "beep" when the treadmill belt begins moving. 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 has completely stopped, which could cause injuries. Also, familiarize yourself with the location and usage of the emergency shut-off switch.

It's important to make sure that the treadmill is turned off and unplugged after you're done. This will reduce the chance of unintentional use by visitors or children. It is best to keep it in a separate area and a clear space above and around it can protect other people from coming into contact with it as well.