How to Find the Best Treadmills

A treadmill is among the most beneficial fitness investment you can make for your home. It allows you to work out according to your schedule without worrying about the weather or your commute to the gym.

A quality treadmill is also a great method to monitor your fitness progress over time. A treadmill is a must-have for anyone training for a marathon or simply wanting to maintain their fitness level.

1. Motor

Choose a treadmill with an efficient motor when you shop. If you plan to run more than 20 miles a week, and do high-intensity training, select a treadmill with a continuous motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should be 60 inches in length. If you're a beginner or simply want to walk and run on occasion, think about an option that is smaller and has a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.

Choose if you want an intelligent treadmill that has a touchscreen as well as virtual classes, an console or a basic model without one. Some models fold to make storage easier.

The Peloton Treadmill is a well-designed treadmill that has a sleek design with an impressive array of features. It's a bit more costly than our top pick however, it provides smooth running and a simple touchscreen. It also comes with a wide selection of workouts that are available on demand from live and virtual instructors. The controls for incline, which are situated on the handrails make it easy to adjust speed and inclines during exercise. The only cup holders on this treadmill are made of plastic and only hold water bottles.

Another treadmill worth looking into is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's cheaper than the Peloton Treadmill but has a many good features. Its iFit compatibility lets you to access a wide range of virtual workouts from trainers all over the world. You'll require a subscription to use the app, which is included for 30 days, and then costs $39 per month after that. The treadmill features an interactive touchscreen of 22 inches as well as a cushioned deck. It can go up to 12 mph, and it has an incline range between -3 % and 15% for a more challenging exercise.

2. Design

As with any piece of fitness equipment, the way in which a treadmill is designed is important. If you're preparing for a hilly outdoor race it is recommended to choose an exercise machine with the highest incline settings that simulate outdoor terrain. If you enjoy following along with a workout class, choose models with a large screen and iFIT compatibility which allows you to access classes in the studio, virtual coach programs, Explore the World scenic runs and off-treadmill workouts.

We also consider the ease of use of the buttons as well as the user-friendly interface. We also consider whether the treadmill can fold and if it is, how long does it take to fold it. We also consider whether the treadmill must be assembled and if it is a quick and painless process.

3. Technology

The technology utilized in treadmills makes a significant difference in how easy the machines are to use and whether they are prone to glitches. When evaluating a treadmill within this category, we take into consideration touchscreens and intuitive controls. We also consider user-friendly interfaces, intuitive controls and other features that are technologically advanced. We also consider if treadmills are portable and folds with the press of a button, which is important for those who frequently move their machines around their home or have to squeeze them into tight space.

The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its rapid speed and incline adjustments according to 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, in addition to off-treadmill exercise options (though Bluetooth connectivity was sometimes difficult). Its 22" striking, sharp touchscreen in color and iFIT integration made this treadmill a top choice.

The ProForm Carbon T10 is another treadmill with a high score. With a 10" screen, it offers on-demand live and on-demand iFIT walking, running, and jogging video. We love that the incline and speed changes are easy to navigate through 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). It's only downside is that there's no USB or headphone ports.

4. Comfort

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

Then, we looked at the storability of each treadmill, because not everyone has room in their home to accommodate an entire treadmill. Fortunately, most of the models we tested fold up or have support arms that reduce their footprint when not in use. We examined the ease with which the machines could fold and store away and how long it took to put them up, and whether they were easy to move on hard surfaces.

If you plan to run many of the trails in the outdoors, you'll also want to think about the maximum incline on the treadmill. This is a crucial feature that will allow you to prepare for more difficult outdoor climbs by allowing you to simulate the ascent using the treadmill.

In terms of the technology on each treadmill, we searched for touchscreens that are responsive and easy to use during a workout, 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 helped us determine whether each treadmill had enough features to justify the price. A quality treadmill at home can help you overcome the difficulties of weather conditions and costly gym memberships. It can also boost your motivation to keep in shape.

5. Safety

If not handled correctly the treadmill could be risky. It's a massive and heavy machine that has an incline that can move at speeds of up to 10 or 12 miles per hour. Avoid leaning on the handrails when using treadmills to walk or run. This can result in injury and can cause your balance to be thrown off. The risk of tripping can also be created by a cluttered space around the treadmill. Keep it clean and clutter-free during the use of it and when storing it.

The best treadmills have safety features like a magnetic safety that can be removed and attached to the belt. The magnet will break off and stop the belt immediately in the event that a runner is unable to maintain balance. This feature can help prevent serious injuries to runners as well as other people. Treadmills at gyms are usually equipped with this technology, and home users should consider purchasing one to help decrease the number of accidents involving exercise equipment.

It is crucial to listen for 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 could cause injuries. Also, be familiar with the location and use of the emergency shut-off switch.

It's also a good idea to ensure that the Treadmill best is shut off and unplugged after you're done. This can reduce the risk of kids or unintentionally visiting visitors inadvertently turning on and using it. It can also be kept in a separate area with a clear space around it to prevent other people from accidentally touching it.