How to Find the Best Treadmills

A treadmill is one of the most beneficial fitness investment options you can make for your home. It allows you to exercise at your own pace without worrying about the weather or the commute to the gym.

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

1. Motor

Choose a treadmill with an efficient motor when you shop. If you plan on logging up to 20 miles per week, and doing high-intensity interval training, choose a machine that offers an unstoppable 3.0 horsepower motor with a deck that's 60 inches long. If you're a beginner, or simply want to walk and run occasionally, you should consider a more compact model that comes with a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.

Choose if you want a smart treadmill with a touchscreen, virtual classes and a console or a basic model that doesn't have one. Some models fold up for easy storage.

The Peloton Treadmill is a sophisticated treadmill that sports sleek design and impressive array of features. It's a bit more costly than our top pick, however, it provides smooth running and an intuitive touchscreen. It also has a wide selection of exercises on demand with live and virtual instructors. The incline controls, which are located on the handrails, allow for easy adjustment of the speed and incline during exercise. The only cup holders on this treadmill are plastic and only hold water bottles.

The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is another treadmill worth considering. It's a bit less expensive than the Peloton Treadmill, but it has a good set of features. With its iFit compatibility, you can access a range of workouts designed by trainers all over the world. The app is only available as a subscription which costs $39 per month. The treadmill has a 22-inch touchscreen aswell as a cushioned deck. It can go up to 12 mph, and it has an incline range between -3 % and 15 percent for a more challenging exercise.

2. Design

As with all fitness equipment, how a treadmill is designed matters. If you're training for a race that is hilly it is recommended to choose the treadmill with the highest incline settings that replicate outdoor terrain. If you enjoy following the class, choose models with a large screen and iFIT compatibility. This lets you access studio style classes, virtual coach programmes, Explore the World scenic run, and off-treadmill exercises.

We also take a look at the ease of use of the buttons as well as the user-friendly interface. We also look at whether the treadmill is foldable and if it is, how long does it take to fold it. We also consider 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 huge difference in how easy they are to use and if they have any issues. We take a look at touchscreens, intuitive controls, user-friendly interfaces and other tech features when scoring a machine in this category. We also consider if treadmills are mobile and folds at the touch of a button, which is important for those who move their machines around their homes or need to squeeze them into tight space.

We were impressed with the Nordictrack 1250 treadmill's responsive speed and incline adjustment based on previous workouts, its wide belt and comfortable cushioning, and the iFIT integration that gives access to virtual coaches, studio-style classes, Explore the World scenic runs, and off-treadmill training options (though it sometimes had problems with Bluetooth connectivity). Its 22" striking, sharp touchscreen in color and iFIT compatibility make this treadmill a top choice.

Another high-scoring treadmill is the ProForm Carbon T10. It features 10" display and offers live and on-demand content from iFIT for running, walking and jogging. We like the fact that the speed and incline changes are simple to navigate through the touchscreen, as are the ergonomically-placed buttons that allow for quick adjustments, and the iFIT integration that allows you to 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 are those that feel at ease for the person who is who is using them. Some people with larger bodies and longer strides could be more concerned with the dimensions of the deck, as well as the amount of space available for running or walking. Others might be more concerned with ergonomic features, such as well-placed control of speed and incline. We also searched for additional features that make it enjoyable to use the machine, including front-facing speakers, a USB charging port, a tiny cooling fan, as well as plenty of storage options for your water bottle and other accessories.

Then, we looked at the ability to store each treadmill, since there isn't always room in their homes for a full-size treadmill. Fortunately, most of the treadmills we tested fold down or have support arms that reduce their footprint when not in use. We examined how easily they folded up and stored away and set up, how quickly they could be set up, and whether or not they were easily moved on solid surfaces.

If you plan on running lots of hills outdoors, you must consider the maximum slope. This is a crucial feature that can help you prepare for more difficult outdoor climbs by mimicking the ascent with the treadmill.

We searched for responsive touchscreens and an intuitive interface on every treadmill. We also sought out a non-slip appearance and whether the treadmill was compatible with third-party fitness apps. This helped us determine if each treadmill had enough features to justify its price. A quality treadmill for your home removes the barriers of weather or costly gym memberships and boosts your motivation to stay in shape.

5. Safety

If not used correctly, a treadmill can be dangerous. It's a large, heavy machine with a belt that moves at speeds of up to 10 or 12 miles per hour. Avoid leaning on the handrails while using a treadmill to walk or run. This can cause an injury and can cause your balance to be thrown off. Tripping hazards can also be caused by a clutter-filled area surrounding the treadmill. Keep it tidy and clutter-free throughout use and when storing it.

The best treadmills come with safety features like a removable safety magnetic connected to the belt. If a runner loses balance, the magnet releases and stops the moving belt instantly. This feature can help prevent serious injuries to the runner and other users. Gyms have treadmills that are equipped with this technology, and home owners might want to consider purchasing one in order to reduce the amount of accidents involving home exercise equipment.

It is important to pay attention to the "beep" when the treadmill belt starts moving. Don't jump 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, be certain to know where the emergency shut-off switch is and how to use it.

It's important to ensure that the treadmill is turned off and unplugged once you're done with it. This will reduce the chance of children or unsuspecting visitors accidentally turning it on and using it. It can also be kept in a separate space with an open space above and around it to prevent other people from getting it in the wrong way.