How to Find the Best Treadmills

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

A good treadmill is an excellent instrument to track your fitness progress. A treadmill is an essential item for anyone training for a marathon or simply seeking to keep their fitness level.

1. Motor

When you are looking for a treadmill, look for one with a powerful motor. If you plan to log upwards of 20 miles per week, and doing intense interval training, opt for a machine that offers a continuous 3.0 horsepower motor with 60 inches of deck long. If you're just beginning or simply need to walk or run occasionally, consider the model that has a motor that is between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.

You must also decide if you'd like to go for a smart treadmill with a touchscreen and virtual classes or if you prefer a more basic model without an console. Some models can fold down to make it easier to store.

The Peloton Treadmill is a well-designed treadmill that has a sleek design with an impressive array of features. It's a bit more expensive than our top pick however, it provides a smooth running experience and a simple touchscreen. It also comes with numerous workouts on demand from virtual and live instructors. The controls for incline, which are located on the handrails make it easy to adjust the speed and inclines while exercising. The only cup holders are plastic and only hold water bottles; there's no fan on this treadmill.

Another treadmill to consider is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's less expensive than the Peloton Treadmill but has a many good features. Its iFit integration allows you to access a variety of workouts in virtual form from trainers across the globe. The app is available as a subscription that costs $39 per month. The treadmill comes with an interactive touchscreen of 22 inches as well as a cushioned deck. It has an maximum speed of 12 mph and has an incline adjustability range of between -3% and 15% for an intense workout.

2. Design

The design of a treadmill is vital just like any other piece of fitness equipment. If you are training for an outdoor race that is a bit hilly, you will want to choose a treadmill with the highest incline settings. If you enjoy following along with a class pick models with a large screen and iFIT compatibility. This allows you to access studio-style classes, virtual coach programs, Explore the World scenic run, and other off-treadmill exercises.

Other design aspects we consider include adjustable speed and incline controls (on the handrails as well as the lower console) which adjust to your commands without you having to use the touchscreen, simple buttons, and a slick interface. We also look at whether the treadmill folds and, if yes how long it takes to fold it. We also take into consideration if the treadmill requires assembly and whether that process is easy and quick.

3. Technology

The technology used on treadmills makes a big difference in the ease with which they are to use and whether they are prone to glitches. We take a look at touchscreens and intuitive controls, user-friendly interfaces, and other technological features when evaluating a treadmill in this category. We also take into consideration the possibility of a treadmill being folded and moved easily. This is crucial for those who have to move their treadmills frequently or have to fit them into tight space.

The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its quick speed and incline control in accordance with previous workouts, long belt, comfortable cushioning and iFIT integration, which offers access to studio style classes, virtual coaches and Explore the World scenic run options, as well as exercises off-treadmill (though Bluetooth connectivity was sometimes difficult). Its 22" eye-catching, crisp touchscreen in color and iFIT compatibility make this treadmill a top choice.

The ProForm Carbon T10 is another treadmill with a high score. With a 10" screen, it provides live streaming and on-demand iFIT running, walking, and jogging videos. We like the fact that the incline and speed changes are simple to navigate through the touchscreen, as are the ergonomically-placed buttons that allow for quick adjustments as well as the iFIT integration that 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 most efficient treadmills are those that are at ease for the person who is who is using them. People with larger bodies and longer strides could be more concerned about the dimensions of the deck and the amount of space it provides for running or walking. Others may be more concerned with ergonomic features such as well-placed speed controls and incline controls. We also looked for features that make the bike more enjoyable to use, such as front facing speakers as well as the USB charger port and tiny cooling fans, or plenty of storage space for your water bottle and other accessories.

Then, we looked at the ability to store each treadmill, as not everyone has room in their home to accommodate a full-size treadmill. Fortunately, almost all of the treadmills we tested fold or have support arms that reduce their footprint when not in use. We examined how easily the machines folded and stowed away, how long it took to set up, and whether they were easy to move around on hard surfaces.

If you plan to run a lot of hilly outdoor routes, you'll also want to take into consideration the highest 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 that is on each treadmill, we looked for touchscreens that respond and easy to use during a workout and have an intuitive interface. We also looked at the design of the treadmill Best and whether it was compatible with fitness apps from third-party companies. This helped us determine if each treadmill had enough features to justify the cost. A quality treadmill for your home can eliminate the hurdles of weather or expensive gym memberships and can boost your motivation to get into shape.

5. Safety

If not handled correctly the treadmill could be risky. It's a huge heavy machine with a belt that can move at speeds of up to 10 or 12 miles per hour. Be careful not to lean against the handrails when using treadmills to run or walk. This could cause injury and cause you to lose your balance. A cluttered space around the treadmill could also create tripping hazards, so it's essential to keep it clean and clutter-free during use as well as storage.

The best treadmills will include security features like a removable safety magnet attached to the belt. If a runner loses balance, the magnet disengages and stops the belt immediately. This feature can prevent serious injuries to the runner and others. This feature is typically found on treadmills at gyms. Home users should purchase one to lessen the risk of accidents that happen with home exercise equipment.

When you are using a treadmill at home, it is important to listen for the safety "beep" that goes off when the belt begins to move and not jump off until the belt is 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 sure to be aware of where the emergency shut-off switch is located and how to use it.

When you're done using the treadmill, it's a good idea that you unplug and shut off the treadmill. This will reduce the chance of children or unsuspecting visitors accidentally turning on and running. It is best to keep it in a separate area and having a clear area over and around it can help keep others from coming into contact with it as well.