How to Find the Best Treadmills

The treadmill is an excellent investment for your home. It allows you to work out according to your schedule without worrying about the weather or your journey to the gym.

A good treadmill is an ideal way to monitor your fitness progress. If you're preparing for an upcoming race or just want to maintain your fitness level, having a treadmill at home is an essential item.

1. Motor

Find a treadmill that has a powerful motor when shopping. If you intend to run upwards of 20 miles per week, and performing high-intensity interval training, choose an option that comes with a continuous 3.0 horsepower motor that has a deck that's 60 inches long. If you're a beginner or simply want to walk or jog on occasion, consider a more compact model that comes with a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.

You should also decide if you'd prefer to go for a smart treadmill with a touchscreen and virtual classes, or opt for simple models without the console. Some models can be folded to make it easier to store.

For a sleek treadmill for sale with a sleek appearance and a wide array of features, take a look at the Peloton Treadmill. It's more expensive than our top choice however it offers an effortless running experience with a user-friendly touchscreen and a great range of workouts available on-demand with instructors who are live and virtual. The incline controls, which are located on the handrails, make it easy to adjust the speed and inclines while exercising. The only cup holders on this treadmill are made of plastic and only hold water bottles.

Another treadmill worth considering 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 workouts online from trainers all over the world. You'll need a subscription in order to use the app, which is included for 30 days and costs $39 per month after that. The treadmill has an interactive touchscreen of 22 inches as well as a cushioned deck. It can reach speeds of up to 12 mph and also has an incline that ranges from -3 % to 15 percent for a more difficult exercise.

2. Design

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

Other design aspects we consider are the incline and speed controls that are responsive (on the handrails and the lower console) which adjust to your needs without having to touch the touchscreen, user-friendly buttons, and a user-friendly interface. We also take into consideration whether the treadmill can be folded and, if so the case, how long it will take to do so. We also take into consideration if the treadmill needs assembly and if that process is easy and quick.

3. Technology

The technology used in treadmills can make a massive difference in how simple they are to operate, and whether or not there are any glitches. When evaluating a treadmill in this category, we consider touchscreens and easy-to-use controls. We also look at user-friendly interfaces, intuitive controls and other technological features. We also take into consideration if the treadmill is portable and folds with the press of a button. This is important for those who frequently move their machines around their home or have to fit them in tight spaces.

We were impressed with the Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill's responsive speed and incline adjustment based on previous workouts, its lengthy belt and cushioning that is comfortable, as well as the iFIT integration that provides access to studio-style classes, virtual coaches, Explore the World scenic runs, and off-treadmill training options (though it occasionally had problems with Bluetooth connectivity). This treadmill was rated highly because of its 22" color touchscreen, which has crisp, eye-catching images and iFIT compatibility.

The ProForm Carbon T10 is another treadmill with a high score. It has a 10" display and provides live and on-demand content from the iFIT platform for walking, running and jogging. We like the fact that the incline and speed changes are easy to navigate on the touchscreen, as are the ergonomically-placed buttons for quick adjustments as well as the iFIT integration that lets you stream workouts from Zwift and Hulu Max (subscriptions required). The only drawback is that there's no USB or headphone ports.

4. Comfort

The best treadmills are those that are comfortable for the person who uses them. People with larger bodies and longer strides should focus on the size of the deck and the amount of space it gives for walking or running, while others might care more about ergonomic features, such as well-placed speed and incline controls. We also looked for features that make the machine enjoyable to use, like front-facing speakers as well as an USB charger port, tiny cooling fans, or plenty of storage space for water bottles and other accessories.

Finally, we considered the ability to store each treadmill, since not everyone has space in their homes for a full-size treadmill. Fortunately, the majority of treadmills we tested fold down or come with support arms to minimize their footprint when not in use. We looked at how easily they folded up and stored away and set up, how quickly they could be set up, and whether or not they were easy to move on solid surfaces.

If you're planning to run many difficult outdoor trails it is important to consider the maximum incline of the treadmill. This feature is important because it can help you prepare for more difficult outdoor climbs.

In terms of the technology that is on every treadmill, we looked for touchscreens that were responsive and easy to use during a workout as well as an intuitive interface. We also considered the design of the treadmill and whether it was compatible with fitness apps from third-party companies. This allowed us to determine if each treadmill offered enough features to justify the price tag. A quality treadmill for your home can eliminate the hurdles of weather and expensive gym memberships and can boost your motivation to get into shape.

5. Safety

If not used correctly, a treadmill could be risky. It's a large and heavy machine that has an incline that can move at speeds of up to 10 or 12 miles per hour. People who use a treadmill for walking and running should be careful not to lean on the hand rails because this could throw off balance and cause injuries. The risk of tripping can also be caused by a messy space around the treadmill. Keep it clean and clutter-free throughout use and when storing it.

The best treadmills will have safety features such as a removable safety magnet attached to the belt. If a runner falls off their balance, the magnet releases and stops the moving belt immediately. This feature could prevent serious injuries to runners and others. This feature is typically found on treadmills for sale at gyms. Home owners should consider purchasing one to lessen the risk of accidents that can occur on home exercise equipment.

It is important to pay attention to the "beep" when the treadmill belt begins moving. Don't leap off before the belt has stopped. Many people make the mistake of stepping off the treadmill before the belt has stopped. This can result in serious 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 is turned off and unplugged after you're finished with it. This will minimize the chance of accidental use by children or visitors. It is also possible to keep it in a separate space with a clear space around it to prevent other people from accidentally touching it.