How to Find the Best Treadmills
A treadmill is one of the most beneficial fitness investments you can build for your home. It lets you exercise at your own speed, without worrying about the weather and the commute to the gym.
A quality treadmill is also a great way to track your fitness level over time. A treadmill is an essential item for anyone training for a marathon or simply looking to keep their fitness level.
1. Motor
Choose a treadmill with powerful motors when shopping. If you plan on logging upwards of 20 miles a week and doing intense interval training, choose a machine that offers a continuous 3.0 horsepower motor and 60 inches of deck long. If you're just starting out or simply want to walk or run on occasion, think about an option that is smaller and includes a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.
Choose if you want a smart treadmill with a touchscreen, virtual classes and a console, or a simple model without one. Some models fold up to make it easy to store.
If you're looking for a modern treadmill with a sleek design and a plethora of features, check out the Peloton Treadmill. It's a bit more costly than our top choice, however, it provides a smooth running experience and a user-friendly touchscreen. It also offers an extensive selection of workouts on demand from virtual and live instructors. The incline controls, which are located 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 to consider is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's more affordable than the Peloton Treadmill but has a many good features. Its iFit compatibility lets you to access a variety of virtual workouts from trainers across the globe. The app is available as a subscription which costs $39 per month. The treadmill features an interactive touchscreen of 22 inches as well as a cushioned deck. It has the maximum speed of 12 mph and offers an incline range of -3% to 15 percent for an intense workout.
2. Design
The design of a treadmill is crucial just like any other piece of fitness equipment. If you're preparing for an outdoor race that is a bit hilly it is best to choose a treadmill that has the highest incline setting. If you love to follow along with a workout class, you should look for models that feature a large screen and iFIT compatibility which lets you access classes that are studio-style virtual coach programs, Explore the World scenic runs, and off-treadmill workouts.
Other design aspects we consider are responsive speed and incline controls (on the handrails and lower console) that can adjust to your commands without you having to touch the touchscreen, user-friendly buttons, and an easy-to-use interface. We also look at whether the treadmill is foldable and, if it is the case, how long it will take to fold it. We also consider if the treadmill needs assembly and whether the process is easy and quick.
3. Technology
The technology used on treadmills makes a big difference in how easy they are to use and whether they have any glitches. When evaluating a treadmill in this category, we take into consideration 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 a treadmill is portable and can fold at the touch of a button. This is important for those who often move their treadmills around their homes or need to place them in tight space.
The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its rapid speed and incline adjustments in accordance with previous workouts, a long belt, comfortable cushioning and iFIT integration, which provides access to studio-style classes, virtual coaches and Explore the World scenic run options, in addition to exercises that are not on the treadmill (though Bluetooth connectivity was sometimes problematic). This treadmill was rated highly because of its 22" color touchscreen that has attractive, sharp graphics and iFIT compatibility.
Another treadmill with high scores is the ProForm Carbon T10. With a 10" screen, it offers live streaming and on demand iFIT running, walking and jogging videos. We like that the incline and speed changes are simple to navigate through the touchscreen, the ergonomically-placed buttons for quick adjustments as well as the iFIT integration which lets you stream workouts from Zwift and Hulu Max (subscriptions required). The only drawback is that it doesn't have headphones or USB ports.
4. Comfort
The most efficient treadmills are ones that feel comfortable to the person who uses them. For those with larger bodies and longer strides may be more concerned with the dimensions of the deck and the amount of space it offers for running or walking. Others might be more concerned with ergonomic features such as well-placed controls for speed and incline. We also scoured for features that make it a pleasure to use the machine, like front-facing speakers as well as a USB charging port and small cooling fan, and plenty of storage options for your water bottle or other accessories.
Then, we looked at the storability of each treadmill, because there isn't always room in their home to accommodate a full-size treadmill. Fortunately, most of the models we tested fold up or have support arms to reduce their footprint when not in use. We evaluated the ease with which the machines folded and stowed away and how long it took to set up, and whether they were easy to move on solid surfaces.
If you're planning to run a lot of difficult outdoor trails, you'll also want to take into consideration the highest incline of the machine. This is essential since it will allow you to prepare for more challenging outdoor climbs.
In terms of the technology on each treadmill, we looked for touchscreens that respond and easy to use during an exercise, as well as an user-friendly interface. We also considered the design of the treadmill and whether it was compatible with fitness apps that are made by third parties. This helped us determine whether each treadmill offered enough features to justify the price. A high-quality treadmill at home eliminates the obstacles of weather or expensive gym memberships and boosts your motivation to get into shape.
5. Safety
If not used correctly, a treadmill could be dangerous. It's a massive, heavy machine with a belt that is moving at speeds up to 12 miles per hour. Those 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 injury. A cluttered area around the treadmill can cause tripping hazards, therefore it is important to keep it tidy and clutter-free during use and storage.
The best treadmills will have safety features, such as an adjustable safety magnet that is that is attached to the belt. If a runner loses their balance, the magnet disengages and stops the belt immediately. This feature is able to protect the runner and others from serious injuries. This technology is usually found on treadmills in gyms. Home users should purchase one to decrease the amount of accidents that can occur on home exercise equipment.
When you are using a treadmill at home, it's crucial to listen for the safety "beep" that comes on when the belt starts to move and not jump off until the belt has stopped. Many people make the error of jumping off the treadmill before the belt has completely stopped. This can cause serious injuries. Also, home treadmills should be familiar with the location and usage of the emergency shut-off switch.
It's also a good idea to make sure that the treadmill is turned off and unplugged after you're done with it. This will reduce the chance of accidental use by children or visitors. It is best to keep it in a separate area and a clear area above and around it can protect other people from coming into contact with it as well.