How to Find the Best Treadmills

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

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

1. Motor Vehicles

When looking for a treadmill, opt for one that offers an impressive motor. If you intend to run more than 20 miles per week, and do high-intensity training, you should choose a treadmill that has an unstoppable motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should be 60 inches long. If you're a beginner, or only want to walk or jog at times, think about an option with motors that range between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.

Decide if you want a smart treadmill with a touchscreen, virtual classes and a console or a basic model without one. Some models can fold down to make it easier to store.

If you're looking for a modern treadmill with a sleek style and an impressive range of features, take a look at the Peloton Treadmill. It's more expensive than our top pick however it offers a smooth running experience with a simple touchscreen and an impressive range of workouts available on-demand from live and virtual instructors. The incline controls are placed on the handrails, and the quick dials allow you to adjust the speed and inclines while exercising. The only cup holders on this treadmill are plastic and only hold water bottles.

The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is another treadmill to consider. It's cheaper than the Peloton Treadmill but has a number of great features. Its iFit compatibility lets users to access a range of workouts in virtual form from trainers around the world. You'll need a subscription to access the app, which is included for 30 days, and then costs $39 per month after that. The treadmill comes with a 22-inch touchscreen as well as a cushioned deck. It has a maximum speed of 12 mph and offers an incline adjustment range from between -3% and 15 percent for an exercise that is more challenging.

2. Design

Like any other piece of fitness equipment, the way a treadmill is designed matters. If you're planning to train for a hilly outdoor race, you'll want to select a treadmill with maximum incline settings that simulate outdoor terrain. If you love to follow along with a workout class, you should look for models with a large screen and iFIT compatibility, which lets you access classes in the studio as well as virtual coach programs. Explore the World scenic runs and other off-treadmill workouts.

Other design aspects we consider are adjustable speed and incline controls (on the handrails and lower console) that can adjust to your needs without needing 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 do so. We also take into consideration if the treadmill needs assembly and if that procedure is quick and easy.

3. Technology

The technology used in treadmills makes a big difference in the ease with which they are to use and whether they are prone to glitches. We look at touchscreens as well as user-friendly controls, intuitive interfaces and other tech features when scoring a machine in this category. We also look at whether treadmills are mobile and folds at the press of a button. This could be crucial for those who often move their machines around their homes or need to place them in tight space.

The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its responsive speed and incline adjustment in accordance with 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 exercises that are not on the treadmill (though Bluetooth connectivity was sometimes problematic). The treadmill was highly rated due to its 22" color touchscreen, which has attractive, sharp images and iFIT compatibility.

The ProForm Carbon T10 is another high-scoring treadmill. It has a 10" display and provides live and on-demand content from iFIT to aid in walking, running and running. We love the ergonomically-placed buttons to make quick adjustments, as well as the iFIT integration, which lets you to stream workouts on Zwift or Hulu Max with a subscription. The only drawback is that it doesn't have headphones or USB ports.

4. Comfort

The best treadmills should feel comfortable for the people who use them. People with larger bodies and longer strides might be more concerned with the dimensions of the deck, and the amount of space available for walking or running. Others might be more concerned with ergonomic features like well-placed speed controls and incline controls. We also looked for features that make the machine enjoyable to use, such as front-facing speakers, an USB charger port as well as tiny cooling fans, or plenty of storage space for your water bottle and other accessories.

We also looked at the storage options of each treadmill. Not everyone has enough space in their homes to fit a full-size treadmill. Fortunately, most of the treadmills we tested fold or have support arms that reduce their footprint when not in use. We evaluated how easily the machines folded and stowed away, how long it took to set up, and if they were easy to move around on firm surfaces.

If you plan on running many hills outdoors, you must consider the maximum slope. This feature is important because it will help you prepare for more challenging outdoor climbs.

In terms of the technology used on each treadmill, we looked for touchscreens that respond and easy to navigate during training as well as an user-friendly interface. We also considered the design of the treadmill and whether it was compatible with fitness apps from third-party companies. This helped us decide whether each treadmill offered enough features to justify the cost. A high-quality treadmill at home can help you overcome the challenges of weather conditions and costly gym memberships. It can also boost your motivation to keep your fitness levels up.

5. Safety

If not used correctly, a treadmill could be dangerous. It's a heavy, large machine with a belt moving at speeds of up to 10 or12 miles per hour. People who use treadmills for walking or running should be careful not to lean on the hand rails, because this could throw off balance and result in injuries. A messy area around the treadmill could also create tripping hazards, so it's essential to keep it tidy and clutter-free throughout use and storage.

The most reliable treadmills come with security features such as a magnetic safety that can be removed and that is attached to the belt. The magnet will come off and stop the belt immediately in the event that a runner is unable to maintain balance. This feature can safeguard the runner as well as others from serious injuries. The treadmills in gyms are typically equipped with this technology, and home owners should consider purchasing one to reduce the amount of accidents that occur when exercising at home equipment.

It is important to pay attention to 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 can lead to injuries. Also, be certain to know where the emergency shut-off button is and how to use it.

It's important to ensure that the treadmill is shut off and unplugged after you're done with it. This will decrease the risk of accidental use by visitors or children. It is also possible to keep it in a separate space with a clear space around it to keep other people from getting it in the wrong way.