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 the commute to the gym.

A good treadmill is an ideal instrument to track your fitness progress. A treadmill is an essential item for anyone preparing for a marathon, or simply wanting to maintain their fitness level.

1. Motor

Find a treadmill that has a powerful motor when shopping. If you plan to log more than 20 miles per week, and doing high-intensity interval training, opt for an option that comes with a continuous 3.0 horsepower motor that has 60 inches of deck long. If you are a beginner, or only would like to jog or walk at times, think about a model with a motor that is between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.

It is also important to decide if you'd like choose a treadmill with a touchscreen and virtual classes, or prefer a more basic model without a console. Certain models fold for easy storage.

For a smart treadmill with a sleek style and a plethora of features, take a look at the Peloton Treadmill. It's more expensive than our top pick, but it combines a smooth running experience with an intuitive touchscreen and a great selection of on-demand workouts from instructors both live and virtual. The incline controls, which are located on the handrails allow you to easily adjust the speed and inclines while exercising. The only cup holders on this treadmill are plastic and only hold water bottles.

Another treadmill to consider is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's less expensive than the Peloton Treadmill, but it has a good set of features. Its iFit integration allows users to access a range of workouts online from trainers across the globe. The app is available with a subscription, which costs $39 per monthly. The treadmill has an interactive touchscreen of 22 inches as well as a cushioned deck. It has a maximum speed of 12 mph and has an incline adjustment range from between -3% and 15% for an exercise that is more challenging.

2. Design

As with all fitness equipment, the way in which a treadmill is constructed is crucial. If you're training for an outdoor race that is a bit hilly it is best to select a treadmill with the highest incline setting. If you enjoy following classes select models with a big display and iFIT compatibility. This allows you to access studio-style classes, virtual coach programs, Explore the World scenic run, and other off-treadmill exercises.

We also take a look at the ease of use of the buttons and the user-friendly interface. We also take into consideration whether the treadmill can be folded and, if so, how long does it take to fold it. We also consider if the treadmill needs assembly and whether the process is quick and painless.

3. Technology

The technology utilized in treadmills can make a huge difference to how easy they are to use, and if there are any glitches. When we evaluate a treadmill in this category, we consider touchscreens and user-friendly controls. We also consider user-friendly interfaces, easy-to-use controls and other tech features. We also take into consideration if the treadmill is portable and folds with the push of a button, which could be crucial for those who move their treadmills around their home or have to place them in tight spaces.

We were awestruck by the Nordictrack 1250 treadmill's responsive speed and incline adjustments based on previous workouts, its wide belt with a comfortable cushion, the iFIT integration that gives access to virtual coaches, studio-style classes, Explore the World scenic runs, and off-treadmill training options (though it did occasionally have problems with Bluetooth connectivity). This treadmill was rated highly due to its 22" color touchscreen with sharp, eye-catching graphics and the iFIT compatibility.

Another treadmill that scores high is the ProForm Carbon T10. It features a 10" display and offers live and on-demand content from iFIT for walking, running and running. We like the ergonomically placed buttons that allow for quick adjustments, as well as the iFIT integration, which allows you to stream workouts on Zwift or Hulu Max with a subscription. The one downside is that it doesn't have headphones or USB ports.

4. Comfort

The best treadmills are those that are comfortable for the person who is using them. For those with larger bodies and longer strides could be more concerned about the dimensions of the deck, as well as the amount of space it offers to walk or run. 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 more enjoyable to use the machine, like front-facing speakers, the USB charging port, a tiny cooling fan, as well as plenty of storage options for your water bottle or other accessories.

We also looked at the storage capacity 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 down or come with support arms to minimize their footprint when not in use. We evaluated how easily they folded and put away and how quickly they were set up and whether they were easily moved on solid surfaces.

If you plan on running many hills outdoors, you must be aware of the highest slope. This is crucial since it will allow you to prepare for more difficult outdoor climbs.

In terms of the technology that is on every Treadmill best, we looked for touchscreens that are responsive and easy to navigate during an exercise, as well as an user-friendly interface. We also sought out a non-slip design and whether or not the machine was compatible with third-party fitness apps. This helped us decide if each treadmill had enough features to justify the cost. A quality treadmill for your home eliminates the obstacles of weather and expensive gym memberships and can boost your motivation to get into shape.

5. Safety

If not properly used, a treadmill can be risky. It's a huge and heavy machine that has a belt that moves at speeds of 10 or 12 miles per hour. Avoid leaning against the handrails when using treadmills to walk or run. This can result in injury and can cause your balance to be thrown off. A messy area around the treadmill could cause tripping hazards, so it's essential to keep it clean and clutter-free throughout use and storage.

The best treadmills will include security features like 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 can protect the runner and other people from serious injuries. This technology is usually used on treadmills in gyms. Home users should invest in one to decrease the amount of accidents that happen with home exercise equipment.

When you are using a treadmill at home, it's important to pay attention to the safety "beep" that goes off when the belt begins to move. Don't leap off until the belt is stopped. Many people make the mistake of trying to save time by jumping off before the belt has completely stopped, which can result in injuries. Also, be sure to familiarize yourself with where the emergency shut-off button is located and how to use it.

When you're done using the treadmill, it's a good idea that you unplug and turn it off. This will reduce the chance of kids or unintentionally visiting visitors accidentally turning on and running. The fact that it is kept in a different room and a clear space above and around it will prevent other people from accidental contact with it as well.