How to Find the Best Treadmills

A treadmill is one of the most beneficial fitness investment 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 quality treadmill can also be a great tool to track your fitness progress over time. Whether you're training for an upcoming marathon or simply want to maintain your fitness level, having a treadmill at home is a must.

1. Motor

Find a treadmill that has powerful motors when shopping. If you plan to run more than 20 miles per week, and engage in intense training, you should choose a treadmill that has an all-time motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should be 60 inches long. If you're just starting out or simply want to walk and jog on occasion, consider smaller models that comes with a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.

Choose if you would like a smart treadmill with a touchscreen, virtual classes and a console, or a simple model without a console. Some models can fold down to make it easy to store.

For a smart treadmill with a sleek style and a plethora of features, check out the Peloton treadmill for sale near me. It's a bit more costly than our top pick however, it provides an enjoyable running experience and an intuitive touchscreen. It also has a wide selection of exercises on demand with virtual and live instructors. The incline controls are located on the handrails, and the quick dials allow you to alter the speed and incline while exercising. Unfortunately, the cups are the only ones available and can only hold water bottles. There's no fan on this treadmill.

The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is another treadmill to consider. 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 virtual workouts from trainers across the globe. The app is only available as a subscription that costs $39 per month. The treadmill also comes with a large 22-inch touchscreen and a cushioned deck. It can reach speeds of up to 12 mph, and has an incline range from -3 % to 15 percent for a more challenging exercise.

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 maximum incline settings. If you enjoy following an exercise class, choose models with a big 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.

We also look at the ease of using the buttons as well as the user-friendly interface. We also look at whether the treadmill is foldable and, if so how long it will take to do so. We also take into consideration if the treadmill requires assembly and whether the process is easy and quick.

3. Technology

The technology used in treadmills can make a massive difference in how easy they are to operate, and whether or not there are any glitches. When evaluating a treadmill within this category, we consider touchscreens and user-friendly controls. We also look at user-friendly interfaces, intuitive controls, and other tech features. We also look at whether a treadmill can be folded and transported easily. This is crucial for those who have to move their machines frequently or have to squeeze them into tight space.

We were impressed by the Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill's responsive speed and incline adjustments based upon past workouts, its long belt and comfortable cushioning, and the iFIT integration that provides access to studio-style classes, virtual coaches, Explore the World scenic runs, and off-treadmill exercise options (though it occasionally had issues with Bluetooth connectivity). This treadmill was rated highly because of its 22" color touchscreen with sharp, eye-catching images and 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 the iFIT platform for walking, running and jogging. We like that the incline and speed changes are simple to navigate through the touchscreen, the ergonomically-placed buttons that allow for quick adjustments, and 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 best treadmills should feel comfortable for the people who use them. People with larger bodies and taller strides should concentrate on the dimensions of the deck and the amount of space it provides for walking or running, while others might care more about ergonomic features like well-placed speed and incline controls. We also looked for features that make the machine enjoyable to use, such as front-facing speakers as well as a USB charger port as well as tiny cooling fans, or plenty of storage space for your water bottle and other accessories.

We also considered the storage capacity of each treadmill. Not everyone has enough space in their homes to fit 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 evaluated how easily they folded and stored away and set up, how quickly they could be set up and whether or not they were easy to move on firm surfaces.

If you intend to run lots of hills outdoors, you must take into consideration the maximum slope. This is essential because it can help you prepare for more difficult outdoor climbs.

We looked for touchscreens that were responsive and an intuitive interface on each treadmill. We also looked for a non-slip design and whether the treadmill was compatible with fitness apps from third parties. This helped us determine whether each treadmill had enough features to justify the price. A quality treadmill at home can help you overcome the difficulties of bad weather and costly gym memberships. It can also help you stay motivated to keep in shape.

5. Safety

If not used correctly the treadmill could be risky. It's a massive, heavy machine that has a belt that moves at speeds up to 12 or 10 miles per hour. Avoid leaning on the handrails when using a treadmill to walk or run. This can cause an injury and throw your balance off. A cluttered space around the treadmill could also create tripping hazards, therefore it is important to keep it tidy and clutter-free throughout use and storage.

The best treadmills have safety features like a magnetic safety that can be removed and that is attached to the belt. If a runner loses balance, the magnet detaches and stops the moving belt immediately. This feature can protect the runner and others from serious injuries. This type of technology is typically found on treadmills at gyms. Home owners should consider purchasing one to decrease the amount of accidents that can occur on home exercise equipment.

When using a treadmill at home, it's important to listen for the safety "beep" that sounds when the belt starts to move, and don't jump off until 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 result in injuries. Also, be familiar with the location and usage of the emergency shut-off switch.

After you've finished using the treadmill, it's a good idea to disconnect it and shut it off. This will reduce the chance of accidental use by visitors or children. It can also be kept in a separate area with a clear space above and around it to stop other people from touching it accidentally.