How to Find the Best Treadmills

A treadmill is one of the most beneficial fitness investment you can build for your home. It allows you to exercise according to your schedule without worrying about the weather or your commute to the gym.

A high-quality treadmill is also a great method to track your fitness level over time. Whether you're training for a marathon in the near future or simply want to maintain your fitness level having a treadmill at home is an essential purchase.

1. Motor Vehicles

Choose a treadmill with a powerful motor when shopping. If you plan to log more than 20 miles a week, and engage in intense training, select a treadmill with a continuous motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should be 60 inches in length. If you're a beginner or simply want to walk or jog often, you should consider a model with an engine that's between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.

Choose if you would like a smart treadmill with a touchscreen as well as virtual classes, a console or a basic model that doesn't have one. Some models fold up for easy storage.

The Peloton Treadmill is a sophisticated treadmill that has a sleek design with an impressive array of features. It's more expensive than our top pick but it provides a smooth running experience with a simple touchscreen and a wide variety of workouts on demand with instructors who are live and virtual. The incline controls, which are located on the handrails allow for easy adjustment of the speed and incline during exercise. The only cup holders are made of plastic and only hold water bottles. There's no fan on this treadmill.

Another treadmill to consider is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's less expensive than the Peloton Treadmill, but it comes with a great set of features. Its iFit compatibility lets you to access a wide range of virtual workouts from trainers all over the world. The app is accessible with a subscription, which costs $39 per monthly. The treadmill also features a huge 22-inch touchscreen and a cushioned deck. It can go up to 12 mph, and also has an incline that ranges between -3 % to 15 percent for a more difficult exercise.

2. Design

The design of a treadmill is important as is any other piece of fitness equipment. If you're preparing for an outdoor race that is a bit hilly, you will want to select a treadmill with maximum incline settings. If you love to follow an exercise class, choose 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 exercises.

We also take a look at the ease of using the buttons as well as the user-friendly interface. We also take into consideration whether the treadmill can fold and, if so then how long it will take to do so. We also consider whether the treadmill must be assembled and if it is simple and easy to do so.

3. Technology

The technology utilized in treadmills can make a huge difference in how easy they are to use, and if there are any glitches. We look at touchscreens and intuitive controls, user-friendly interfaces, and other technological features when evaluating a treadmill in this category. We also take into consideration if a treadmill is portable and folds with the push of a button, which could be crucial for those who often move their machines around their homes or need to fit them in tight space.

We were impressed by the Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill's receptive speed and incline adjustments based upon past workouts, its long belt and cushioning that is comfortable, as well as the iFIT integration that provides access to virtual coaches, studio-style classes, Explore the World scenic runs, and off-treadmill exercise options (though it occasionally had problems with Bluetooth connectivity). Its 22" striking, sharp touchscreen with a color display and iFIT compatibility make this a top-rated treadmill.

The ProForm Carbon T10 is another treadmill with a high score. With a 10" screen, it offers live streaming and on-demand iFIT running, walking and jogging videos. We like the fact that the speed and incline changes are easy to navigate on the touchscreen, the ergonomically placed buttons for the quick adjustments as well as the iFIT integration that lets you stream workouts from Zwift and Hulu Max (subscriptions required). The only downside is that it does not have a headphone port or USB ports.

4. Comfort

The best treadmills on sale are ones that feel comfortable to the person who is using them. Some people with larger bodies and longer strides may be more concerned about the size of the deck and the amount of space it provides for walking or running. Others may be more concerned with ergonomic features like well-placed controls for speed and incline. We also scoured for features that make it enjoyable to use the machine, including front-facing speakers, the USB charging port, a small cooling fan, and plenty of places to store your water bottle or other accessories.

We also looked at the storage options of each treadmill best. Not everyone has enough space in their home to store a full-sized treadmill. Fortunately, the majority of treadmills we tested fold up or come with support arms to minimize their footprint when not in use. We examined how easily the machines folded and could be stowed away, how long it took to set up, and if they were easy to move on hard surfaces.

If you plan on running lots of hills outdoors, you should also consider the maximum slope. This is an important feature that can help you train for more challenging outdoor climbs by simulating the ascent with the treadmill.

We looked for responsive touchscreens and a user-friendly interface on each treadmill. We also looked for a non-glitchy appearance and whether the treadmill was compatible with third-party fitness apps. This helped us determine whether each treadmill had enough features to justify the price. Having a quality home treadmill eliminates the obstacles of weather or expensive gym memberships, and can increase your motivation to get into shape.

5. Safety

A treadmill can be a risky piece of equipment if it is not used in a safe manner. It's a large heavy machine with a belt that can move at speeds of 10 or 12 miles per hour. Avoid leaning against the handrails when using the treadmill to walk or run. This could cause injury and throw your balance off. A messy area around the treadmill can also cause tripping hazards so it's important to keep it clean 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 instantly. This feature could prevent serious injuries to runners and others. Gyms have treadmills that are equipped with this technology, and home users might want to consider purchasing one in order to help decrease the number of accidents that occur when exercising at home equipment.

It is important to be attentive 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 cause injuries. Be sure to be aware of the location of the emergency shut-off button is located and how to use it.

It's also a good idea to make sure that the treadmill is turned off and unplugged when you're done. This will reduce the chance of your children or visitors accidentally turning on and using it. It can also be kept in a separate location with a clear space around it to stop others from accidentally touching it.