How to Find the Best Treadmills
The treadmill is an excellent investment for your home. It lets you work out at your own speed, without worrying about the weather or the commute to the gym.
A good treadmill is a great tool for tracking your fitness performance. If you're preparing for an upcoming race or just want to maintain your fitness level having a treadmill at home is a must.
1. Motor
Find a treadmill that has a powerful motor when shopping. If you plan to log more than 20 miles per week, and engage in intense training, you should choose a treadmill with a continuous motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should be 60 inches in length. If you're just beginning or simply need to walk or run often, you should consider an option with a motor that is between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.
You must also decide if you'd prefer to opt for a treadmill with a touchscreen and virtual classes, or if you prefer simple models without a console. Some models fold up to make it easy to store.
The Peloton Treadmill is a smart treadmill with a sleek design with an impressive range features. It's a bit more costly than our top pick, but it offers a smooth running experience and an intuitive touchscreen. It also comes with a wide selection of workouts on demand from live and virtual instructors. The incline controls, located on the handrails, make it easy to adjust speed and inclines during exercise. Unfortunately, the only cup holders are made of plastic and are only able to hold water bottles. There's no fan on this treadmill.
The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is another treadmill worth considering. It's more affordable than the Peloton Treadmill but has a many good features. tread mills allows you to access a wide range of workouts in virtual form from trainers all over the world. You'll need a subscription to use the app, which is free for 30 days and costs $39 per month after that. The treadmill also features a huge 22-inch touchscreen and a cushioned deck. It can reach a maximum speed of 12 mph, and comes with an incline adjustment range from -3% to 15% for an exercise that is more challenging.
2. Design
The design of a treadmill is important just like any other piece of fitness equipment. If you are training for an outdoor race that is a bit hilly it is best to select a treadmill with maximum incline settings. If you love to follow an exercise class, look for models with a large screen and iFIT compatibility which lets you access studio-style classes, virtual coach programs, Explore the World scenic runs and off-treadmill workouts.
Other design elements we take into consideration are adjustable speed and incline controls (on the handrails and the lower console) which adjust to your preferences without having to touch the touchscreen, user-friendly buttons, and a slick interface. We also look at whether the treadmill is foldable and, if yes how long it will take to fold it. We also examine whether the treadmill must be assembled and if that is a quick and painless process.
3. Technology
The technology utilized in treadmills can make a huge difference in how easy they are to use, and if there are any issues. When evaluating a treadmill within this category, we look at touchscreens and user-friendly controls. We also consider user-friendly interfaces, easy-to-use controls and other tech features. We also look at whether treadmills can be folded and transported easily. This is important for people who often move their treadmills around or have to fit them into tight space.
The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its rapid speed and incline adjustments based on 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 crisp, eye-catching images and the iFIT compatibility.
The ProForm Carbon T10 is another treadmill that scores high. It has 10" display and features live and on-demand content from the iFIT platform for walking, running and running. We like that the speed and incline changes are simple to navigate through the touchscreen, the ergonomically-placed buttons that allow for quick adjustments, and the iFIT integration that allows you to stream workouts from Zwift and Hulu Max (subscriptions required). The only drawback is that there's no USB or headphone ports.
4. Comfort
The best treadmills should be comfortable for the people using them. For those with larger bodies and taller strides should focus on the dimensions of the deck and how much space it gives to walk or run while others might be more about ergonomic features, such as well-placed speed and incline controls. We also searched for additional features that make it enjoyable to use the machine, such as front-facing speakers, a USB charging port, a small cooling fan, as well as plenty of storage options for your water bottle or other accessories.
Finally, we considered the storability of each treadmill, as not everyone has room in their home for an entire treadmill. Fortunately, nearly all the treadmills we tested fold up or have support arms that reduce their footprint when not in use. We evaluated how easily they folded up and stored away and set up, how quickly they could be set up and whether or not they were easy to move on solid surfaces.
If you plan on running a lot of hilly routes outdoors, it is important to take into consideration the maximum incline. This is essential because it will help you prepare for more challenging outdoor climbs.
In terms of the technology that is on each treadmill, we looked for touchscreens that were responsive and easy to navigate during training, as well as an intuitive interface. We also sought out a non-slip appearance and whether the treadmill was compatible with third-party fitness apps. This allowed us to determine if each treadmill offered enough features to justify the price tag. A quality treadmill for your home removes the barriers of weather or expensive gym memberships and can boost your motivation to get into shape.
5. Safety
A treadmill could be a dangerous piece of equipment if not used properly. It's a large and heavy machine that has an incline that can move at speeds of up to 10 or 12 miles per hour. Be careful not to lean against the handrails when using treadmills to walk or run. This can cause an injury and cause you to lose your balance. The risk of tripping can also be caused by a clutter-filled area surrounding the treadmill. Keep it clean and clutter-free during storage and during use.
The best treadmills have safety features like a magnetic safety that can be removed and that is attached to the belt. If a runner falls off their balance, the magnet releases and stops the belt immediately. This feature can prevent serious injuries to the runner as well as other people. This type of technology is typically used on treadmills in gyms. Home owners should consider purchasing 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 sounds when the belt starts to move. Don't leap off until the belt has stopped. Many people make the mistake of trying to save time by jumping off before the belt has completely stopped, which can lead to injuries. Also, make certain to know the location of the emergency shut-off button is and how to use it.
When you're done using the treadmill It's a good idea to disconnect it and switch off the treadmill. This can reduce the risk of children or unsuspecting visitors accidentally turning it on and using it. It is best to keep it in a separate room and having a clear area over and around it can also prevent others from coming into contact with it as well.