Cambridge Education

How to Find the Best Treadmills

A treadmill is one of the best fitness investments you can build for your home. It lets you work out according to your schedule, without worrying about the weather or the commute to the gym.

A treadmill for home of good quality is an excellent instrument to track your fitness improvement. If you're training for an upcoming marathon or simply want to keep your fitness level having a treadmill at home is an essential item.

1. Motor Vehicles

Find a treadmill that has a powerful motor when shopping. If you plan on logging upwards of 20 miles per week and performing high-intensity interval training, you should choose a machine that offers an unstoppable 3.0 horsepower motor and 60 inches of deck long. If you're just beginning, or only need to walk or run occasionally, consider a model with motors that range between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.

Decide if you want a smart treadmill with a touchscreen and virtual classes as well as an console or a basic model that doesn't have one. Some models can be folded to make storage easier.

The Peloton Treadmill is a sophisticated treadmill that sports an elegant design and impressive array of features. It's more expensive than our top pick but it provides an enjoyable running experience with a user-friendly touchscreen and a great variety of workouts on demand from instructors both live and virtual. The incline controls are located on the handrails, and the quick dials make it easy to alter the speed and incline while working out. The cups are the only ones available and can only hold water bottles; there's no fan on this treadmill Best.

Another treadmill worth considering is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's a bit more affordable than the Peloton Treadmill, but it comes with a great set of features. Its iFit integration allows you to access a wide range of workouts in virtual form from trainers around the world. The app is only available with a subscription, which costs $39 per month. The treadmill also comes with a large 22-inch touchscreen and a cushioned deck. It can reach the maximum speed of 12 mph and offers an incline range of between -3% and 15% for an intense workout.

2. Design

The design of a treadmill is crucial just like any other piece of fitness equipment. If you're preparing for a hilly outdoor race it is recommended to choose an exercise machine with the highest incline settings that simulate outdoor terrain. If you enjoy following along with a workout class, you should look for models with a big screen and iFIT compatibility which allows you to access studio-style classes as well as virtual coach programs. Explore the World scenic runs and off-treadmill workouts.

Other design elements we take into consideration are the incline and speed controls that are responsive (on the handrails as well as the lower console) which adjust to your preferences without needing to use the touchscreen, simple buttons, and a user-friendly interface. We also take into consideration whether the treadmill can fold and if it is the case, how long it will take to fold it. We also take into consideration if the treadmill for home requires assembly and if that process is easy and quick.

3. Technology

The technology used in treadmills can make a huge difference in how easy they are to operate, and if there are any issues. We consider touchscreens, intuitive controls, user-friendly interfaces and other features when evaluating a treadmill in this category. We also take into consideration if treadmills are portable and folds with the push of a button, which is important for those who frequently move their treadmills around their homes or need to place them in tight space.

The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its quick speed and incline control 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 off-treadmill exercise options (though Bluetooth connectivity was sometimes difficult). The treadmill was highly rated because of its 22" color touchscreen, which has attractive, sharp images and iFIT compatibility.

The ProForm Carbon T10 is another treadmill with a high score. With a 10" screen, it has live streaming and on demand iFIT running, walking, and jogging videos. We like that the speed and incline adjustments are easy to navigate through the touchscreen, as are the ergonomically-placed buttons for quick adjustments, High Quality and the iFIT integration that lets you stream workouts from Zwift and Hulu Max (subscriptions required). The only drawback is that there are no USB or headphone ports.

4. Comfort

The best treadmills should feel comfortable for the people using them. Some people with larger bodies and longer strides could be more concerned about the size of the deck, as well as the amount of space it offers for running or walking. Others may be more interested in ergonomic features like well-placed control of speed and incline. We also searched for additional features that make it more enjoyable to use the machine, including front-facing speakers and the USB charging port and small cooling fan, and plenty of storage options for your water bottle or other accessories.

Then, we looked at the storage capacity of each treadmill, as not everyone has space in their home to accommodate an entire treadmill. Fortunately, the majority of the models we tested fold up or have support arms that minimize their footprint when not in use. We examined the ease with which the machines folded and could be stowed away and how long it took to put them up, and whether they were easy to move around on firm surfaces.

If you plan to run a lot of difficult outdoor trails, you'll also want to consider the maximum incline of the machine. This is an important feature that can help you train for more difficult outdoor climbs by allowing you to simulate the ascent using the treadmill.

In terms of the technology used on every treadmill, we looked for touchscreens that are responsive and easy to navigate during a workout, as well as an intuitive interface. We also examined the design of the treadmill and if it was compatible with fitness apps from third-party companies. This helped us determine if each treadmill had enough features to justify its price. Having a quality home treadmill can eliminate the hurdles of weather and expensive gym memberships and can boost your motivation to stay in shape.

5. Safety

If not properly used the treadmill could be risky. It's a huge and heavy machine that has an incline that can move at speeds of up to 10 or 12 miles per hour. Anyone who uses a treadmill for walking and running should avoid leaning on the hand rails as this can throw off balance and lead to injury. 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 will include security features like a removable safety magnet that is attached to the belt. If a runner loses balance, the magnet releases and stops the belt instantly. This feature could prevent serious injuries to the runner as well as other people. Gyms have treadmills that are equipped with this technology, and homeowners ought to consider purchasing one to reduce the amount of accidents that occur when exercising at home equipment.

When you are using a treadmill at home, it's important to listen for the "beep" that sounds when the belt begins to move and not jump off until the belt is stopped. Many people make the error of stepping off the treadmill before the belt has stopped. This can cause serious injuries. Also, make sure to be aware of where the emergency shut-off switch is located and how to use it.

After you've finished using the treadmill It's a good idea to disconnect it and shut off the treadmill. This will reduce the chance of children or unsuspecting visitors inadvertently turning on and running. Keeping it in a separate area and a clear space above and around it will prevent other people from coming into contact with it as well.