How to Find the Best Treadmills
A treadmill is one of the most beneficial fitness investments you can build for your home. It allows you to exercise at your own pace, without worrying about the weather and the commute to the gym.
A treadmill of good quality is a great way to monitor your fitness performance. If you're preparing for an upcoming marathon or simply want to maintain your fitness level having a treadmill at home is a must.
1. Motor Vehicles
When you are looking for a treadmill, look for one that offers a powerful motor. If you plan to log more than 20 miles per week, and engage in intense training, select a treadmill that has an all-time motor of 3.0 horsepower. The deck should be at least 60 inches in length. If you are a beginner, or only would like to jog or walk occasionally, consider a model with a motor that is between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.
You must also decide if you'd like choose a treadmill with a touchscreen and virtual classes, or prefer a more basic model without a console. Some models can fold down for easy storage.
The Peloton Treadmill is a sophisticated treadmill that sports an elegant design and impressive range features. It's more expensive than our top choice but it provides an enjoyable running experience with a simple touchscreen and a great range of workouts available on-demand from instructors both live and virtual. The controls for incline, which are situated on the handrails make it easy to adjust speed and inclines during exercise. Unfortunately, the only cup holders are plastic and only hold water bottles. There's no fan on this treadmill.
The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is another treadmill that is worth a look. It's cheaper than the Peloton Treadmill but has a number of great features. Its iFit compatibility lets users to access a range of workouts online from trainers around the world. The app is only accessible with a subscription, which costs $39 per month. The treadmill features an interactive touchscreen of 22 inches as well as a cushioned deck. It has the maximum speed of 12 mph and has an incline adjustability range of 33% to 15% for an exercise that is more challenging.
2. Design
The design of a treadmill is crucial, just like any other piece of fitness equipment. If you're preparing for a race that is hilly, you'll want to select a treadmill with maximum incline settings that mimic outdoor terrain. If you love to follow along with a workout class, look for 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 other off-treadmill workouts.
Other design aspects we consider include adjustable speed and incline controls (on the handrails and lower console) that can adjust to your preferences without having to touch the touchscreen, user-friendly buttons, and a slick interface. We also take into consideration whether the treadmill can be folded and, if so how long it will take to do so. We also examine whether the treadmill must be put together and if it's a quick and painless process.
3. Technology
The technology used in treadmills can make a huge difference in how simple they are to operate, and if there are any glitches. When evaluating a treadmill within this category, we consider touchscreens and intuitive controls. We also consider user-friendly interfaces, intuitive controls, and other features that are technologically advanced. We also consider if the treadmill is mobile and folds at the press of a button. This might be important for those who frequently move their machines around their homes or need to place them in tight spaces.
The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its quick speed and incline control according to previous workouts, a long belt, comfortable cushioning, and iFIT integration, which gives 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). The treadmill was highly rated due to its 22" color touchscreen that has attractive, sharp images and iFIT compatibility.
The ProForm Carbon T10 is another high-scoring treadmill. It sports 10" display and provides live and on-demand content from iFIT to aid in running, walking and running. We like that the speed and incline changes are simple to navigate through the touchscreen, as are the ergonomically-placed buttons that allow for quick adjustments and the iFIT integration which lets you stream workouts from Zwift and Hulu Max (subscriptions required). It's only downside is that there's no USB or headphone ports.
4. Comfort
The best treadmills should feel comfortable for those who use them. For those with larger bodies and longer strides could be more concerned with the dimensions of the deck, and the amount of space it provides for running or walking. Others might be more interested in ergonomic features such as well-placed speed controls and incline controls. We also looked for features that make the bike more enjoyable to use, like front-facing speakers and the USB charger port and a small cooling fan, or plenty of storage space for your water bottle and other accessories.
Finally, we considered the ability to store each treadmill, since not everyone has room in their homes for a full-size treadmill. Fortunately, most of the treadmills we tested fold down or have support arms that reduce their footprint when not in use. We examined how easily they folded and put away, how quickly they set up and whether they were easily moved on solid surfaces.
If you plan on running a lot of hilly routes outdoors, it is important to consider the maximum gradient. This is crucial because it can help you prepare for more challenging outdoor climbs.
In terms of the technology used on each treadmill, we looked for touchscreens that respond and easy to use during an exercise as well as an intuitive interface. We also sought out a non-slip design and whether or not the treadmill was compatible with fitness apps from third parties. This helped us determine if each treadmill had enough features to justify the cost. A quality treadmill for your home can eliminate the hurdles of weather and expensive gym memberships and boosts your motivation to get in shape.
5. Safety
A treadmill could be a dangerous piece of equipment if not used properly. It's a huge, heavy machine with an incline that can move at speeds of 10 or 12 miles per hour. Anyone who uses treadmills for walking or running should avoid leaning on the hand rails because this could throw off balance and lead to injuries. A cluttered area around the treadmill could also create tripping hazards, so it's important to keep it tidy and clutter-free during use as well as storage.
The most reliable treadmills will come with safety features, such as a removable safety magnet that is attached to the belt. The magnet will break off and stop the belt immediately if a runner loses balance. This feature can prevent serious injuries to runners and others. This feature is typically found on treadmills in gyms. Home users should purchase one to lessen the risk of accidents that can occur on home exercise equipment.
It's important that you listen for the "beep" when the treadmill belt begins moving. Do not jump off before the belt has stopped. treadmill small make the error of stepping off the treadmill before the belt has completely stopped. This can result in serious injuries. Also, you should be familiar with the location and use of the emergency shut-off switch.
It's also a good idea to make sure that the treadmill is turned off and unplugged after you're done with it. This will reduce the chance of your children or visitors accidentally turning on and using the treadmill. It can also be kept in a separate location with a clear space above and around it to keep others from touching it accidentally.