How to Find the Best Treadmills

The treadmill is a great investment for your home. It allows you to exercise at your own pace and not worry about the weather or the commute to the gym.

A treadmill of good quality is an excellent instrument to track your fitness progress. A treadmill is essential for anyone who is training for a marathon or just wanting to maintain their fitness level.

1. Motor

Find a treadmill that has an efficient motor when you shop. If you plan to log upwards of 20 miles a week and doing intense interval training, opt for one that has a continuous 3.0 horsepower motor with a deck that's 60 inches long. If you're a beginner or just want to walk and run on occasion, think about an option that is smaller and comes with a 1.75-2.5 horsepower motor.

You should also decide if you'd prefer to choose a treadmill with a touchscreen and virtual classes, or if you prefer simple models without an console. Some models fold up for easy storage.

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 however it offers an enjoyable running experience with an intuitive touchscreen and an impressive variety of workouts on demand with instructors who are live and virtual. The controls for incline, which are situated on the handrails allow for easy adjustment of the speed and incline 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 at home that is worth a look. It's a bit more affordable than the Peloton Treadmill, but it has a good set of features. Its iFit compatibility allows users to access a range of workouts in virtual form from trainers across the globe. You'll need a subscription in order to use the app, which is included for 30 days, and then costs $39 per month after that. The treadmill has a 22-inch touchscreen as well as a cushioned deck. It can reach speeds of up to 12 mph, and also has an incline that ranges from -3 % to 15% for a more challenging exercise.

2. Design

The design of a Treadmill best; exactlybookmarks.com, is vital, just like any other piece of fitness equipment. If you're training for a race that is hilly you'll need to choose a treadmill with maximum incline settings that replicate outdoor terrain. If you enjoy following an exercise class, you should look for models with a large screen and iFIT compatibility, which lets you access classes in the studio, virtual coach programs, Explore the World scenic runs and other off-treadmill exercises.

Other design aspects we consider include adjustable speed and incline controls (on the handrails as well as the lower console) that adjust to your preferences without needing to use the touchscreen, simple buttons, and a slick interface. We also take into consideration whether the treadmill can fold and, if so the case, how long it will take to fold it. We also look at whether the treadmill has to be assembled and if that is a quick and painless process.

3. Technology

The technology used in treadmills can make a huge difference to how easy they are to use and if there are any issues. When we evaluate a treadmill in this category, we look at touchscreens and intuitive controls. We also consider user-friendly interfaces, easy-to-use controls and other technological features. We also look at whether the treadmill is portable and folds with the push of a button, which might be important for those who move their machines around their home or have to squeeze them into tight spaces.

The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its rapid speed and incline adjustments according to previous workouts, long belt, comfortable cushioning, and iFIT integration, which gives access to studio style classes, virtual coaches and Explore the World scenic run options, as well as exercises off-treadmill (though Bluetooth connectivity was sometimes difficult). Its 22" striking, sharp touchscreen in color and iFIT compatibility make this a top-rated treadmill for sale.

Another high-scoring treadmill is the ProForm Carbon T10. With a 10" screen, it offers on-demand live and on-demand iFIT running, walking and jogging content. We like the fact that the incline and speed changes are simple to navigate through the touchscreen, as are 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). The only issue is that there are no USB or headphone ports.

4. Comfort

The best treadmills at home should be comfortable for the people who use them. For those with larger bodies and longer strides might be more concerned about the dimensions of the deck, as well as the amount of space it offers for running or walking. Others may be more concerned about ergonomic features, such as well-placed control of speed and incline. We also looked for features that make the machine more enjoyable to use, such as front-facing speakers, a USB charger port and tiny cooling fans, or plenty of storage space for water bottles and other accessories.

We also looked at the storage options of each treadmill. Not everyone has enough space in their homes to store a full-sized treadmill. Fortunately, the majority of the models we tested fold up or have support arms that reduce their footprint when they are not in use. We examined the ease with which the machines folded and stowed away, how long it took to put them up, and whether they were easy to move around on firm surfaces.

If you plan to run many of the trails in the outdoors it is important to consider the maximum incline of the machine. This is a vital feature that will help you prepare for more challenging outdoor climbs by mimicking the ascent with the treadmill.

In terms of the technology that is on every treadmill, we looked for touchscreens that are responsive and easy to navigate during training, as well as an intuitive interface. We also looked for a non-slip design and whether the machine was compatible with fitness apps from third parties. This helped us decide if each treadmill had enough features to justify its price. A quality treadmill for your home eliminates the obstacles of weather or costly gym memberships and boosts your motivation to get in shape.

5. Safety

If not properly used, a treadmill can be dangerous. It's a massive, heavy machine with a belt that is moving at speeds up to 12 or 10 miles per hour. Avoid leaning against the handrails when using treadmills to run or walk. This can result in injury and throw your balance off. The risk of tripping can also be caused by a clutter-filled area around the treadmill. Keep it clean and clutter-free throughout storage and during use.

The most reliable treadmills come with safety features, such as a removable safety magnetic attached to the belt. If a runner falls off their balance, the magnet disengages and stops the moving belt immediately. This feature is able to protect the runner as well as others from serious injuries. This technology is usually used on treadmills at home in gyms. Home owners should consider purchasing one to decrease the amount of accidents that occur with home exercise equipment.

When using a treadmill at home, it's crucial 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 error of jumping off the treadmill before the belt has stopped. This could result in serious injuries. Also, be sure to familiarize yourself with where the emergency shut-off switch is and how to use it.

After you've finished using the treadmill, it's a good idea to unplug it and turn it off. This will reduce the chance of accidental use by children or visitors. Keeping it in a separate room and a clear area above and around it will prevent other people from coming into contact with it as well.