How to Find the Best Treadmills
A treadmill is one of the best fitness investment options you can build for your home. It allows you to work out at your own pace without worrying about the weather or the commute to the gym.
A quality treadmill is also a great way to track your fitness progress over time. Whether you're training 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 an efficient motor when you shop. If you plan to log upwards of 20 miles per week, and doing high-intensity interval training, you should choose one that has a continuous 3.0 horsepower motor and 60 inches of deck long. If you are a beginner, or only need to walk or run at times, think about the model that has motors that range between 1.75 and 2.5 horsepower.
You must also decide if you'd like to choose a treadmill that features a touchscreen and virtual classes, or opt for simple models without the console. Certain models fold for easy storage.
The Peloton Treadmill is a smart treadmill with sleek 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 wide selection of on-demand workouts with instructors who are live and virtual. The incline controls, which are situated on the handrails allow you to easily adjust speed and inclines during exercise. The only cup holders on this treadmill are plastic and only hold water bottles.
Another treadmill to consider is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. It's cheaper than the Peloton Treadmill but has a number of great features. Its iFit compatibility allows users to access a range of workouts in virtual form from trainers around the world. The app is only available as a subscription that costs $39 per month. The treadmill also features an enormous 22-inch touchscreen as well as a cushioned deck. It can reach an maximum speed of 12 mph and has an incline range of -3% to 15% for an intense workout.
2. Design
The design of a treadmill is vital just like any other piece of fitness equipment. If you're planning to train for a race that is hilly it is recommended to choose an exercise machine with the highest incline settings that simulate outdoor terrain. If you enjoy following the class select models with a large screen and iFIT compatibility. This allows you to access studio style classes, virtual coach programmes, Explore the World scenic run, 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 consider whether the treadmill can be folded and, if it can how long it takes to fold it. We also examine whether the treadmill must be put together and if it's an easy and quick process.
3. Technology
The technology used in treadmills can make a big difference in how easy they are to use and if there are any issues. We take a look at touchscreens, intuitive controls, user-friendly interfaces and other tech features when scoring a machine in this category. We also look at whether treadmills are portable and folds with the push of a button. This is important for those who frequently move their treadmills around their home or have to place them in tight space.
The Nordictrack 1250 Treadmill impressed us with its rapid speed and incline adjustments based on 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, in addition to exercises that are not on the treadmill (though Bluetooth connectivity was sometimes difficult). Its 22" striking, sharp touchscreen in color and iFIT integration made this treadmill a top choice.
The ProForm Carbon T10 is another treadmill that scores high. It has a 10" display and features live and on-demand content from iFIT to aid in walking, running and running. We like the fact that the speed and incline changes are easy to navigate on the touchscreen, as are the ergonomically placed buttons for the quick adjustments as well as the iFIT integration that allows you to 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 be comfortable for those who use them. Those with bigger bodies and larger strides should focus on the dimensions of the deck and the amount of space it provides for walking or running while others might be more about ergonomic features like well-placed speed and incline controls. We also looked for extras that make it enjoyable to use the machine, including front-facing speakers and a USB charging port, a tiny cooling fan, and plenty of places to store your water bottle or other accessories.
We also looked at the storage capacity of each treadmill. Not everyone has enough space in their homes to fit a full-size treadmill. Fortunately, the majority of the treadmills we tested fold down or have support arms that reduce their footprint when they are not in use. We evaluated how easily they folded 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 are planning to run a lot of hilly routes outdoors, you must take into consideration the maximum gradient. This is a vital feature that can help you train for more challenging outdoor climbs by mimicking the ascent with the treadmill.
We searched for responsive touchscreens and a simple interface on every treadmill. We also looked at the design of the treadmill and whether it was compatible with fitness apps from third-party companies. This helped us determine if each treadmill had enough features to justify the price. A quality treadmill for your home removes the barriers of weather or expensive gym memberships and boosts your motivation to get into shape.
5. Safety
If not used correctly, a treadmill could be risky. It's a heavy, large machine with a belt that is moving at speeds of up to 10 or12 miles per hour. Avoid leaning against the handrails when using treadmills to walk or run. This can cause an injury and throw your balance off. A messy area around the treadmill can cause tripping hazards, therefore it is important to keep it tidy and clutter-free during use and storage.
The most reliable treadmills will come with safety features, such as an ejectable safety magnet that is attached to the belt. The magnet will break off and stop the belt right away if a runner loses balance. This feature is able to protect the runner and others from serious injuries. This type of technology is typically used on treadmills in gyms. treadmill small should invest in one to decrease the amount of accidents that can occur on home exercise equipment.
It is crucial to listen for the "beep" when the treadmill belt begins moving. 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 could lead to injuries. Be sure to familiarize yourself with where the emergency shut-off switch is and how to use it.
It's important to make sure that the treadmill is turned off and unplugged after you're finished with it. This will reduce the chance of accidental use by children or visitors. The fact that it is kept in a separate room and a clear space above and around it can also protect other people from accidental contact with it as well.