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Treadmills are a staple of every gym, health club, and any serious fitness regimen. But since the market is flooded with thousands of different models – it can be more than a little daunting for most of us to find the best treadmill.
Whether you are a casual exerciser, a marathoner, or a serious athlete – we have spent countless hours testing different models and aggregating online reviews – to provide you with the best treadmill purchasing options.
Our Top Pick
ProForm 505 CST Treadmill
The ProForm 505 CST is one of the most popular treadmills in the world. With over 250 customer reviews on the internet, great functionality, affordability, and durability – it is our pick for the best treadmill. While our staff largely likes to run outside, we found that the 505 provided a very smooth, and dare I say – better? – workout.
Other Great Picks
NordicTrack C 990 Treadmill
NordicTrack is one of the biggest household names in the world of fitness equipment, and for good reason. The C 990 is another great pick for the best treadmill out there – though it does come in at a slightly higher price point. If you are a serious athlete, this is definitely a better pick than the ProForm 505. Over 300 customer reviews online point out the smooth running experience, as well as some higher-end luxury features not found in less expensive models.
Nautilus T618 Treadmill
The Nautilus T618 treadmill is our staff’s favorite lower-end luxury treadmill – and with ample reason. It offers the smoothest running experience (without moving up to a much higher price range), is relatively quiet, offers nearly 20 locations and over 25 running routes, and puts you right alongside real people all over the world. Such a cool feature, and the Bluetooth connectivity is also a great feature that more and more treadmills are incorporating these days.
Merax Easy Assembly Folding Electric Treadmill
Innovative product design is always a great thing to have, when you are trying to enter an established market. This folding (!) treadmill from Merax is a genius way to save space. On top of that, at half the price of many treadmills – the savings is substantial. If you have a small apartment, are in a dorm, or just like to save space – this is definitely the machine for you. If you are less concerned about the absolute smoothest run, and prefer to save hundreds of dollars – grab this treadmill.
Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill Series
With over 3,500 reviews online – the Weslo Cadence G 5.9 is one of the most popular treadmills in the world. While not quite as luxurious as high-end treadmills – for most people this is an excellent choice. With foldability, six personal trainer workouts, and a heart rate monitor – if offers every standard feature for a best treadmill. Frequently ranking in the top five of all treadmills on multiple online shopping sites, this is a time-tested, durable, and affordable choice.
Precor TRM 445 Precision Series Treadmill
Precor is one of the best manufacturers in the fitness industry. If you regularly go to the gym, you will see that 90% of the machines are Precor. This is because they offer excellent craftsmanship, extreme durability and stability, and their machines are smooth and comfortable. If you ever need to convince someone to start working out – woo them with a Precor. This TRM 445 Precision Series runs like a dream, and even provides one of our staff’s favorite features – downhill walking or running!
Life Fitness Club Series Treadmill
Life Fitness is another great choice for health clubs and gyms. This is because Life Fitness provides higher-end, higher use durability – along with smooth action. This model features the same controls as their best-selling gym model, and protects your joints with FlexDeck shock protection. If you are a daily runner, it is definitely in your best interest to get a higher-end model like the Club Series, as you will get about 30% less impact on your knees and other joints.
Sole Fitness F85 Folding Treadmill
If you are looking for the Rolls-Royce option – this Sole folding treadmill is one of the best choices. The Cushion Flex Whisper Deck delivers exactly what it promises – with an almost 50% (!) decrease on joint impacts, compared to running outside. The chest strap heart rate monitor is ideal for higher speeds or for those with health concerns, and the cooling fan is a true luxury that makes working out an absolute breeze. The lifetime warranty is also a great feature for the consumer – so if you’re a serious runner, strongly consider this model.
RESOLVE FITNESS Reactive Runner Treadmill
If you are a very serious runner – or just want the pinnacle of treadmill workouts – this is our pick for you. The curved treadmill running surface simulates the outdoors, and every luxury feature you could want, is found within. Try the three HIIT preset programs, to really push yourself to the limit. One feature that we love – a 33% increase in calories burned, compared with regular treadmill models. If money isn’t an object, this is our pick for best treadmill.
3G Cardio Pro Runner Treadmill
A great mid-range option, the 3G Cardio Pro Runner offers most of the higher-end treadmill features – at about half the cost. Foldability makes this a very good choice for those looking to save space, and the soft orthopedic belt will save your joints some stress. The built-in fan and heart rate monitor makes this model a great choice, for serious runners who are mindful of their budget.
What Is A Treadmill?
If you live in a cold climate, and want to avoid going to the gym – a treadmill is definitely for you. With the ability to get hundreds of miles of running, walking, and sprinting in – all without leaving the comfort of your home – a treadmill more than pays for itself.
Technically speaking, a treadmill provides a moving platform, upon which you can move. Meanwhile, a conveyor belt powered by electricity, constantly keeps moving the platform forward.
A bit like the myth of Sisyphus, a treadmill can give the humorous impression of “trying so hard but never getting anywhere”. While you can technically run 10 miles on a treadmill – you’ll never go anywhere, and will end up right back where you started.
As technology has advanced, treadmills have added more and more interesting features. Cupholders, video screens, Bluetooth compatibility, calorie counters, and much more – have all become commonplace.
However, you may want to save some money, and opt for a lower-priced treadmill for your home. They will still offer the same basic feature – the ability to run – but you won’t pay extra for any of the more advanced (but sometimes not that essential) features.
Why Buy A Treadmill?
Buying a treadmill is an essential for anyone serious about staying healthy. Unless you live in a very warm, year-round climate (like southern California) – you’ll want the ability to stay in when it’s cold and rainy – while still being able to work up a sweat.
With the basic models running only $100 – anyone can afford a treadmill. While we generally recommending spending a little more than this (presuming there is room in your budget) – very good treadmills are still very affordable.
Treadmills also make it easier to work out, as you can watch TV while you exercise – all but forgetting that you are actually burning calories, at the same time as watching your favorite shows. To be blunt – the list of reasons why you should not get a treadmill, is much shorter than the list of reasons of why you should get one.
Running On A Treadmill
Running on a treadmill is pretty great – but we should mention some caveats. If you are logging serious miles (i.e. if you’re training for a marathon) – you will want to mix up the surfaces that you run on.
This includes incorporating the road, the grass, and even the beach (if available). It’s also important to properly warm up, if you are going to be running on a treadmill.
To be safer, you may also want to set a slight incline on the treadmill, as this will slow turn your max pace. This protects you from injuries, and also helps more a few extra calories.
If you are going to regularly log miles on the “dreadmill“, make sure to maintain proper posture. This includes not leaning forward, and instead keeping your back upright.
Additionally, make sure you run with your natural gait, and don’t overstride. If you do this, your heel will be landing first, making each stride fairly uncomfortable.
One unnoticed bonus of running on a treadmill? It’s actually easier on our joints than running on the pavement. To turn down the wear and tear on your body even more, you can alternate treadmill cardio with elliptical machine sessions.
Walking On A Treadmill
Walking on a treadmill is by far the easiest form of exercise you can engage in with this machine – but you should still make sure you follow a few rules. Firstly, don’t hold the hand rails – you won’t be able to engage in natural walking posture by doing this.
Next, stop looking down, or hunching your shoulders. Though treadmill screens make this very tempting – it’s not a good idea for your body.
Lastly, make sure you don’t go too fast – you’ll fly right off the treadmill, and could even get seriously injured. This can be deceptive – a treadmill is unwavering in its speed, unlike humans, who naturally slow down and speed up while they walk.
Sprinting On A Treadmill
Sprinting on a treadmill can help you push yourself to new record times – but it also comes with some risk. Make sure to use a safety wrist strap for an emergency stopping of the treadmill, and begin sprinting with an incline – so you avoid any injuries that may come from overexerting yourself at a flat incline.
Training On A Treadmill
If you are training for a marathon, and you live in a wintry climate – a treadmill is a godsend. However, be sure to mix up your training with other surfaces to, like the gravel, grass, and pavement.
The outdoor elements make running a little tougher than training on a treadmill, and you absolutely need to be prepared for all the craziness that an outdoor marathon might throw at you. If you are training for other events, a treadmill is a great tool for sprints, as well as HIIT (high-intensity interval training).
Treadmill Running Surface Area
A larger running surface on a treadmill will result in a better exercise experience. Look for a deck that is at least 20 inches wide and 55 inches long, for the most comfort.
If you are a taller person, you may need even more room than this. Ideally, every treadmill would be 22 inches wide and 60 inches long – as this extra room makes for a much more comfortable run.
Treadmill Benefits
There are many advantages to exercising on a treadmill regularly. Some of the best benefits include: lower blood pressure, increased cardiovascular capacity, better endurance – and even more accelerated weight loss.
Treadmill Motor Size
A bigger motor means a few things for a treadmill. First, the treadmill will perform better at top speeds. Secondly, the treadmill is much more likely to last longer, with a bigger motor inside the machine.
Treadmill Durability
Choosing a treadmill that can ‘take a licking and keep on ticking’ – is crucial. Durability is one of the most important factors to look for in any home fitness equipment, and a treadmill is no exception.
Folding Treadmills
Folding treadmills are more portable than non-folding treadmills, and these mobile treadmills are the kind most often purchased by home owners. Folding treadmills are also far less expensive than non-folding treadmills – which goes a long way when you are trying to stay within your monthly budget.
Non-Folding Treadmills
In most gyms, the commercial treadmills used are almost always non-folding. This is because non-folding treadmills offer more durability, which allows them to be run on, 24/7 – which a home treadmill would never require.
Which Is Better – Elliptical Or Treadmill?
While treadmills and elliptical machines offer similar benefits, they are also somewhat different from one another. Ellipticals are great if you have an injury, or are trying to exercise with the least impact to your body.
Treadmills however, are much better for race training, and will stay a little more consistent than ellipticals, when it comes to cross-brand tracking of consistent mileage. This means that one mile on any treadmill is likely to be the same as one mile on any other treadmill – which is not always the case with the different elliptical manufacturers.
Ultimately, both treadmills and ellipticals offer great health benefits. They are different machines, but neither one is truly “better” than the other.
Can You Lose Weight On A Treadmill?
You can absolutely lose weight with a treadmill, and just having it in your house will make you much more likely to stay more active – especially when the cold winter months roll around. However, as is the case with any weight loss – the food you eat on a daily basis is the most important variable to control.
Treadmill Desk
One of the coolest new products of the last 20 years, the treadmill desk is exactly what it sounds like – you can keep getting your work done, all while you walk on a treadmill. Since sitting is the new smoking, in terms of being bad for your health – we absolutely love this functional piece of fitness equipment.
Dog Treadmill
Believe it or not, even dogs are now getting into the action, as there are many dog treadmills on the market. Your K9 pal can right beside you while you exercise – which of course makes for a much more enjoyable experience.
Treadmill Price
Treadmills range widely in price – from slightly less than $100, to over $1,000. Carefully factor in how long you’d like the treadmill to last, how portable you need it to be, and what extra features you may like – before making the final decision on your spending budget.
How Do I Choose The Best Treadmill For Me?
When you are looking to buy a treadmill, be sure to consider all the variables. First – how serious are you about running? Or will you be using the treadmill mainly for walking?
Secondly, how much do you want to spend? Do you want a lot of extra features, or a bare bones machine that just lets you run from the comfort of your own home?
Lastly – how many people will be using it? Is it just for you – or for your spouse or family, too? All of these factors should be considered, before you decide on the best treadmill for you.
The Best Treadmill
There you have it – our picks for the best treadmill. If you are looking to stay in shape, improve longevity, build muscle, lose weight, or stay active – make sure you take a look at our other picks in the fitness category.