Best Treadmills: Transform Your Workout with These 3 Powerful and Exciting Choices

Here are the best treadmills for home workouts to keep you fit and healthy. Treadmills are ideal for those dealing with bad weather or hectic schedules. Many people prefer the comfort and control that they provide to outdoor running.

After analyzing several models, we can confidently recommend the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 as the best option. Its smooth ride and solid design make it simple to use. Additionally, it has a large color touchscreen for easy navigation. For added motivation, it also provides an optional membership for onboard workout content.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned runner, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is designed to help you achieve your fitness goals. If you want to work out at home in a fun and efficient way, this treadmill is among the best.

Who Should Consider the Treadmills for Home Workouts?

In 2022, 205.8 million individuals walked or jogged, with 60 million choosing to exercise at home. Before purchasing best treadmills, make sure to consider all of your options. If you don’t utilize your treadmill for home workouts on a regular basis, it will accumulate dust. According to research, 40% of home gym equipment is not being used as intended. Rich Willy, an associate professor at the University of Montana, advocates altering your pace and slope on a frequent basis to optimize your home treadmill exercises.

Many of the best treadmills provide membership-based services that allow users to access trainer-led sessions and virtual workouts from anywhere in the world. However, before you commit, you should consider your workout preferences. This best treadmills designed for these activities, excluding under-desk models, tread desks, and walking pads. By focusing on these key features, you can find the treadmill that best suits your fitness goals and lifestyle.

Selecting and Evaluating the Treadmill

We compared home and gym treadmills; the latter, sturdier and pricier, is built for frequent use. Harry Pino, from Princeton Longevity Center, notes that home treadmills often have softer frames and more plastic components. Gym models also offer higher horsepower and longer-lasting motors, making them ideal for intense, daily workouts. However, best treadmills are generally more affordable and convenient, offering flexibility for personal use. Below are the key features we prioritized when selecting models for evaluation.

Belt Length: The majority of the best treadmills for at-home workouts that we examined have a generous 60-inch belt length. This feature provides plenty of space for running comfortably. It helps prevent cramping, even during long workout sessions. A longer belt length is also more convenient for people with longer steps. Overall, this key feature improves the overall workout experience.

Speed: We tested the best treadmills that can reach speeds of up to 12 mph. This speed is ideal for serious runners. However, it is not necessary for the majority of users. Lower speeds are sufficient for those who enjoy casual walking or jogging. Consider your fitness goals when selecting a best treadmills. The speed feature can improve your workouts, but it’s not necessary for everyone.

Incline: The best treadmills have multiple slope settings. These options simulate different surfaces, providing a challenging workout. Incline training increases strength and endurance. It’s ideal for interval training, which increases calorie burn. Adjusting the incline adds variety to your walks or runs. This feature improves your workout experience and keeps you engaged.

Decline: Decline is a feature that some of the best treadmills have. This creates variation by simulating downhill terrain. The decline option can improve your workout by targeting different muscles. One tester compared it to running across bridges, which provided a distinct feel. With this feature, your routine will become more dynamic. It’s a great way to vary your workouts and push yourself further.

Horsepower: Treadmill motors are typically rated in continuous horsepower, indicating their sustained power output. While higher horsepower may allow for quicker speed and incline adjustments, it doesn’t always guarantee a smoother run. Most joggers benefit from treadmills with at least 3 horsepower motors, a standard met by all tested models.

Deck: There is variation in the springiness of treadmill decks. The terms “flex” and “cushioning” refer to a surface that is more supple. Dr. Adam Tenforde suggests that best treadmills provide cushioning for orthopedic health. However, the surface should not be excessively solid. A best treadmills achieve a balance between comfort and support. This feature is essential for reducing strain during exercise. Choosing the best treadmills with adequate cushioning can protect your joints.

Weight Capacity: Most home workout treadmills can handle 300-325 pounds. All of the best treadmills we tested can support this weight. This weight capacity ensures that they are durable and reliable for the majority of users. It is critical to consider this feature when purchasing a treadmill for home use. Whether you’re running or walking, understanding your treadmill’s weight capacity is critical to its longevity. Choose wisely for a safer and more comfortable workout.

Accessories: The best treadmills with practical accessories were our main focus. These include large water bottle holders and small storage containers. Additionally, convenient tablet holders were considered. These features provide comfort and convenience during your workout. With these accessories, your treadmill becomes more functional and enjoyable. Having easy access to your essentials can significantly improve your fitness routine. Choose a best treadmills with these features for a better workout experience.

Folding Mechanism: Our focus was on treadmills featuring foldable designs that can be stored vertically when not in use. However, it’s important to note that even when folded, best treadmills for home workouts still require significant space. If lifting heavy objects poses a challenge, maneuvering a folded treadmill may also be difficult.

Our Choice: NordicTrack Commercial 1750

The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 treadmill features a stylish design and a powerful motor that adjusts quickly. It showed minimal wear, providing comfort for independent runs or iFit workouts. The 14-inch touchscreen offers vibrant guided runs with a clear, pixel-free display. This small treadmill saves space and comes with guarantee. While we liked the older model, the updated 1750 now includes a bigger screen, better speakers, and a smaller motor, with no loss in performance.

Second Choice: Bowflex Best Treadmill 10

Despite its Darth Vader-like appearance, the Bowflex Treadmill 10 delivers an impressive workout experience. With two handles at the front and switches on the side rails, it offers versatile options for adjusting settings. Users appreciated the spacious storage slots, cushioned deck, and quiet operation. Like our top selection, the NordicTrack, the Bowflex Treadmill 10 features a decline function and interactive workouts via Bowflex’s JRNY platform.

Because of its size, some users experienced issues during workouts, such as hitting their hands on the front handles or the kickplate. Additionally, buttons on the rails sometimes require multiple presses to adjust speed or incline, which can be inconvenient during intense runs. While Wi-Fi is necessary for JRNY streaming classes, manual mode doesn’t require it. The Bowflex Treadmill 10 offers a comprehensive warranty, including 15 years for the frame and motor.

Another excellent option is the Sole F80 treadmill

The F80 can match high speeds and inclines, but it lacks the decline feature. Small controls on each handrail are conveniently situated for quick speed and inclination adjustments. The Sole F80 treadmill offers smooth speed and incline changes with its 3.5-horsepower engine, preset workout programs, and lifetime warranty on frame and motor.

Alternative: NordicTrack EXP 7i

The NordicTrack EXP 7i treadmill has a slightly smaller motor than our top pick, but the performance difference is minimal. It reaches speeds up to 12 mph and inclines to 12%, though it lacks a decline option. Some users noted slight wobbling in the handrails, but its foldable design makes storage easy. The 7-inch touchscreen is tiltable and displays important exercise statistics, though smaller than our top pick’s 14-inch screen. The treadmill includes a fan for airflow, two water bottle holders, and a storage bin under the console. With a free 30-day iFit family membership and a matching warranty, it provides great workout options and peace of mind.

Additional Recommended Best Treadmills

If you’re seeking the immersive Peloton experience: Despite its greater price, the Peloton Tread’s 23.8-inch touchscreen displays both live and on-demand lessons, making it enticing to consumers. For those wanting flexibility, the “Just Run” mode allows independent running without a subscription. The all-access Peloton membership costs $44 monthly.

With a 3.0 horsepower motor, the Tread reaches speeds of 12.5 mph and inclines up to 12.5%. Safety is prioritized with Tread Lock, requiring a passcode to unlock the belt. Its compact design includes knob controls for incline and speed, but no folding option or fan. Two bottle holders and a storage area keep items secure.

It comes with a 12-month limited warranty that covers the touchscreen and “most” components, five years for the frame, and three years for the motor and belt.

For an Ultra-Sturdy, Minimalist Best Treadmills with a Firm Deck

The LifeSpan Fitness TR4000i is another reliable option because to its strong build. While it matches our top picks with a top speed of 12 mph, it offers a slightly higher incline of up to 13% and can even decline to -2%. Convenient waist-high handles in front of the console feature additional buttons for easy speed and incline adjustments. Despite not being explicitly designed for walkers, it offers a unique step-counting feature not found in other models.

The TR4000i treadmill boasts a smooth deck and a powerful 3.25-continuous-horsepower motor, ensuring a satisfying workout. Lifespan offers robust warranty coverage: 10 years for the frame, two years for parts, and one year for labor.

If You Prefer Streaming Classes on Your Own Device and Need Swift Adjustments: The Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT treadmill is ideal for streaming classes with your own device and offers quick adjustments. It features two QuickDial controls for swift speed and incline changes, along with a tablet holder on the console for streaming workouts.

With a top speed of 12 mph and a maximum incline of 15%, the 7.0 AT allows for adjustments in incline increments of 0.5, offering versatility for various workouts. Designed to integrate seamlessly with a range of workout apps, it also pairs with Zwift for interactive sessions.

The 7.0 AT treadmill folds for storage but has flat platforms that may not securely hold items. Users report a firmer impact when returning to the ground compared to other foldable models. Warranty covers lifetime for frame and motor, 3 years for parts, and 1 year for labor.

Maintaining and Caring for Your Best Treadmills

When determining where to install your new treadmill, be sure to find a location with level flooring for maximum performance. Furthermore, employing regular maintenance procedures can assist extend the life of your equipment and reduce the need for major repairs.

If your treadmill stops moving under full weight on the belt: If your treadmill stops moving when you apply your full weight on the belt, it likely requires more lubrication. While some treadmills come pre-lubricated and manufacturers advise against adding more lubricant, others may need occasional lubrication as specified in the manual. Best treadmills typically include a bottle of lubricant for this purpose.

If your treadmill belt moves horizontally: We chose the best treadmills with useful accessories. These include large water bottle holders and small storage containers. Additionally, convenient tablet holders were considered. These features provide comfort and convenience during your workout. With these accessories, your treadmill becomes more functional and enjoyable. Having easy access to your essentials can significantly improve your fitness routine. Choose a treadmill with these features for a better workout experience.

If you notice discrepancies in the screen measurements: You might need to change the treadmill’s calibration if you observe differences in the screen measurements. To accomplish this, follow the instructions in the manual. Calibration ensures accurate readings for speed, distance, and time, resulting in a more consistent workout. Proper adjustments will allow your treadmill to function optimally. This is critical for preserving the performance of the best treadmills.

If Your Pet Likes to Be Around Your Treadmill (When It’s Not in Use): Regularly vacuum or wipe down the treadmill belt to remove pet hair buildup. This will help prevent any issues caused by hair accumulation.

Alternative Best Treadmills Choice

Many of the best treadmills for home workouts we’ve evaluated in the past have been phased out or updated with newer models. However, the following treadmills are still on the market and worth considering.

The Spirit XT485 features a strong 4.0-horsepower motor but struggled with speed adjustments. Users faced kickplate issues similar to our runner-up. Its phone/tablet holder placement was inconvenient, blocking the console’s screen. Despite its basic display resembling a digital clock, testers found it easy to use. The belt provided a smooth ride but shook noticeably for one tester.

The Horizon Fitness T202 impressed with its sturdy yet comfortable belt and convenient speed and incline adjustments. Despite its compact size, the belt is standard. However, testers found the side compartments inadequate for securing items. Unfortunately, the treadmill developed a squeak after three weeks, and some testers experienced electrical shocks.

Life Fitness T3, often seen in gyms and hotels, impresses with compactness, user-friendliness, and a robust warranty. However, extended use revealed increased wobbliness and motor delays.

The NordicTrack Commercial X22i incline trainer boasts extreme capabilities, with inclines up to 40% and declines to -6%. Despite drawbacks like noise and instability, its deck offers a responsive feel.

The ProForm Carbon T7’s affordable price and compact size were marred by persistently wobbly handrails, despite attempted fixes.

The Sole F63 fell short due to display confusion, slow response, and noisy deck. Its design and kickplate placement were problematic, unlike the Sole F80.

The Sunny Health and Fitness SF-T4400 Folding Treadmill, though compact, lacks the size and features for serious running. With its smaller dimensions, limited speed, and manual incline, it’s better suited for light walking.

Finding the ideal treadmill for your fitness journey requires careful consideration of various factors, from performance and features to space and budget constraints. After evaluation, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 emerges as our top recommendation, offering exceptional performance, versatility, and durability. With its smooth ride, intuitive design, and access to a plethora of onboard workout content, including the optional iFit membership, this treadmill provides an unmatched fitness experience for users.

For those exploring treadmill options, the Bowflex Treadmill 10 and Sole F80 offer standout features. The Bowflex impresses with smooth, quiet performance, while the Sole F80 is known for its durability and strong warranty.

The NordicTrack EXP 7i is another solid choice, providing dependable performance in a compact design, ideal for smaller spaces. For an immersive experience, the Peloton Tread includes a vast class library, though at a higher price. Each model brings unique benefits, meeting different needs and budgets.

FAQ About Best Treadmills

What makes the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 the best treadmills for home workouts?
The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 offers a smooth ride, a large touchscreen, and access to motivating workout content, making it ideal for both beginners and seasoned runners.

Why is the belt length important in a treadmill?
A longer belt, like the 60-inch one found in many top models, provides ample space for comfortable running, reducing cramping and supporting people with longer strides.

What is the benefit of incline and decline features in a treadmill?
Incline training builds strength and endurance, while decline options simulate downhill terrain to target different muscles, adding variety to workouts.

How do I maintain my treadmill for long-term use?
Regularly lubricate the belt if needed, clean the treadmill to prevent hair buildup, and ensure the floor is level to optimize performance and extend its lifespan.

Can I use a treadmill without a subscription service?
Yes, many treadmills, including the Bowflex Treadmill 10, offer manual mode for running without requiring a subscription, though a membership provides access to interactive workouts.