The Best Treadmills
Though rowing machines and exercise bikes are all the rage in home gyms these days, treadmills are still as popular as ever. And it's not hard to see why. A treadmill gives you that runner's high without the sunburn or frostbite that you may get from braving the elements outside. On top of that, treadmills are kinder to your joints than some other home gym equipment. Whether you're looking for the best of the best in smart features or just need a simple under-the-desk walking solution while you're typing away, we've got the right model for you.
What to Look For
We took ease of use, size, and supportive features into consideration when vetting the top contenders on our list to ensure your new treadmill fits your lifestyle. For example, if you’re looking for a heavy-duty treadmill that can take you on a journey of different inclines and speeds, opt for one of the T Series treadmills by NordicTrack, which also come with a streaming fitness membership. But if you’re in the market for something a bit smaller to fit in your space, consider the more compact folding treadmill by Sunny Health & Fitness instead. Check out the rest of our top trending treadmills below.
NordicTrack T Series Treadmill
Bring the gym home
Going to the gym doesn’t just give you access to reliable equipment — it also gives you access to classes and the expertise of personal trainers. And now, with a T Series Treadmill by NordicTrack, you can bring both of these benefits to your own home gym. Not only will you get a durable running machine that provides both speed and incline control, but you’ll also receive a membership to on-demand workouts and classes by iFIT. Best of all, the live-streaming trainers will adjust your treadmill settings for you in real-time to teach you the right moves.
Pros:
- Folds up for compact storage
- Has dual speakers for all-around entertainment
- Impressive 300-pound user capacity
Cons:
- Noisier than other treadmills
Horizon Fitness T101 Foldable Treadmill
Make every run the smoothest run
One of the best things about treadmills is that they remove the obstacles you may encounter on outdoor terrains. But if your machine lags or surges as you jog, then that benefit can be quickly lost. Enter the T101 treadmill by Horizon Fitness. This super smooth running machine recalibrates with every step you take so that you never feel any pauses. All the while, the cushioned deck will help you move steadily for longer with less fatigue. On top of that, the Bluetooth connectivity is designed to work just as smoothly as the treadmill itself.
Pros:
- Has a rapid-charge USB port to keep your devices powered up
- Built-in device holder
- Easy to set up in under an hour
Cons:
- Premium price tag
Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Incline Treadmill
Portable performance
Having a home gym is great if you have a lot of space in your house, but fitting an elliptical machine into a small living room doesn’t work for everyone’s home layout. Fortunately, though, the folks over at Sunny Health & Fitness made a treadmill with your square footage in mind. Arriving almost fully assembled, this machine has wheels at the front for easy tilting and rolling without the need for heavy lifting or back strain. You can set it up in a matter of moments, work out, and then fold it back again using the soft-drop system that makes the treadmill compact again without scuffing your floors.
Pros:
- Easy to manually adjust the incline while you run
- Bluetooth compatible
- Pulse sensors on the handrails to track heart rate
Cons:
- Narrower belt width means your hand can come in contact with the rails
Urevo 2-in-1 Under Desk Treadmill
Workout at work
If your work revolves around a computer, then you may have a hard time meeting your daily step count. Here’s where an under-desk treadmill like this multi-functional one by Urevo can help. You can walk up to 3.8 mph while you type with this compact machine, or you can move it out from under your desk to run up to 7.6 mph when you need a brain break. Plus, the speed can be easily controlled with the remote controller that you can keep near you while you work. Whether you use it for walking or running, you can be sure that this baby is as quiet as they come, so others will never hear it while you’re in a meeting or call.
Pros:
- Available in a range of colorways
- Arrives fully assembled right out of the box
- Wider running track in case you get distracted and misstep
Cons:
- No incline possibility
Sunny Health & Fitness Walking Treadmill with Multi-Grip Handrails
Steady and stable
Treadmills can be tricky to figure out at first, and this is especially the case if you’re older or recently recovering from an injury. But handrails can make any machine more stable. And we love this particular treadmill by Sunny Health & Fitness because it puts your safety and security first. The multi-grip handrails extend all the way to the floor, providing more opportunities for support as you move. Next, the treadmill has floor stabilizers to accommodate any kind of surface you put it on. Finally, the bigger running deck has built-in shock absorption to ease the joints with every step.
Pros:
- Stop clip in case of emergency
- Wheels to easily move the treadmill from room to room
- Easy-to-read digital activity monitor
Cons:
- Difficult to assemble
Frequently Asked Questions
What speed should I set my treadmill to?
This depends largely on the activity you want to engage in. If you want to walk, then set your treadmill to 2 to 4 mph. If you want to go for a faster trot, then somewhere around 4 mph is the setting. And if you want to jog or run, then go over 5 mph.
If I’ve never run on a treadmill before, how long should I run for at first?
We recommend treadmill newbies try their hand at walking first. Go slow and take it easy in the beginning, maybe walking for 30 minutes at a time. Then, as you get more comfortable with the speed and feel of the treadmill, increase the duration of your walk by 5 minutes each time, eventually adding speed as you go along, too.
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