Best Home Treadmills Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Style
You can generally categorize a treadmill into one of three different categories. The first category is the budget folding treadmill, followed by the folding treadmill. The last type of treadmill is the non-folding treadmill. They have different advantages and disadvantages that you will want to be familiar with prior to purchasing a treadmill.
The folding style treadmills are meant to give you more space in your house by folding up when you are not using them. The budget variety tends to be small and won’t have many features. They are best if walking if your choice of exercise but generally aren’t suitable for running because they tend to be built of light materials that aren’t as sturdy. The more expensive variety tends to have more features such as heart rate monitors. The heavier duty construction makes them more ideal for people who walk or run.
If you plan on doing intense running or training, then you are going to need to go with a non-folding treadmill. This is because these treadmills are the strongest and therefore the best suited to the stress that running puts on them. For example, they have the highest speeds, highest inclines, and the best warranties. You may also want to consider purchasing this kind of treadmill if you are a heavy person as well. Non-Folding treadmills are the closest to what you will find in a fitness club so you will pay the highest price for them. They oddly tend to have fewer features than a folding treadmill so you are going to need to keep this in mind if you are somebody who is attracted to a lot of features as most of the price is due to the high-quality materials.
Size
Just like anything else you purchase for your house, a treadmill requires enough room so that you can use it. That means you are going to have to consider the size of the treadmill and make sure that you have a sufficient amount of space in order to have one in your house. This may mean that you have to rearrange the furnishing in your home in order to make room for the treadmill. If you are purchasing a folding treadmill, then you are also going to have to think about where you are going to store it when it isn’t getting used as well.
One thing that you have to look at is the length and the wide of the treadmill. The average treadmill is 77″ long and 35″ wide but this is an average which means that you have to read the actual length and width requirements for your treadmill in order to make sure that there is enough room for it. You are also going to have to make space around the treadmill as well so that you can use it safely.
When you set up a treadmill, you need to leave about two to three feet on both sides of it. The area behind the treadmill should be between six to eight feet. This clearance is for safety reasons because you can lose your balance and fall off of it while you are walking, running, or jogging. If you do not leave enough room around it, then you are prone to falling into something which can cause damage and additional injury. For this reason, you have to make sure that your home is large enough for your treadmill.
Safety Hazards
Safety should always be the number one concern when it comes to home exercise equipment. As you may suspect, a treadmill isn’t any different. This is because treadmills can cause injuries which means that you need to make sure that there are features that will help minimize the risk of injuries. The less chance you have of getting hurt, the more likely you are going to enjoy using the treadmill.
One of the key safety features is an automatic shutoff. This is usually implemented in the form of a magnetic key that you attach to your clothing. If you fall off of the treadmill, the key will detach and it will immediately shut off power to the motor which can help to reduce the chances of injury. You should never purchase a treadmill that doesn’t have this feature since it can cause serious injury if the belt continues to turn against your skin if you fall off of the treadmill.
Some treadmills have cushions built into them that will help reduce the impact you feel from running. This is a great feature to look for in a treadmill because running, jogging, and even walking can stress the joints and muscles in your lower body. Cushion will help reduce the amount of impact that you would otherwise feel which helps reduce the risk of repetitive injuries.
Other treadmills have sensors that will turn it off if you step off of the belt. This is another useful safety feature that will help to reduce the chance of injury in the event that you step or fall off of the treadmill. Of course, there are other safety features that can be found on a treadmill so you should do your homework and make sure that you get a treadmill that is safe.
Features
Fitness experts agree that you need variety in your exercise routine in order to get the best results. This is why you should consider getting a treadmill that has different exercise programs programmed into it so that you can have variety in your workout. You will notice that you will have much better results when you can pick between different programs that you can walk, run, or jog too.
One of the most important workout programs is a heart rate program. This is a special program that controls the speed and elevation of the treadmill based on your heart rate. Your treadmill will need some way to monitor your heart rate which will usually come in the form of a chest strap, EKG grips, or some other device. This program is important because you won’t work too easy or too hard when you exercise according to your heart rate which means that you are more likely to be successful.
More advanced treadmills connect to the internet or a mobile application and let you add or remove workout programs. This can be great for when you are looking for something that is interactive so that you can have more variety in your fitness program. The most advanced programs can even control the elevation and display images so that it looks like you are walking in a certain area. For example, some higher end treadmills show hills or mountains when the elevation is high and sidewalks when you are walking flat. This can give you the feeling of walking outside even though you are indoors which some people find to be motivating. Due to these benefits, many people choose treadmills that have exercise programs.
Value
The most basic treadmills will give you a flat surface that allows you to walk in place at a variety of different speeds. As you go up in price point and features, you start to see ones that allow you to change the elevation or even monitor your heart rate. Many of them even have programs built into them so that you can get variety in your workout. Of course, the best treadmills that are made for your home will fold up once you have finished using them so that you can store them easily. It’s perfect for when it’s too hot or cold outside and many people even listen to music or watch TV as they exercise. There are even desk treadmills that support a laptop computer so that you can walk while you are working your day job.
BEST HOME TREADMILLS REVIEWED & RATED FOR QUALITY
1. ProForm 600i
The 600i is an ideal solution for your home workout equipment. It comes fully loaded with plenty of high-end features that will help you get the best from your workout. Some of those features include a folding design, heart rate monitor, and workout fans. These features will help you get the best out of your workout each and every time you use the 600i.
CoolAire Fan
Anyone who spends time working out knows that you can start to get hot and sweaty. This unit has a fan built into it that will create air movement and help you stay cool.
Space Saver
The space saver design helps make it into a great option for your house. You can fold it up when you have finished using it which will help reduce the amount of space needed in your home.
Cost and Value
You will need to pay a price that is higher than the average price for the 600i. This is a premium unit that has high-end features that justify the higher price.
2. ProForm 2000
When you are looking for a commercial grade treadmill for your home, you will want to look at the ProForm 2000. This device has been designed to give you the highest rate of calorie burn so that you look and feel your absolute best while you are working out. It has all of the features that you expect to find in treadmills that you see at the gym.
Google Map Integration
Using Google Maps, you can draw a route anywhere around the world. The elevation of the treadmill will adjust automatically to mimic the terrain of the area that you picked.
Heart Healthy
You can run up to 12 miles per hour using the ProForm 2000. This is the same pace as running a mile in just five minutes of time so it's great for training.
Cost and Value
You will need to plan on spending an amount that is much higher than the average price on the ProForm 2000. This is because it's a premium unit that has all of the commercial grade features that you would expect.
3. XTERRA Fitness TR150
The XTERRA TR150 is a great home option for when you need to stay in shape. It has everything that you need in order to maintain a healthy heart and a toned body. Some of those features include heart monitoring, incline, and a large running surface. You will love how easy it is to fit it in your home thanks to the fold-up design.
Fold Up
The ability to fold it up when you are not using it is important because it means that the TR150 will not require as much space in your home.
Inclines
It has three different incline settings. They are manual inclines which hold the price down and also means that it won't get stuck in incline mode like auto incline treadmills.
Cost and Value
You will be able to purchase the TR150 for a price that is well below the average price. The low price makes this it a great in-home solution for your exercise needs.
4. ProForm 300i
The 300i is a great option for anyone who is looking for a great home solution for their workout routine. It has a large range of speed options and there is cushioning that will reduce the shock to your joints. You won't have any trouble burning a high number of calories thanks to the different combinations of speed and incline options.
Cushioning
Most runners are aware of how impact makes their joints feel. The ProForm 300i has cushioning built into it that will reduce the amount of impact on your joints which helps to reduce injury.
Heart Rate Monitor
Tracking your heart rate is important, which is why you will love the fact that the 300i has a heart rate monitor built into it so that you can stay in your target heart rate.
Cost and Value
You will be able to purchase the 300i has a price that is lower than the average price. This makes it a great option for when you want to save.
5. LifeSpan Fitness
Anyone who spends their workday on a computer will appreciate a desk that gives them exercise at the same time. The LifeSpan fitness combines work with exercise by giving you a large laptop desk on top of a treadmill. This will let you get some exercise while you are working which reduces stress and helps you stay in shape while you get the job done.
Laptop Desk
One of the main features is that is has a 38" x 29" desk for a laptop computer. It's large enough for laptops, keyboards, and even a wireless mouse or other desk items.
Bluetooth
The treadmill has sensors that detect your steps as you are walking or running on it. The steps are counted and sent to your phone using a Bluetooth connection so that you can track your progress.
Cost and Value
The LifeSpan Treadmill Desk is a premium piece of exercise and office equipment and is priced well above the average price for this reason. There are a lot of premium features that justify the price.
6. Sunny Health & Fitness
Sunny Health and Fitness make a lot of home exercise products that people have come to know and trust. The T7603 is one of those many products that are perfect to use when you can't make it to the gym or the fitness club. It's easy to take out and put away when you need to use it and you will love the many features on it.
Digital Monitor
Since you can't manage what you don't measure, this treadmill has a monitor that tracks your progress for you. It will give you important information such as calories burned and distance ran.
Pulse Monitor
The handrails have a built-in pulse monitor. You can use this monitor to help you stay inside of your target heart rate zone while you are exercising.
Cost and Value
You will be able to purchase this item at a price that is much lower than the average price. The lower price makes it perfect for use inside your house.
7. Titan Fitness Under Desk
Here is another great solution for an office or home office setting. You can slide this treadmill underneath your desk so that you can easily stay in shape while you are working. This will help reduce stress and make your lower back feel better since you aren't in a chair all day. Activity will help you feel much better throughout your day.
Wide Track
The track is nice and wide. This will give you lots of room to walk so that you don't accidentally fall off of the treadmill while you are using it.
Standing Desk Compatible
It's been designed to work with standing desks. This means that you can use just about any standing desk with this treadmill so that you can build the perfect office space.
Cost and Value
You will be able to purchase this item at a price that is slightly lower than the average price. It has a lower price because there isn't any display tower.
8. Efitment T012
The T012 is a great option for people who are looking for a lot of value in their purchase. It has many features that you expect to find in premium treadmills. Some of those features include automatic incline, Bluetooth connectivity, and portability. This makes it great for anyone who is looking for the ideal addition to their in-home fitness room.
Auto Incline
You can control the incline with your fingertips. It has fifteen different settings that you can use to adjust the incline as needed so that you can burn the maximum amount of calories.
Soft Drop
Most folding treadmills have a hard drop where the treadmill isn't supported while you unfold it. This one has a soft drop system that assists you while you are unfolding the treadmill to reduce injuries.
Cost and Value
You will be able to purchase the T012 for an average price. This makes it a great purchase since it has many features that are typically found in higher priced treadmills.
9. ProForm 505 CST
The 505 CST is packed with plenty of high-end features that will make working out at your house a breeze. It has built-in workout routines as well as speed controls. You will love the music port that you can plug your smartphone into so that you can listen to your favorite workout music. You can just fold it up when you have finished using it.
Music Port
There is a music port where you can plug your smartphone into and listen to music. This allows you to exercise to your favorite workout playlist so that you stay motivated.
Balanced Rollers
You won't have any trouble moving it around your house thanks to the roller wheels. They are located on the bottom of the 505 so that you can push it around with little effort.
Cost and Value
You can purchase the 505 at a price that is slightly lower than the average price. The lower price makes it an affordable option for something that you can use at the house.
10. Confidence Treadmill
The Confidence Treadmill is perfect for when you are looking for something that is simple. It has magnetic resistance where you can choose between different resistance settings. This will help you burn more calories so that you can get into shape or stay in shape. You can fold it up easily when you have finished using it since it has a space saving design.
Magnetic Resistance
You power the belt on it and it uses magnetic resistance to make you work harder. This allows you to use it for walking, running, or jogging and you can pick between different settings.
Folding Design
It folds almost vertically which helps you save a lot of space. It's locked upright with a pin and you can move it around your home with the roller wheels.
Cost and Value
You will find this item sold at a rock bottom price. The low price is because it's a basic unit that uses magnetic resistance rather than motors to control the belt speed.
Sources
- Consumer Reports, Financial Site ,
- Wikipedia, Information Site ,