Taking your fitness into your own hands is a growing trend throughout the country and the world. This means more classes are being offered, a wider variety of workouts are available and more home gyms are being set up.
If you are the kind of person that likes to get your workout done at home or you are an avid runner then having a treadmill right in your home can make all the difference.
The difficulty in choosing the ideal treadmill comes down to knowing how you work out, how much you want to spend and all of the features that will ensure your run or walk is as successful as possible.
Features to Think About
- Size. This is essentially regarding how the treadmill will fit in your home and how comfortable it will be to use. Generally, runners should look for wider and longer belts and those that plan to use the machine for walking can opt for smaller treadmills.
- Display. Most treadmills will come with a monitor that tells you things like speed, distance, time and heart rate as the basics. If this is all you need, then you can get a more basic model but there are displays that act as entertainment systems, speakers and even offer different workout programs for you to follow.
- Motor. The motor of the treadmill you choose is important but this is not an occasion when the bigger motor is always better. Essentially, the build and the overall quality of the motor is more important than the size. The best treadmill is one that is 2.0+ HP with regular use should be suitable for all.
- Maximum Capacity. The weight limit of the treadmill should be able to support you and whoever else will be using the machine at your heaviest. Many of the mid-range treadmills will support up to 300lbs.
- Shock Absorption. Running, in general, can be hard on the knees and the back. Having the appropriate shock absorption system and a high-quality belt can be the difference between having a satisfying workout and being in pain afterward.
Top 10 Treadmills Table
| Picture | Name | Best Features | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Sunny Health & Fitness Treadmill | 9 built-in workout programs. | $$ | 4.2 |
 | 2. Weslo Cadence R 5.2 Treadmill | 2 position included options. | $$ | 4.2 |
 | 3. LifeSpan TR1200i Folding Treadmill | LCD console for complete workout support and information. | $$$$ | 4.1 |
 | 4. Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill | 6 personal trainer workouts. | $$ | 4.0 |
 | 5. ProForm 505 CST Treadmill | ProShox cushioning for comfort. | $$$ | 4.0 |
 | 6. Confidence Power Plus Motorized Electric Treadmill | Compact fold away storage. | $ | 4.0 |
 | 7. Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill | 2.25-horsepower drive motor. | $$$ | 4.0 |
 | 8. Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill | 30 program options. | $$$$ | 3.8 |
 | 9. Exerpeutic Fitness Walking Electric Treadmill | Specifically designed for fitness walking. | $$ | 3.8 |
 | 10. Phoenix 98510 Easy-Up Manual Treadmill | Completely self-powered machine. | $ | 3.7 |
The Importance of Getting a Good Treadmill
Getting the best treadmill means choosing one that you will use and won’t be an eyesore in your home. This means that one of the most pertinent factors is how the treadmill will be used and then stored.
If you have a home gym or a single room where you will be keeping the treadmill out then this isn’t an issue but having that extra space isn’t a luxury most have. Many treadmills will have easy fold up storage and wheels to move the entire machine easily.
Even if you plan to set up the machine and leave it there, this is an added convenience that should not be missed.
NOTE: The way that you can store a treadmill also has to do with the size of the machine. You should take measurements of the treadmill when it is ready for use and when it is folded for storage to ensure it suits your home.
Top 5 Best Treadmill Reviews
1. Sunny Health & Fitness Treadmill
The Sunny Health & Fitness Treadmill combines convenience and exercise perfectly. The lightweight design and the ability to fold this machine away mean that it is easy to put away and take out as needed. It will not be an eyesore in your home but it is also suited for a home gym if you have the space.
The first thing to note is that this machine comes with workouts built in that you can follow. This makes it easy to just set the treadmill and run without having to think about it. There are also 3 manual incline levels to choose from for added intensity. The display pad also gives you all of the essential information that you want to know while working out without being overly complicated. It gives you your speed, distance, calories, and pulse.
This treadmill is on the simpler side when considering it is possible to get a TV built into your machine. The basics, however, are all there and will all help you to have the most effective workout possible. There is nothing better than being able to have an affordable and reliable machine in your home rather than having to get to a gym.
2. Weslo Cadence R 5.2 Treadmill
It is clear that the Weslo Cadence R 5.2 Treadmill was designed for the comfort of the runner or walker. It has also been designed for easy storage in your home when you are not working with a lot of space. Even though this is a compact and lightweight treadmill, it makes for an affordable and sturdy running machine.
When you order this treadmill, it is super easy to assemble and get prepared for running. Considering the ease of assembly and how sturdy the entire thing is, you can run at any pace you wish without worrying that it is too much for the machine. This is a noisier treadmill than more high-end versions you might find at the gym, but for the price you won’t find anything better considering how loud some of the cheapest treadmills on the market can be.
The machine does everything you would want it to do. It gives you the speed and the distance you have run as well as calories while also having the handles and the comfortable running belt to make the workout more supported. This is a machine that you can buy that will stand up to daily running, occasional walking and because of the price you won’t feel guilty if you miss a few workouts either.
3. LifeSpan TR1200i Folding Treadmill
The LifeSpan TR1200i Folding Treadmill is the kind of machine that you should invest in if you are an avid runner or have many different runners that will be using the machine often. This is a higher end treadmill that has a multi-colored LCD console to give you all of the details about your workout including your time, calories, distance, speed and so much more.
One of the best features of this treadmill, in particular, is the fact that you can retrieve the data about your workout from the console via USB drive to track yourself. You can program the machine exactly as you like it and enjoy all of the physical features too. The cushioning and the amount of support that you get from the running belt and the design are impeccable. You will not leave the treadmill with feet or back pain at all as you have the needed support to workout without pain.
This is the best treadmill because it has all of the capabilities that you could want but it also can easily be folded, moved and stored. Having a larger or better treadmill doesn’t mean you have to have a home gym or a space where it will sit forever.
4. Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill
Weslo is a company known for making great quality treadmills at an affordable price and the Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill is no different. This machine is perfect for anyone that wants to test out having a treadmill in their home or for an avid runner that wants the machine at their fingertips at all times without breaking the bank. This machine will help you do exactly the workouts a treadmill has been designed for: running and walking.
This is the best way to stay fit when the weather isn’t great and when you know you won’t be able to make the specific effort to get to a gym as often as you would like to. This machine takes about 30 minutes to assemble.
This treadmill has settings that make it easier to jump on and get to running without having to enter your personal details, which is sometimes an inconvenience that high-tech machines might have. This is assisted by the fact that this treadmill has 6 preset running options that you can manually adjust as you go. This is also a collapsible machine, which makes it a great option when you are tight on space but still want to have your equipment in your home.
5. ProForm 505 CST Treadmill
If you have ever run on a treadmill before then the first thing you will notice about the ProForm 505 CT Treadmill is the fact that it is incredibly comfortable throughout your workout. Even if your body is getting tired, the ProShock cushioning, the high-quality of the running belt, the convenience of the handles and the large side panels for stepping onto, all contribute to this comfort.
With this machine, there is a large LCD window that lets you know about your progress during the workout and will also show you where you are in one of the 18 set workouts.
In terms of what the console can do, you also can use the treadmill as a speaker system that plugs right into your iPod or MP3 player. You can even use this option to connect a tablet. This along with the larger belt makes workouts more enjoyable and more comfortable too.
The machine itself is straightforward to put together and really is sturdy once you have all of the parts in place. There is the added convenience of having more control on the console than you might think. There are quick speed and incline buttons that let you hit just one and the machine adjusts automatically.
