If it’s too hot, cold, or wet to run outdoors (or you just don’t feel like interacting with the outside world), having a treadmill at home can be the key to keeping your training plan on track, making it simple—if not easy—to hit the exact paces you want. And having a good tread isn’t just convenient, it can also help you add some variety to your (hello, recovery walks, , and ). “As much as I’m an outdoor runner, I find treadmills valuable when the weather’s bad or if you have kids and you just can’t leave the house,” a United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA)-certified running coach and performance coach, tells SELF.
She adds that treadmills can also be safer than running outside (especially ). With so many options out there to choose from, we asked experts in the running industry what they consider the best treadmills for home use. Then our vetted testers did the, well, legwork to see how the machines perform mile after mile.
They sweat over all the small stuff (like water bottle storage and control button responsiveness) to help you for your home. Top picks for the best treadmills In this article NordicTrack NordicTrack Good shock absorption Decline capability Foldable design Lots of workout options through iFit Only the deck inclines, so the handlebars can end up hard to reach Heavy and difficult to move without help Touchscreen is on the smaller side Good shock absorption Decline capability Foldable design Lots of workout options through iFit Only the deck inclines, so the handlebars can end up hard to reach Heavy and difficult to move without help Touchscreen is on the smaller side “Whether you’re a beginner or training indoors for your marathon, the NordicTrack 1750 will pass the time quickly and comfortably,” , a Road Runners Club of America ( )–certified coach based in Boulder, Colorado, tells SELF. One of the best-rated treadmills by users, it has a quiet, shock-absorbing running deck that and a stabilizing, grippy belt that testers say helps to minimize any sliding around.
It also features a 14-inch HD touchscreen display for you to watch virtual streamed from , a fitness service that offers trainer-led programs; and tracking metrics like speed and heart rate. , an RRCA-certified coach based in New York City, says this tread is easy to use, with convenient one-tap controls on both the monitor and handlebars for speed and incline changes (which happen pretty quickly—one tester found it only took 15 seconds to go from zero to full incline). During iFit workouts, those settings change automatically based on the instructor’s cues, allowing you to stay focused in your workout rather than futzing with buttons.
Fitzgerald also likes that the streaming service offers classes for different workout modalities, from running to yoga to HIIT, so you have the option to to your routine, right on the console. Essentially, what makes the NordicTrack 1750 one of the best treadmills for home is that its high-quality features will serve nearly whatever workout intentions you have—like the Swiss Army Knife of machines. ”You get what you pay for with this treadmill because of the screen and the built-in programming,” one tester says.
“There’s just a lot you can accomplish with this treadmill.” : 80” L x 38” W x 65” H | : 20” W x 60” L | : 400 lbs | : 12 mph | -3 to 12% | 3.5 CHP | 14” tilt and pivot HD touchscreen | 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor (coverage for repair work) | Upright | Comes with free 30-day iFit subscription (normally starts at $180 per year) Sole Amazon Large 22-inch by 60-inch running surface 15 incline and 6 decline levels Foldable design Comes with free app to access coach-led classes Big footprint at 82.
5 inches long Poor customer service, according to reviewers Serious runners can get a serious workout on this do-it-all treadmill. With an impressive range of 15 incline and 6 decline levels, the F85 can match the hilly range of nearly any race course you’re training for. You can save up to 12 custom programs so you can quickly launch into your fave interval sessions or hill repeat workouts.
And you can do it at a speed of up to 12 miles per hour (a 5-minute mile). The extra wide 22-inch belt helps you feel comfortable enough to really open up your stride while you’re at it. , a USA Track & Field (USATF)– and RRCA–certified running coach based in New York City, tells SELF that runners should look for a treadmill with at least 3.
0 horsepower (HP), and this motor has a remarkable 4.0 HP (the strongest engine you’ll find in any of Sole’s models). This machine also has quite a few bells and whistles.
There’s a wireless phone charger, a touchscreen that comes preloaded with apps like YouTube and Netflix, and free access to all the Sole+App classes (many of the best treadmill brands charge an extra membership fee for their streaming options). Plus, with upright folding and four wheels, you can move it out of the way after your cooldown. : 82.
5"L x 38"W x 66"H | : 22” W x 60” L | : 375 lbs | : 12 mph | 6 decline and 15 incline levels | 4.0 HP | 15.6” touchscreen | Lifetime for the frame and motor; 3-year for deck, parts, and wear items | Upright | Free access to Sole+ App NordicTrack NordicTrack Foldable design Stable frame Adjustable cushioning Lots of workout options through iFit Loud Motor is on the weaker side WiFi required to access workouts Not everyone has enough space at home to have a treadmill unfurled full-time.
Fortunately, many of the best treadmills now fold up, and the EXP 10i makes the process of turning your “home gym” back into your bedroom exceptionally easy. With a gas shock, a mechanism that changes the felt weight of the tread, allowing for more gentle and smooth, opens and closes without requiring an additional workout on your part. Wheels on the bottom let you roll it up against a wall or into a closet—though if you’re going up or down stairs, you’ll want to ask for help since the machine clocks in at over 200 pounds.
Although the tester says the frame felt sturdy while she was running and notes that nothing seemed to be shaking, the tread was definitely quiet: Whenever she changed the incline the gears were downright rowdy. There are two cool features we absolutely love about this : If you’re trying to keep your heart rate in , meaning an easy aerobic effort that allows your body to take in enough oxygen to fuel your workout, you can turn on the ActivePulse tech to have the tread automatically adjust the speed and incline so your heart stays right where you want it. (Worth noting: This feature requires having a particular that costs extra).
The deck’s cushioning is also adjustable, so you can opt for a more shock-absorbing sesh on recovery days, or match the firmness of running on concrete to get ready for race day. Pretty neat, right? : 70.8” L x 34.
9” W x 59.7” H | : 20” W x 55” L | : 300 lbs | : 10 mph | 0 to 12% | 2.75 CHP Plus | 10” tilt HD touchscreen | 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor | Upright | Comes with free 30-day iFit subscription (normally starts at $180 per year) Echelon Echelon Easy-to-navigate touchscreen Offers engaging built-in programming Quiet Handles feel loose Not enough storage space for a large water bottle Doesn’t auto-adjust during classes Tight on space? Despite having a long 60-inch belt, the Stride-8s’s overall footprint is relatively small at only 66 by 32 inches (most treadmills are closer to 80 inches long).
One tester says the wheels on the bottom make it easy to move around the room, and if you’re only using it every once in a while, you can fold it up flat by taking out just two screws. Even though it’s compact and portable, our tester says the frame feels perfectly stable; she only notes that the handles are a little wobbly. This machine is a great option for someone who wants their treadmill to supply their workout with instructor-led classes, rather than designing their own routine.
“It was hard to find just a quick-start option. It seems like they’re really pushing their programming,” the tester says. Not for nothing, she adds that the classes she tried were engaging and fun, and there were tons of options for every fitness level.
She only wishes the treadmill’s speeds and inclines adjusted automatically along with the instructor’s cues, rather than leaving it up to the runner to manually change it up. Aside from her struggle to find that “quick start,” function, our tester says the Stride-8s is incredibly user-friendly overall. It’s got an easy-to-navigate touchscreen with a readable font (even when you’re hitting your top speeds) and quick-to-respond heart-rate sensors right on the handles.
Testers also appreciate the roller balls on the handles that you turn to change the speed or incline—they’re far more intuitive than pressing a button a dozen times to make a big change. : 66” L x 32” W x 63” H | : 20” W x 60” L | : 300 lbs | : 12.5 mph | 12 levels | 3.
75 CHP | 22’’ HD swivel touchscreen | 5-year with Echelon Premier Membership | : Remove two screws to fold flat | From $11.99/month ProForm ProForm Responsive, easy-to-use controls Good shock-absorption Foldable design Lots of workout options through iFit Requires a tablet or phone to use programming Slow, loud incline adjustments If you don’t mind using a tablet or phone to access workouts, this treadmill can save you major cash. Instead of a touchscreen on the console, it’s got a holder for your device and Bluetooth connectivity so you can access iFit classes that auto-adjust your speed and incline.
Just know that there’s no charger, so you’ll need to check your battery life before streaming a workout. The lack of built-in display is really the only notable sacrifice our tester noticed from this more-affordable treadmill option. “It doesn’t look cheap and it doesn’t feel cheap, either,” she says.
Other wins include its sturdy design, responsive control buttons, and great traction on the belt. Even the fan is strong; it actually cooled our testers off, unlike other treadmills where this feature sometimes seems like it’s just for show. If you’re planning to use the Carbon TLX for incline walking or hill repeats, however, beware that the adjustments are on the slower side.
It takes 35 seconds to reach the maximum incline. And while this tread is generally quiet during runs, it creates a bit of a racket when moving up or down. : 74.
3” L x 35.1” W x 59.1” H | : 20” W x 60” L | : 300 lbs | : 12 mph | 12% | 3.
0 CHP | 7” high contrast multi-color | 10-year frame, 1-year parts and labor | Upright | Comes with free 30-day iFit subscription (normally starts at $180 per year) Sole Amazon Easy-to-navigate console Stable frame Foldable design Has an extra storage compartment Slow incline adjustments Minimal programming It’s easy to kick or step on the hood Ng says Sole often comes up when he’s talking to runners about their favorite treadmills. “A lot of people like the brand,” he says. The F63 makes it easy to see why.
This durable workhorse might seem basic, with no touch screen or interactive classes, but if you’re looking for the best deals on treadmills and don’t want to fuss with fancy extras like WiFi connectivity or decline capabilities, it’s a solid option that requires no learning curve—you just hop on and run. The frame is stable, the deck is shock-absorbing, and all the buttons are easy to access. We just wish the incline adjustments were a little speedier; it takes up to 45 seconds to reach its full pitch.
The programming on this machine is pretty minimal, but you can add your own custom workouts to follow. There’s also a tablet holder so you can follow coach-led workouts on the free Sole+ App that comes with your purchase. One thing our testers found frustrating: The hood (a.
k.a. the front of the treadmill) got in the way of their stride sometimes.
“Especially when I was holding onto the front handlebar, I felt like I kept kicking the hood or putting my foot on the hood instead of the tread,” one runner tells SELF. So if you’ve got a longer gait, consider another budget-friendly option, like the , which has a console and handlebars that sit further back (putting more distance between you and the hood). : 77” L x 35” W x 67” H | : 20” W x 60” L | : 325 lbs | : 12 mph | 15 levels | 3.
0 HP | 6.5” backlit LCD | Lifetime frame and motor; 2-year deck, parts, and wear; 1-year labor | Upright | Free access to Sole+ app NordicTrack NordicTrack Inclines up to 40 percent Decline capability 400-pound weight capacity Quiet Taller than most treadmills Not foldable or portable Assembly requires two people (or you can purchase pro assembly) Trail runners, we’ve found your at-home training companion. The X22i is capable of a whopping 40% incline, rising more than twice as high as your standard treadmill.
That’s not to mention its impressive 6% decline capability. Mountain legs, here we come. And you don't even have to run to reap the benefits.
You can just walk up.” One older study from 2013 found that walkers’ heart rates increased by more than on a 7% incline compared to walking on a flat treadmill. This high-end machine is also as sturdy as your quads will be once you start using it.
It boasts a mighty 4.0 horsepower motor and can accommodate users up to 400 pounds. Whether the deck was tilted up or down, our testers didn’t notice anything shaking, making them feel like they could really push as hard as they wanted.
And aside from the slightly noisy cooling fans, you can expect to feel at one with your thoughts while using this tread any which way. You can access iFit programming through the treadmill’s massive 22-inch touchscreen, which tilts and pivots to make it easy to see on major climbs or when you’re following along with yoga and strength workouts next to the machine. To get in some cross-training the tread, you can also take advantage of the unique function, using the higher handlebars—even going just one mile per hour, your glutes and hamstrings will be screaming.
: 70” L x 39” W x 72.5” H | : 22” W x 60” L | : 400 lbs | : 12 mph | -6 to 40% | 4.0 CHP | 22” tilt and pivot HD touchscreen | 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor | None | Comes with free 30-day iFit subscription (normally starts at $180 per year) WalkingPad WalkingPad Can detect your speed and auto-adjust Stands up to heavy use No assembly required Foldable design Warranty costs extra (starting at $45) No incline capability Speed maxes out at 3.
72 mph Not everyone wants a treadmill for running. “ that you use specifically for work-from-home situations [have] been pretty effective for a lot of people [to add in movement to their day],” Ng says. “If you want to mainly use your treadmill for walking, a lower cost, more budget-friendly machine with a lower horsepower and fewer features would be for you.
” We particularly suggest this light, portable walking pad. It’s only 62 pounds, compared to the 200-pound weights of full-size treads), and folds up and wheels away for easy storage. (Just a heads up: It sits about 5 inches tall when folded, so if you plan on storing it underneath your couch, make sure you’ll have enough room for it to slide under.
) An easy-to-read LED display on the front keeps track of your steps, speed, and distance while you walk. You can change the pace with a remote control or through WalkingPad’s connected on your phone. Or, you can turn on automatic mode so that the deck will sense your foot strikes and speed up or slow down on its own.
The A1 Pro also gets solid points for durability. One tester says that after about a year-and-a-half of use, just about everything is still working as smoothly as the day she bought it. The remote did conk out after a year, so she switched to operating the belt through the app instead, which gets the job done just fine.
If we could change anything, we’d just make the WalkingPad a little quieter—testers say it feels a little too loud to take a work call when you’re on it. : 56.4” L x 21.
5” W x 5” H | : 16.5” W x 47.2” L | : 300 lbs | : 3.
72 mph | None | Brushless, 1.25 HP | LED | Available for purchase | Folds flat | None ProForm ProForm High-quality touchscreen and built-in speakers Foldable design Decline capability Lots of workout options through iFit Large footprint Assembly requires two people Subpar customer service At almost six-and-a-half feet long, this big boy is a hefty piece of equipment. But it makes for an excellent home gym machine that’s versatile enough for multiple members of the family to use.
Serious runners will appreciate the substantial horsepower and the ability to decline as well as incline. But even those who don’t like running can take advantage of the iFit classes that stream directly from the 22-inch touchscreen with crisp audio coming out of the built-in speakers—yoga, Pilates, and strength-training workouts are available live or on-demand. Also helpful: You don’t have to be a tech wiz to get the Pro 9000 to work.
Our testers say the controls are super easy to navigate, and they especially appreciate the two rows of buttons beneath the touchscreen that allow you to select the exact speed and incline you want—a major bonus if you’re changing things up often during hill repeats or interval workouts. Our testers’ biggest problem was connecting this treadmill to WiFi, which was a major bummer because that meant they couldn’t access the iFit programming. That’s something to keep in mind if you don’t have a strong internet connection at home—in which case you might consider the ProForm Carbon TLX instead, which uses your own phone or tablet to stream classes.
Our “secret shoppers” also found ProForm’s customer service experience frustrating; it had an unhelpful online chat that didn’t answer their questions and instead directed buyers to a general FAQ website. : 77.3” L x 35.
3” W x 59.6” H | : 20” W x 60” L | : 300 lbs | : 12 mph | -3 to 12% | 3.6 CHP | 22” HD touchscreen | 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor | Upright | Comes with free 30-day iFit subscription (normally starts at $180 per year) NordicTrack NordicTrack Quick incline adjustments Tilt and pivot touchscreen Decline capability Foldable design Lots of workout options through iFit Loud Manual start/stop buttons are not the most responsive Difficult to assemble Just because this machine has “commercial” in its name doesn’t mean it only works for big box gyms.
“Don’t be afraid—’commercial grade’ doesn't mean you can't buy it for home,” Ng tells SELF. When you invest in a pro-level machine, you know it’ll be durable enough to stand up to heavy use, and the NordicTrack Commercial has a powerful motor (3.6 CHP) and high weight capacity (400 pounds).
One tester says this tread adjusted from zero to full incline surprisingly quickly, in just 15 seconds. She adds there wasn’t any lag when the speed or incline changed automatically during iFit workouts—the experience was super-smooth. More laudable features: The deck has solid shock absorption, and the high-quality touchscreen turns so you can easily take yoga and strength classes off the tread.
However, this hefty piece of equipment was not designed to be used near a sleeping baby. “I noticed right off the bat from just walking—it is not the quietest treadmill I’ve ever used,” our tester says. We’d suggest placing it away from any bedrooms or thin apartment walls (or opting for a quieter option, like the or ).
: 78.5” L x 35.6” W x 65” H | : 20” W x 60” L | : 400 lbs | : 12 mph | -3 to 12% | 3.
6 CHP | 22” tilt and pivot HD touchscreen | 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor | Upright | Comes with free 30-day iFit subscription (normally starts at $180 per year) Assault Fitness Assault Fitness No electricity required Shock-absorbing Sturdy Unlimited speed capability No storage space for a water bottle or tablet Very basic console Has wheels, but no folding option Not every high-end treadmill is loaded up with techy features. This manual tread from Assault Runner takes a decidedly minimalist approach to indoor running. There’s no touchscreen, pre-programmed workouts, or even a water bottle holder.
But it’s got everything you need to get in a tough workout. Since there’s no motor—it only moves in response to your foot strike pulling the belt down from the curved platform—it can literally go as fast as your legs can run. Yes, you’re the one powering the machine, and that takes extra effort.
One found that manual treadmills raise the heart rate and oxygen consumption more than motorized treads or outdoor running at the same pace (particularly among lighter runners). Our tests showed the AssaultRunner Pro is durable enough for heavy running, and has solid shock-absorption to ease your aches even when you rack up the miles. If you’ve never run on a manual treadmill before, just know that you’ll want to give yourself extra time to get used to it.
Our testers found that it took some practice to figure out exactly where to land on the belt to get it to rotate smoothly. : 69.7” L x 33.
1” W x 64” H | : 17” W x 62” L | : 350 lbs | : Unlimited | Contoured belt | None | LCD screen | 5-year frame, 3-year moving parts | No | Free Assault Fitness app for your phone How to find a treadmill that works for you A treadmill is generally a significant investment (even the will cost a couple hundred bucks), and it’ll also take up some space as the newest tenant in your home. To get an idea of how much it makes sense to spend and what features you really need, Ng suggests asking yourself what your goals are. Regardless of your personal intentions, though, you want to make sure the tread allows you to move freely while you’re running.
It should have a long enough belt to accommodate your stride (at least 55 inches), and a suitable weight capacity. Ng adds that treadmills have varying levels of cushion, so before making the investment, he recommends bringing your running shoes to a showroom or buying a day pass to a gym where you can try out the treadmill to see how it feels under your feet. From there, you can prioritize getting a machine with specs that fit your needs.
If you’re looking to get a solid cardio workout at home, , a running coach and general manager at the running app , suggests looking for an easy-to-use interface and space-saving design, like a smaller footprint or . You should be able to find one that checks these boxes without costing a small fortune, he says. But if you’re training for a big race, you might need to get pickier.
You’ll want to look for models with a higher horsepower (at least 3.0), an incline range that somewhat resembles the course you’ll be running, and a max speed that can handle your sprint workouts. And if you plan to run longer than an hour, Ng says to make sure the machine doesn’t have a 60-minute time limit before it shuts off.
Types of treadmills If you still feel lost in a sea of options, narrow things down by deciding which type of treadmill is right for your space, budget, and workout style These luxury treads offer like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, with large HD touchscreens to stream workout classes and easy syncing to your Apple Watch or Android devices. “[Running on a] treadmill can be a little boring,” Felsenthal admits. If you’re concerned that a lack of motivation might keep you from actually using the machine, she suggests looking for a smart treadmill that offers pre-recorded routes or interactive workouts.
Just know these machines are often priced to match their premium features. Many of the best treadmills for home-use come with space-saving designs, like the option to fold the deck up toward the console and handlebars. Most folding treadmills also have wheels for easy portability, which comes in handy for anyone without enough room in their home to dedicate to a treadmill full-time.
Our tester folding up a ProForm treadmill. A commercial treadmill is a high-caliber machine created for a commercial gym. Essentially, they're designed to handle a lot of traffic.
Commercial treads tend to have a larger footprint and don’t always have folding options. While you can definitely get one to use at home, equipment and projects manager at , tells SELF that these machines sometimes need a high-voltage outlet. With manual treadmills, the runner’s stride causes the belt to move.
“You're basically the only one that is going to be pulling that belt back,” Ng says. “There is absolutely no motor to it.” That means these machines don’t need to be plugged in and can eventually feel more natural to run on, but they also make runs harder and can be tricky to maneuver.
“I would leave those for more advanced runners,” Ng says. These are your work-from-home ticket to a higher step count. Also called walking pads, they typically have lower horsepower and max speeds since they’re not designed for running.
That also means they’re usually more affordable than your average full-size treadmill. How we test treadmills It’s impossible to judge a treadmill’s quality just by how it looks or what the marketing materials “promises.” To make sure we recommend the absolute best treadmills for home, our team of testers hops on popular treadmills to try them out firsthand so that you don’t have to.
For a detailed breakdown of everything we consider, check out our full . In the meantime, here are three treadmill-specific qualities our testers keep in mind as they log mile after mile: The only treads that make our cut have a strong motor and a weight capacity of at least 300 pounds. We also pay attention to how much shock absorption we feel under our feet, if the belt is long enough to feel safe when we open up our stride, and whether the frame shakes so much it causes an earthquake when we hit top speeds.
We get it: Using a treadmill is not always the most scintillating activity. So we check out the workout classes and other programs each machine offers, scoring how user-friendly and engaging they are. We also test to see how well tech like Bluetooth and WiFi connections and auto-adjust features actually work in practice.
Waiting ages for a tread to adjust can seriously mess with a workout. So, in addition to looking for speed and incline capabilities that can accommodate a range of runners, our testers time exactly how long it takes to go from zero to full incline, and we monitor whether there’s any lag in the auto-adjustments made during classes. Other treadmills we recommend We believe the treadmills on this list really are best in class.
However, we also get that you might want options catered to your unique fitness intentions and lifestyle. Check out the pages below for machines we recommend with more specific needs in mind. Treadmill safety tips Treadmills are a great tool for reaching your fitness goals, but they can also set you up to be untied shoelace away from an unfortunate (or other serious injury).
Trainers have several tips for staying safe on the machines. We’re guessing your idea of fun doesn’t include hitting your head on the ceiling or getting catapulted into a wall behind you. So, make sure you set up your treadmill in a space that accommodates both the machine and the extra room your body will need while running on it.
“You should be able to run on a high incline with several inches of clearance between your head and the ceiling because you do bounce up and down slightly while running,” says Norris. “Likewise, you should have clearance behind you, just in case you fall off the back of the belt.” If you don’t run a six-minute mile off the treadmill, don’t expect that you’ll immediately be able to sustain a speed level of 10.
“You are more likely to injure yourself on the treadmill if you are running too fast for your fitness,” Norris says. To save you from potential muscle strain and even falls, Felsenthal suggests you “ramp up the speed slowly, and while doing so, hold onto the sides of the treadmill for support.” If you’re feeling unstable or like you’re just out of gas, “you can always hop off on the sides,” she adds.
Treadmill safety concerns extend to those times when you’re not using your machine. If you’re using a folding function, making sure that it’s locked in place can save you from a jump scare due to your heavy treadmill abruptly popping up or unfurling. And while the safety key (sometimes called a clip) on a treadmill can be helpful to save you from a fall (they immediately brake the machine when pulled), they can double as a choking hazard to small children.
If your space allows, storing your treadmill in a locked room can keep kids from getting curious about it in the first place. Treadmill care and maintenance According to some manufacturers, if you leave a treadmill in a garage or outside where the temperature dips below freezing or the humid air soaks into the machinery, it will stop functioning properly. Sure, it might seem more convenient to stash it out there than in your living room, but beware that most warranties will be voided if you do.
Wherever you keep your treadmill, know that you will need to give it some love every once in a while to keep it running smoothly. “The belts need lubricants every now and then, depending on how much they're used,” Clemente says. (Check out the user manual to see what kind of lubricant is best for your model and the recommended time between grease-ups.
) NordicTrack recommends wiping the sweat off after each workout so the moisture doesn’t damage the electrical components, and doing a deeper cleaning with a damp cloth and vacuum once a month to avoid any corrosion. Also, anytime you feel like the belt is slipping a little, that’s a sign the hardware needs to be tightened. Dig out that user manual to find out how.
FAQs TL;DR? We get that sometimes you just want fast facts to help you make a quick choice. To summarize some of the most important info about picking the best treadmill, we’ve shared some of the most frequently asked questions; if you skip everything else, read this: We choose the as the best treadmill for home gyms thanks to its powerful motor, nice range of incline options, and massive HD touchscreen that connects to iFit so you can stream workout classes in a bunch of different modalities. And even though it’s a high-caliber commercial-grade machine, it folds up so it doesn’t completely take over your living space.
Ng says that both NordicTrack and Sole stand out as two of the best treadmill brands. They both offer durable treads with strong horsepower, good incline capabilities, and useful details like water bottle holders and spots for a tablet or phone. If you buy a cheap treadmill, you might find the machine lacks power, durability, or the features that you’d want for a long run or complicated workout.
But that might be okay if having a tread in your home makes it easy to run on days you would otherwise skip a workout. “It serves the purpose,” Felsenthal tells SELF. “If you don't have the time to run outside, I've had people just get even a half hour done [on a treadmill].
” Everyone has their own personal goals when they hop on a treadmill, and even a cheap machine will allow you to log a solid fitness sesh. While both treadmills and ellipticals can give you an aerobic workout, they do so in two very different ways. Which is best for you comes down to your goals, preferences, and what your body can handle.
As SELF , an elliptical lets you move in one smooth, joint-friendly motion that avoids any of the pounding your joints get with each stride while running. That’s why Ng recommends them to athletes who have pain or discomfort when running. Yet Felsenthal points out that if you’re trying to , and you run without pain, you “could benefit from a treadmill a lot more.
” It challenges the specific muscles required to run—like the calves and glutes—and typically, treads have more options to adjust the speed and incline to get in a harder workout. Clemente says a quality treadmill can last 10 to 15 years, if you take care of it. Though that lifespan can be a double-edged sword.
“They're still working, they're running, and they actually still look like they're in good condition,” she says. “But they may not have all the newest [features] like digital screens.” Know that when you get a treadmill, you’re making a commitment for the long run.
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