Buyers Guide
Purchase Considerations
Learn about the important details you need to consider when purchasing a Treadmill for home use.
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Read All ReviewsTreadmill 101
Don’t let the title fool you, I’m not going to put you through some boring school lessons here. But I am going to provide you with some useful information that can help you find the right treadmill for your home. Buying a treadmill doesn’t need to be a frustrating experience. Take advantage of the information I’ve put together for you after a lot of trial and error of my own – it has been a bit of an arduous experience for me, but it doesn’t have to be for you. How you use this site is of course up to you, but I’d suggest you start by taking a quick peek at some of the informational articles and then going on to the reviews from there. If you already know quite a bit about treadmills by all means skip right on over to the reviews. There are quite a few machines to look at in various price ranges, so you’re bound to find something that catches your eye. Personally, I love the ones with all the innovative gadgets, but you might have other priorities. Whatever you’re looking for, I hope you find this site helps you to make an informed decision.Some Further Thoughts
I’d like to point out right off the bat that there are huge variations in price between the least expensive and most expensive treadmills – you can spend anywhere from $100 to $5000 on a treadmill, and that’s no exaggeration. Generally, you’ll find the more expensive treadmills have a lot more bells and whistles and the least expensive ones not so much. The other basic distinction between the least expensive and most expensive treadmills is that the lower-priced ones tend to be manual treadmills. These types of machines don’t have a lot of moving parts and don’t require an electrical outlet nearby, which is a big plus. Electric treadmills, on the other hand, can get quite expensive and, as we’ve already suggested, they can also come with quite a lot of bells and whistles. There isn’t one machine that’s best for everybody – it all depends upon your own personal likes and needs.The Best Treadmills - My Top Picks
I’ve put together a section on this site that I like to call my top picks. If you’re a fan of late-night TV or some of the best sports shows, you might be familiar with top 10 lists; that’s what I’ve tried to re-create here. Yes, purchasing a treadmill can be an important decision that can help to change your life, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun in the process. That’s why I thought a “best of” list would be a great way to highlight some of the best machines on the market – although my list is actually a top 8, not a top 10. You might expect that the treadmills on this list would be the most expensive models, but that’s not necessarily the case – in fact you’ll find at least a couple here that are quite affordable.The Schwinn 830
Best for your Knees
The Schwinn 830 is packed full of technological features to help keep your workouts interesting and productive. Perhaps more importantly, though, is that it has a nice large workout surface that is forgiving on your knees; the Schwinn 830’s belt surface measures 20” x 55”, which is more than large enough to allow you to go for a nice run on this machine without worrying about falling off the edge.
As far as the technology I’ve already hinted at goes, this treadmill has a built-in sound system with an auxiliary port that will allow you to plug in your MP3 player or smart phone. It’s got a great screen with several different programmable workouts. It also features an ergonomically-placed heart rate sensor which makes it easy to track your heart rate during a workout. There are large storage compartments on either side of the screen for convenience. I don’t know about you, but I have to have my bottle of water and my phone close by while I’m working out.
The ProForm Pro 1000
Built-in Wi-Fi TouchscreenIf technology's your thing, this treadmill may be one of the best choices on the list. The ProForm Pro 1000 offers built-in Wi-Fi technology, a 10-inch high definition touchscreen, and something called iFit technology that allows you to go for a virtual jog through your favorite country scene or urban setting.
This machine also has some standard features you’ll find on a lot of the other top quality treadmills such as a built-in sound system, a tablet holder, and conveniently placed cup holders. It also has wireless heart rate monitor technology so that you don’t have to pause your workout while you confirm that your heart rate is within an acceptable range. Combine that with a smooth, large tread belt with powerful motor, and it was a no-brainer putting this one on my top 8 list.
The Weslo CrossWalk 5.2 T
Best Value for MoneyThe reason this treadmill made my list wasn’t because it’s perfect, but because it is without a doubt an innovative product. This machine combines all of the treadmill features that you’re looking for, especially with its upper-body resistance technology to make sure you’re working out your whole body. This isn’t something you’ll find offered in a lot of other treadmills, so it had to make this list.
Along with upper-body handles similar to what you’d find on an elliptical machine, this treadmill also has a few other things going for it. It has a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds, you can easily fold it away for storage, and it has its own patented EasyPulse™ heart rate monitoring technology so that you can make sure you’re always working out within your recommended heart rate range.
The Nautilus T614
For Tracking and App-ConnectIf you’re not on a tight budget then the Nautilus T614 is a treadmill you should seriously consider. It's got some fantastic features.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about this machine is that it has 22 different programmable workout options. One of the most difficult things for many of us when we’re trying to get started on a workout regimen is staying interested; having this many options is a great tool to help us do that.
This Nautilus machine also has a built-in sound system so that you can stay entertained with your favorite tunes as you work out. It also has something called Nautilus Connect technology that lets you sync your workouts to the myFitnesspal app available for both Apple and Android devices. Having the ability to track your workout progress over time is a great way to stay motivated.
LifeSpan TR1200-DT5
The Office ChoiceThe LifeSpan TR1200-DT5 is another treadmill that made my list because of its innovative properties, although it really is a good machine at a reasonable price. You can expect to pay more than $1000 for this machine, but not a whole lot more. What makes this machine so unique is that it features something called a treadmill desk. Essentially, it’s a treadmill with a desk built over top of it. This is great for the home or corporate office. Instead of sitting at your desk typing away on the computer, now you can stay in shape while you’re working on that latest report.
This machine also has built-in Bluetooth technology that allows you to sync your workout information into their LifeSpan Online Fitness Club. It has some great safety features as well, such as its patented Intelli-Guard safety system featuring a key that automatically stops the machine if you happen to fall.
The Progear Manual Treadmill
The Budget ChoiceIf you’re surprised to find a manual treadmill on this list, you’re not the only one. When I set out on my journey to find the right treadmill for me I didn’t expect to find a manual treadmill that would actually pique my interest.
As it turns out this machine actually has a lot going for it. It’s priced under $150, it’s sturdy and reliable, and it even has an adjustable incline. It doesn’t hurt that users claim it’s able to handle a weight capacity of 270 pounds either. You won’t find all the bells and whistles that you would on a lot of the other machines on this list, but it’s a great machine if you’re on a tight budget.
The Weslo Cadence G 5.9
Foldable Value for MoneyIf what you’re looking for is a reasonably-priced motorized treadmill, then the Weslo Cadence G 5.9 is a great choice. This machine features safety-key technology to protect you if you fall, it has a built-in heart rate monitor, and it has one of my favorite things – built-in cup holders. To save space it can also be easily folded away when you’re not using it. The only serious drawback with this machine is the fact that it doesn’t have an automatic incline – you can adjust the incline but you have to do it manually, so it’s not as practical to change it while you’re working out.
The Go Plus Electric Treadmill 800W
Budget Runner UpThe final machine on our top 8 list is the Go Plus Electric Treadmill 800W. This is another reasonably-priced treadmill with some great features. Surprisingly, this machine has a top speed of 12 km an hour, which is pretty good for a relatively inexpensive model. It also has a maximum weight capacity of 260 pounds so it will be suitable for most people. In addition, you’ll find a safety key included in this model, and the unit is easily foldable for storage. It’s not a glamorous machine, but it’s a great option if you’re on a budget.