Best Treadmills: Top 5 Machines Most Recommended By Fitness Experts

When you think of at-home treadmills, do you think of a loud, clunky machine that collects dust in the basement? Think again! The best treadmills of today are far from what they used to be, with sleek, modern designs that are easily the centerpiece of any at-home gym. Now, you don’t need to battle traffic, weather, or the after-work gym rush to get a quality work-out. Whether you’re looking for workout classes, training for your next marathon, or simply trying to get your steps in, the rise of at-home gym equipment has made all of this and more possible for anyone.

We’ve all heard talk of the importance of getting in your 10,000 steps a day. But believe it or not, the benefits of walking and running kick in long before you hit that lofty number. In fact, any extra steps are sure to do your health some favors. A recent study reports that for senior citizens, every 500 additional daily steps reduce the risk of heart trouble. That’s only about a quarter-mile of walking each day. Compared to those who took less than 2,000 steps per day, adults who took around 4,500 steps per day had a 77-percent lower risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke.

Your heart health isn’t the only thing that will benefit from a few extra minutes on the treadmill. In addition to burning more calories and boosting your endorphins, taking more steps may actually help you live longer. A new study from researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst reports that taking more steps a day does indeed help lower the risk of premature death. In adults over 60, that risk levels off at about 6,000-8,000 steps per day. For the under-60s, the optimum number increases to 8,000-10,000 steps per day. But whether you meet the ideal number of steps every day or not, every little bit counts towards a healthier (and longer!) life.

It’s hard to try and reap all of the benefits of an active lifestyle when time is so precious. However, just a few minutes a day of exercise can help you to reach your fitness goals and bring you closer to a healthier, happier life. With the convenience of at-home treadmills, it’s even easier to meet these goals. To help you find the best treadmill for your home gym, StudyFinds did the research for you. This list rounds up the most frequently recommended treadmills, according to expert reviews. As always, if you have a favorite we missed, be sure to leave it in the comments below!

a woman is running on a treadmill
A woman running on a treadmill (Photo by Intenza Fitness on Unsplash)

The List: Best Treadmills, According to Health Experts

 

1. NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill

If you’re looking for an all-around best option for an at-home treadmill, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is pretty hard to beat. Whether you’re looking for online workout classes, infinite customizability, or simply an affordable treadmill, this choice proves to be the best. “When it comes to bang for your buck, the 1750 has always been one of the best treadmills,” says Runner’s World. “This version has been updated for 2022 with a fast, tilting 14-inch touchscreen console and a quiet incline motor that auto-adjusts during your home workout.”

NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill
NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill

“The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is dependable and versatile, accelerating smoothly within seconds to its top speed of 12 mph. The large color touchscreen has an excellent user interface, and the treadmill feels sturdy underfoot on a belt that offers ample room for even the tallest of runners,” adds The New York Times. “It provides a quality experience even for runners looking to forgo the connected-workout options.”

Just because this treadmill won’t break the bank doesn’t mean it won’t come with all the bells and whistles you’re hoping for. “The 1750’s new features include faster incline/decline technology, and new ActivePulse Technology brings a Bluetooth heart rate monitor to the game that enables the treadmill to adjust speed and incline to match your heart rate in real time,” writes Treadmill Reviews. “Although it’s certainly the budget-friendly model among NordicTrack’s current Commercial Series, it doesn’t sacrifice quality or features for the affordable price.”

2. Sole F80

The Sole F80 stands out as a strong candidate for a number of categories. However, its main benefit is the design of its unique belt, which has been specially crafted for ease on your feet. “While you can use any treadmill for walking, the Sole F80 is a top pick,” writes Forbes. “It has a wide 22-inch belt that’s double woven with a one-inch cushion flex, so your feet stay comfortable even during longer workouts. Quick adjustment controls on the arm rests make it easy to control the speed and incline while you’re walking. And with a 15% maximum incline, you’re guaranteed to feel the burn, even at lower speeds.”

 

Another advantage of the Sole F80 is the fact that it’s one of the few folding treadmills on this list, making it easy to store and transport. However, just because the Sole F80 folds doesn’t mean it isn’t built to last. The F63 has a steel frame backed by a lifetime warranty,” writes Garage Gym Reviews. “It’s the base model in Sole’s line of treadmills, but far from basic. The motor is 3.0 continuous horsepower, and there are 15 incline levels and speeds up to 12 MPH. Programming-wise, this guy has six standard programs, two programs that are heart rate-based, and two that are customizable.”

Finally, the Sole F80 cements itself as a strong choice for anyone looking for a standalone treadmill that doesn’t require a monthly payment. “If you love quality and durability and don’t want a monthly subscription, then you’ll love the Sole F80!” raves Treadmill Review Guru. “This is our best treadmill without a subscription because it provides everything you need and could want in a home treadmill — without having to pay for a subscription!”

3. Echelon Stride

Lightweight, auto-folding, and chock-full of fantastic features on the affordable Echelon Fit app, the Echelon Stride is the perfect choice for any runner looking to own a treadmill with a small footprint that can be easily folded and stored without compromising on quality. “The Stride’s calling card is the auto-folding capability, which makes it easy to stow the treadmill and save on space,” says Tom’s Guide. “With a max speed of 12 miles per hour, this should be fast enough to suit most runners – that’s around a five-minute mile running pace. It’s also got a 10% incline, and a 3% decline.”

Echelon Stride
Echelon Stride

“It’s by far our favorite when it comes to balancing a good set of features with a mid-range price tag. It’s the ultimate space-savvy machine, with a compact running belt and fully foldable design — ideal for storing under a bed or behind a sofa,” writes Live Science. “It’s well worth investing in the Echelon Fit app which – for a monthly subscription fee – allows you to link the treadmill with your phone or tablet and access a huge selection of engaging classes… if you’re a running newcomer looking for a compact, affordable option, the Echelon Stride is the best treadmill for you.”

For runners who prioritize convenience and storability, this is a great choice. “Apartment dwellers or those short on home workout space will most appreciate this model’s impressive ability to fold down to just 10 inches thick so it can be leaned against a wall or slid under a bed when not in use,” writes Outdoor Gear Lab. “It comes pretty much ready to use in the box, and it is quick and easy to fold the console, handrail, and support arms up or down, and two sets of transport wheels allow you to roll it fore/aft and side to side.”

4. Bowflex Treadmill 22

The Bowflex Treadmill 22 has a wide range of desirable features that earned it a spot on this list. Whether it’s the convenience imparted by its foldable design, its incredibly high weight capacity, or simply the wide range of features it has, this pick has a lot working for it. “The Bowflex Treadmill 22 is the top-of-the-line model in Bowflex’s lineup,” writes Treadmill Review Guru. “This treadmill offers some impressive features in a functional design. The Treadmill 22 has a large 22” touchscreen, a 22” wide by 60” long running surface, and a really quiet motor.”

Bowflex Treadmill 22
Bowflex Treadmill 22

Another benefit of this treadmill comes in its ability to affordably provide runners with a wide range of decline and incline training options. “It’s pretty common to find decline/incline settings ranging from 0 to 12%. This is a great range for most people but there’s no decline option, as there is with this treadmill which offers -5% to 15%,” notes Treadmill Reviews. “During incline intervals, your quads, hamstrings, glutes, and ankles are challenged. Once you switch over to decline, you get the chance to put the hip flexors and knees to work. Not only does this open up the opportunity to strengthen areas of the body that are commonly overlooked, those recovering from hip or knee surgery/injury can use decline training to restore strength and mobility.”

With its high weight capacity, the Bowflex Treadmill 22 is a fantastic option for people of all sizes looking to find the right at-home treadmill. “The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is a smart choice for bigger folks looking to get into walking, jogging or running,” writes Forbes. “The deck, which has Comfort Tech cushioning for softer impact, supports a maximum user weight of 350 pounds, which is also at the high end of what many consumer treadmills are equipped to handle.”

5. Horizon 7.4 AT

With a wide array of built-in programs and an incredible amount of training options, the Horizon 7.4 AT allows a stunning amount of customization for an entire family of runners. “If you are looking for a home treadmill that supports interactive training but doesn’t break the bank, check out the Horizon 7.4 AT,” writes Treadmill Reviews. “It puts an unlimited variety of interactive training options at your fingertips. When different family members hop onto the machine, they can tune into their preferred interactive training app rather than being closed into one option.”

Horizon 7.4 AT
Horizon 7.4 AT

“The Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill is a perfect example of what the best smart home gym equipment should be—a high-quality exercise machine with some cool technology features,” adds Garage Gym Reviews. “Manufacturers sometimes focus too much on technology, resulting in lower-quality workout machines. That’s not the case with this treadmill, which comes with a large 22-inch-by-60-inch running deck, quick-dial incline and speed controls, and responsive cushioning that can support short and long runs.”

Perhaps the most impressive trait of this treadmill is its ability to be either incredibly high-tech or a simple, tech-free piece of running equipment that doesn’t charge a monthly fee. “The Horizon 7.4 AT is a gym-quality treadmill that leaves entertainment to the user, but that doesn’t mean it’s tech-free,” writes Outdoor Gear Lab. “Users needn’t rely on a particular app; they can connect to any app they wish using the machine’s Bluetooth FTMS or go without; there are no monthly fees built into this treadmill.”

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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links.

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