Treadmill for Home: We receive free products and commissions through our links. See the disclosures page.
A treadmill can be an invaluable piece of home gym equipment. The best treadmill for home gyms provides an opportunity to train cardiovascular health, and research has proven that cardio training comes with endless benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, weight management, and eliminating the onset of diabetes. (1) Although many might argue using a treadmill isn’t as effective as running or walking outdoors, an at-home treadmill provides year-long opportunities to train with various inclines that emulate different types of terrain.
With the recent surge in technological advancements, finding the right treadmill might require more effort than you think. Purchasing the wrong treadmill might lead to frustrating or ineffective workouts, or it might not fit your space. This article will discuss our top picks for at-home treadmills, highlighting key features that will help you find the right one.
How We Chose the Best Treadmill for Home
Several of the treadmills we review below are ones we’ve tried in our testing facility in Springfield, MO. Out of the nearly four dozen available treadmills, we narrowed it down to what we feel are the eight best machines.
When making our selections, we aimed to cater to a diverse range of users, including elite athletes and casual exercisers. We included treadmills with a justifiable price point while accommodating high- and low-intensity workouts. Some of our treadmills came with a heavy price tag but also had top-of-the-line features and characteristics, such as interactive programming and auto-fold technology.
Because these treadmills are intended for a home gym, they must be compatible with most spaces. To that end, some machines on the list below fold up for storage and have a condensed footprint. Another factor we considered was durability, so you can maximize the value of your investment while minimizing the need for frequent repairs or replacements.
Our Top Picks for the Best Treadmills for Home
Best Treadmill for Home Overall: NordicTrack Commercial 1750
NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill
Overall dimensions: 80” L x 38” W x 65” HDeck size: 60” L x 20” WMax speed: 12 miles per hourMax incline: 12 percentDecline: -3 percentProgramming: iFit (free for 30 days, then $39 per month)Motor: 3.5 CHP motorWeight capacity: 300 poundsPros
Powerful motor14-inch tilted interactive touchscreenInclines and declinesSpeedSaver foldable designTrainer-led iFIT workoutsAuto-adjust technologyCons
Difficult assemblyiFit membership expires after 30 days unless you decide to renewThe NordicTrack Commercial 1750 wins the award for the best home gym treadmill. Its reputation stems from its stellar list of high-end features for high- or low-intensity workouts. This smart treadmill provides a powerful 3.5 CHP (continuous horsepower) motor, allowing you to run at a top speed of 12 miles per hour. It also has an impressive decline and incline range, going down to a negative three-percent decline or up to a 12-percent incline to emulate different terrain, such as roads running at different elevations.
Its 14-inch tilted interactive HD touchscreen allows you to perform trainer-led workouts through iFIT, an expansive on-demand library of over 1,000 activities. It includes a variety of programs, from high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions to yoga practices. It’s like having your own trainer. However, it costs around $39 monthly after a 30-day free trial.
When exercising, the 1750 uses SmartAdjust technology to adapt to your performance, making each session personalized and efficient. SmartAdjust is a unique technology that keeps track of the changes to your NordicTrack machine while working out. It remembers these changes and uses them later to help your device adapt to your training level for future workouts.
Furthermore, if you don’t have a lot of space in your home gym, you’ll likely appreciate that the 1750 folds up and has wheels, allowing you to quickly move it out of the way when you’re not using it.
These intuitive features come with an expensive price tag—the 1750 starts at around $2499. Plus, you’ll have to pay for it if you decide to keep the subscription after your trial ends.
Complicated assembly is another potential drawback. I owned a NordicTrack treadmill, which took about two days to assemble. This is also due to my busy work schedule, which could resonate with others who purchase this treadmill. But with this being one of the more advanced models, I recommend researching and putting time aside to effectively set up your treadmill without any issues. It comes with a paper manual, and you can access a virtual manual showing you how to perform each step.
RELATED: Best Cardio Machines for Weight Loss, Low-Impact Workouts, and More
Best Home Treadmill for Running: Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Pro
Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Pro
Overall dimensions: 69.9” L x 31” W x 64.4” HDeck size: 17” W by 62” LMax speed: As fast as you can runMax incline: N/ADecline: N/AProgramming: Compatible with the Assault Fitness AppMotor: Non-electricWeight capacity: 350 poundsPros
Non-motorized treadmillAthlete-friendlyLow-impact design for injury preventionOn-board programs that target time, calories, distance, speed, heart rate, and moreBluetooth connectivityCompatible with the Assault Fitness App and ZwiftCons
High priceIt might not be suitable for non-runnersNot foldableThe AssaultRunner Pro is a versatile, non-motorized, easy-to-use treadmill. Driven by your stride, the AssaultRunner Pro matches your output and requires your full attention to maintain a consistent effort. Its uniquely curved design helps lower the risk of injury by reducing stress on your joints and providing a challenging but safe running stimulus.
The Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Pro can be a standout choice for fitness enthusiasts, especially those who run or do sprint interval training. The Bluetooth connectivity and built-in speakers enhance the overall workout experience. On-board programs targeting various metrics such as time, calories, distance, speed, and heart rate offer structured training options. However, they’re not as interactive as the trainer-led iFIT programming in more traditional treadmills.
However, the treadmill is compatible with the free Assault Fitness App, which provides trainer-led programs. It’s also compatible with Zwift (around $14.99 per month), which doesn’t offer instructor-led classes but provides virtual running workouts. The AssaultRunner Pro doesn’t have a screen you can cast on, though there is a ledge on the monitor that you can rest a phone or tablet on.
Although this treadmill requires no electricity, it comes with a high price point, starting at around $2,999. While it’s ideal for athletes or those who desire a high-intensity workout, it might not be as suitable for non-runners or individuals seeking low-intensity exercise. You can still use this treadmill for walking, but it doesn’t provide incline or decline settings and is a very hefty machine for those who don’t plan on doing high-intensity exercise.
Additionally, the AssaultRunner Pro doesn’t fold. You can move it using the handlebars under the back and the wheels at the front, but the non-foldable design could pose challenges for those with limited space who might need a compact treadmill instead.
Sign in to leave a comment.