Are you looking for the best treadmill for your home gym?
Shopping for a treadmill can be intimidating or just downright confusing with so many options out there. Even many individual brands themselves have enough models to cause paralysis analysis.
The whole point of a treadmill is to keep you moving, so that’s why we narrowed it down to some of the best choices for each main usage category. That way, your investment can grow with your health and wellness goals for years to come.
When you look at it this way, our top picks were no-brainers. Here’s a sneak peek at our favorites from each major category:
| Jump To… | See Price On… | |
|---|---|---|
| BEST TREADMILL OVERALL Bowflex Treadmill 22 |
Details |
Amazon.com Bowflex.com |
| BEST TREADMILL ON-A-BUDGET NordicTrack T Series |
Details |
Amazon.com |
| BEST MANUAL TREADMILL Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Pro |
Details | Amazon.com |
| BEST HIGH-PERFORMANCE MANUAL TREADMILL SB Fitness CT700 |
Details |
Amazon.com |
| BEST COMMERCIAL TREADMILL Matrix T75 |
Details |
Amazon.com |
| BEST COMMERCIAL TREADMILL ON-A-BUDGET NordicTrack Commercial 2950 |
Details |
Amazon.com |
| BEST COMPACT/FOLDABLE TREADMILL GoPlus 2-In-1 |
Details | Amazon.com |
| BEST UNDER DESK FOLDABLE TREADMILL Bowflex Treadmill 22 |
Details | Amazon.com |
| BEST LUXURY FOLDABLE TREADMILL Echelon Stride Auto-Fold |
Details | Amazon.com EchelonFit.com |
| Best Treadmills |
|---|
| BEST TREADMILL OVERALL Bowflex Treadmill 22 Details See Price On: Amazon.com | Bowflex.com |
| BEST TREADMILL ON-A-BUDGET NordicTrack T Series Details See Price On: Amazon.com |
| BEST MANUAL TREADMILL Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Pro Details See Price On: Amazon.com |
| BEST HIGH-PERFORMANCE MANUAL TREADMILL SB Fitness CT700 Details See Price On: Amazon.com |
| BEST COMMERCIAL TREADMILL Matrix T75 Details See Price On: Amazon.com |
| BEST COMMERCIAL TREADMILL ON-A-BUDGET NordicTrack Commercial 2950 Details See Price On: Amazon.com |
| BEST COMPACT/FOLDABLE TREADMILL GoPlus 2-In-1 Details See Price On: Amazon.com |
| BEST UNDER DESK FOLDABLE TREADMILL Bowflex Treadmill 22 Details See Price On: Amazon.com |
| BEST PREAMIUM FOLDABLE TREADMILL Echelon Stride Auto-Fold Details See Price On: Amazon.com | EchelonFit.com |
BREAKING DOWN OUR PICKS...
Why Do I Need A Treadmill?!
No gym is complete without a treadmill, especially a home gym. Even if you don’t like running or walking long distances, they’re a great way to loosen up before or after a workout.
Since you’re running in a controlled environment, they also do a great job of tracking your progress. Not to mention they’re a great way to cross-train when you’re recovering from “Leg Day.”
On top of that, most people don’t have the benefit of living in running-friendly cities like San Diego, CA; Sydney, Australia; or Valencia, Spain. In these places, the year-round moderate weather allows you to throw on your running shoes and hit the road almost any day that you feel the itch.
There are many great places to run, but most have times of the year that are too cold or even too hot to run safely. For instance, Minneapolis, MN, and Madison, WI, have some great paths and trails to run on, but it’s pretty tricky during the winter months unless you have a nice pair of snowshoes.
Besides snow, rain is an acquired taste for runners, and both can be a safety concern if you use roads with heavy traffic. That’s why a treadmill is the perfect backup option and an essential piece of equipment for ANY home gym setup.
Different, But Equal
One of the most common detractions you’ll hear about treadmills is that running in place doesn’t offer as good of a workout as traditional running. In some minor ways, that may be true, but simply increasing the incline to 1% or 2% provides that realistic running experience. That slight increase can make up for lost environmental conditions like wind, sand, and other elements that can cause a constant resistance.
You can even squeeze a higher pace out of your treadmill by using the incline feature. For instance, let’s say your treadmill only has a max speed of 10 MPH. That would put you at a 6:15/mile pace. But that’s at a 0% incline. Increase that incline to 10%, and now your equivalent pace by incline is 4:49/mile. That translates to a max speed of about 12.5 MPH!
You could argue that running at a 4:49/mile pace using the 10% incline trick on a treadmill is an even better workout than running at the same pace on a flat road. On the other hand, there are some even better benefits to treadmills like…
Netflix and 'Mill
It’s hard to find time to catch up on your favorite shows, news, or movies. Unfortunately, it’s also hard for many of us to find time to work out, so why not kill two birds with one stone!
With the price of small TVs hitting an all-time low, it’s an easy investment to greatly increase the enjoyment of your workouts. Set up your home gym just like a professional gym by mounting a small TV on the wall, or just prop up your tablet on your treadmill’s book rest.
On top of that, more and more treadmills come fitted with advanced built-in touch displays that double as a smart TV. You’ll be able to easily switch between monitoring your workout program and your favorite shows or movies.
Less Is More
The main reason for regular running and walking is to achieve overall health and longevity, and your joints are no different. When it comes to your cardiovascular system and skeletal muscles, working out will almost always improve their condition. In fact, building muscle includes the process of purposely causing micro-tears and then letting them repair. Your joints are the complete opposite, though.
For the most part, your joints will never be in better shape than they are right now. Whether you’re playing sports, running, walking, or weightlifting, your goal should always be proper form to avoid damage and excess stress on your joints and spine.
Some of the biggest mistakes runners and walkers make include:
- Poor posture
- Landing on your heels
- Stride length is too long
- Improper shoes or foot support
- Running or walking on poor surfaces
- and more…
Most treadmills naturally have a little give that can counteract some of these mistakes. On top of that, most have rubber cushioned decks, and some even have adjustable cushioning systems to reduce impact even more!
Which Brand Treadmill Is Best For Home?
Now that we’ve covered the many benefits of a treadmill for your home gym, next is choosing which brand provides the best options.
First, when purchasing a piece of workout equipment, you want a brand that firmly stands behind their product. Not only do you want great build quality, but you also want a great warranty to cover common issues. That’s why most of our top choices are from brands that are already household names.
Secondly, most treadmill brands provide a fitness app to track your progress or are compatible with a more universal fitness app like iFit or JRNY. If you already use a fitness tracker, smartwatch, chest strap HR monitor, or some other wearable to track your workouts, it’s in your best interest to choose a compatible treadmill.
Luckily, most treadmills and their partner apps can be synced with Apple Health and Google Fit, if all else fails. That’s why the most crucial step is choosing the type of treadmill that fits your style of use.
What Type Of Treadmill Is Best For Home Use?
Since we’re concentrating on the best treadmills for your home gym, we’ll leave out medical-grade treadmills. From extra-long handrails to anti-gravity support, medical treadmills are best used under the supervision of a trained medical professional or at least a personal trainer in a training facility.
That leaves 4 main styles of treadmills that make sense for a home gym:
► Motorized Treadmills
Whether you have a strict budget or you want a commercial-treadmill-like experience, there are plenty of great choices for your home gym.
They are typically more compact than commercial styles, so that’s what makes them a great choice if you have limited space to work with.
Since they’re made for home use, the motors are usually lower in horsepower, primarily to ensure more efficient power consumption and reduced running noise. On the other hand, there are still plenty of options designed for power, speed, and longevity, just like our #1 pick…
BEST TREADMILL OVERALL
Bowflex Treadmill 22
Hardware Features
The Bowflex Treadmill 22 is our favorite home treadmill because it’s built for almost any level of athlete. With a max speed of 12 mph and a powerful 4 HP motor, it’s ready for anything from virtual marathons to intense interval training.
It has a best-in-class incline range of -5% to 20%. Plus, the 12 mph max speed is fast enough for more advanced athletes.
The overall build quality of Bowflex equipment is evident in this treadmill series. Featuring a responsive touch screen and perfectly placed physical controls, adjustments on the fly are super easy. My favorite feature is the speed and incline levers mounted on the handrails.
The commercial-grade motor ensures smooth striding and ultimate durability. Plus, the oversized 22″ x 60″ deck is big enough even for the tallest of users. Even though its footprint is on the larger side of the spectrum, the fold-up dimension is only 39.6″ x 44.5″, so it’s great for smaller home gym setups, too.
If screen size isn’t a priority, the T10 is the best value. You’ll save over $600 and the only other sacrifice is some incline range, going from 20% (on the T22) down to 15%. On the other hand, the T10’s -5% to 15% is still far better than most non-commercial treadmills.
Software Features
The only thing we feel is missing is compatibility with the iFit app, but Bowflex’s own JRNY crosstraining app is an impressive alternative and getting better. It has a great selection of treadmill, cycling, and other cross-training workouts, led by professional trainers.
The best part is that the $19.99 per month subscription can be used by an UNLIMITED amount of users! On top of that, everyone can create their own profile, so JRNY will adapt and track workouts individually. This alone makes the T22 the best option for families and other large households.
It also comes loaded with the Zwift app as added alternative to iFit. Zwift immerses you into a video-game-style world where you can race against other real-world users, compete in events, or go your own way.
Finally, if you just want to Netflix and ‘Mill, the Bowflex Treadmill series comes loaded with Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. Unfortunately, you only get access to your streaming accounts if you have an active JRNY subscription.
On the other hand, it’s a nice convenience to have everything in front of you on a big, beautiful 22″ touch display. You even get a floating status bar that shows basic workout stats and allows you to switch between your workout program and streaming app seamlessly.
Warranty
Another huge reason the Bowflex T22 made our top spot is their extended warranty. Considering the amount invested and the style of use, durability is always a concern with any treadmill.
Luckily Bowflex stands behind their products with a best-in-class warranty package. Here’s what they cover:
- 15-years on the frame and motor
- 5-years on mechanical parts
- 1-year on electronics
- 2-years for labor
That guaranteed coverage will keep your wallet in just as good of shape as you’ll be.
BEST TREADMILL OVERALL
Bowflex Treadmill 22
Bowflex also produces our favorite adjustable dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells. Click here to see why they’re the best way to add free weights to your home gym…
BEST TREADMILL ON-A-BUDGET
NordicTrack T 6.5 Si
In the world of home workout equipment, there are plenty of trusted household names. Not many are bigger than NordicTrack, and for a good reason. The NordicTrack T Series has everything the average person needs in a treadmill and their build quality provides great durability and longevity.
They’re fitted with a wide 20″ belt, so it’s comfortable and sturdy to walk or run on. Plus, the 10 mph max speed and 10% max incline are more than enough for most fitness levels.
The 10″ HD display is a nice feature for the price and comes with 20 preset workouts. You can also sign up for the iFit membership ($15/month) for 1,000’s more exercise programs. The choice is yours, but this is a great option for beginners and a steal at under $1000.
NordicTrack T 6.5 S
If you’re liking the T 6.5 Si, but you don’t need the built-in 10″ monitor, go with its little brother, the T 6.5 S. All the other features are the same, but you’ll save yourself around $400. Plus, if you ever want to try out the iFit program you can still download the iFit app on your tablet and connect to the treadmill via Bluetooth.
► Manual Treadmills
While most people look to manual treadmills as a more affordable option, there are also some premium models that perform better than many motorized styles we’ve tested.
Powered only by you, they’re also safer and more efficient than any motorized treadmill. The biggest downside is that they typically don’t have many built-in workout programs.
BEST MANUAL TREADMILL
Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Pro
The Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Pro is our favorite manual treadmill because it’s designed for HIIT training AND long-distance running. With only a few built-in programs like interval (preset and custom), targets, and competition mode, it’s very easy to use. Just jump on and go! There’s no motor to restrict your top speed, so the sky is the limit.
The best feature is the slat belt running surface because it’s the best style for reducing the impact on your joints. On top of that, the curved deck design reduces impact even more!
Since there’s no power needed, you can place the AssaultRunner Pro anywhere you want without worrying about wires or power outlets. The only thing it’s missing is a resistance mode, but you still get more out of every step than most motorized treadmills could give you.
BEST HIGH-PERFORMANCE MANUAL TREADMILL
SB Fitness CT700
Motor: N/A | Max Speed: N/A | Incline Range: N/A | Deck Size: 19″ x 66″ | Display Size: N/A
The SB Fitness Equipment CT700 is perfect for high-performance workouts. It has a similar slat belt design and onboard programs as the Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Pro, but it’s bigger and tougher. The deck size is 19″ x 66″, and can handle up to 475 lbs. Plus, it has an impressive 10-year warranty.
It works perfect for interval workouts and long-distance, but it also has the resistance mode we wish the AssaultRunner Pro had. You can select from 8 levels of resistance to simulate mountain climbing or grab the rails for full-body sled-push workouts!
► Commercial Treadmills
These are designed for heavy-usage environments, so they’re great for large families or other high-volume usage. They feature higher power motors and usually have a wider range of speed than traditional motorized treadmills. They also typically have a higher incline range, along with powerful motorized adjustments.
They really pay off on the control panels. It’s common to see a healthy selection of built-in workout programs, heart rate monitors, and extra safety features.
Even though they’re almost always in a higher price range, their durability is unmatched compared to other treadmill categories. With proper care and maintenance, you can expect them to easily last over 15 years!
BEST COMMERCIAL TREADMILL
Matrix T75 & XUR Display
The T75 fitted with the huge 22″ XUR touch screen is one of the best and most versatile commercial treadmills for your home gym.
First of all, its steel frame and comfortable commercial-grade cushioned deck means it’s strong and forgiving in all the right areas. Plus, it has an extra-wide 22″ running surface.
Just like NordicTrack, Pro-Form, and FreeMotion treadmills, the T70 uses a built-in iFit exercise software platform. This allows you to easily sync workouts to Strava, Garmin, Apple Health, and Google Fit, which is extremely handy if you already use a compatible wearable.
Choose from over 16,000 interactive workouts and follow your progress on real-world courses with Google Maps Street view.
As with most commercial treadmills, the warranty is one of the best features. Here’s what Matrix covers:
- Lifetime warranty on the frame, motor, and cushioning
- 7-years on all other parts
- 2-years for labor
BEST COMMERCIAL TREADMILL ON-A-BUDGET
NordicTrack Commercial 2950
Like with the NordicTrack T Series, their Commercial Series is the best value in its category. Featuring the built-in iFit platform and commercial-grade build, you’ll have plenty of room to reach almost any fitness goal.
They have 3 models in this series to fit almost any budget, with the only main differences being the motor and display size. They even feature an adjustable cushioned deck so you can choose between a firm road-running experience or a softer impact to protect your joints.
► Compact & Folding Treadmills
Compact treadmills is the category for you if space-saving is a top priority. Whether you need a folding one to slide under your bed or a low profile rail-free style for under your office desk, one of these should do the trick!
They’re typically only for light use because of their slimmer design, so don’t expect to train for a marathon on one of these. On the other hand, most of them can support an 8-hour workday of walking.
BEST COMPACT/FOLDABLE TREADMILL
Pro-Form City L6
The Pro-Form City L6 is great if you have limited space but still want the solid build and advanced features of a larger treadmill. It connects to your phone or tablet via the iFit app and has thousands of workouts to choose from. Even trainer-led sessions to help you mix it up and find new ways to stay motivated.
The motor is strong for its size, and it can get up to 8mph. This won’t be fast enough for advanced runners, but for casual runners and walkers, this is a great option.
The footprint is one of the best features. Measuring in at 29″ W x 70.25″ L x 44.5″ H, it has an impressive feature-to-size ratio. Plus, it weighs in at 125 lbs and has wheels, so you can easily roll it into a closet for storage.
BEST UNDER DESK FOLDABLE TREADMILL
GoPlus 2-In-1
When it comes to an under desk treadmill, there’s no need for a bunch of bells and whistles. All you need is a treadmill that’s compact, quiet, and keeps you moving. The GoPlus does it all. When folded, it’s only 52″ L x 27″ W x 5″ H, and you can use it folded or with the handrails up. Plus, it’ll fit under almost any desk!
The 2.25hp motor is strong and long-lasting. It can even get up to 7.5 mph if you want to go for a jog. The best part is that it only weighs about 84 lbs, so it’s easy to move around and stow away.
BEST PREMIUM FOLDABLE TREADMILL
Echelon Stride Auto-Fold
The Echelon Stride is the Cadillac of compact folding treadmills! Built for people with space-saving as a priority but don’t want to sacrifice essential features, this is a must-have!
Its 3 horsepower motor is ridiculously powerful for its size and can reach a max speed of 12 MPH! If that wasn’t impressive enough, it also has a motorized incline that’s surprisingly sturdy, even at its max angle of 10%.
It comes with 8 built-in workout programs, or you can step it up with their monthly subscription. Using your tablet or phone, you can download Echelon’s exclusive fitness app giving you access to live classes and tons of on-demand workouts.
Unlike many other compact treadmills, the Stride has a large 20″ x 55″ running surface that rivals traditional treadmills.
Where the Stride really pays off is in its stow-away capabilities. When folded, it’s less than 10.5″ tall, so it can easily fit under tall bed frames. Plus, its transport wheel assembly and front base allow it also to be stored upright, saving even MORE space!