How To Choose A Treadmill (And A Few Of Our Favourite Models For 2025)

CTV News

3 days ago

Treadmills are an essential part of a home gym for many people. The best treadmills will vary on an individual-by-individual basis, and it can be difficult to know what features you need and what price point you should be looking at. If you need some help picking out a treadmill as a first-timer or you need a replacement for an aging machine, read on. Questions to Ask Yourself
Before you begin shopping for a treadmill, you should prepare answers to the following questions. They will help guide your search, narrow down the market, and ensure you end up with a treadmill that fits your space and your training goals. How Much Can I Spend?
Setting your budget early on is incredibly important. Treadmills can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand depending on the style, features, and build quality. Knowing how much you can reasonably spend will help you buy within your means and max out on value at the same time. Do I Want to Walk or Run?
Most treadmills can be used for both running and walking without any problems, but there are some features, like belt size and motor strength, that affect the treadmill's ability to support your activity. Knowing the type of exercise you'll be doing on a treadmill can help you find a model that fits your needs perfectly. What Kind of Training Am I Looking For?
Some treadmills have very basic designs and functionality, and others are incredibly sophisticated and can act like personal trainers in your own home. Knowing the intensity and style of training you want is a key component to finding a treadmill that will actually work for you. For example, manual treadmills are more ideal for shorter, high-intensity workouts, and motorized treadmills are better for long-distance training. Features to Consider
Treadmills may not seem very complicated, but there are actually a lot of features that go into each product. Being aware of each feature and understanding how it affects the performance of the machine and the user experience are the two best ways to make an informed purchase decision. Let's dive right in. Type of Treadmill (Manual vs. Electric)
There are two main types of treadmills available on the market: manual treadmills and electric treadmills. Electric treadmills are much more common and obviously rely on a power source for their operation. They have preset speeds that can be maintained for long periods of time and will be heavier, sturdier, and more expensive (in general) than their manual counterparts.
Manual treadmills rely on your muscle power, adding momentum to the inner flywheel. As soon as you stop applying that force, the flywheel stops, and so does the treadmill belt. Unlike electric treadmills, there is no continuous speed output with a manual model. They provide a much more intense cardio and lower-body workout. They can have flat belts or a curved structure that is better suited to running. This type of treadmill, on average, weighs much less and is more affordable. You will have to make sacrifices when it comes to functionality, though. Motor Output
The motor output of an electric treadmill is measured in horsepower, and it affects a treadmill's ability to operate at high speeds. In general, treadmills with a 2.0 horsepower motor are best suited to walking. With a 2.5 horsepower motor, a treadmill is ideal for jogging. Runners and sprinters should look for treadmill motors with an output of 3.0 horsepower. All of these values are for continuous horsepower, also referred to as continuous-duty horsepower (CHP), not absolute maximums. A powerful motor is usually associated with a higher price tag, but it is worth the investment if you'll be using the treadmill often. Incline Levels
Both manual and electric treadmills can have adjustable incline levels. Running at a 0% incline is great for building endurance and distance training, but increasing the incline can help with hill training and lower body conditioning. In general, treadmill inclines will range from 0 to 12% to allow for gradual increases in intensity as your fitness improves. Speed Settings
The speed of a manual treadmill is determined entirely by the amount of work you put in and your ability to keep that muscle power output consistent. Motorized treadmills, on the other hand, maintain a constant set speed and are highly adjustable. Most treadmills will have preset speeds that range from 1 to 12 kilometres or miles per hour, depending on the brand.
These presets make interval training easier. You do have the ability to adjust the speed more precisely between the presets with up and down buttons on the display. The more speed settings a treadmill has, the more you'll be able to tailor each workout to your energy level. It makes treadmills easier to share within a family, too. Resistance Levels
Similarly to rowing machines and elliptical machines, resistance increases the amount of work you have to do to make the machine function. In this case, resistance in the flywheel of a treadmill means that you'll have to push harder on the belt to get the flywheel moving. Not all manual treadmills will offer magnetic resistance, but it is highly beneficial for increasing the intensity of your workouts and improving your cardiac and lower body fitness. Foldability
One of the key treadmill features that people look for when purchasing home fitness equipment is foldability. Having the option to fold the deck of a home treadmill up to a vertical position will open up your space and give you more room to move around.
Folding treadmills are especially appreciated in smaller homes or apartments where floor space is minimal to begin with, but they can be useful in any space. Plus, when you have to move the treadmill, its more compact size makes things a lot more convenient. Foldable treadmills tend to cost the same amount as ones that don't fold, so you won't have to worry about missing out on this feature because of a budget. Shock Absorption/Cushioning
Lower-end treadmills won't have much in the way of shock absorption, and this means your joints may suffer if you're doing high-impact exercise like sprinting or long-distance running. Higher-end treadmills will have softer belt materials with more cushioning to help preserve the integrity of the machine and help your joints rebound from the impact of your strides.
It can be difficult to tell exactly how a treadmill fares in this category, but as a general rule, a higher price tag will be associated with a stronger build quality and more shock absorption. Treadmills marketed specifically for runners should be a safer bet, too. User Weight Capacity
The average treadmill will have a weight capacity between 200 and 300 lbs. While most people will fall into this weight range, it is never a bad idea to look for more durable and stable machines. Plus, treadmills can be a great low-intensity way to exercise off some excess weight and get healthier. Higher-end treadmills typically have a weight limit between 300 and 500 pounds, and some even exceed that.
If you want some extra peace of mind while using a treadmill for weight loss, or you fall right at the top of the max capacity, spending the extra money for a higher limit is certainly worthwhile. Built-In Workout Programs
Most new treadmill models come equipped with built-in workout programs. These can help tailor your treadmill workouts to your specific fitness goals, but you don't need to feel pressured to use them if you don't want to. You'll have a more difficult time finding a treadmill that doesn't offer workout programs (unless it's a manual model). Connectivity (Bluetooth, Apps, Etc.)
Most modern electric treadmills will offer some sort of connectivity, whether it is a Bluetooth connection to your smart device or syncing to apps or programs like iFit. They are pretty common features in today's market, and they shouldn't raise the price of a treadmill much.
If you prefer to focus on your body while exercising, you can certainly find slightly less expensive treadmills that have less sophisticated technology. Some LCD screens can even play videos while you run to simulate different environments and even running partners. Tracking Capabilities (Heart Rate, Distance, Calories, Etc.)
Both manual and electric treadmills can be equipped with tracking capabilities, but the functionality of electric models in this area is far superior. Pretty much every treadmill will be capable of tracking your distance, time, and calories burned. It isn't uncommon for heart rate monitors to be included, though, and the most advanced systems may even be able to provide trends of your workout specs through connected devices. Belt Size
The belt size of a treadmill is one of the most critical features to consider before making a purchase decision. High-quality running treadmills will have a longer and wider deck than the average treadmill to compensate for the longer stride. A wide running deck also gives you more room for error.
Manual models will have the shortest treadmill decks as they are designed more for walking. Most electric treadmills designed for home use will have an average deck size that can accommodate both walking and running. Extras (Water Bottle Holder, Device Slot, Etc.)
While these may not be the most important aspects of a treadmill, most users prefer the added convenience of extras like water bottle holders, device slots for phones or tablets, and touchscreen capabilities rather than buttons. These features are pretty common, but it can also be easy to overlook them when browsing. If watching a show while walking or having water on hand is important to you, you'll want to make sure you prioritize these extras. Warranty
Treadmill warranty is a notable reflection of a machine's build quality. You should never buy a treadmill if its warranty is less than a year: these machines should last a lot longer than that. Some treadmills will come with a lifetime warranty, which is, of course, the ideal scenario, but warranties of several years are perfectly adequate, too. Our Top Picks for a Treadmill
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We'll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.