The Best Treadmills For Home Use Reviews

Trusted Independent Reviews

Our editor, Luke, is a leading authority in the health and fitness industry. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Luke writes courses for Personal Trainers on how to use fitness equipment and has also helped to design home gyms for Royalty in the Middle East. Aside from all that, Luke has made a name for himself by challenging an ever-growing industry of get fit quick money making schemes. 

What to consider when choosing a Treadmill?

There are a few factors to take into account when deciding which treadmill is for you. Not least the warranty period! Some brands offer an amazing warranty of up to 25 years on certain parts of the machine, which will really protect your investment for years to come. This shows the confidence that some manufacturers have in the quality and build of their treadmills. The ProForm Pro 2000 is a perfect example of a quality treadmill, offering a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor. 

Lets explore some questions you need to ask yourself:

Will you be running or walking?

If your using the treadmill solely for walking, look for a treadmill that has a few preset walking programs, these can include hill walks or random changes in walking speed. As your going to be working at low intensities, entertainment may be necessary to make sure you stay motivated throughout your walk. Some treadmills come with games, internet surfing, music and iPad holders that don't cover your progress screen. Stride length and speed that you run at is important as some tracks are shorter than others, if your tall or a fast runner opt for a longer length in track but make sure you have space at home first before purchasing.  

Basics for Walkers

• Recommended HP (Horse Power) Needed: 1.75-2.0HP 
• Recommended Max Speed Needed: >10mph 
• Recommended Track Size Width Needed: 16” 
• Recommended Track Size Length Needed: 42-63”
• Weight Capacity: Buy a treadmill 50lbs heavier than you

The Best Treadmill For Walking

The best treadmill for walkers is Yowza Swing ArmTM treadmill, its excellent entertainment system and easy swing arm sensors allow you to keep moving without breaking your rhythm. 

Treadmills For Running

For runners, you will need to take a few more variables into account. Running increases the impact on your joints, buying a treadmill with an adjustable comfort belt is essential. If your an older runner or have had previous injuries you can adjust to a soft track, alternatively if your a competitive runner wanting to work at high intensities you may want a harder belt track. The speed of the motor will also need to be looked at. A larger horse power motor of at least 2.5HP with a larger belt is absolutely necessary.

Basics for Runners

• Recommended HP (Horse Power) Needed: 2.5-3.0HP
• Recommended Max Speed Needed: 10-13MPH
• Recommended Track Size Width Needed: 22”
• Recommended Track Size Length Needed: 55” +
• Weight Capacity: Buy a treadmill 50lbs heavier than you 

Best Treadmill For Advanced Runners

The best treadmill for advanced runners is the Sole F85 Treadmill which includes a large track, high speeds and a specialized cushioned track to reduce impact on joints. 

Do you need Preset Programs?

For those new to exercise, you should opt for a treadmill that offers a fully supported experience, which is almost like having your very own Personal Trainer. Most treadmills offer 12-15 varied training programs; other top of the range treadmills can have up to 44 programs. These programs often include running some of the most famous running routes in the world, giving you a complete visual experience via a HD screen. 

An example of a brilliant entertainment program and guided training treadmill is the NordicTrack C 1650 Treadmill, which has 34 professional preloaded workouts designed by Personal Trainers.

Do you need additional features?

Buying your own treadmill allows you to customize your experience. Here are a few features that can be found on most good treadmills:

1. Built in adjustable power fans
2. TV
3. Tablet Docking Station
4. USB Port
5. Iphone/Ipod Docking Station with Charger
6. Wireless Heart Rate Monitor 
7. Water Bottle Holder

More additions generally means more money so make sure you know what you really want and need. The Reebok ZigTech 1910 Treadmill is a perfect example of a hi-tech treadmill that has a 10” colour display screen, HD videos and a web browser.

Treadmill Workout For Women - Exercises to Lose Weight [Video]

Who Else Will Be Using The Treadmill And What Are Their Needs?

Will your treadmill be used by other people in the family? If so, you’ll need to take body weight and usage into consideration. Perhaps one of you will use it for walking and one for running? Your safest option is to go for a treadmill with the criteria suitable for running. This will allow you or your family members to progress to running as you get fitter.

Are you low on space and storage?

Standard treadmills are pretty large pieces of equipment and are not easily moved around, so usually once they are in place, that’s where they’ll stay. If you are likely to use the treadmill in fits and bursts as opposed to regular use, it would be a good idea to look at our space saving options that allow you to be a little more creative with how you store your treadmill.

When looking for portable, foldable or easy to store treadmills you again have to look at the criteria above. A cheap and small foldable treadmill that is being used frequently by multiple people who run fast will not last long. 

Foldable treadmills are now readily available in every price category for those needing to save some floor space. Cheap options almost always give issues when in regular use, whilst some of the higher priced options give you power assist so you won't have to lift the machinery yourself. Your treadmill can be stored behind a door, under a bed or neatly in your garage. 

The most reliable folding treadmill we have reviewed is the Lifespan TR1200i Folding Treadmill. This treadmill covers most of the criteria for everyone’s needs. It is very stable and does not feel like it’s moving with every stride. It is fairly compact meaning that the arm arches don't take up to much room in width. The performance is as good as a standard fixed treadmill and suitable for fast running.

Top 3 Treadmill Running Tips [Video]

Examples of Treadmill Workouts

The treadmill is usually a great pice of home0gym equipments that you can use to get in shape since it provides a cardiovascular workout. Basically, treadmill workouts can be subdivided into three categories. I.e. beginners, intermediate and advanced.

We recommended that if you’ re new to treadmill workouts, you start with the beginner category workouts before progressing to the more advanced programs. Also, it is important that you carry out some further research about the different types of treadmill workouts in order to be sure about how each one of them is supposed to be done while maximizing the benefits.

This write –up will give you everything you need to get a good start on the different levels of treadmill exercises that you can do at home.

1. Treadmill Workout Tips For Beginners

Here are the different tips you’ ll be required to adhere to when carrying out treadmill exercises for beginners.

#1: Walking-Only Workout

First and foremost, the initial week with your new treadmill at home will be best utilized if you do workouts that will help you get familiarized with your new treadmill. You can achieve this by walking for 20 to 40 minutes two to three times a week while trying out different walking programs.

Generally, while walking for this first week, you need to make sure that you keep your speed up and between 2 to 3 miles an hour. That means keep up a brisk walking pace.

#2: Walking And Jogging

Soon you will find walking a little boring, so then t's time to try incorporating just a small amount of jogging in your treadmill exercise routine. Break up the walking with a jog for at least one minute at between 3 and 5 miles an hour.

After the jogging section, go back toto walking for another three minutes. Rinse and repeat while you get familiar with the different speeds of your treadmill.

#3: Running

Here is where you get to really maximize the benefits of owning a new treadmill. Running is a really effective way to challenge yourself a bit more if you’ re a beginner. The bet part is that it doesn't require any special instruction, just run!

You can achieve a good workout by warming up first by walking for two minutes between 2 to 3 miles an hour for 5 minutes. Once you’ re done with warming up, jog for at least three minutes between 3 and 5 miles per hour. Then move up a gear and run for a further 3 minutes. Try speeds of 5 to 7 miles per hour.

Repeat the jogging and running repetitions 3 times for a 20 minute exercise.

2. Intermediate Treadmill Workout Tips

#1: Switching to Sprints

Once you feel you’ ve mastered the walk and jog combinations, it's an ideal time to try stepping up the pace a bit. A 30 minute interval exercise is a great way to begin increasing your speed and stamina. It's important that you mix up your exercising routine with a warm-up as well as walking, jogging and sprinting as that will help reduce your injuries and boost your endurance.

#2: Pyramid Intervals

You can keep boredom at bay by engaging yourself in a 30 minute pyramid interval treadmill exercise. Pyramid intervals start slow and build in speed at short intervals to maximize energy output. There is a great guide on the Popsugar website. Be aware that by changing your running speed in a disciplined way as part of a routine, you will be winning the war against weight gain.

#3: Using the Get in, Get Out Rule

If you are short of time and you still want to achieve a solid run and feel that you've done some real work while carrying out your treadmill exercises, try short programs. Diversifying your speed patterns by gradually increasing them in very shortintervals will help a quick workout become a beneficial part of your life.

You don't need a lot of time to work but you do need to work hard when you do. You can achieve hassle free quick workouts by ensuring that you’ use a timer each time you get on the 'mill.

3. Advanced Treadmill Workout Tips

#1: Working your Way up the Ladder

Advanced treadmill exercises will require you to push your endurance and raise your heart rate at the same time. The ladder run routine will boost your metabolism and help you to increase speed over the longer term. The ladder routine involves stepping up and down alternately to faster and slower speeds.

Push yourself on the faster speed and recover in the slower phase. Incorporate various inclines to make it harder and reap the benefits in no time. A 45 minute version of the ladder hill run is described here. This should be only be used when you have already gained some stamina and confidence.

#2: The 500 Calorie Exercise

If you can find an hour a day to get up on the treadmill, you can shed at least 500 calories in a very short time period of time. The 500 calorie exercise routine involves exercises such as climbing a hill or going for a hike. Many of the advanced treadmills that we review above have sophisticated programms that will simulate all of this for you. Time to get out the user manual and figure out how to use the advanced features of your new treadmill!

Treadmill Workouts General Tips For Everyone

Online Research

Just Google “Types of Treadmill Workouts” and you’ ll be presented with thousands of guidelines about treadmill exercise types. However, only use information that you’ re sure is from a reliable and trusted source. there are plenty of blogs and fitness-writers that do not eally know what they are talking about.

If you have any questions you can always ask me! Contact me on our contact page or leave a comment here and I will do my best to answer any questions you have about treadmills or exercise types.

Ask Family and Friends

Information from relatives and friends who use treadmills regularly can help you understand what has worked for them. In fact, regular users of treadmills are the best people to discuss your new purchase with. Inquire about how they’ re doing their treadmill exercises, what time of the day, as well as how they are benefiting from the treadmill. You may even be able to get some recommendations on the best treadmill to buy, or at least ask them to review our top 10 list above for an opinion.

Choosing A Treadmill

Try out a friends treadmill before you buy so that you are familiar with what it does and can utimately choose the one that will perfectly suit your needs. Remember that ideally, you will be spending quite a bit of time using this machine, so it's best to be really happy with what you eventually buy. A home treadmill can be a reall boost to your life when used regularly.

The more you like the equipment, the less likely it is to be left gathering dust in the corner of the basement.

Treadmill Safety

Treadmill exercises are very useful when it comes to diagnosing heart disorders like coronary artery blockages as well as the other cardiac problems. Because the body often can't show the symptoms of heart problems until it’s put under stress, a treadmill is frequently the way that people at home know they have a problem

As using treadmill is a really effective and efficient way of putting your body under stress, you can closely monitor the vital signs that are likely to cause issues. It is important that if you think that the level of exercise that you are doing is too stressful, then take a break. I would advise that anyone who finds even the slightest exercise too stressful, seeks a medical opinion.

Last but not least, use your time well and your treadmill will pay dividends.  You only get out of a treadmill what you put into it, so work hard and achieve your fitness goals at home in your own time. A home treadmill really is one of the most useful gifts you can give yourself. It is one of the best home gym equipment items you can buy. So go for it and have fun!

Example Treadmill Workout [Video]