Written by Mike Price, OT
Treadmills are essential for individuals looking to maintain or enhance their fitness levels, providing a convenient solution to common obstacles like inclement weather and busy schedules. They serve as a dependable tool for those aiming to achieve their fitness goals from the comfort of their home. When selecting a treadmill, consider the motor strength, track size, and the range of integrated technological features to ensure it aligns with your exercise needs and preferences. Let's dive into our top 5 choices to help you find the perfect treadmill for your home gym.
 | 1) SportsArt T615-CHR Cardio Treadmill View Product |
Treadmills typically take up a significant amount of space. However, some fold and are moved more easily than others. When shopping for a treadmill, consider the room in which you are storing it and look for a treadmill that fits with extra space around it for safety if you fall or are injured.
Treadmills can offer many different special features. For example, buying a treadmill with many workout programs may be important to you. Alternatively, you may want a treadmill with a fan or heart rate monitor. Choose the features that meet your needs.
Lastly, you want to have fun using your treadmill and working towards your fitness goals! Today, treadmills have many built-in tools to help you do just that. For example, many allow you to connect your phone through Bluetooth to play music and stream TV shows or movies. Higher-tech models even let you use screen mirroring, browse social media, or go on virtual runs through various parts of the world!
You can walk, jog, or run on a treadmill. In fact, treadmills are great for many activities: recovery runs, light jogs to get your heart rate up, challenging workouts to lose weight, and everything in between!
It is recommended to moderately exercise for at least 150 minutes per week. Make sure to take at least one rest day, but treadmills can definitely be used for daily fitness! You can change your workout style and difficulty level, which should definitely differentiate your workouts.
A treadmill puts less stress on your body than pavement and other outdoor surfaces, meaning it’s better for your joints than going for a jog around the neighborhood. It also allows you to monitor your heart rate safely and immediately end your workouts if necessary.
Yes. A treadmill offers many features, like preprogrammed workouts, to promote quality exercise. You can use it regardless of the weather, and you don’t have to travel to a gym. While there is a start-up cost associated with treadmills, in the long term, they will save you money.
Compared to residential treadmills, commercial treadmills are generally built with higher-quality materials and tend to require less maintenance. If you have a higher budget, commercial treadmills are an excellent option!
Treadmills typically provide greater cushioning and shock absorption than sidewalks or roads. However, training your leg’s muscles to absorb shock is also important. Therefore, you should be careful with extended treadmill use. If you only ever exercise on treadmills, you may be more likely to develop stress fractures and other impact-related injuries.
LCD stands for “liquid crystal display,” and LED stands for “light-emitting diode.” Essentially, LED screens are higher tech and are typically easier to read, particularly at difficult angles. Additionally, LED screens tend to last longer and are more easily replaceable than LCDs because you can replace pieces rather than the entire monitor.
 | TR2000i Folding Treadmill by LifeSpan View Product |
The TR2000i Folding Treadmill by LifeSpan, our number 5 pick, is a superb choice for home fitness enthusiasts seeking a blend of convenience and advanced features. This treadmill has an interactive touchscreen display that simplifies navigating through workouts and settings. It features EZFold technology, which uses a hydraulic shock to easily fold the treadmill, making it ideal for compact storage. The machine is also designed with your comfort in mind, incorporating 8 compression shock absorbers to protect your joints during workouts. With over 20 pre-installed programs tailored by exercise physiologists, it offers a variety of exercise options to suit different fitness goals.
~1.jpg&newwidth=365&maxheight=200 "Commercial Spirit Fitness XT685 Treadmill") | Commercial Spirit Fitness XT685 Treadmill View Product |
Entering our list at number 4 is the reliable Commercial Spirit Fitness XT685 Treadmill by Spirit Fitness. Rated as the best treadmill under $3000, this exercise equipment will undoubtedly meet all your basic light commercial and home use needs.
Keep your glutes, hamstrings, quads, calves, pecs, and arm muscles strong with easy-to-use speed and incline controls on both the console and handlebars for your convenience. This treadmill also boasts 12 built-in workout programs and heart rate monitoring. It includes a chest strap transmitter and allows you to easily and accurately measure your workout using a color-coded target heart rate system. After the workout, track your progress using the compatible Spirit Fit App.
This treadmill withstands frequent operation and allows your body to do the same by using shock absorption to help your joints withstand continual use. Not only that, but your body will thank you with the included cooling fan. The fan swivels to provide a light breeze when and where you need it. Other features include speakers, Bluetooth, and an audio jack to entertain you.
Perfect for daily use and including all basic features, the Commercial Spirit Fitness XT685 Treadmill is an excellent tool for an entertaining and productive workout. At an extremely affordable price, fitness is within reach.
 | Landice L790 and L890 RTM Rehabilitation Treadmills View Product |
The Landice L790 and L890 RTM Rehabilitation Treadmills by Performance Health ranked as our number 3 pick, are expertly designed to meet a wide range of rehabilitation needs. These treadmills feature an easy-to-use central control panel and are equipped with multiple safety and performance features, making them ideal for medical and sports conditioning therapy. They offer a variety of programs for a customized workout experience, including options for reverse tread belt operation and a remote start/stop switch for enhanced therapist control. Including handrails and a low step-up height enhances safety, making these treadmills suitable for users with varying levels of mobility.
 | LifeSpan EZ-Folding Treadmill with Shock Absorption and High-Tech Console View Product |
The EZ-Folding Treadmill with Shock Absorption and High-Tech Console by LifeSpan, our number 2 choice, seamlessly combines durable construction with cutting-edge technology to provide an outstanding exercise solution. Designed for easy storage with its EZFold technology, this treadmill features a hydraulic shock that assists in folding it down effortlessly, making it highly suitable for compact spaces. The treadmill is built to last, featuring a robotically welded steel frame. It has various high-tech options, including a touchscreen display that offers intuitive access to workout data and programs. The inclusion of compression shock absorbers ensures that every workout is comfortable on your joints, enhancing both safety and endurance capabilities during your sessions.
 | SportsArt T615-CHR Cardio Treadmill View Product |
The SportsArt T615-CHR Cardio Treadmill by SportsArt Fitness, our number 1 choice, exemplifies cutting-edge technology and superior design within the SportsArt Foundation Series, tailored for commercial and residential use. This treadmill is engineered for durability and performance, featuring an expansive belt for ample running space and advanced MyFlex Plus deck cushioning that delivers 30% more shock absorption than other models. It also offers a variety of workout programs to cater to different fitness goals, enhanced by innovative features like Eco-glide auto lubrication and static-resistant belt material for a smoother, more reliable run.
Treadmills offer you a solution to bad weather, lack of time, or inability to travel to a gym, and give you newfound motivation to work out! With a treadmill, there is no excuse for getting lost on the way to your fitness destination.
The SportsArt T615-CHR Cardio Treadmill by SportsArt Fitness ranked first on our list thanks to its exceptional blend of durability, advanced technology, and user-friendly features. Its superior shock absorption system protects your joints during workouts, various pre-set programs tailored for different fitness goals, and high-quality, static-resistant construction. Its user-friendly interface and optional high-tech add-ons like a TV mount and fitness app compatibility make it a top choice for those seeking a comprehensive, motivating home workout experience.
View our entire catalog to see even more treadmill options, as well as ellipticals, exercise bikes, and more. For more information on other types of cardio equipment, read The 5 Best Elliptical Trainers, The 5 Best Exercise Bikes, or browse Caregiver University for even more product reviews and buying guides.
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
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