9 Best Small Treadmills for Home, According to Fitness Equipment Reviewers (The Healthy)

Posted: Jul 06, 2023 in In the News

This article originally appeared in The Healthy on July 6, 2023.

 

9 Best Small Treadmills for Home, According to Fitness Equipment Reviewers

By Karla Walsh

The rise of small treadmills and the home gym

The pandemic may have fueled a home workout revolution, but surveys show that the trend is here to stay. A recent study found that nearly three in four Americans plan to keep up their home fitness routine—and for many, their small treadmill is a key part of this daily sweat session. It's no wonder the 12-3-30 workout has gone viral! This timeless cardio classic is consistently the most popular fitness tool on the market, according to industry data. But we’ve come a long way from the huge, bulky machines that may have gotten more use as your coat rack than your workout buddy.

Noawadays, there’s a flavor of treadmill for every style, budget, and fitness goal—and they’re sleeker than ever. Whether you’re into walking workouts, jogging, marathon training, or using your treadmill for HIIT and strength training, today’s machines are designed with your living room in mind: they’re compact, functional, and some can even be stored away when not in use.

How to choose the best treadmill for home use

"When considering your options for compact treadmills, there are a lot to choose from," says Chris Gagliardi, the scientific education content manager for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and an ACE-certified health coach and personal trainer in San Diego. "But one fundamental question you should ask when you begin your research is: 'Do I want a motorized or non-motorized piece of equipment?'"

Another priority, Gagliardi suggests, is to think of safety first. "Does the belt stop if you fall? How easy is it to stop the equipment once it is in operation? Because you may be using this equipment at home alone, it's important that you make your own safety a priority," he says. A key point indeed.

Then there are the specs of the machine itself. Nicole Davis, ACE-CPT, a trainer who reviews fitness equipment for Garage Gym Reviews, suggests you should start by considering these criteria:

• Price: “Mid-range would be about $1,500,” Davis says. You can find treadmills at much lower prices—especially if you keep your eye out for sales when new models hit the market—but “budget treadmills sacrifice on specs, so be aware of that.” 
• User Weight Capacity: “Industry standard is 300 pounds minimum, but some commercial-grade machines exceed 400 pounds.” 
• Horsepower: “This spec will be based on what you plan to use your treadmill for,” she explains. If you’re a walker, 2.5 CHP (continuous-duty horsepower) will be just fine, she says. But if you’re a serious runner, you’ll want something closer to 3.5 CHP.
• Deck (also called "tread belt") length: “Again, this spec will depend on what you’ll be doing on the treadmill,” she says. Shorter decks around 50 inches will suit walkers just fine, but runners need at least 55 inches in length. “Tall individuals or serious runners should look for a 60-inch deck for maximum comfort.”
• Warranty: “The best treadmill warranties are 15 years to life on the frame, at least two years on parts, and one year on labor,” she says. “Generally, a better warranty means more faith in the product and its durability.” 

Beyond that, the treadmill’s footprint and features—such as a heart rate monitor, programming options, incline, decline and speed range—are important to consider, adds Steve Stonehouse, a certified personal trainer in Orange County, California and a director of education for STRIDE. Within shopper reviews, you may also want to investigate the noise your treadmill might generate, especially if you live in an apartment or want to exercise when others in the house are asleep.

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