The variety of different-sized screens available on treadmills is huge, too, ranging from simple monochrome displays right up to detailed colour LCD TV screens that connect to the internet for the best in-run entertainment. One of the most useful features to keep an eye out for is whether a treadmill has a variety of preset workouts you can follow on the treadmill, such as hill and sprint sessions. What other features should I look out for? The latter is particularly important, as any warranties will be null and void in the event of an accident – and having a treadmill fall to bits halfway through a run is less than ideal in any case. Last but by no means least, you’ll want to make sure that the treadmill belt is long enough to accommodate your running stride, and that you don’t exceed the manufacturer’s maximum weight ratings. It’s worth looking out for treadmills that can provide a maximum incline of around 10-15%, as this allows you to increase the difficulty of your run without needing as much speed. The best wired and wireless running headphones to buyīuying a treadmill with variable incline settings is a sensible choice, too. Unless you want to end up frustrated, it pays to make sure that the treadmill you’re considering is able to keep up with you. Gym treadmills will routinely go up to 19-22.5km/h (12-14mph), but home-use machines will often top out at 12-16km/h (8-10mph) or even lower. Do I need a treadmill capable of hitting a specific speed?Ī major difference between most home and commercial treadmills is the top speed available. In all honesty, you’re far better off reserving an ample amount of space for a treadmill and keeping it clear – that way, you don’t have to spend precious running time setting it up each and every time you want to use it. Many models will fold up after use, which saves a little space, but there’s no such thing as a truly compact treadmill. It’s also worth considering what else you’ll want in the room with your treadmill, such as a TV to watch while running. You’ll need at least a single bed’s worth of room when using the treadmill, and some clearance at the back to step on and off. How much room do I need?Ĭarefully check the dimensions of any treadmill you’re interested in. We really wouldn’t be tempted to spend less, however: dipping below the £200 mark usually means a very limited feature set that even beginners will tire of quickly, not to mention questionable build quality.
If you want something that gets anywhere close to the quality of the treadmill you find in a gym, you will need to splash out upwards of £1,000, but there are some great home-use options available between £500 and £1,000, while walkers and beginner runners can find a machine that suffices in the £200 to £500 range.
How to choose the best treadmill for you How much do I need to spend?
In this article, you’ll find our four favourite sub-£1,000 options that cater for every level of walker or runner, as well as a couple of more fancy high-end picks for those of you who are you are set on recreating a gym-standard experience in your own home. When picking a treadmill it’s easy to overlook more affordable machines and start lusting after professional-looking machines that wouldn't look out of place at a gym, but you don't need a commercial-standard treadmill unless you’re planning on spending 16 hours a day on it.