Studies have shown running to lower your risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by up to 45%1 and increase your life expectancy by up to three years. With the right treadmill, you can reap the many benefits of running, no matter the weather or time of day. Below, find our picks for the best treadmills for runners. Plus, hear from a certified personal trainer and a board-certified pedorthist on how to find the right treadmill for your specific running style. Treadmills are a useful training tool because “they allow you to control the speed and incline of your run,” he adds—something that can be difficult to do outdoors unless you want to meticulously plan your route or spend your run tied to your phone or fitness tracker. Speaking of tracking your progress, treadmills make this task simple. “Many treadmills come equipped with tracking systems that allow you to monitor your distance, speed, and calorie burn,” says Alex Randall, certified personal trainer and founder of running blog Revel Sports. “This can be helpful for setting and monitoring progress toward specific goals.” “Some people find that running outside helps them clear their mind and relax more than running on a treadmill,” he adds. “The sights and sounds of the outdoors can be more stimulating and help you stay motivated.” Considering the high-impact nature of running, treadmills tend to be a bit easier on your joints than pavement. “Treadmills have a cushioned surface, which can reduce the impact on your joints compared to a harder surface like pavement,” Arciuolo agrees. He goes on, explaining that the harsh impact of running on pavement “is responsible for many injuries such as shin splints, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and other lower-leg issues.” Still, there are many benefits of being out in nature, so outdoor running certainly deserves a place in your training regimen. Mixing up your runs by including some outdoor runs and some treadmill runs can be a good way to experience the benefits of both while minimizing the potential downsides. The treadmill has a touchscreen with eight pre-programmed workouts and a USB connector, plus a built-in holder for your phone or tablet. To stream on-demand workouts or join live classes, you’ll need to purchase an Echelon app membership. According to one reviewer, “This treadmill is amazing for smaller runners who have limited space available, and who aren’t looking to log a ton of mileage. I’m 5'3", 125 lbs, primarily run sprints and intervals (and probably total 10-12 miles per week), and this treadmill is perfect for me.” On the con side, some people mention that the treadmill can be a bit noisy at high speeds or incline levels. The belt is padded to help with shock absorption and reduce impact on your joints and spine. While the display does show your calories, distance, heart rate, incline, speed, and time elapsed, there are not many bells and whistles with this machine. There is no touch screen, but if you want to stream workouts, you can use the dock for your tablet or phone. With over 2,500 reviews on the Horizon Fitness website, this treadmill still maintains a 4.6 overall rating (out of 5). Reviewers say it holds up well, is easy to use, and runs fairly quiet compared to other options. Additionally, the treadmill has a cushioned belt, built-in speakers, and a tablet holder. It also comes with a free 30-day trial of iFit, although activating the membership isn’t required to use the treadmill. The treadmill supports speeds up to 12 miles per hour and inclines up to 15%. Additionally, it has a tablet rack, USB charging port, and Bluetooth-connected speakers. There are a lot of rave reviews from beginners on this treadmill. One writes, “Love this treadmill so far. I am a beginner and trying to get back in shape. Everything about this treadmill is great. I use it with the Peloton app on my tablet, and it works awesome.” A few negative comments mention that the treadmill can be a bit noisy and connecting to other apps is difficult at times. Offering speeds up to 12 miles per hour, this is another great option for runners who want to incorporate speed into their training. You can use the treadmill for your own custom routine, or streeat a workout through the iFit platform. With or without a subscription, metrics such as calories, time, distance, and pace will be viewable on the 10-inch HD touchscreen. Unfortunately, it does not monitor your heart rate, unlike most other models in this price range. Most reviewers comment on the quality (albeit large and heavy) design of this treadmill. Customers agree that it is simple to assemble and easy to use and navigate. The general consensus is that this treadmill provides a smooth stride, but a few people do mention that it takes a few moments to turn on and that the display can be a bit slow. This treadmill doesn’t feature incline, which is not advised for a curved treadmill, but offers manual resistance. In other words, you’ll have full control over your speed. Experts say that curved treadmills are meant for shorter distances, and this one features a small display that makes it easy to track your pace, time, distance, calories, and heart rate. The treadmill’s speed goes up to 12 mph, with 15 levels of incline. If you tend to go on longer runs, you’ll appreciate the built-in charging port. On the Sole website, this treadmill has over 300 reviews and a 4.5-star rating overall. Customers tend to mention the cushioning and how well the machine holds up over time. Most negative comments are related to shipping and customer service, rather than the treadmill itself. The 22-inch wide belt gives you a little bit more space while you run, and is incredibly unique in that it has three different deck firmness settings to choose from. Each setting represents a different outdoor surface: grass, track, or pavement. Reviewers say this treadmill is sturdy, “super quiet,” and well-made—and some even comment that they’re using it for marathon training. Overall, customers are very satisfied, but a few say it’s difficult to get in touch with customer service. The treadmill has an incline range of -5% to 15% (one of the widest incline ranges on the market)—an incredibly impressive range for a foldable option. While you might expect a foldable treadmill to be flimsy and low-quality, this pick is sturdy and well-made. Reviewers agree, noting that “the sturdy design and long running track” make this treadmill a “great choice for large guys.” People love the convenience of having this treadmill in their home, and how easy it is to fold up and store. While the majority of customers say the treadmill is well-made, a few others mention that it stopped working shortly after they bought it. Fortunately, the brand offers a warranty covering all parts. The Tread features 25 incline levels (up to 12.5%) and a maximum speed of 12.5 miles per hour. When streaming classes, you can opt to have your speed and incline automatically adjusted by the instructor, so you don’t have to worry about messing with your settings mid-run. The 23.8-inch HD touchscreen is extremely clear and can be rotated for a better view when streaming mat-based classes. You’ll also find a USB-C charging port, Bluetooth connectivity, and built-in speakers. Customer feedback is generally very positive. People enjoy the automatic incline and speed adjustment capabilities the treadmill offers, as well as the “VERY large screen” and extensive access to different types of workouts. Some reviewers do say that the treadmill can be shaky during high-speed runs. Budget: Treadmills can range in price from around $300 to upward of $5,000, so it’s important to have a budget in mind before you start shopping. “Look for a treadmill that fits in your budget while still offering the features you need,” Randall recommends. Be sure to consider the cost of memberships if you choose a treadmill that requires one, like the Peloton Tread. Speed and incline options: Most treadmills have max speed settings of 10 to 12 miles per hour and offer incline from 0 to 12%. However, if you want something in excess of these, like negative incline, you’ll need to shop around a bit more. Size and durability: “A larger belt size will allow you more room to move,” explains Randall. The roomiest tend to be 22 inches wide and 60 inches long. He adds, “A treadmill with good cushioning can help reduce the impact on joints.” For a more durable treadmill, he suggests sticking to well-known brands, such as ProForm, NordicTrack, and Sole. Tracking and connectivity: Finally, you’ll want to consider the treadmill’s tracking and connectivity features. If you plan to stream workouts, look for a treadmill with a built-in screen or a tablet holder. Bluetooth speakers and a USB charging port are also great features to have.
