Freezing, cloudy, stormy, or scorching weather can make running outdoors miserable. Luckily, indoor running equipment has come a long way in the last decade, ensuring even those who swear by outdoor workouts (like me!) can finally enjoy conquering a sweat session inside—and it’s all thanks to the best treadmill brands. We spoke with running experts, coaches, and physical therapists to learn more about how running and walking can improve our health and well-being and how to keep achieving these gains even when we can’t get outside. Below, find their expert input, plus our list of the best treadmill brands for every lifestyle and living space—so you can stay physically and mentally fit all year round, no matter where you live. For runners specifically, adding treadmill days to your training plan can be impactful if you don’t live in an area with easily accessible hills or running tracks. “Treadmills can help you master your pacing, correct your form, and do effective hill and speed training from the comfort of [a gym or] your home,” RRCA, USA Track & Field, and USA Triathlon–certified coach Raj Hathiramani explains. If you’re feeling stagnant and aren’t getting the recommended 150 to 300 minutes per week of movement in, a walking pad, a foldable treadmill, or a treadmill desk are all great ways to keep you active throughout the day—potentially even while you’re working, reading, or watching TV. Treadmills are great because they give you control over your pace, but Leninger says it’s important to practice self-pacing, too. “On a treadmill, you can set a pace and you don’t have to worry about it, but it is important to learn what different paces feel like outside and how to maintain them without the treadmill doing the work for you,” she adds. Elite marathoner and RRCA-certified running coach Elizabeth Corkum agrees, saying that “How a runner utilizes their hamstrings and glutes when moving on a solid surface vs. a moving belt can change, and treadmill runners often heel strike—which most likely wouldn’t happen outside.” “Be intentional about when and why you do treadmill workouts,” Hathiramani advises. “I recommend limiting the treadmill to specific incline and speed training unless it is not safe to run outside.” When it comes to size, there’s more to consider than simply whether the machine will fit. “A lot of treadmills require certain dimensions for the actual machine, but also for clearance, that you will want to consider,” explains Leninger. “Make sure you have an outlet that will work in the area that you want to place the treadmill. You will also want to make sure you have enough headroom, and you want to pick a place that you will actually enjoy being in.” As we said, these machines have come a long way in recent years, and each comes with its own features and capabilities (speed, incline, heart rate monitors, screens for streaming classes, to name a few). Once you determine the size you need, Hathiramani says, “From there, you can consider a treadmill’s features, including its motor and maximum weight, for sufficient speed and stability.” He adds that “Foldable treadmills have increased in popularity, especially for those without a lot of extra space in their homes.” Some brands offer a warranty, and they all have different return policies—both of which should be noted and taken into consideration as you’re browsing. While it does not have a built-in screen, there is a doc to hold your device, so you can stream any class you’d like from the brand’s corresponding app (or catch up on your latest television binge). If you do choose to sign up for an Echelon United app membership ($39.99/month), you’ll have access to over 40 daily live classes, hundreds of on-demand workouts, and you can watch your username climb the leaderboard as you go. Without a membership, you can still use the treadmill, but you won’t be able to access any of these classes. This treadmill arrives in a box and is easy to set up on your own. During your run, the screen will display metrics such as speed, incline, distance, time, heart rate, calories burned, and pace. It’s also worth noting that, with an iFit membership, you can stream additional workout classes from your treadmill, including strength training, yoga, and more. The treadmill will either be delivered to your house in a box for self-setup, or you can opt for white glove delivery (for an additional cost). Runners love this treadmill, and it gains a ton of five-star ratings. Take it from this reviewer: “Holy smokes! This thing is a beast and probably the best purchase I have made for myself in years. I use it daily. I highly recommend the iFit membership to explore the world while you walk, run, or hike. The 32-inch screen makes it so immersive and the experience is legendary. Never had a treadmill this nice and I have used many of them at the gym/home.” The belt itself is designed to feel like a real track with a soft EVA shock absorption layer that’s easier on your joints. It fits seamlessly under a standing desk or can be set up in your living room, so you can stay active as you watch your favorite shows. Orders ship for free, and you’ll receive everything you need in one box: the walking pad, power cord, remote control, and remote control lanyard, along with an Allen wrench and silicone lubricant for setup. Those with joint issues will love the padding on this treadmill’s belt, which helps with shock absorption as you walk or run and reduces impact on your joints and spine. The tech features are a bit limited, but your calories, distance, heart rate, incline, speed, and time can all be viewed on the machine’s console. There is no screen, but there is a dock for your own tablet. The machine will arrive in a box (est. 220 pounds), and (as with most foldable treadmills) setup is fairly simple. This one has a lower weight capacity than others at 250 pounds, and while it can support lighter jogging, it’s not meant for intense running routines, only going up to 8 miles per hour. It also does not have a screen for streaming, but the base is perfectly sized for a tablet or iPad, which you can connect to the machine for classes. After all, your purchase includes a 30-day iFit membership trial. If you do choose to connect your tablet, you’ll be able to view metrics including calories burned, speed, and distance. The brand ships this treadmill in a box, and it’s easy to set up; simply take it out of the box and roll it into place. You’ll need a subscription to the JRNY app in order to use this treadmill, but with your subscription you’ll gain access to hundreds of classes (including strength training, yoga, running, cycling, and more), and a whole community of runners and fitness enthusiasts to connect with. We included Bowflex’s bike on our list of the best at-home exercise bikes, and once you experience the class selections, you’ll likely want to spend the extra bucks on the brand’s app. You’ll also receive a free one-year membership with your purchase ($149 value), so you can see for yourself. Work-from-home folks will love that the quiet motor won’t interfere with the work day and that the belt automatically pauses when you aren’t actively walking (like for an emergency phone call). Just note: The max speed defaults at two miles per hour but can go up to 4 miles per hour if you prefer a faster stride. There’s also a corresponding app to view your metrics and connect with other platforms, such as Apple Health, but reviews mention a few glitches with saving your workouts. The brand offers a few shipping options: free delivery to your doorstep, delivery to your room of choice (+$199), or white glove delivery and setup (+$350). The curved structure is meant to encourage proper running form, specifically for sprinting and running shorter distances—and while this design is intentional, it’s not the curve that makes this treadmill feel different from most of the others on our list. What sets this machine apart most is the fact that it’s completely manual, so it requires no electrical outlet to operate. You’ll definitely feel the difference in terms of difficulty, as the machine is powered solely by your stride. Fun fact: The brand says this increases your calories burned by up to 30%.
