Treadmills remain one of the most popular pieces of equipment in any home gym or commercial fitness studio – and for good reason. After all, a treadmill provides a simple way to get in aerobic exercises in all weather conditions and at any time of the day. The user can set their speed, program intervals on some machines and set inclines, as well as monitor distance covered and energy expended for continual improvement and activity tracking.

Whether you are hoping to shed a few pounds or reach a goal such as running a marathon with a home treadmill or have a professional gym or studio to equip, there is almost certainly a treadmill to suit your needs, ability and budget. There are dozens of different models of treadmill available to buy, but we’re help to help make your decision easier with this buying guide.

To help you get started, here are a few of the key things to consider before making a purchase.

Things to Consider

For either a home gym or commercial fitness space, treadmills are an essential piece of kit. Selecting the right one comes down to budget (and often space) of course but, it’s also important to find the right balance between convenience and practicality.

Durability and Longevity

Naturally, some treadmills are designed for more wear and tear than others. Checking for increased durability is non-negotiable if you are purchasing kit for a commercial gym, where the equipment is likely to be used more often than with personal gym equipment. Nonetheless, this is a matter to consider no matter which type of gym you are building, as you should ensure you get the most from your treadmill without costly repairs or replacements before they’re expected.

Space and Accessibility

Treadmills have a reputation for being a little cumbersome and taking up lots of space. However, this is not always the case. Some of the latest models are designed with space-saving considerations such as a fold-up style in mind, as home gyms and compact designs become more and more popular. Opting for smaller models or ones which have a more portable frame if this is a potential cause for concern is a great way to alleviate the space burden.

Budget and Pricing

For more budget-conscious customers, the upfront cost will usually be the most significant factor. It is sometimes inaccurate to assume that paying more will result in a more effective treadmill, as there are many other important things to consider before you buy but equally, it’s advisable not to be seduced by a very low price tag without doing a bit more research first.

Top Products

Go30 Treadmill Move-100

If you’re in the market for a compact treadmill which is easy to fold up and store away when not in use, the Go30 Move-100 treadmill is a great option, as it combines optimum functionality with a foldable design. Additional handy features include a blue backlight console to easily read information and stats, 12-functions for optimum flexibility and an MP3 dock. Users can also monitor their heart rate with the in-built sensor. With a run surface of 420mm x 1300mm, this is a way to ensure you still get a great workout, then simply fold away to free up floor space after use.

Features

• Blue backlight console
• 12 programs
• MP3 dock
• Heart rate sensor
• Handle controls
• Compact for easy-fold storage

Use for:

• Convenient workouts
• Monitoring heart rate
• Calculating calories burnt

Go30 Treadmill Motion-200

The fantastic Go30 Motion-200 treadmill is designed specifically for home use, making it ideal for using in compact spaces. With a running surface of 420mm x 1300mm, it offers plenty of functionality for both running and walking, whilst still folding away after use. With 12 speeds and the option to incline the workout to an additional 12 automatic settings, you can also use the heart rate sensor and easily calculate calories burnt. In addition, users can simply plug in their smartphone to listen to music during their workout.

Features

• Heart monitor
• Easy-fold storage
• Hydraulic Incline/Decline

Use for:

• Calorie burning
• Space-saving workouts
• Running and walking

Strength Master TM6030 Treadmill

This deluxe Strength Master TM6030 treadmill offers plenty of functionality and optimal durability, with a flexible design which makes it ideal for working out at home or in the gym. There are plenty of design additions too, such as the optional chest-strap to help you monitor your heart rate accurately, as well as a cooling fan for staying chilled during your workout. With a bright display and the ability to simulate real terrain, this is a fantastic way to enhance your treadmill experience and keep control of the time, distance, calories, incline level and pace of each workout. After use, the Strength Master TM6030 proves impressively compact, folding away for easy storage.

Features

• Streamlined design
• Durability
• Foldable and compact
• Blue backlit LED display
• Heart rate monitor
• Safety stop key
• Cooling fan
• Media holder

Use for:

• Simulating real terrain
• Monitoring heart rate during workout
• Convenient workouts

Strength Master TM6050 Treadmill

The Strength Master TM6050 treadmill is the great choice for those seeking intensive workouts and impressive durability. The running space is large, yet the treadmill remains foldable for storage after use. There are twelve pre-set running programs and an integral heart monitor, as well as a cooling fan and audio centre for plugging and playing music during each workout. Users can also adjust the incline for added traction, and access all their stats via the illuminated console.

Features

• 12 pre-set programs
• Heart rate monitor
• Large 50cm wide belt
• Foldable
• Ultra-durable
• Shock control system
• Cooling fan
• Audio Center

Use for:

• Intensive workouts
• Ongoing heart monitor
• Calorie counting and distance measuring

Strength Master TR5500i

The elite, high-performance Strength Master TR5500i treadmill is created to commercial specifications, with an extra-wide running surface. The treadmill is able to simulate real-world terrain, whilst simultaneously providing comfort for joints. There’s a USB charging port and a 3-speed fan for staying cool during each workout, as well as the ability to sync devices with the Strength Master’s Active Trac app and keep track of ongoing fitness activity. This clever piece of kit is designed with runners in mind.

Features

• Multi-functional and multi-terrain
• USB charging port
• 3-speed fan
• App for charting progress
• Compression shock absorber

Use for:

• Commercial gyms
• Intensive workouts
• Terrain simulation
• Running

Airmill Air Runner

The unique Airmill Air Runner treadmill provides a full workout without using a motor, making it perfect for burning calories, walking and running exercises with no carbon footprint. With its revolutionary design, it is suited to everything from simple light exercise to more intensive interval training. The treadmill is curved for a high variety of aerobic fitness exercises and speed training, while the self-powered platform allows you to speed up or slow down the system at any time.

Features

• Motor-free treadmill
• Indoor running
• No electricity use - for low-carbon footprint
• Extremely durable

Use for:

• Running and walking
• Cardiovascular exercises
• Full-body cardio workout
• Strength training

Summary

Choosing a new treadmill requires more than a little pre-planning, regardless of whether you want to amp up your fitness at home, replace a piece of equipment in your gym or have an entire new club to fit out. Both space and budget are important primary considerations but, with the wealth of treadmill technology on the market today, you’ll also have an abundance of optional extras to consider, such as whether or not you want a low carbon footprint design for ethical reasons, want to chart your progress, pre-program training sessions, have a charger port built in for your smartphone or require different terrain simulation.