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No home gym is complete without one. Hit ‘START’ to boost fat loss from your front room
Ultimately, the best treadmills are the ones that keep your personal training plan on track. No matter whether you’re yet to complete your first 10k, have a few marathons in the bag, or are Eliud Kipchoge himself, heading outdoors isn’t always a practical – or tempting – option for clocking up miles or blasting through a sprint session.
“Treadmills eliminate some of the more common excuses: weather and time,” says Nike Run Coach Justin Reid-Simms. “It’s always the perfect conditions for a run when you’re controlling your indoor environment – and if you’re short on time, the five to 10 minutes you gain from not having to prep to leave the house can be the difference between a workout or no workout.”
So, you’ve set aside some cash to splash on a top treadmill. Good choice. Now all that’s left is the lengthy process of deciding which model to go for. Luckily, the MH team has got your back — to save you some time we’ve listed our top recommendations.
Our team at the MH Lab have also put some of the top models to the test, bringing you a list of their favourite five — from a budget option to top-end treadmills.
If you’ve previously viewed the treadmill as more of a torture device rather than fitness kit, it’s not entirely your fault. “Treadmills have got a bad rep because they’re often the first piece of equipment we use as a gym newbie,” says Reid-Simms. “With so many people scared off, they get overlooked for what they’re good at.” But your time on the tread needn’t be dull.
“Tempo runs or interval sessions are a perfect choice for the treadmill,” running coach Reid-Simms says. “You can maintain consistency by dialling at the same speed and having an easily viewable timer to ensure your intervals are on time. Hill workouts can also be optimised – you control the gradient and the speed, allowing runners to find the right balance to get what they need out of a training session.”
As for long runs? “They can be a little more daunting, but hear me out,” he continues. “Controlling your environment can help you go longer. Easy access to hydration and refuelling options eliminate the need to carry things with you. Training with Zwift allows you to gamify the experience – and if you haven’t completed Netflix yet, then setting it up on the treadmill can quickly pass the time on feet.”
To make things even easier for you, some of the bikes below (like the NordicTrack Commercial X32i) come with touchscreens pre-loaded with streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ pre-loaded, so both movie marathons and actual marathons are always on the cards.
Like any kit, the best treadmills don’t necessarily come cheap. If you’re after high speeds, incline and decline options, heart rate monitor and Bluetooth connectivity, you can expect your wallet to take a hit initially. But in the long run, you’ll pocket performance benefits and step up your efforts in the squat rack. A combination of strength and cardio training builds more lean body mass than strength training alone, Swedish sports scientists found.
“From heavy-duty treadmills to folding treadmills that tuck under the sofa, the space you have available will shape the options available,” says Reid-Simms, so remember to whip out a tape measure. “Measure your access doorways if you live in an apartment building,” he says. And don’t forget the neighbours. “Some treadmills have a bounce in the deck that can be heard beneath them, so think about whether you're looking for a belt or slatted deck and other noise-limiting features.”
If we’ve slapped a MH Lab Approved badge on one of these treadmills, that means it’s been given the thumbs up by our MH Lab testing team — no mean feat.
To make sure these runners can stand up to tough workouts, the team brought seven of the best into their lab for a thorough assessment. Each one was tested by five people of varying body shapes, fitness levels and running experience.
All runners racked up the miles in order to judge the running machines’ overall performance, ease of use, design, functionality and comfort, including the cushioning they offered to keep our knees in good nick.
Their feedback was tallied up to decide final scores for each treadmill, with five premium running machines making the grade.
Our editors’ picks also come with a seal of approval, our editors (as the name very much suggests). These entries have been hand-picked by our team to help you hit a hardcore home workout.
We should probably start by saying, the Bowflex Treadmill 56 does the basics brilliantly. The roomy belt provides a comfortable run and the range of gradients available — from 20% to -6% — means it can replicate hill-laden routes without wobbling.
Now, on to the juicy stuff. The Bowflex links to the JRNY app to offer an extensive library of studio classes, virtual routes and even TV streaming services via its easy to use 22” touchscreen. The belt can fold up vertically too, though the Bowflex still takes up a fair bit of space, so we’d recommend it for a home gym set-up rather than a spot in your front room. However, if you’ve got the space, this is the cream of the current treadmill crop.
Key specifications Price: £2,999 Max speed (mph): 12.4 Max incline: 20% Max decline: -5% Motor (CHP): 3.5 Running surface: 56cm x 152cm
With a daunting 40% max-incline, this treadmill is a perfect companion for runners in search of a serious challenge. The NordicTrack has a plethora of workout options when connected to the iFit app covering everything from running challenges (including one intimidatingly named ‘Marathon Madness’) to lower impact hiking sessions — there’s something for everyone.
The virtual routes — set in picturesque locations alongside a chatty trainer — were our personal favourites, with the 32” touchscreen providing an immersive experience. Our team also said the NordicTrack’s variety of workouts, testing inclines and engaging instructors helped their running motivation levels hit an all-time high.
The running belt offered ample cushioning and we didn’t feel cramped at all thanks to its larger dimensions, though this does mean this tread is better-suited to home gyms.
Key specifications Price: £3,499 Max speed (mph): 12 Max incline: 40% Max decline: -6% Motor (CHP): 4.25 Running surface: 55cm x 165cm
This Peloton’s lack of pedals might surprise a few people, but the brand has branched from its usual spin bikes and delivered a highly impressive treadmill.
While you’d expect a wide range of running workouts from premium treadmills, the Peloton Tread goes a few steps further, providing yoga, strength, interval, HIIT, Pilates and stretching sessions when you subscribe to the Peloton All-Access Membership. These classes are led by instructors who’ve certainly had their Weetabix, and our testing team found their (at times, relentless) enthusiasm could help them grind through tough workouts.
The design is sleek and the sturdy running belt inspired confidence with each stride. We also loved the adjustable speed and incline wheels on the arms of the treadmill, which were far easier to use than the usual fiddly buttons.
Key specifications Price: £2,295 Max speed (mph): 12.5 Max incline: 12.5% Max decline: None Motor (CHP): 3 Running surface: 50.8cm x 150cm
This Echelon treadmill comes in at a slightly lower price point than our top three, but the brand still delivers a top treadmill.
The Echelon Fit app is extensive, hosting running sessions for all manner of fitness levels, goals and time domains. However, the machine doesn’t come with a screen so you have to connect to a tablet via bluetooth to view these classes. While this worked like clockwork for us, placing it on the designated shelf covered up some of our workout stats on the control panel beneath, which was a bit disappointing.
Still, testers marvelled at the Echelon’s lack of shaking at top speeds, in spite of its smaller size. It also folds flat when a simple lever is pressed, making it a great mid-price option for smaller spaces.
Key specifications Price: £1,599 Max speed (mph): 12 Max incline: 10% Max decline: None Motor (CHP): 1.75 Running surface: 50.8cm x 140cm
Though it was the cheapest we tested, this Domyos treadmill still finished ahead of several rivals that failed to make the grade. Now, let’s be realistic, for just shy of £500 you’re never going to get an integrated touchscreen, tailored workouts and Netflix on tap. Instead, this runner keeps things refreshingly simple, and it does it well.
It’s light, foldable and (as you might have guessed from the name) compact, making it a smart pick for smaller spaces. The belt proved comfortable on our knees and moved smoothly throughout our tests too.
The control panel is minimalistic and the max speed (8.7mph) is a bit limiting, but if you want some compact kit for recovery runs or lower-paced intervals, it will do the job nicely.
Key specifications Price: £499.99 Max speed (mph): 8.7 Max incline: 3% (manual) Max decline: None Motor (CHP): 1.25 Running surface: 45cm x 120cm
No plug sockets necessary for this stylish Bulldog Gear treadmill: it's powered entirely by your movement. Not only will you get fitter faster – runners work 30 per cent harder on a curved tread, one study found – you'll save on your electricity bill, too. While you're busy grafting, the monitor will track your speed, pace, distance, calories, and more.
The simple, stripped back design of this Homcom tread makes it one of the best treadmills to fold away when you're not using it – and when you are, a built-in square LCD screen will track every sweat-soaked mile. The max speed is 10 km/hr (9:40 min/mile) so it's best suited to beginners, but for convenience and price it's a winner.
If you're in the market for a luxury tread, they don't come much sleeker than the JTX Club-Pro. One of the best treadmills for serious athletes, it's built to withstand up to seven hours' daily use, with a max speed of 22 km/hr (4.39 min/mile) and max incline of 15%. Link your heart-rate monitor to the tread – or use the handlebar sensors – and it'll automatically adjust your speed and incline to keep you training in the right zone.
Go one better than a gym treadmill with this highly-customisable Life Fitness model, which has a top speed of 12mph (4:59 min/mile) and a max incline of 15%. You can adjust the firmness of the desk to reflect the pavement, grass or athletic track; log your preferred run speeds and personalised workouts; and escape your surroundings with mixed-reality tech to clock up miles across the globe.
Get your fitness goals up and running with this foldable Pro Fitness treadmill. The LED screen gives you feedback on your incline, pulse, calories, time, speed and distance, breaking it down into 400m lap times. It's also got 18 incline levels, built-in speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and a top speed of 20 km/hr (4:50 min/mile). No sweat. Well, maybe a little.
Billed as 'the world's most compact treadmill', Dynamax's fully-functioning tread fits into a space smaller than 0.5 m2. Featuring speed, time, distance, calories and steps, the built-in LED display has Bluetooth connectivity – connect to the Dynamax app for live workout feedback – and space to hold your tablet or phone. The only potential downside? The max speed is 9 km/hr (10:44 min/mile).
The LunaRun comes with built-in HIIT workouts, one-touch speed and incline keys, and a longer, wider deck – making it perfect for taller athletes. Unlike other stored options, it can fold fully flat vertically or horizontally to fit under a bed, and requires minimal assembly – it's pretty much ready-to-go out of the box. With a top speed of 16 km/ph (6:02 min/mile) and incline up to 10%, what's not to like?
The Reebok Jet 200 treadmill is built for a mix of interval, incline and steady-state cardio. Keep an eye on the 5" inch screen for detailed info on your speed, distance, incline, calories and more, and track your heart rate with pulse sensors. With 15 levels of incline, a max speed of 18 km/ph (5:22 min/mile), and air motion technology that reduces impact on your joints, you'll chase down a PB in no time.
This is one of the best treadmills for interactive workouts, and not just because of its multi-window LED Display. When you stream one of NordicTrack's live iFit workouts, the PT can control your machine's decline, incline, and speed in real-time – so there's no chance of slacking off. Alternatively, you can choose from more than 16,000 on-demand workouts, or traverse global terrain using its Google Maps technology.
This EzRun tread is fitted with all the extras you might need for a comfortable, strong run – a music port, tablet holder and pulse grip sensors – and an impressive range of built-in programmes, including 15 designed by a PT. The backlit screen gives you a range of stats: speed, time, distance, calories, incline, and a snapshot of your current efforts. It delivers a top speed of 20 km/hr (4:50 min/mile) and 12 levels of incline.
One of the most reasonably-priced options on the list, this Opti treadmill has three set inclines of 2.8%, 5% and 6.5%, much to the dismay of your calf muscles. The simple display will lay out your speed, time, distance, pulse and calories as you go – and when you're finished, it folds almost flat for easy storage.