If you’re in the market for a treadmill, you’re in a position to get picky. For small spaces, there are foldable models. For the easily bored, full-screen options. Environmentally conscious, energy-efficient ones. For hiking enthusiasts, there are units with attached arm poles. There are even some treadmills designed to slide under your desk to make workday workouts a breeze.

If you want the best in class, however, there’s not much decision-making to be done. Ask a dozen professional runners what their favorite treadmill is, and one brand will dominate their answers: Woodway. I’m definitely among them. I first tried a Woodway 4Front as a collegiate athlete more than a decade ago, and — as is often the case — it was love at first run. The smooth, land-like experience was unlike any treadmill I’d run on before, and I soon found myself thinking of excuses to run indoors a little more.

Although I lost my precious Woodway access after I graduated and moved states, my loyalty to those treadmills endured. Finally, in late 2019, my husband and I made the splurge we’d been thinking about for several years when we invested in a refurbished Woodway Mercury for our home gym. Hundreds of miles later, I can confidently say that was one of the best purchases we’ve ever made.

Here are some reasons why runners who take their training seriously and have the funds to do so cannot go wrong with a Woodway treadmill:

In 1975, Woodway was established in Rhein, Germany, its name inspired by German words that roughly translate to “the feel of running on a soft pine needle-covered path in the forest.” The company’s mission was singular: to make a better treadmill, one that was mechanically sound, supportive of natural human biomechanics, and as close to frictionless as possible. Nearly 50 years later, the company is the largest specialized treadmill manufacturer in the world, with design and manufacturing facilities in three countries and legions of fervent fans all across the globe.

Hands down, the biggest difference between a Woodway and a non-Woodway is the running experience. Whereas ordinary treadmills are some combination of too hard, too wobbly, too loud, and too rough, Woodways offer a uniformly smooth and comfortable ride. I’d go so far as to say that I feel a little springy on them — a good thing for a runner — unlike most other treadmills, which feel like I’m slamming into the belt and losing a little energy with each stride. Whether I’m doing hard hill repeats, a progressive long run, or an all-out mile, a Woodway feels closer to land than any other treadmill I’ve tried.

A major reason that Woodways are so nice to run on is the unique rubberized slats that take the place of the single rubber conveyor belt seen in most other treadmills. These slats are shock-absorbing, the perfect balance of soft and firm, and designed to be gentler on bones, joints, muscles, and tendons. They also create a quieter run, which family members and roommates will surely appreciate. Another nice thing about the slat system is that individual slats can be replaced if needed, without having to install a whole new belt.

On top of the slats, every Woodway also features a ball-bearing transportation system that helps the slat belt glide smoothly across the frame. This not only creates a more seamless run for you, but it also reduces a significant amount of friction, extending its life and conserving energy (plus money on electricity!). Because of this feature, Woodway claims its treadmills save more energy than any other on the market.

The general consensus is that most home treadmills, when well cared for, will last about 7 to 10 years. Woodways were designed to last much longer, with an average life expectancy of 150,000 miles. To put that into perspective, pretend you’re a professional marathoner who logs 100 miles per week, year-round — all on your treadmill. Even at that rate, you should get nearly 30 years out of it. Those stats are what sent my husband and me over the edge when we were debating whether or not to go for it. When it became apparent that this was a one-and-done type of deal, with no replacing or upgrading to plan for, the price tag became a lot more palatable. 

There’s a reason that so many collegiate and professional sports teams, medical and rehabilitation centers, high-end fitness facilities, and competitive athletes choose to fill their spaces with Woodway treadmills. Beyond the smooth ride, sleek look, energy efficiency, and impressive longevity, you can reach speeds up to 25 mph, as well as 25% elevation, both of which surpass most competitors on the market and will challenge even the strongest of athletes. Some models can also go downhill, which is both rare in a treadmill and highly useful for trail, mountain, and roadrunners, who often race on undulating courses and need to prepare their quads for the pounding that’s required. This “Who Uses Woodway” list, which includes 100% of NFL, MLB, and NBA teams, is as powerful of an endorsement as they come.

The price of a Woodway — which starts at a few thousand dollars for basic models and goes way up from there — is no small matter. But before you’re turned away by sticker shock, know that there are ways to ease the blow, if you need to or choose to. Woodway offers “competitive leasing options” through a third-party company; special pricing for GSA, YMCA, and JCC purchases; and discounted factory-certified, pre-owned, and certified renewal treadmills. My husband and I opted for a refurb (Mercury model), which entails a “rigorous and quality-assurance inspection” to the point that you’d never be able to tell that it’s not new. And even though we’ve only gotten less than a year and a half’s worth out of what we hope are several decades of use, we’ve been nothing but thrilled with the purchase. Our only regret is not buying it earlier.