The best treadmills for running in the comfort of your home
Grab one of the best treadmills and hit the ground running to smash your fitness goals
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The best treadmills can completely revolutionise the way that you run. Whether you’re an indoor jogger only or you’re using your home gym highlight to improve your weekend Park Run PB, a treadmill you’ve carefully selected to support your goals can unlock your best ever time. If you’ve got your running shoes game on lock and have more running shorts than Mo Farah himself but are yet to insert a tip-top tread into your home, this is your sign.
Combined with strengthening exercises completed using the best kettlebells, dumbbells and assorted free weights at your local gym, regular cardio is the key to maintaining the physique you’re after while also taking care of your overall health, both physical and mental. In particular, running is one of the best cardiovascular exercises you can regularly perform, particularly when you combine relaxed runs that keep your heart rate at a steady clip with interval sessions that challenge your pace and stamina.
Before you make the jump and drop some cool cash on a treadmill for your home gym though, it’s advisable to have an idea on how often you’ll be jogging in your own home as opposed to heading out onto the pavements. If you look at the features that modern treadmills have, you might soon conclude that one of these models is a must in your home, no matter how much space it may take up. Smarter than ever, the best treadmills often boast Bluetooth connectivity, touchscreens, cushioned running decks and support for apps like Zwift and iFIT. Live in close quarters? It’s a folding treadmill you might be after.
How we choose and test the best treadmills
Our team of writers and editors here at GQ are very into fitness and, in this case, we got a number of them to test out as many treadmills as they could. We've only included brands we know and trust and, where possible, got someone to use these treadmills for their own training. In the case of the Technogym, for example, our Lifestyle Director Mike Christensen put it to the test during an ultramarathon training block – if that many miles doesn't give you a good sense of how a treadmill performs, we're not sure what else will.
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Shop GQ's edit of the best treadmills for every budget…
Reebok GT40 S Treadmill
Pros: Built-in touchscreen | Netflix, YouTube and more | Auto-stop safety system
Cons: Dated button design | Max user weight could be higher- Max user weight: 110kg
- Screen: No
- Max incline: 12%
- Dimensions: 168cm x 44cm x 132cm
- Folding: Yes
Reebok's range of fitness machines are the perfect way to get started on creating a home gym and increasing your fitness levels. The GT40S is powered by a 2HP motor, which can run as high as 16kph if you feel like ramping up your sprints, while also allowing you to move between 12 different incline levels for long-distance runs and hill training with an elevation of 12 per cent.
The key advantage of this machine though, is how comprehensive the interface is, with console feedback on everything from speed to calories, 36 user programmes, MP3 connectivity, built-in fan and speakers, and hand grip pulse sensor. The 10.1-inch touchscreen can also be connected to the internet for more detailed measurements and can link with apps including Netflix and YouTube to keep you entertained during longer training sessions.
That's a heck of a lot of capability crammed into a treadmill that's hovering around the mid-range price. there's clever tech built into the belt/deck itself too. Reebok's ONE Series Cushioning has been specifically designed to soften the impact of each step, making it much easier on your joints in the long run. It has three distinct zones tailored to each phase, including a soft cushion zone to help absorb impact, and a strong cushion to aid transition. Lastly, there's a responsive cushioning zone to help propel you forward with each step, giving an extra boost to your regular running times.
Easily accessible incline controls are built into the handles for convenience, and there are also some heart rate sensors thrown in too. We'd recommend not relying on the handlebar heart rate sensors though, as holding them during running doesn't really feel that natural. Opt for a dedicated chest strap instead, if you're after stats on your ticker.
Technogym Run HIIT Treadmill
Pros: Top of the range | Live and on-demand workouts | Large built-in touchscreen
Cons: Expensive | Difficult to move- Max user weight: 160kg
- Screen: Yes
- Max incline: 15%
- Dimensions: 197cm x 83.5cm x 175cm
- Folding: No
This is serious, top of the range stuff – and we're officially in love. The HIIT function is a game changer for anyone wanting to practice their sled pushes as you can load up 55kg (of resistance) and then use the handles to go hell for leather on the treadmill, on an incline if you're feeling really evil.
Speed wise, it tops out at 25km/h, which means you can really test those sprint finishes when you workout in the split interval training mode. Arguably the best mode is syncing a heart monitor to the treadmill and doing zonal training. Zone 2 training runs are great for keeping the tempo chill while giving yourself a solid workout. Be it 45mins or an hour, you can pop the latest Netflix show you're into on the big screen and zone out while zoning in.
And if you are training for a particular course, the fanciest thing you can do is connect to Strava (or whatever your go-to tracking app is for running out in the wild) to load a saved route, which means you can replicate a particular outdoor runs at home, like for like in terms of distance and gradient. Now there's no excuse for not knowing how hard certain hills are going to be before a race!
And for anyone training for a long-distance event, having this bad boy at home is a huge psychological boost for when you're short on time or ideas for where to run. Jumping on, sweating it out and jumping straight off is incredibly useful, and a big plus when you're attempting to hit 80-100km a week.
Pro-Form Carbon Pro 2000
Pros: Monthly payment option | Foldable treadmill | Large AC unit
Cons: Expensive- Max user weight: 113kg
- Screen: Yes, 10 inch smart HD touchscreen
- Max incline: 12%
- Dimensions: 185.9cm x 87.9cm x 154.2cm
- Folding: No
If you’re looking for more of a gym-replacing monthly subscription payment plan for your new treadmill, your options are growing and growing. One of several in the category, this ProForm machine can be paid for on a monthly basis over a two-year period. If the price is something that puts you off choosing more advanced and holistic fitness equipment, let this be food for thought: for your monthly payment you’ll get a large (yet foldable) and glistening treadmill replete with in-built LCD screen that contains the means to run with Pro-Form’s slate of personal trainers and pre-set workouts. A large and bouncy running surface lends comfort and shock absorption, while the cooling attached air conditioning unit is one of the largest we’ve seen.
All of this alongside the iFit app, which lets you follow along on virtual outdoor routes, HIIT and studio classes. Struggle with motivation? These options all allow the trainers to adjust the speed and incline for you.
Wahoo Kickr Run
Pros: Top of the range | Live and on-demand workouts | Large built-in touchscreen
Cons: Expensive | Difficult to move- Max user weight: 113kg
- Screen: Yes
- Max incline: 15%
- Dimensions: 183cm x 97cm x 148cm
- Folding: No
Wahoo is mostly famous for its indoor cycling trainers, but its most recent step into the world of running might just be its most exciting to date. Newly launched, the Wahoo Kickr Run is all about enhancing your running training to make treadmill sessions fun and exciting, rather than the boring alternative to stepping outdoors. A “smart” treadmill, it works more intuitively than most we've tried, with a “RunFree” mode that senses your speed and adapts to it when you speed up or slow down, a top speed of 4 minutes per mile (if you can hold that, we're impressed) and a dynamic design that mimics actual running surfaces most closely to make sure you're engaging the right muscles. What's more is that you can easily connect it to Zwift (or most other apps) to allow you to run on interesting routes and courses virtually.
The downsides here are naturally that this comes at a cost, and if you plan on adding a specialised Wahoo fan to keep you cool while you run, you're spending more than six grand on your workout set-up. This being said, though, it's one of those investments that you'll really see the pay-off from thanks to the quality, design and seamless nature of the machine.
NordicTrack Commercial 1750
Pros: HD Touchscreen | Automatic adjustments | Bluetooth connectivity
Cons: Expensive | Large | Additional expense for training membership- Max user weight: 135kg
- Screen: Yes, 16 inch touchscreen
- Max incline: 12% or -3% decline
- Dimensions: 196.3cm x 94cm x 151.1cm
- Folding: No
If you really want to bring a high-quality gym-grade treadmill into your home, you can't go wrong with NordicTrack. The company offers a variety of advanced treadmill models that should make a fine addition to your home gym collection. Particularly suited to long-distance runners or anyone training for a marathon, this particular NordicTrack offering has plenty of beneficial features, including self-cooling motor technology that allows the treadmill to perform more efficiently, even with an impressive chp that facilitates a max speed of up to 22kph/13.7mph. Not only does this generate less heat (making for a cooler, more comfortable workout experience), but it also makes for a quieter operating running deck too — a benefit that'll be appreciated by anyone else who happens to be in the same room while you're getting your cardio session in.
The incline itself extends from a three per cent decline up to a 15 per cent incline, mimicking both downhill and more intense uphill climbs, with a cushioned deck thrown in as an additional bonus. The latter allows you to switch between cushioned and firmer impact reduction settings letting you choose whether or not you want to run on conditions that closely mimic that of a real road. built-in Bluetooth lets you easily connect your favourite headphones for enjoying the available classes in style, while a generous max user weight should cater to practically everyone's needs.
The 10-inch touchscreen isn't the largest on our list, but it should still offer ample space to enjoy any iFIT training classes you care to join — just be aware that this requires a separate monthly subscription.
JTX MoveLight Walking Treadmill
Pros: Easily stored | Ideal for use at a standing desk | Quiet
Cons: For walking only | No incline capability- Max user weight: 100kg
- Screen: No
- Max incline: N/A
- Dimensions: 143.2cm x 54.7cm x 12.9cm
- Folding: No
A walking treadmill is still a treadmill, and a step is still a step towards your fitness goals, even if not all of them are completed while running. If you’re interested in revolutionising your standing desk experience, under-desk treadmills could be your way forward.
As the maker of our favourite overall treadmill, the JTX Sprint-5, you know you’re going to get that same level of quality with its walking iteration, even if it’s not going to get you up to running speed. This simple but powerful piece of equipment is cushioned for a low-impact workout and boasts a quiet engine for near-silent use: ideal if you’re using it while fielding work calls or watching TV on your lunch break.
The maximum speed here is 6km/h, meaning that you can peak at a very light jog if a work-friendly walk becomes monotonous, and since this treadmill consists of the belt and no handrails, a remote control is included for ease of ist adjusting speed.
Which is the best treadmill to use at home?
While every living space will benefit from different kinds of treadmill, there are a few things that every home could benefit from. The first is foldability: even the largest of machines often come with the functionality to fold in half, a boon for even those without enormous square footage. The most important thing of all is to measure your space before you pull the financial trigger. If that's all gravy, you'll next want to consider things like speed and incline: does the treadmill you're considering reach the kind of challenging levels you're looking to reach? Lastly, consider how important immersive home workouts are to you. Some prefer the simple LED reporting of old school machines; others will be unmoved by anything that doesn't come with its own in-built personal trainer.
What's the best treadmill for weight loss?
As with cross trainers, rowing machines, exercise bikes and so on, the best treadmill for losing weight is the one that you think you'll actually use on the regular. Every treadmill – from the extremely simple to the wildly souped-up – has the capacity to transform your fitness. So long as you regularly use yours, combine it with other forms of exercise and eat a largely healthy diet, you should see differences.
How much should I pay for a good treadmill?
You can still pick up a treadmill for the £500 and under mark (yes, even in this economy). These models are best reserved for those who want to walk at their desk or else hit some light jogs, though they often also have the benefit of being smaller and more easily stored. For something more robust, long-lasting and conducive to challenging workouts, you're looking at £1,000 or above. For something that includes a HD screen and fitness app inclusion, expect to pay up to £3,500.
