Revolutionize Your Fitness Routine: Exploring NordicTrack's Latest Innovations
Adding walking or jogging to your regular exercise routine is the simplest and most effective way to improve your fitness level. However, factors such as unfavorable weather conditions, hectic schedules, and costly gym memberships often hinder our ability to stay active. This is where the latest home treadmills come in handy. These innovative machines provide a variety of workout programs and entertainment features to keep you motivated and engaged. Moreover, the convenience and safety of having a reliable treadmill in your own basement or garage cannot be overstated.
Best Treadmills for Your Home
- Best Overall: NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill
- Best Treadmill for Streaming Classes: Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill
- Best Budget Treadmill: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7603 Treadmill
- Best Budget Smart Treadmill: Pro-Form Carbon TLX Treadmill
- Best for Runners Who Love Simplicity: Sole F80 Treadmill
NordicTrack Commercial 1750
The 1750 has always been known for its excellent value for money. With its fast, tilting 14-inch touchscreen console and quiet incline motor, it automatically adjusts during your home workout. It offers all the convenient features found on NordicTrack machines, such as quick keys for easy speed and incline adjustments.
However, with the large touchscreen and extensive library of trainer-led workouts, you may not even need those speed adjustment buttons. The screen provides ample space, allowing you to virtually explore different locations while following professional trainers like Lucy Bartholomew on a gentle trail run. (NordicTrack treadmills also come with a free 30-day trial of iFit.)
The spacious 20-by-60-inch deck size provides enough room for jogging or running, and the machine remains stable even with a heavy footfall. The cushioning is slightly bouncy but adjustable, allowing you to customize the firmness to your preference.
PROS
- 14-inch touchscreen
- Quiet during incline changes
- Decline setting
- A lot training options
CONS
- Update has narrower belt
- Can’t use the display for other entertainment
Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill
The Horizon 7.0 AT treadmill offers a different approach by focusing on providing users with more control over their workout instead of confining them to a specific training ecosystem. While it may have limited training options, it easily connects to iPads or Android tablets, saving costs by omitting a built-in television.
This design choice allows users the flexibility to access Peloton classes or use Zwift. The thumb dials on the hand grips, conveniently positioned at chest height, enable quick adjustments to speed and incline, offering a smoother experience compared to traditional button controls on a console. Despite our usual hesitation towards home treadmills priced under $1,000 due to potential motor and frame issues, the 7.0 AT proves to be surprisingly stable.
Tested in a home environment, the treadmill's deck remained steady even after months of use. While the belt may be narrower and shorter than ideal for running, it is well-suited for walking. Additionally, the compact profile makes it a great choice for smaller spaces.
PROS
- No proprietary training
- Thumb dials make it easy to adjust speed and incline
- Sturdy frame
CONS
- Slightly narrow belt
- No decline for downhill walking
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7603 Treadmill
This treadmill available on Amazon is an excellent bargain due to its affordability. It has gained immense popularity among customers, evident from its impressive count of over 1,000 five-star reviews. However, it is important to note that in order to maintain such a low price, certain compromises have been made. The belt is notably thinner compared to other models, and the motor has a maximum speed of 9 mph.
Additionally, adjusting the incline requires stepping off the machine and manually flipping a lever beneath the deck. Despite these limitations, the treadmill operates smoothly and reliably at walking speeds, making it a convenient option for occasional jogging when outdoor exercise is not feasible. Considering its price, it is difficult to dispute the value this treadmill offers.
PROS
- Extremely affordable
- Highly rated by Amazon purchasers
- Well-suited for walking
CONS
- Max speed is just 9 mph
- Narrow belt
Pro-Form Carbon TLX
We have always recognized the value that a ProForm offers. As the sibling brand to NordicTrack, ProForm incorporates many of the same technological features, such as the iFit interactive workout programs. (With the purchase of a treadmill, you receive a complimentary one-year subscription to iFit.)
The Carbon TLX represents an upgraded version of the Carbon T7, which has been discontinued. However, the Carbon TLX is still slightly scaled back to maintain an affordable price, costing less than the Carbon T7 at $999.
Similar to the Carbon T7, the Carbon TLX features a 7-inch touchscreen display, but the maximum speed has increased from 10 to 12 mph, thanks to a 3.0 HP motor instead of the previous 2.6 HP.
PROS
- Highest speed is 12 mph (Carbon T7’s top speed was 10 mph)
- Incline grade increased from 10% in Carbon T7 to 12%
CONS
- No decline
Sole F80
Despite having a smaller motor and lacking a fancy touchscreen, the Sole F80 treadmill is still a highly effective training tool. Its durable frame can withstand the weight of runners up to 375 pounds, ensuring its durability. The treadmill provides a soft and comfortable bounce, without compromising stability.
For even better performance, the Sole F85 treadmill offers a 4.0 HP motor and larger rollers, albeit at a higher price. The F80 also features rail-mounted buttons for speed and incline control, allowing for easy adjustments while running. Additionally, the treadmill includes an iPad holder for interactive coaching or the option to enjoy entertainment on a big screen TV during long runs.
PROS
- Soft and gentle underfoot
- Rail mounted buttons for easy controls
CONS
- No TV screen
Xterra Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill
Similar to the Sunny treadmill mentioned earlier, this Xterra model is a basic walking treadmill that has gained popularity among Amazon.com customers due to its affordability and reliable performance, which is not commonly found in treadmills within this price range.
It is incredibly lightweight and compact, making it effortless to assemble on your own. Once set up, it can withstand years of occasional walking and jogging. The 16-inch belt is the narrowest available, so it may not be suitable for intense interval training.
However, if you do wish to increase the speed, it can reach up to 10mph. One drawback of budget-friendly machines like this is that they lack powerful and smooth motors for heavy-duty tasks. Additionally, adjusting the incline requires manual effort as it can only go up to 5 percent.
PROS
- Lightweight and easy to assemble
- 10mph top speed
CONS
- No electronic incline adjustments
- Narrow belt best suited for walking only
NordicTrack EXP 10i
NordicTrack previously offered a series of treadmills called the "T Series" which were slightly lower in specifications compared to their "Commercial" line. These treadmills had smaller motors and rollers, as well as a slightly narrower deck.
Despite this, they still performed well and were a more affordable option. Now, NordicTrack has introduced the EXP line, with the 10i model being the top choice in this range. The number in the model name indicates the size of the touchscreen on the console. If you are training for a marathon or participating in road races, our top recommendation is still the Commercial 1750.
However, if you want to save some money that you can use to buy new shoes, you can opt for the scaled back specifications of the EXP 10i. It features a 20-inch belt, which is wide enough for walking and jogging, and a 12 percent incline that rivals the steepness of the Mount Washington Auto Road. With its powerful performance, it is suitable for an entire family of walkers and runners.
PROS
- Workout fan
- Google Maps workout tech
CONS
- Smaller screen
- Shorter belt
Treadmills for Walking vs. Running
The treadmills featured in this list are primarily designed for light home use, making them ideal for individuals looking to set up a home gym for walking or occasional running sessions when outdoor exercise is not an option. However, if you intend to use a treadmill for more frequent running, we recommend exploring our selection of advanced running treadmills. These models, priced at over $2,000, offer durable construction to withstand heavier usage, along with advanced training capabilities and interactive screens to enhance the running experience.
Why Walk on a Treadmill at All?
There are numerous advantages to having a treadmill at home or using one at a gym, rather than simply walking or running outside. This became evident during the global lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, as treadmill sales soared.
Being able to exercise safely within the confines of your own home or apartment was a major draw during the stay-at-home period, and it continues to be a compelling option. Additionally, with a treadmill, you can avoid the inconvenience of dealing with rain or muddy surfaces.
Five Things to Know Before You Bring Home a Treadmill
A light-duty folding treadmill may seem like a compact piece of equipment, but it is still quite large and will definitely catch your attention in the corner of your living room. While it can be easily tipped and rolled by one person, setting it up or moving it to another room or floor of your home can be quite challenging. To help you make an informed decision before purchasing a new treadmill for your home, we spoke with Ed Pryts, Chief Sales Officer at Gym Source, who has over 30 years of experience in selling treadmills.
Before setting up your treadmill, it is important to check your ceiling clearance. Add 15 inches to your body height to determine the minimum ceiling height required. For example, if you are 6'0" tall, you will need a ceiling height of at least 7'3". Additionally, ensure that there is at least three feet of unobstructed space behind the treadmill.
To ensure stability, make sure that all four contact points of the treadmill are firmly on the floor and that the floor itself is stable. Positioning the treadmill close to a wall can also increase its stability.
If the room where you plan to place the treadmill is located above another apartment or bedroom, it is advisable to use a treadmill mat. This will help reduce the noise transmitted to the rooms below.
If you are moving the treadmill into a basement or a smaller room, it is recommended to hire experts for the job. However, if you prefer to do it yourself, start by moving and installing the deck first, followed by the uprights and console. Regardless of the method you choose, make sure to check the dimensions of the base and ensure that you have enough clearance for tight corners.
Whenever possible, dedicate an electrical circuit solely for the treadmill. Plugging in additional appliances to the same circuit can lead to a power overload and cause the treadmill to shut down unexpectedly.
Lastly, once you have your treadmill set up, consider trying out some great workouts that can help you build strength and burn fat.
How We Tested
Our team of editors has meticulously reviewed and tested each treadmill featured on this list. Through market research, discussions with product experts, and personal experience using treadmills in Pennsylvania, we have identified the top options available. We dedicated hours to evaluating every aspect of these machines, from performance to price, comfort to durability, and even the fun factor. Whether walking, running, or engaging in interactive workouts, we have thoroughly assessed each treadmill to ensure it meets your indoor fitness needs.
