7 of the best treadmills for going the distance at home

Everything you need to know about treadmills including which to buy and how to find the perfect one for you.

best treadmill UK

by Angelica Daujotas |
Updated

Run, jog, walk or even dance from the comfort of your own home with the best treadmill for home workouts. Finding the time to get to the gym, or waiting for the British weather to do something other than rain, can leave you not exercising as much as you would like. Investing in a treadmill for your home gym set-up, whether that be a running treadmill or an under-desk treadmill, removes these irritating factors and can make working out exciting again.

Best treadmills at a glance:

• Best treadmill overall: JLL S300 Digital Folding Treadmill, £599
• Best home treadmill for regular runners: JTX Sprint-5 Home Treadmill, £899
• Best treadmill for quality: NordicTrack EXP 5i, £999

From the comfort of your own living room or dedicated home gym, you are free to sweat as much as you like and sing along to some ABBA as loud as you like (not that there's anything wrong with doing this in the gym!). With no external factors, like weather or traffic, to limit you and your weekly home workouts, you'll find yourself working out more than ever before.

Taking the plunge and buying a treadmill is no easy task. We've covered what to consider when buying a treadmill in our FAQs but knowing what you need from a treadmill is the best place to start. Think about how often you will be using it and what for. If you're new to running, you may just need a basic budget treadmill whereas those who are running pros may require a treadmill with more features and programmes. Whatever your needs, discover the best treadmill for you from our top picks.

The best treadmills for your home

Best treadmill overall

JLL S300 Digital Folding TreadmillJLL/Amazon

Description

What do you get with this JLL S300 Digital Folding Treadmill? To start with, you get a 5-year warranty on parts and labour and a lifetime warranty on the frame. What's more, is that you're getting that warranty from a UK brand.

On the features front, you get a well-cushioned running belt, which can range between 0.3 and 16km/h (10mph). A selection of 15 programmes gives you fairly good flexibility for workouts, helped by the fact three of them are customisable. On the deck, you will find a surprising array of goodies. No big screen, but there is a holder for your devices and a USB and aux connection. Why? Because the JLL S300 has built-in speakers, of course, so you can connect your phone and listen to your favourite tunes while working out. The frame is alloy steel for durability, and the maximum user weight is 120 kg.

Some customers on Amazon found it to be a little noisy, with the boards and handles becoming squeaky after a couple of months, but not to a disruptive level. Overall, this treadmill rates highly for being straightforward to put together and easy to operate at a reasonable price for the features it has, which is why we've put it in our top spot for the best treadmill.

Pros

  • Straightforward to put together as the instructions as easy to follow
  • Simple to operate with 15 programmes to follow so you can tailor your workout to suit your fitness level over time
  • It comes with built-in speakers and USB/aux connectivity so you play your favourite music while you work out

Cons

  • Some reviewers found it a little noisy during operation but not to a disruptive level

Best home treadmill for regular runners

JTX Sprint-5 Home TreadmillJTX Fitness

Description

Another great choice is the JTX Sprint-5 Home Treadmill, which is designed with regular runners in mind, whether you're a beginner running up to training for a half marathon. This is great value for money, with a power incline and 18kph top speed, so you get a proper bang for your buck.

There are 43 pre-set programmes on this home treadmill, so you can keep your fitness constantly improving with different options, or, if you already know what you want, you can save up to three custom programmes to keep yourself on track. The features of this treadmill don't stop there, as it can fold away with a hydraulic assist lift and Soft Drop system so it can be stored away when not in use. There's also Cushionstep suspension - meaning a 6-point rubber shock absorption reducing impact by up to 30 per cent - and a silent motor will keep noise to a minimum.

It offers a good robust build and gym-like quality, according to real-life customers. However, some have said that the assembly could be easier, with a couple of reviewers saying it was a two-person job and another mentioning the included packaged instructions weren't that clear.

Pros

  • A vast choice of pre-set programmes, with 43 in total, so you can increase intensity as your fitness level improves
  • Folds away with a hydraulic assist lift and soft drop system for easy storage
  • Shock absorption to reduce the impact of running on your feet by 30 per cent

Cons

  • Some reviewers mention the assembly could be easier as some needed two people and others found the packaged instructions weren't that clear, but once built it offers a robust, gym-like quality

Best treadmill for quality

NordicTrack EXP 5iNordicTrack
Price: £999 (was £1,199)

www.nordictrack.co.uk

Description

The JTX and JLL machines present you with quality components without having to pay a four-figure sum. They are a huge step up from the cheap options and worth the extra upfront. By the same token, when you do move into that higher bracket around £1,000, you will notice a considerable step up once more. We love this NordicTrack EXP 5i for its build quality and included features.

The 2.75 CHP motor is a commercial DurX™ unit with heavy-duty, yet smooth-running components and has a 10-year warranty. The top speed is 22km/h (13.7mph); the running deck is bigger at 140cm/55in to cater for taller people and is rated up to 135kg accordingly. It also has noticeable cushioning for your comfort. The frame is foldable and comes with a lifetime warranty. The EXP 5i is therefore designed with longevity in mind and aims to work for everyone no matter their level and to still cut it as people progress.

Customers have rated the workouts on the EXP 5i very highly, with an average rating of 4.9 stars across 2.8k customer reviews. One thing to note is that to unleash the full potential of the treadmill, you'll need an iFit subscription, which offers interactive running, hiking, walking and strength-based workouts to help you achieve your goals. This is at a cost of £34 a month so you'll want to factor this into your affordability calculations, but, you do get one month's free trial with the purchase of the treadmill.

Pros

  • Commerical-level build quality and motor to use at home
  • A bigger running deck makes this a good option for taller people
  • Workouts come highly rated by customers, achieving an average rating of 4.9 stars from 2.8k customer reviews

Cons

  • Need to factor in the cost of a monthly iFit subscription to be able to use this treadmill to its full potential

Best interactive treadmill

NordicTrack Commercial 1750 TreadmillNordicTrack
Price: £2,499 (was £2,799)

www.nordictrack.co.uk

Description

If you desire a treadmill with integrated interactive training, then we suggest sticking with NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill. It has a big 14-inch screen and speakers from which you can follow and listen to your iFit training. The screen also can tilt and pivot so you'll be able to adjust the screen to suit your height and eyes to allow you to seamlessly follow along the instructors on screen.

The interactive elements of this treadmill are the stand-out features of this treadmill. We particularly love the AutoAdjust technology that it has, which means when integrated with an iFit workout, the online trainers can control your incline and speed based on your progress and the type of workout you're doing.

Just like the NordicTrack EXP 5i we've included above, you will need to factor in the cost of a monthly iFit subscription to be able to use this treadmill to its full potential as you'll have access to the interactive workouts and join in with classes across the globe. You do get a month's free subscription with the purchase of the treadmill though.

Pros

  • Big 14-inch screen to follow the iFit workouts on
  • The screen can be tilted and can be pivoted too so you can adjust the position to your liking
  • AutoAdjust technology that works with the interactive iFit workouts where the online trainers can control your incline/speed to suit your workout

Cons

  • Has an additional cost of £34 a month for the iFit workout subscription which you'll need to be able to take advantage of the full features this treadmill has to offer

Best treadmill for safety

JLL T450 Digital Folding TreadmillJLL/Amazon

Description

The JLL T450 Digital Folding Treadmill is similar to the S300 above. You get a 2.5 CHP motor with 4.5 peak HP, a new and improved running belt that requires less maintenance, and a slight increase in top speed – 18km/h. There is a 16-point cushion deck for shock absorption on the belt so it doesn't feel like you're running on granite. It's foldable too, assisted by hydraulic struts for ease so you can fold away when not in use. It's the small things like this that make the JLL T450 a much wiser choice over cheap treadmills.

On the control panel, there is an LCD screen so you can clearly see your stats and how long you've got left on your workout. For the safety conscious, there's a giant Start/Stop button and safety clip so if things get a bit too intense on your workout, you can put a stop to things pretty quickly without worrying you're going to go flying off the edge. This one comes with built-in entertainment that you can take advantage of while you work your way through the 20 running programs, so you can charge your phone or play your favourite running music with Bluetooth-enabled, high-powered speakers.

Sturdiness, quality and value are things that come up in customer reviews time and time again for this treadmill, with many customers saying they feel like it’ll last for years to come. Saying that, some customers have reported issues with it scratching easily, either on the belt or on the display so this is something to be mindful of while you’re using it.

Pros

  • Giant start/stop button and safety clip for peace of mind when things get too intense
  • Cushioned deck with shock absorption for your comfort
  • Built-in entertainment system where you can charge your phone, listen to music and more

Cons

  • Some reviewers felt it scratched easily

Best treadmill for incline running

Frances and Robert Iles/Yours.co.uk
Price: £699

Description

If you're after a treadmill that's perfect for jogging at a high incline, the DKN EzRun Treadmill might be the one for you as you can change the incline up to 12 per cent.

While walking or jogging up an incline or making use of the 25 versatile workout programmes depending on your overall fitness level, you'll want to make sure you're comfortable which is why we're pleased to see this treadmill has a thick running belt. This wider running area will give you plenty of room to manoeuvre and it also offers a good grip for peace of mind that you're not going to trip over. The belt also has cushioning built-in which will help to reduce the impact on your joints as you're getting the steps in.

Our reviewers found this treadmill to be sturdy and robust and they liked the number of programmes it had, which is echoed by customers on Amazon who have rated it highly for sturdiness and how easy it is to control. Find out more about what our reviewers thought below.

Reviewed for Yours by Frances and Robert Iles: "I use this treadmill to check out my stamina before heading out on runs in the local area or if the weather is too bad and the local off-read paths are too dangerous or windy to run on. It’s easy to use and feels robust, plus it has versatile programmes where you can run or walk to various slopes and speeds. It also has folding functionality, which we only tend to use when cleaning, it is heavy to lift but it seems safe once up. Overall, it is expensive for the amount I use it, but it’s very solidly built and feels professional."

Pros

  • High incline setting up to 12 per cent for tougher 'up hill' walks or jogs
  • Our reviewer and Amazon customers found it to be sturdy and robust
  • Versatile number of programmes to tailor your workout to your fitness level

Cons

  • Our reviewer found it to be expensive for the amount they use it but your opinion may differ depending on how often you use it

Best budget treadmill

Opti Motorized Walking TreadmillOpti/Argos

Description

Coming in at just shy of £300, the Opti Motorized Walking Treadmill is a great choice for anyone looking for a budget treadmill.

When it comes to tracking your time, speed, distance, steps and calories, you can see all of it on the LCD screen with just a push of a button. We also like that it folds for storage and has transportation wheels so you can get it out and put it away when needed. It’ll be so easy to wheel out when you want to get your steps in when you’re watching telly on the sofa in the evenings rather than sitting on the sofa.

Reaching top speeds of 6 kph, it doesn't go as fast as others on our list but if you’re someone who’s recently got into running at home and is after a simple-to-use treadmill that isn’t going to break the bank, it’s a good option.

Pros

  • Great value option for anyone looking for a treadmill on a budget
  • Easy to operate and read LCD display for tracking time, speed, distance, steps and calories
  • Folds for easy storage and has transportation wheels to help you move it

Cons

  • Top speed is 6 kph, which may not be fast enough for experienced runners

Best treadmills UK FAQs

What to consider when buying a treadmill:

Performance – depending on how often you plan to use the treadmill, does it meet your standards as a runner? You want a usable running area big enough to accommodate your running style and speed. Things such as maximum speed and incline percentages are also good to make note of.

Belt speed – this is different for everybody. If you're looking to walk or lightly jog, then speed is not a major factor, whereas if you are looking to run at a faster pace, maximum speeds are essential to look out for. Of course, the higher the speed, the higher the price.

Belt sizes – belt length is an important factor to consider, particularly for taller users. For the tall and long striders, try to steer towards treadmills with belt sizes of around 152cm/60 inches. Considering the maximum user weight is also an important factor.

Programme functions – different functions and large display screens to work alongside online sessions are what some of you may be after for guided workouts. You can get a good range of programmes on entry-level machines, but of course, those who want an integrated screen should expect to pay more. One way around this is to simply use your smart tablet.

How do you get started on a treadmill?

Getting started on your treadmill should be pretty simple, with many brands offering great guidance on set-up and maintenance should you have any issues. Of course, getting started, you will want to get used to your treadmill with some slower jogs and low inclines (if included) to get a sense of your space and surroundings. You can then gradually increase speeds and inclines as you get used to the tech and your fitness levels improve as time goes on.

We asked Master Trainer, Jenni Tardiff from The Gym Group how to get started on a treadmill and she offered this advice: "Stand on the treadmill belt, holding onto the handrails for support and balance, press the quick-start button and gradually increase the speed to a comfortable walking pace; let go of the handrails when you feel steady. You can increase the speed and add an incline as you build your fitness levels."

How long should a 50-year-old woman walk on a treadmill?

"It all depends on your fitness levels and health and fitness goals," says Jenni. "A good starting point would be 30-60 minutes of walking each day at a moderate intensity."

Can I lose weight by walking on a treadmill?

The good news is yes, you can! "By increasing your step count from walking on a treadmill and also having a healthy, balanced diet, you'll create a calorie deficit to help you lose weight", Jenni explains. She also mentioned that the number of calories burned will depend on the speed and duration you are walking for so that's something to keep in mind if you're not seeing results.

Treadmill exercises

Once you're comfortable on your treadmill, you can turn your workouts full-body and up the intensity with some guided sessions. There are plenty of great treadmill workouts to choose from on YouTube, here are a few of our favourites:

What a great way to make workouts exciting because who doesn't love to dance?

One for the brave ones, this intense HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) 20-minute workout will definitely have you sweating.

This 35-minute guided video is great if you're looking to burn fat.

Angelica Daujotas is a previous contributing writer for Yours, c_overing a variety of topics from budget rowing machines to LED light therapy masks._

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