Should I Buy a Treadmill? Wirecutter
Real Talk
Advice, staff picks, mythbusting, and more. Let us help you.Save The NordicTrack C 1650 is in the same line as our upcoming treadmill pick, the C 990, but it has a more powerful motor and a larger screen. Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $850. Amazon has a few Prime Day deals on treadmills, but a cheap treadmill won’t do you any good if it’s not the right machine for you, or if you’re not motivated to use it. We recently spent a week running and walking over 45 miles on nine treadmills to find the best. We’re putting the finishing touches on , and we can tell you now that our upgrade pick will be the , for its comfortable feel, touchscreen display, eye-level tablet holder, and excellent warranty. Right now, though, Amazon has a nice Prime Day deal on another treadmill from the same line, the , which has a more powerful motor and a larger screen than the C 990. It normally costs more than the C 990, but today it’s $150 less, and it comes with free assembly. If you want to jump on this deal, here are a few things to ask yourself. What s my budget like
You don’t need to spend more than $1,000 to get a good treadmill, but you do need to spend more than $500. That’s the sweet spot for treadmills that are reasonably speedy and sturdy. Pay more, and you can get a machine that can withstand use day in and day out (you’re not opening a gym in your spare bedroom, are you?) or a machine that has a built-in TV (you’ll be better off with a separate TV, or a tablet to rest on the treadmill’s shelf). Pay less, and the belt may be too short for running, and the machine likely won’t have more than a couple of options for incline height. Will I use it
We don’t want you to wind up with an expensive coat rack, either, so if you’re not in the habit of working out now, know that spending a lot of money on a machine isn’t likely to be a good motivator, says sports psychologist . According to , 40 percent of home gym equipment isn’t used as often as the buyer expected it would be. If you are already a habitual exerciser and are looking to augment your routine with some indoor walking or running, this treadmill is a good option. What s a good length
For runners, the common rule of thumb is that you’ll need a 55-inch belt, unless you’re over 6 feet tall, in which case you’ll want a 60-inch belt. If you just want to walk on a treadmill, you can get away with something a little shorter—though longer belt lengths tend to correlate with other desirable features, such as programmed workouts and options for incline. If it folds will it fit in my living room
It probably won't. Folding treadmills allow you to flip the belt up when you're not using it, but it rests at an angle, not vertically, so the overall footprint of the machine will still be several square feet. A folding treadmill can buy you a little space—say, if you need a couple of boxes out of the way—but its presence won’t be discreet. Mentioned above
Further reading
by Wirecutter Staff It’s tempting to drop a bunch of cash on a big item during a deals holiday like Black Friday. But ask yourself these questions before you do. by Shannon Palus No matter which formula you prefer, daily sunscreen use is among the most effective forms of skincare. by Ingrid Skjong and Amy Roberts The Peloton Bike and Bike+ offer live and on-demand at-home classes for a monthly membership fee. We review both. by Amy Roberts and Ingrid Skjong After testing 37 belts and bands with various features, we recommend the for everyday runners.