Looking for the best home treadmill for running? Runners need more from their treadmill than the average walker. This is because they are hitting your treadmill, causing more impact. They also tend to do longer workouts.
If you’re going to run on your treadmill, you need a treadmill with high-grade cushioning, a longer belt to stretch on, and a higher grade of construction. And of course the fun tools like workout tracking and entertainment options are a plus too.
So where do you start looking?
Well, here are 3 treadmills that are very popular with runners. Each one is a little different and you will find the pros and cons of each listed below:
#1 Proform Pro 9000
The Proform Pro 9000 is the luxury model of the Pro Series – treadmills built to a higher standard than their initial models. For example, the huge 4.25 HP large-frame motor easily propels you through longer, more intense workouts.
And the large 2.5-inch balanced rollers reduce stress, which reduces stress on your motor and helps extend the life of your treadmill.
You also get a 15% incline and a 3% decline to add even more challenge to your workout. And then there are the entertainment options with this treadmill.
You get a large, multicolored console with a built-in touchscreen web browser. So you can surf the web while you walk or run, watch YouTube videos, or catch up on the latest business news.
This treadmill also works with iFit LIVE. So you can go online and download new workouts to your machine or track your workout stats over time.
You can also run famous pre-mapped world trails (from Sydney to Paris) and watch real life landmarks go by – a very virtual reality.
The Pro 9000 may be overkill for the average walker, but it costs less than $2000 and pretty much gives you everything a runner needs, covered by a very long warranty.
#2 Commercial Nordictrack 1750
The Commercial 1750 treadmill has been around for over 4 years and has garnered several “Best Buy” awards along the way.
What most people don’t know, though, is that Nordictrack updates this treadmill every year with better construction, new training toys, and more.
And yet they have managed to keep the price below $1500, which is quite a feat in this inflationary market.
The 1750 doesn’t give you as much as the older Proform Pro 9000, but you do get the full-color touchscreen console with web browser (it’s a bit smaller than the Pro 9000 treadmill).
You also get a powerful 3.8 HP motor and an extra-long 60-inch belt. Also, the 1750 treadmill comes with adjustable cushioning, which the other two treadmills here don’t have.
So you can choose the firmness of the board you want to run on. So if you want more cushioning protection, turn it up. And if you want a more road-like feel, just turn the damping down.
The 1750 also comes with iFit LIVE, similar to the Pro 9000. So you can run trails around the world, track your workouts over time, and download countless new workouts to your treadmill for an added challenge.
#3 Precor 211 Treadmill
If you like the Precor name, and a lot of people do, you might be interested in the 211 treadmill. This is a more affordable treadmill than its commercial models (although it’s still pretty high, around $2200 and up). ).
It doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as your commercial treadmills, however, it does give you a few features that runners will like.
For example, there is the Energy Stride Cushioning that gives you great protection on your knees, hips and back. It uses a mounting system similar to commercial treadmills to reduce stress on your joints.
There is also a brightly backlit two-color console with a quick start function and 6 preset workout programs.
And it folds, too, unlike Precors’ higher-end models, to save space.
While it falls down in terms of the entertainment options you get with the other two treadmills above, if you’re looking for a solid treadmill for runners and like the Precor name, the Precor treadmill is worth a look. Precor 211.
Those are three popular choices when it comes to the best home treadmill for running. It really depends on your budget and the type of athlete you are (for example, do you get bored easily? Do you want to be connected while you train? etc.)
No matter what you decide, remember to start slowly if you’re not used to exercising, go at your own pace and listen to your body. And have fun!