2024 Treadmill Buying Guide: 

Everything You Need to Know Plus Our Top Picks

Are you trying to find the best treadmill for your home gym? 

Maybe you’re looking for a folding treadmill or incline treadmill, or maybe you’re looking for a simple one that’s the best value treadmill on the market. 

Or maybe you need one to walk or run on to stay consistent with your fitness routine. 

No matter which category you fall under, this massive treadmill buying guide is for you. 

We’ll help you narrow down which treadmill is best for your home gym, and we’ll help you find one that supports your health and fitness goals. 

We’ll also share what to look for when buying a treadmill online, what warranties come with home treadmills, and everything else you need to know before you make a purchase. 

Here’s a breakdown of all the topics we cover in this treadmill guide:

Before we show you what to look for, there are a few things you’ll want to nail down first:

6 Questions to Answer Before You Browse Treadmills Online

When choosing a home treadmill, knowing what you’re looking for is essential before you start your search. 

Otherwise, you may get overwhelmed or distracted by the different options staring back at you. 

To avoid that from happening, these six questions will help you narrow down what you want so that you can compare only those models that check all of your boxes. 

Grab a sheet of paper and spend a few minutes answering the following questions and you’ll find your treadmill search becomes that much easier to tackle:

1. How do you plan to use your treadmill?

Will you walk, hike, jog, run, or combine these for your workout mix?

Depending on what you plan to use your treadmill for can help you narrow down the right type to meet your fitness goals, making this a great first step. 

Spend a few seconds deciding how you want to use your home treadmill before moving on to this next question.

2. Will anyone else in the family use your treadmill?

This is another excellent question to hash out early on so that you can find the perfect treadmill to meet your needs and everyone in the family who may be using it. 

Things like the weight capacity, belt size, and whether or not the surface supports running vs. walking (more on this shortly) can make a difference in which treadmill to go with. 

If more than one person in your household will be using the treadmill, look for a treadmill that can offer different user profiles so that you can keep track of your workouts separately. 

Multiple user profiles are available on all Nordictrack treadmills with an active IFIT Family membership (up to 5 user profiles). 

Consider who will use the treadmill and how they plan to use it before moving on in this treadmill buying guide. 

3. How much space do you have for a home treadmill?

Next, you’ll want to consider where you’ll put your treadmill and how much space you have. 

If you’re tight on space, you’ll want to consider folding treadmills, which fold up when not in use, or those with a smaller footprint (we’ll share our top picks for both later on).

You’ll also want to consider the treadmill’s clearance space when browsing treadmills online. 

You should leave 240cm of clearance behind the treadmill and 60cm on each side. 

If space isn’t an issue, you can focus on the features that make the most sense first and foremost.

Before moving on, grab a tape measure and jot down the space you have for a treadmill. 

4. How fast are you looking to go on your treadmill?

Treadmill speeds can vary from walking-only options to ones that can give you the speed needed to stay on track in an upcoming race.

That’s why it’s crucial to narrow down how you’ll use your treadmill and decide how fast you’ll want it to go. 

We’ll share more about this later on, so just consider it for now. 

5. Do you want to use a treadmill that inclines?

Several great benefits come with using an Incline Treadmill, including a boost in calorie burn, an added challenge to your muscles, reduced impact, and added variety to your workouts, which is why these are a great option to consider. 

All NordicTrack treadmills have some incline. The range for standard treadmills is 10%– 12% and the Incline Series treadmills have up to 40%. 

If you choose a home treadmill that doesn’t offer the 40% incline feature, you may miss out on maximising those mentioned benefits. 

Before moving on, take a moment to decide if an Incline Series treadmill makes more sense for your needs.

6. What features are you looking for in a home treadmill?

Do you want to be able to stream done-for-you guided workouts so that all you have to do is show up and exercise?

Would you like a touchscreen monitor that you can quickly and easily use throughout your workout? 

If you answered yes to those questions, a Smart Treadmill (more on this shortly) could be an excellent option. 

Some other features you may want to consider having are: 

  • OneTouch™ controls
  • SmartAdjust™ technology
  • ActivePulse™ integration

These three features can be found on any NordicTrack treadmill with an active iFIT subscription, a separate paid subscription service. 

With OneTouch™ controls, you can quickly and easily adjust your incline grade and speed. 

Instead of hitting the “+” or “-” signs multiple times to get to the speed and incline you want, you can quickly tap one or two numbers to get your desired incline and speed. 

You can also tap two numbers to get to a more precise speed. For example, tapping the numbers 3 and 5 results in a 3.5 KPH speed.

This feature is great if you’re doing interval training on your treadmill since you can quickly shift your speed and incline up or down, but it’s also convenient if you need to adjust where you’re at. 

SmartAdjust™ is another feature you’ll only find on NordicTrack products – *only available with an active iFIT subscription. 

With this, your speed and incline will automatically adjust with the iFIT trainer you’re following on the screen. 

If you decide that the pace is too slow or fast, you can adjust and customize the intensity to meet your needs. 

When you do, SmartAdjust™ will use this important intel in future workouts. 

So, as you get stronger and faster, your machine will improve and grow with you. 

This means you can continue to challenge yourself without having to think about what’s next. The treadmill does the heavy lifting for you. 

Last up is ActivePulse™, which is also available on any NordicTrack treadmill that has an active iFIT subscription. 

With this feature, you’ll have a real-time feedback loop that measures your heart rate against your treadmill’s speed and incline. 

The treadmill will adjust the resistance level automatically to keep you in your target heart rate zone. 

This additional layer of personalization means all you have to do is show up, and your treadmill will adjust the intensity to meet you where you’re at physically. 

Consider the must-have features you want in a treadmill before moving on to this next section. 

The Top 3 Best Treadmills for Your Home Gym in 2024

Now that you know what you’re looking for in a home treadmill and the features that come with many popular ones on the market, we can get to the good part: the best treadmills for 
home gyms. 

Here are our top picks, along with why they made this list:

1. The NordicTrack C Series Treadmills 

The NordicTrack C Series treadmills are a top choice, being one of the best home treadmills. 

That’s because they come equipped with Quiet Drive Incline Tech, which lets you quietly reach a 12% incline and a -3% decline. 

As mentioned earlier, the incline and decline feature mimics what it’s like walking, hiking, running, or jogging up and down hills and on the pavement. 

The C Series home treadmills also reach up to 19KPH, which is equivalent to a 3.1km per minute pace (5.05-minute mile pace).

If you’re looking to train for an upcoming race, reach your own personal record or you’re trying to stay in shape and reach new fitness goals, this treadmill series may be an excellent tool. 

Some other standout features of this treadmill include: 

  • SpaceSaver® design so you can fold up your treadmill for a smaller footprint when it’s not in use
  • EasyLift Assist™ takes some of the weight off when folding and unfolding the treadmill
  • Hands-free SmartAdjust™ Technology (Your speed and incline automatically adjust with the iFIT trainer you’re following on the screen. Your treadmill will store any adjustments you make mid-workout and use these changes for future workouts. Only available with an active iFIT membership)
  • Tilt and pivot smart HD touchscreen
  • Built-in AutoBreeze™ fans to keep you cool while you work out
  • Bluetooth® headphone and heart rate monitor compatibility
  • OneTouch® Controls (as mentioned above, this feature, which is only available with an active iFIT subscription, lets you quickly and easily adjust your incline grade and speed by tapping one or two numbers. This is great for interval training when you need to quickly switch from high to low periods of exertion and vice versa.)
  • ActivePulse™ (This feature gives you a real-time feedback loop that measures your heart rate against your treadmill’s speed and incline, automatically adjusting the resistance level to keep you in your target heart rate zones. Only available with an active iFIT subscription).
  • Google Maps™ integration so you can immerse yourself anywhere in the world right from your home (only available with an active iFIT membership)
  • Lower step-up height

The C Series treadmills also feature a:

  • 51cm by 152cm tread belt
  • Up to a 135kg user capacity
  • 200cm L x 93cm W x 165cm H Footprint
  • Lifetime frame warranty
  • 10-Year Motor Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty

2. The NordicTrack Incline Series High Incline Treadmills

The next best home treadmills to consider are those in the NordicTrack Incline Series line. 

These treadmills are high-incline treadmills because they reach a whopping 40% incline. They can also decline to -6%. So you can climb mountains, walk or run down as if you’re on a hill, reach new heights, and challenge yourself even more. 

The NordicTrack Incline Series also comes equipped with many of the same great features as the C Series, including: 

  • Hands-free SmartAdjust™ Technology (Your speed and incline automatically adjust with the iFIT trainer you’re following on the screen. Your treadmill will store any adjustments you make mid-workout and use these changes for future workouts. Only available with an active iFIT Subscription).
  • Built-in AutoBreeze™ fans to keep you cool while you work out.
  • Bluetooth® headphone and heart rate monitor compatibility
  • OneTouch® Controls (as mentioned above, this feature, which is only available with an active iFIT subscription, lets you quickly and easily adjust your incline grade and speed by tapping one or two numbers. This is great for interval training when you need to quickly switch from high to low periods of exertion and vice versa.)
  • ActivePulse™ (This feature gives you a real-time feedback loop that measures your heart rate against your treadmill’s speed and incline and automatically adjusts the resistance level to keep you in your target heart rate zones. Only available with an active iFIT Subscription).
  • Google Maps™ integration so you can immerse yourself anywhere in the world right from your home (only available with an active iFIT membership)

The Incline Series treadmills from NordicTrack also have a: 

  • The ability to reach speeds up to 22 KPH
  • Slightly wider treadmill belt than the C Series at 55cm
  • 145kg -150kg weight capacity depending on the model.
  • X22i Footprint 183cm L x 101cm W x 178 cm H
  • X32i Footprint 195cm L x 101cm W x 185cm H
  • Lifetime Frame Warranty
  • 10-Year Motor Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty

Another point worth noting on the high-incline trainer is that the Incline Series treadmills do not fold up and have a slightly larger footprint than the other treadmills NordicTrack offers. 

So, if space is limited or you’re hoping to fold up your treadmill when it’s not in use, the C Series, or the T Series (up next) may be a better fit for you. 

Before moving on, you can see what customers think of this series by viewing the Treadmill Customer Reviews below:

3. The NordicTrack T Series Incline Treadmills

If space is an issue, the T series may be a better fit for you. 

Some of the T Series treadmills were purposefully designed to have a smaller footprint, making them one of the best treadmills for home gyms that have less space. 

They also come equipped with our SpaceSaver® design and EasyLift Assist™, so you can easily fold them up or down as you need to save space. 

Despite having a smaller footprint, you’ll still find the same great features of a NordicTrack treadmill, including: 

  • From 0% to 10% or 12% incline, depending on the model.
  • Up to 16 - 19 KPH speeds, depending on the model.
  • Smart HD touchscreen (excludes T6.5)
  • Hands-free SmartAdjust™ Technology (Your speed and incline automatically adjust with the iFIT trainer you’re following on the screen. Your treadmill will store any adjustments you make mid-workout and use these changes for future workouts. Only available with an active iFIT membership)
  • OneTouch® Controls (as mentioned above, this feature, which is only available with an active iFIT subscription, lets you quickly and easily adjust your incline grade and speed by tapping one or two numbers. This is great for interval training when you need to quickly switch from high to low periods of exertion and vice versa.)
  • ActivePulse™ (This feature gives you a real-time feedback loop that measures your heart rate against your treadmill’s speed and incline, automatically adjusting the resistance level to keep you in your target heart rate zones. Only available with an active iFIT subscription).
  • Google Maps™ integration so you can immerse yourself anywhere in the world right from your home (only available with an active iFIT membership)
  • Stat tracking to show you in-depth personal workout stats (only available with an active iFIT membership)
  • Built-in AutoBreeze™ fans to keep you cool while you work out (excludes T6.5)
  • Bluetooth® headphone and heart rate monitor compatibility
  • Flex Select Cushioning

The T Series incline treadmills also have a: 

  • 135kg weight capacity
  • tread belt size of 51cm wide by 140-152cm long, depending on the model.
  • Mid-length T6.5 Footprint 185cm L x 91cm W x 138cm H
  • Full-length T7.5 and T8.5 Footprint 200cm L x 90cm W x 149cm H
  • Lifetime Frame warranty
  • 10-Year Motor Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty

Best Treadmill Overall

Whether you’re looking to walk, hike, jog, or run, the incline treadmills in the NordicTrack C Series may be a perfect fit. 

That’s because they’re equipped with the following features: 

  • Incline and decline features that help you maintain your fitness level or reach new heights
  • The perfect blend of comfort and connectivity.
  • The ability to reach speeds up to 19 KPH so you can maintain your walking or race speed or reach a new personal record
  • SpaceSaver® design and EasyLift Assist™ technology to help you save space when your treadmill is not in use
  • Smart HD touchscreens that help you immerse yourself in your workouts.

Best Treadmill with Guided Workouts

While you could use expert-led iFIT trainer-guided workouts on any of the latest NordicTrack treadmills, the C Series and Incline Series treadmills may help you immerse yourself in the workouts even more. 

Thanks to larger screen sizes, you’ll be transported to stunning locations across the globe – you may even forget you’re working out at home. 

The C Series treadmills also have a Tilt and Pivot Smart HD touchscreen that lets you easily work out on and off your machine.

Best Smart Treadmill

The C Series treadmills are among the best smart treadmills on the market. 

That’s because they have smart features and the latest technology to help you perform at your best while enjoying a great workout. 

Some of those smart tech features include: 

  • Tilt and Pivot Smart HD touchscreen
  • Hands-free AutoAdjust™ Technology that adjusts your speed and incline automatically, taking the guesswork out of your workouts (only available with an active iFIT membership)
  • SmartAdjust™ Technology (Your speed and incline will automatically adjust with the iFIT trainer you’re following on the screen. Your treadmill will store any adjustments you make mid-workout and use these changes for future workouts. Only available with an active iFIT membership)
  • ActivePulse™ (This feature gives you a real-time feedback loop that measures your heart rate against your treadmill’s speed and incline and automatically adjusts the resistance level to keep you in your target heart rate zones. Only available with an active iFIT subscription).
  • OneTouch® Controls (as mentioned above, this feature, which is only available with an active iFIT subscription, lets you quickly and easily adjust your incline grade and speed by tapping one or two numbers. This is great for interval training when you need to quickly switch from high to low periods of exertion and vice versa.)
  • Bluetooth® headphone and heart rate connectivity
  • Google Maps™ integration so you can immerse yourself anywhere in the world right from your home (only available with an active iFIT membership)

Best Treadmill for Walking

If walking is your preferred exercise, you can enjoy doing just that on any of the latest NordicTrack treadmills. 

The C Series offers up to -3% decline as well as a +12% incline, while the Incline Trainers in the Incline Series allow you to reach new heights with a 40% incline and -6% decline. 

And if space is a concern, the T Series allows you to squeeze a high-quality home treadmill into a smaller space without sacrificing features. 

So you can enjoy nice treadmill walking workouts even if you have a small home gym. 

Best Treadmills for Walking vs. Running

Any of the latest NordicTrack treadmills are great for walking or running, but there are a few things you may want to consider as you decide. 

As a general guideline, aim for a minimum treadmill belt length of 127cm and 51cm wide if you plan to use it for walking. 
For runners, a treadmill belt around 152cm long may be better to support the increased stride length. 

Suppose you hope to continue your walking routine even when the weather outside isn’t great. You can hop on a NordicTrack C Series, or T Series treadmill for an excellent treadmill walking workout. 

For those reading this who are interested in reaching a new fitness level, whether walking or running, consider the Incline Series, which climbs to a 40% incline and -6% decline. 

Whether you’re walking or running, our NordicTrack treadmills are meticulously designed to support whatever stage of fitness you’re in and where you’re heading next. 

Best Folding Treadmill

Both the C Series and the T Series NordicTrack treadmills have our SpaceSaver® design and EasyLift Assist™ technology built right in, making them two of the best folding treadmills on the market. 

These two features help you save space when your treadmill is not in use, and they make it easier to fold your treadmill up or down, depending on what you’re doing. 

Our T Series incline treadmills also have a slightly smaller footprint (T6.5 treadmill Footprint 185cm L x 91cm W x 138cm H. T7.5 and T8.5 treadmill Footprint 200cm L x 90cm W x 149cm H), making them ideal for small spaces and smaller home gyms. 

So, if you’re looking for a compact treadmill that also folds up, consider the T Series. 

Best Splurge Treadmill

The NordicTrack X32i wins our top pick for being the best splurge treadmill because it comes equipped with all of the Smart Treadmill features you’d want, including: 

  • Bluetooth® headphone and speaker compatibility
  • ActivePulse™ (This feature gives you a real-time feedback loop that measures your heart rate against your treadmill’s speed and incline, automatically adjusting the resistance level to keep you in your target heart rate zones. Only available with an active iFIT subscription).
  • Hands-free SmartAdjust™ Technology (Your speed and incline will automatically adjust with the iFIT trainer you’re following on the screen. Your treadmill will store any adjustments you make mid-workout and use these changes for future 
    workouts. Only available with an active iFIT membership)
  • OneTouch® Controls (as mentioned above, this feature, which is only available with an active iFIT subscription, lets you quickly and easily adjust your incline grade and speed by tapping one or two numbers. This is great for interval training 
    when you need to quickly switch from high to low periods of exertion and vice versa.)
  • Dual AutoBreeze™ Workout Fans
  • Google Maps™ integration so you can immerse yourself anywhere in the world right from your home (only available with an iFIT membership).

As for the X32i Incline trainer itself, it has the following: 

  • Reflex™ Cushioning
  • -6% Decline to 40% Incline
  • 1-22 KPH Speed
  • 4.25 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
  • 55cm x 165cm Commercial Tread Belt
  • 145kg user capacity
  • L 195cm x W 101cm x H 185cm Footprint
  • Lifetime Frame Warranty
  • 10-Year Motor Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty

Best Value Treadmill

Last but certainly not least, if you’re looking for an affordable treadmill, our T Series is our pick for being the best value treadmill. 

While it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles of our X32i Incline series treadmill, it still comes with the following: 

  • SpaceSaver® design
  • EasyLift Assist™
  • 0% to 10-12% incline, depending on the model.
  • From 0 to 16 or 19 KPH speeds, depending on the model.
  • Bluetooth® headphone and heart rate connectivity
  • Hands-free SmartAdjust™ Technology (Your speed and incline will automatically adjust with the iFIT trainer you’re following on the screen. Your treadmill will store any adjustments you make mid-workout and use these changes for future workouts. Only available with an active iFIT membership)
  • OneTouch® Controls (as mentioned above, this feature, which is only available with an active iFIT subscription, lets you quickly and easily adjust your incline grade and speed by tapping one or two numbers. This is great for interval training when you need to quickly switch from high to low periods of exertion and vice versa.)
  • Google Maps™ integration so you can immerse yourself anywhere in the world right from your home (only available with an iFIT membership).

The T Series treadmills also have a: 

  • 135 kg user capacity weight limit
  • Tread belt size of 51cm wide by 140-152cm long, depending on the model
  • Mid-length T6.5 Footprint 185cm L x 91cm W x 138cm H
  • Full-length T7.5 and T8.5 Footprint 200cm L x 90cm W x 149cm H
  • Lifetime Frame Warranty
  • 10-Year Motor Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty

Even though the price tag is slightly lower than our other treadmill models, you still get the same great quality and features that come with a NordicTrack treadmill. 

Find the Home Treadmill That’s Right for You 

We hope the information we shared in this treadmill buying guide helps you narrow your search. 

Before we sign off, we also want to share one last tip: research where you’re getting it from before you decide to buy an incline treadmill online. 

In many cases, it pays to go direct, buying from NordicTrackFitness.com.au, for example, to ensure you’re getting the best quality product and the exact warranties that it comes with. 

Doing so will save you headaches and hassles both in the short and long term. 

Once you do that, all that’s left is picking out the right treadmill for you and enjoying at-home workouts once it gets delivered. 

In a few workouts, you may see that it was one of the best decisions you could have made.

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