The treadmill is one of the most popular ways to get fit. Walking and running are two of the best ways to lose weight, improve your cardiovascular health, and boost endurance. The problem is, you are limited to how often you can walk and run outside. If you live in a busy area, it can be dangerous. If you live in an area with tough weather conditions, it makes it hard to stay consistent with a schedule.
Running in the icy winter isn’t the safest option, and any injuries can prevent future workouts. This is where a home treadmill will allow you to get in the best shape of your life. No longer do you have to put off a workout because it’s raining heavily outside. Nor do you have to drive to the gym and fight the crowds to use their cardio equipment.
A home treadmill can transform your health as you never have to miss a workout. You can use it anytime you want, watch or listen to whatever you want, and not have to worry about someone waiting to use it.
But if you’re limited for space, what are the options? Fortunately, there are some great space-saving treadmills on the market, and this is a countdown of the 6 best.
Best Space Saver Treadmill
Exerpeutic TF1000 Treadmill
BEST HEAVY DUTY TREADMILL
The TF1000 is the treadmill option you want if you need it to hold up to intense exercise. This treadmill accommodates up to 400 pounds which is more than some commercial gym treadmills.
Despite its heavy duty build, this is still a foldable treadmill that can easily be stored away when not in use. It has a longer than average belt that is 20 inches wide, and the unit has 18-inch long handlebars making sure you are kept as safe as possible–while still allowing you to workout as hard as you want.
Whether you are walking or running, the 1.5 horsepower motor can handle speeds of up to 4 miles per hour. The speed can be adjusted in small increments so you can find the perfect pace. This is a good option if you have mobility issues, are a senior, or don’t need to worry about sprinting for your workouts.
Pros
- LCD display to show your time, distance, speed, calories burned, etc
- Shock absorption system to protect your joints and knees
- Good for any body type
Cons
- Not ideal for sprinting or faster running
- No pre-programmed workouts
SereneLife Smart Electric Folding Treadmill
BEST OPTION FOR SERIOUS RUNNERS
The Serene Life option is the best choice to get in the best running shape of your life. This treadmill makes it easy with it’s 12 different pre-programmed workouts. You will get a great amount of variety to always keep your workouts fresh.
This treadmill is created for runners and has an adjustable incline so you can create even more intensity in your workout. It is also easy to fold up and store away with it’s hydraulic folding system.
You will still be able to track your stats with the LCD display and it even has a heart rate monitor with built-in pulse sensors on the handlebars. The front console is also great to hold your tablet or phone, and you can even set up books and magazines with all the space provided.
Pros
- Safety key and emergency power off button
- Fit show app that can be used on your phone
- Compact and slim design
Cons
- Incline has to be adjusted manually
- More narrow running surface
Sunny Health & Fitness ASUNA Space Saving Treadmill
MOST COMPACT
The Asuna is a unique space saving treadmill. It is very compact, but also features some great technology. It looks a bit different than traditional treadmills-but is still very stylish. It has built in speakers so you can plug your phone into it and listen to whatever you want, as loud as you want. It has a 2.5 horsepower motor which can go up to 8mph.
This tramdill will cover you if you want a brisk walk, or intense run. What makes this treadmill unique is that you can watch your stats in real time with its four window display to view your time, distance, speed, and calories burned all at the same time.
This is the ultimate compact and portable machine. It can be folded down small enough to slide under a couch. It also has built-in wheels so you can easily move it around to wherever you want to workout.
Pros
- Unique folding lock key to set up and take it down
- Tablet and device holder
- Shock absorbing running deck
Cons
- No pre-programmed workouts
- Short side rails
Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill
MOST VERSATILE
The Goplus 2 in 1 folding treadmill is a unique option that is meant for walking and running. It can be adjusted for either. The walking option allows it to be folded down to a moving sidewalk. You can then place it under a desk and use it as a treadmill desk.
This can transform any office into a healthier environment. But it still works as a great treadmill for running. It has a 2.25 horsepower motor allowing you to get to top speed of 12 km/h. The quiet and shock-absorbing treadmill belt will make for a comfortable experience that won’t disturb those around you.
It is also one of the safest options out there with its non-slip belt that is also made up of 5 different layers that will cushion your knees, muscles, and joints making your workouts more enjoyable.
Pros
- Built-in bluetooth speaker
- LED display to track your time, speed, distance, and calories burned
- Remote control
Cons
- No pre-programmed workouts
- No water bottle holder
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515
BEST TECHNOLOGY
The SF-T7515 from Sunny health and Fitness is going to get you the fittest you’ve ever been. This is a treadmill that is similar to ones you would find in a commercial gym–but much cheaper and space saving. This machine has an amazing amount of technology in it for the price point.
The first big feature is that it has automatic incline. This will allow you to adjust the incline and intensity without having to get off, stop your workout, and adjust it manually. This will make it easier to progress through your workout without any interruptions.
It also has an amazing 12 different levels of incline and can hit a top speed of 8 mp/h. The SF-T7515 has all the features you need to get as fit as possible, and still has some great additions such as built-in speakers and Bluetooth connectivity.
Pros
- LC display
- Pulse monitor
- Integrated body mass index calculator
Cons
- No pre-programmed workouts
XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill
BEST OVERALL
The XTERRA TR150 is the top choice on our list of the best space saving treadmills. This looks like it’s right out of a high-end gym–but it’s still foldable. The TR150 has one of the largest surface areas on a treadmill of this type with a 16×50 inch running surface.
This will accommodate you no matter how tall you are–or how wide your running stride is. It goes up to an impressive 10mp/h so you can get the most intense workout you can handle. It also has three manual incline settings so you can increase the intensity of your workout and get the sensation of running up hills.
There’s no better way to boost your cardiovascular endurance than by running hills. With the TR150, you also get quick-adjust speed buttons so you can quickly change your intensity on the fly. This is great for doing intervals or other forms of altered intensity running.
Pros
- Hand pulse grips
- XTRA soft cushioning deck
- LCD console
- Easy folding system
Cons
- Incline must be adjusted manually
Important Things to Consider When Buying a space saver treadmill
Space is obviously a concern for you if you’re reading this article. You need to decide how much space you can devote to your treadmill. Are you going to leave it out all the time? You’ll need to devote a certain amount of space for it to make sure you have a safe amount of room surrounding it.
It’s a good idea to keep it far from a wall in case of an accident. If you fall off the back, a nearby wall could cause even more injury. Make sure to have an ample amount of space behind the treadmill.
If you are not keeping it out, you’ll want to make sure you get a folding treadmill so that you can store it out of the way. The next thing to consider is how many features you need with your treadmill. If you like a lot of functions, you’ll want to go for the most technically advanced one you can find.
This can be helpful for syncing with fitness apps, or to have pre-programmed workouts. This will be beneficial if you like variety and get bored doing the same thing. If you don’t need as many features–and just want to run or walk–you won’t need the extra features or built-in workouts.
Personal Trainer Recommendation & Conclusion
Start with a 5-10 minute warmup to make sure you get your heart rate up, warm up the muscles, and increase blood flow to the working muscles. This is to prepare you for the workout to come, and you don’t want to skip it even if you’re in a rush. Also, make sure to finish with a cool down, too.
This serves a few functions: The first is that it helps to cool down the body, and return it to a resting heart rate. Finishing with a 5-10 minute cooldown–at a gradual pace–prevents blood from pooling in the muscles which can lead to cramping. The cool down also starts the recovery period of exercise.
Recovery is when you make improvements through enhanced cardiovascular health, increased muscle, and decreased body fat. The cool down also helps prepare your body for the next time you exercise. Along with the 5-10 minute finisher, this is a good time to do some stretching–and even some foam rolling–to further promote recovery.
