If you’re looking for a reliable treadmill to use at home, you’re facing a lot of competition. It seems like everyone’s trying to cash in on this booming health market. With so many brands out there, it’s hard to decide which one is best for your needs. There are also lots of different options available on the market today that it can be overwhelming when you try and make your choice.
Luckily, we’ve done the research for you! Here are the top 5 treadmills under $200 (in no particular order), based on their features, build quality, durability, and customer reviews:
Best Budget Treadmills Under $200
1. Weslo Cadence R 5.9 Treadmill
This treadmill by Weslo features a 5’9″ running deck, which is perfect for most users. Whether they are running indoors or out, this piece of equipment does what it’s supposed to do. It quickly transitions through each step in your run to give you better control and an overall better workout.
The Weslo Cadence R 5.9 will also keep you in check when going uphill with its incline settings. With 4 different levels of resistance, you can leave it on the lowest setting and still get an excellent workout without causing any damage to your knees or body. The belt itself also comes with a lifetime warranty so you can rest assured that it is durable and will last for years to come.
The only major complaint about this treadmill is its price. It’s on the higher end of the budget so you may have to provide a lot of concessions if you choose it. Although, that’s not necessarily a bad thing since it gives you the assurance that it’s been made durable and can hold up well to regular use. One reviewer said: “This machine really does work. I bought mine from Amazon for around $200 (I think). It is definitely worth every penny.”
2. Schwinn 230XL 24-Inch Treadmill
If sprinting on an old treadmill wasn’t enough, then this Schwinn model will give you more speed and power in your run. The large 2.4 HP motor gives you the ability to get up to a 2.5 MPH pace. That’s faster than most runners can run in a marathon, so you know it will give you a great workout!
This treadmill also comes equipped with an incline setting that is built for comfort and convenience. You can adjust the incline from 0-12% which means there is a wide range of settings available for you to choose from.
A few of the reviewers gave this treadmill an average rating and thought it was somewhere in between value for money and great quality at the same time. Some said that while it’s not the best treadmill they’ve used, it does its job well enough and holds up well during regular use.
The only major issue seems to be the 10 year warranty on the deck and motor. It’s a bit odd because they usually give you a lifetime warranty on all parts of the equipment instead of giving a small window for a specific part.
3. Planet Fitness T101-04001 Treadmill
Planet Fitness is a well known fitness brand that makes high quality equipment that you find in virtually every gym. If you’re looking for a treadmill that is built well and won’t break your budget, then this model by Planet Fitness will be perfect for you.
This treadmill comes with 2 speeds: 0.5-5 MPH and 0.8-5.5 MPH. The 0.8-5.5 MPH speed will give you a more intense workout for a longer period of time compared to the lower speeds. The adjustable belt is made of heavy duty materials that can stand up to any use you give it and won’t break down quickly like many other treadmills on the market today.
This isn’t your average treadmill either; it features an automatic incline and decline, which is helpful if you want to get up onto some hills while running. There is also an auto-pause feature that uses motion sensors to stop the belt when you stop moving which helps reduce any possible injury while wearing your glasses or hat while running.
The only major issue reported by reviewers was the belt length. It’s about 10″ shorter that most standard treadmills so it won’t be suitable for running if you’re taller than 5’4″. That aside, this is a great treadmill for the price.
4. NordicTrack C 990 Treadmill
NordicTrack is another brand that’s been making high quality treadmills for years and have a large following of dedicated users. This model by NordicTrack is no exception to that rule and is one of the top selling treadmills on Amazon today! With its larger motor, this treadmill will give you both speed and power during your run.
It comes with several features such as 3 pre-set workouts and a quick incline button that you can use to change the incline during your run. The display has 3 different speeds so you can see your goals based on time, distance, or calories burned.
The NordicTrack C 990 is also designed to take on hills without any problems. It has a 10% incline level that’s great for a hill run or even just a longer workout based on the amount of time that you want to spend on the treadmill. This model also gives you the option to add an accessory arm to it if needed which is one of its most outstanding features.
The only major complaint about this treadmill is its size. Unfortunately, it’s a pretty large treadmill and doesn’t take up very little space in your home when in operation. This can make it difficult to fit into a smaller room or apartment.
5. NordicTrack C 795 Treadmill
This is another well-known brand that makes top quality treadmills for its users. They have a great design philosophy which they call “NordicTrack-Gravity” which means “the tension between force and motion”. This philosophy is evident in the way their treadmills function with the design including the belt tensioning system and how they can be adjusted to meet different user needs.
The NordicTrack C 795 is one of the many NordicTrack treadmills that comes with a capacity to do incline workouts. It has the ability to do up to 10% incline which equates to a hill workout if you need it. The belt tensioning system is designed with double pulleys to give you constant tension on the belt so the treadmill will never slip.
This treadmill also features a quick start feature that lets you start moving as soon as you push off of the power button in just 3 easy steps. There’s also an automatic shut-off feature in case you forget and haven’t stopped before the time runs out.
The only major complaint about this model is its price. While this is one of the cheaper NordicTrack treadmills on the market, it’s still a little more than most people want to spend. This model isn’t recommended for beginner users either. It seems to be better suited for those who have already had experience with a treadmill at some point before.
What To Look For In A Treadmill
When you’re shopping for treadmills, there are a few things you need to know about before making a purchase. They include:
1. How many incline levels do I need?
One thing you are going to want to pay attention to is the number of incline levels a treadmill offers. This little detail can make your workouts more interesting as well as bring about better results. Treadmills with only one level of incline won’t be very useful if you’re not just starting out and you expect to have a workout that will challenge your muscles.
2. How many programs and workouts do I need?
Depending on the manufacturer, treadmills usually have anywhere from two to ten workout programs. It’s a good idea to choose a treadmill with a fair variety of programs, especially if you intend to use it for more than just walking. Having only one workout program will make things quite boring after a while, and it might not be enough to motivate you.
3. What’s the warranty?
Warranties are usually listed as either a year or ten year. The longer your warranty, the better off you are in the long run. When you need to replace a treadmill, it will be covered by this policy, so it is in your best interest to choose the longest warranty possible.
4. What’s the weight limit?
This is to protect against injury. If you weigh more than 155 pounds, you should probably get a treadmill with a weight limit of 150 pounds. Since most people are heavier than this, you’ll be safe if your treadmill has a higher weight limit.
5. What’s the motor type?
The larger the motor, the faster it can move. Frequency is measured in hertz, which is used to describe the rate of oscillation of a coil of wire per second. The higher the hertz, the more power you’ll have. If you’re looking for a quick workout, get one with higher hertz and higher horsepower (HP). Most treadmills fall within 80-90 HP.
6. What type of belt?
This is the band encircling your legs which connects your feet to the stride rail. You’ll probably choose a belt that’s adjustable to fit your needs and use. If you need better stability, choose a belt with a thicker canvas with soft padding on top for extra support.
What Are The Benefits Of Treadmills?
There are plenty of reasons to buy a treadmill for your home. Some of the benefits include:
1. You can use it to walk or run outside without leaving the house.
This is one of the biggest reasons why people like treadmills. If you live in an apartment complex where they don’t allow runners, you can still get excellent exercise at home and not have to worry about where you can go during bad weather. Treadmills are also great if you’re not in shape or don’t feel like going outside when it’s cold or raining outside.
2. They help increase your fitness levels, especially if you use them for a long time.
If you use your treadmill daily, you can speed up your progress when it comes to fitness. Regular workouts on a treadmill will save you time and money in the long run while helping you achieve your fitness goals.
3. They can help you lose weight.
If you want to get into shape, losing weight is probably the most vital thing for your health. Walking or running around on a treadmill is an excellent way to do this and will give you the extra cardio that helps burn calories and fat faster than running outside in the heat won’t. If using a treadmill helps around 40 minutes every day, this total workout will add up exponentially faster than just walking alone for 30 minutes every day.
4. You can customize your workout on a treadmill.
If you don’t like the exercise programs that come already installed, you can tailor your own workout sessions and workouts on a treadmill to your specific needs. If you need help, most treadmills will have some type of viewer available so you can watch what you’re doing instead of doing it blind.
5. They are easy to setup and use.
You won’t have to spend many minutes reading manuals before getting started with a treadmill. You’ll be able to get up and running within just a few moments which is great for those who are in a hurry during their day or don’t have the time to learn about how they work before actually using one.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a good treadmill but don’t have the space, time, or money for regular gym visits, then a home treadmill is probably what you need. There are plenty to choose from and many models come with several features that can help with your workout.
All of these treadmills have their benefits so it’s important not to rush through this process and find out which one best suits your needs. If you can’t find one of the five models mentioned above, there are plenty more to choose from but these all seem to be popular options for an entry-level treadmill.