Thanks to a global pandemic, more and more of us are staying at home. This means we have had to adapt to doing things a little differently. Whether it was switching out a Starbucks for a home brew or renting movies on the TV instead of going to the cinema, we’ve all had to change. For the people who loved going to the gym, they had to give home workouts a go. But to workout from home you need the right equipment, which is where a compact treadmill comes in.
Not everyone has enough space for a regular sized treadmill in their home. This is especially true if you live in an apartment where the floor space is limited. Luckily, you don’t need to live in a mansion to own a compact treadmill.
What is a compact treadmill, you ask? They’re a lot smaller than the ones found in gyms and most of the time they can fold away when not in use. These treadmills are perfect for people who love to workout in the privacy of their own home but don’t have a lot of space to do so.
The benefits of a compact treadmill
We’ve already established that compact treadmills are smaller and easier to store than regular treadmills. However, not all treadmills are created equal. The best ones will have the following benefits:
- Durable
- Smooth operation
- Stable
- Incline options
- Good running surface
These things altogether will make it easy for you to hop on to run or walk your way to a fitter you. Some other aspects to look at when choosing the right treadmill are the dimensions, top speed, warranty and horsepower.
How to choose the right compact treadmill
Now that you know what to look out for, you need to start comparing treadmills. There are a wide range of brands and each offers something different. The more expensive compact treadmills will have smart features such as an interactive touch screen or even a cooling fan built into the dashboard. With the wide variety out there, there is bound to be something to match your budget and needs.
Something to keep in mind when choosing a compact treadmill is that it won’t be as roomy as the ones in the gym. They’re often slim so they can be tucked away in a corner when not in use. However, that doesn’t mean they’re unusable.
Read on to find out our choices for the top 15 compact treadmills we think you should consider before buying one.
Our Top 15 Choices for Compact Treadmills
Table of contents:
1. Lifespan TR3000i Folding Treadmill
Lifespan is well known for creating high quality fitness machines that you can use in the comfort of your own home. The TR3000i is no different. It is one of their most advanced compact treadmills with a touchscreen display and assisted folding for easy storage. This treadmill has a full-steel frame beneath the running surface to provide stability. It also boasts a minimalist design, 38 workout programs to choose from and has a maximum user weight of 350lbs.
2. NordicTrack T Series Treadmill
NordicTrack specialise in creating products that make home workouts easier. The T-Series Treadmills will provide effortless performance with a treadmill to fit your budget. They include a HD smart screen up to 14 inches in size so you can be trained by an iFit trainer and offer up to 12% incline. When using the training programs, the treadmill will automatically adjust the speed and incline, making it that much easier for you to use.
3. Lifespan TR2000i Folding Treadmill
The TR2000i Folding Treadmill from Lifespan is a smaller version of the TR3000i. It features a touch screen and has a running surface that will make walking, jogging or running comfortable for you. As with most Lifespan treadmills, it can fold away for easy storage. This treadmill even has a Bluetooth speaker for you to control your music while working out. As with other Lifespan treadmills, it has a minimalist and sleek design that will blend it perfectly in your home.
4. ProForm Performance 900I Smart Treadmill
The ProForm Performance 900I Smart Treadmill is part of the performance series and is built with iFit technology to keep you motivated during your workouts with help from a trainer. The 7-inch full colour screen has everything you need to monitor your speed, heart rate, incline stats and more. There is also a shelf where you can place a tablet to watch your favourite shows while burning calories. It can also be folded away vertically to store easily.
5. Horizon T101 Treadmill
The Horizon T101 Treadmill is their best-selling compact treadmill. It is easy to set up and has intuitive controls for no-nonsense workouts that you can enjoy. The cushioned surface of the treadmill will help to support walkers through to runners. Make the most of the Bluetooth speakers or even place your tablet on the shelf provided to offer entertainment while you break a sweat. When you’ve finished your workout, simply fold the treadmill away and store in the corner of the room.
6. ASUNA SpaceFlex Folding Treadmill
Created by Sunny Health and Fitness, the ASUNA SpaceFlex Folding Treadmill is designed for the runners who want a sleek design and all the features they need for a good workout. The display is simpler compared to some treadmills, but it still allows you to monitor all the important data such as calories burned, incline and speed. There is a device holder for a phone or tablet, and even a media port with an AUX cable to utilise the built-in speakers. The slim fold design allows the treadmill to fold completely and be stored against a wall.
7. Sunny Health and Fitness Portable Treadmill
The Portable Treadmill from Sunny Health and Fitness is designed for homes with limited space. It features an auto-incline feature that can give you 15 levels of incline and speed choices up to 9mph. The digital monitor allows you to read information easily and the treadmill itself has shock absorption for a more comfortable workout. The treadmill is also foldable for easy storage and has transportation wheels for easy portability.
8. ProForm Smart Performance 800i
The Smart Performance 800i from ProForm gives you interactive personal training in your home thanks to the 14-inch smart screen. You can experience real life terrain with a 10% incline and 2% decline, all while monitoring your movements using the screen. A great feature of this treadmill is the fan that is built into the console to keep you cool while working out. It also has a space saver design that allows the treadmill to fold away easily.
9. Horizon T202 Treadmill
The Horizon T202 Treadmill is durable, high quality and will add power to your workouts thanks to the large motor. Keep yourself entertained with the Bluetooth speakers or device holder to watch a TV show or workout class. The cushioned deck will offer comfortable footfalls and make the treadmill quieter too. At the end of the workout, effortlessly store the treadmill away with one-step hydraulic folding.
10. Weslo Cadence Folding Treadmill
The Weslo Cadence Folding Treadmill is designed to help you enjoy working out at home. The digital dashboard is easy to read and features a shelf to prop your tablet on. You can even link up with the iFit membership to be coached by trained professionals. Adjust the incline manually and enjoy walking or running on the cushioned treadmill for more support. Once your workout is complete, fold the treadmill away and reclaim your floor space.
11. NordicTrack S-Series Treadmill
The S-Series Treadmill from NordicTrack has a sleek design and everything you need for a great workout at home. It can link up with training programs to offer you assistance with your workout and a cushioned running surface to soften the impact on your joints. This also helps to give that real road-running experience at home. As with other NordicTrack treadmills, it has the space saver design to fold away easily.
12. Shayin Portable Folding Treadmill
The Shayin Portable Folding Treadmill is compact and sturdy, which is needed for a home workout. It takes up minimal space and features a folding system that is safe and easy to use. The display screen is easy to read so you can see all your workout data and it has a selection of pre-set training programs to choose from. The rolling wheels on this treadmill offer portability, meaning it is easy to move from one room to another.
13. Lifespan TR4000i Folding Treadmill
The Lifespan TR4000i Folding Treadmill was designed for those who take their training seriously. It features a full colour touchscreen display where you can monitor your progress easily. You can choose from a wide variety of programs, such as races, fitness tests and even personal programs to add variety to your workouts. The treadmill is durable and can fold away after you are finished with it.
14. Merax Easy Assembling Folding Treadmill
The Merax Easy Assembling Folding Treadmill is convenient and features a large LCD display to track all the necessary performance statistics that matter to you. Once you have easily assembled it, you can enjoy a smooth run and switch settings quickly when you need to. The fast folding design allows you to put it away afterwards and even transport it around your house thanks to the wheels underneath.
15. Lifespan TR5500i Folding Treadmill
Finally, we have the Lifespan TR5500i Folding Treadmill. It features a 10-inch full-colour touch display with three different dashboards and even physical console buttons too. Tailor the workout to meet your needs with 50+ built in workouts to support all training styles. There are also 13 levels of incline and you can reach speeds up to 13.5mph, making it perfect for runners. At the end of the day, simply fold the treadmill away until you are ready to use it again.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many brands out there selling compact treadmills. Most will do similar things, but it’s important that you find the right one for you. If you want a bit of encouragement, then go for a treadmill that allows you to work with a trainer who can help push you harder on the pre-set programs. Or if you prefer to go back to basics, go for a compact treadmill that has an LCD display so you can track your progress.
The fifteen compact treadmills on our list are the ones we felt had the most to offer. With them you can focus on improving your health while becoming stronger and more toned than ever before. Whether you prefer to listen to music or watch a tv show whilst exercising, you’ll be having fun and burning calories in no time.
A treadmill doesn’t have to be huge to be good. These compact treadmills prove that they can be well-built and can keep up with the ones in the professional gyms. So, whether you want to have a stroll or sprint to the finish line, there is a compact treadmill out there for you!