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Looking to up your miles indoors? Here's our pick of the best running machines Fan Rower
This article was updated in November to reflect the latest prices.
If the changeable British weather puts you off heading out for a run, or you're unable to get outside due to work, family or other commitments, a treadmill is an extremely convenient option.
The best running machines are great for completing structured workouts, as they create a controlled environment. On an electric treadmill, you can control your pace, incline, interval and recovery time more accurately.
You may also feel more motivated to complete these types of sessions in this environment vs. attempting them unaided outside — especially if you sign up to apps such as Zwift or Run Social, which allow you to run alongside others in a virtual world. (Fans of Zwift may also be interested in our round-up of the best turbo trainers.)
Here are our top picks for runners, but read on for everything you need to know before you buy.
Some treadmills can link to apps that offer a host of features, including a huge library of workouts at your fingertips, stat-tracking, live classes and leaderboards showing how fellow members are faring.
You will need to pay a monthly subscription fee to gain access to these, which will vary depending on which app your treadmill links to.
The treadmills on our list that require subscriptions are: the Peloton Tread’s Peloton All-Access Membership, which costs £39 per month or £12.99 per month for new app members; the NordicTrack Commercial 1750, which links to the iFit app available from £24.99 per month; and the Echelon Stride Auto-Fold Connected Treadmill with its £39.99 per month Echelon Fit app.
Treadmills on this list that are stamped with the Runner's World Expert Tested logo have all been tested by our Runner's World Lab team of experts.
They asked a panel of novice runners and ardent athletes alike to lace up their trainers and hit the belt, testing each treadmill at all speeds and inclines to check it offers a comfortable, smooth and stable run.
They also judged each running machine's ease of use by navigating its touchscreens and control panels to find a suitable workout. Each model was then given a score, with only the best earning our Runner’s World Expert Tested seal of approval.
You’ll also find recommendations from the Runner’s World editorial team in our roundup. These treadmills have all been used extensively by one or more of our highly experienced editors, offering a machine for every fitness level and budget.
Ready to run? Here are the treadmills to invest in – all available to buy in the UK.
Best for: A realistic running experience at home
The sibling brand to Pro-Form, the new NordicTrack 1750 has many of the same features, including auto-adjust technology and endless workout options when connected to iFit. At 14 inches, the touchscreen isn't as big as the Pro 9000's (below), but our testers still enjoyed the scenic routes via the HD monitor, saying the spritely instructors helped their motivation levels reach an all-time high. They appreciated the 15% incline for replicating hilly races and thought the auto-adjusting speed and incline provided a realistic running experience at home.
Although it’s the entry level model in the brand’s commercial range, this rock-solid machine is packed with powerful training tools. The cushioning is the perfect balance of bouncy yet firm, the built-in fan will keep you cool as you work up a sweat, and the motor is surprisingly quiet, so you won’t disturb the neighbours during early morning training sessions. Sturdy handlebars (helpful for tough uphill climbs) and a rotating screen for iFit classes off the machine are the icing on the cake.
Like the Pro 9000 and the X32i, it’s a beast of a machine, so keep scrolling if you’re short on space.
Best for: Runners looking for a gym experience on a budget
This is one of Decathlon’s bestselling treadmills and after testing it, we understand the hype. Coming it at under £600, it offers a host of features normally found on pricier models.
We’re talking speeds of up to 16kmph, inclines up to 10%, no fewer than 24 pre-set workouts and the ability to fold away to save space. It also has plenty of extras, including speakers, a port to plug in your tech, a tablet holder, a heart rate monitor and backlit console for a snapshot of your stats – we found this easy to navigate during our sessions.
Despite the folding design (it was a cinch to move around and store away), the robust steel frame gives it a high-quality feel and it was surprisingly sturdy and smooth to run on. Adjusting the speed and incline was faff-free with the large user-friendly buttons, and thanks to the quiet motor, it’s a good choice for flats.
Speedsters may want to look to one of our other options to break their PBs, but this should do the job nicely for the average runner. All in all, a quality, compact running machine at a very decent price.
Best for: An immersive incline experience
Bringing the Lake District into your living room may seem like a logistical nightmare, but with this NordicTrack machine you can enjoy the national park’s testing topography from home. Its unmatched 40% incline is a real bragging point, and allows it to provide realistic virtual runs via the iFit app.
If you fancy a change of pace, you can also stream on-demand studio classes. In some sessions, the machine is programmed to automatically adjust your speed and incline as you go, leaving you free to focus on your run without the usual toggling process.
There was no wobbling at any speed and the belt provided plenty of bounce (something our long-suffering knees definitely appreciated). Our running stats were clearly displayed on the screen during classes, too. The touchscreen could have been a bit more responsive, sometimes lagging slightly, and you’ll need plenty of space to accommodate this hefty treadmill, but if it’s a realistic running experience you’re after, then this is your best bet.
This machine’s impressive top speed of 13.7mph, which is around a 4.23min/mile pace, is also capable of testing even seasoned athletes.
Best for: People looking for a compact treadmill that's easy to fold away
Though we found our tablet did cover the control panel – and some of our workout stats as a result – the app impressed our testers with its huge selection of workouts. Most found there was plenty of choice when it came to finding a class that set their pulses racing, though more experienced runners said they would have liked more of a challenge than the limited 10% max incline it could offer.
Nevertheless, the folding design and substantial offering of sessions from the app make this a top pick for first-time treadmill buyers. And its top speed of 12mph (a 5.00min/mile pace) will be ample for most owners.
Best for: A gym-standard experience
We’ve always rated Pro-Form treadmills, so it’s hardly surprising that the Pro 9000 excelled on test. It has all the features you’d expect from a premium machine – including auto-adjust speed and incline, detailed data screens, interactive workouts and Google Maps integration – but it’s the mega 22-inch HD touchscreen that really sets it apart. According to our testers, it made for the most immersive of experiences during iFit workouts – they particularly enjoyed a trainer-led jaunt along a Hawaiian beach.
With a decent max speed of 22km/h and an incline of up to 12%, it should be suitable for most runners. The iFit app offers workouts for all abilities, whether you’re training for a sub-25 5k or you want to traverse a 26.2-mile marathon course. The sturdy belt inspired confidence with each stride and the speed and incline buttons were easy to reach mid-run.
The fan wasn’t the most powerful and we found the belt stopped quite abruptly without a countdown, but these are minor niggles. Just bear in mind that this bulky machine is heavy to manoeuvre, and it won’t go unnoticed in the corner of your living room. But if you’ve got the space, it’s a top-notch running companion.
Best for: Live classes and motivational instructors
This Peloton machine will do more for your morale than most, with a plethora of instructor-led running sessions (as well as strength, yoga and even meditation classes) available through the brand’s app. Trainers beaming through a bright touchscreen provide tips and limitless energy to help you grind through pre-work workouts. You can also see how fellow members of the Peloton crew have performed thanks to live leaderboards – something that quickly unearthed our thinly-veiled competitive side.
The belt balanced bounce with firmness, allowing us to generate plenty of power with each stride while providing a comfortable amount of cushioning. Testers also raved about the inclusion of easy-access adjustable speed and incline dials on the arms, rather than the usual buttons on the control panel.
The max speed of 12.4mph, a 4.50min/mile pace, is more than fast enough for most runners, too.
Best for: Runners who are short on space and want a no-frills treadmill
Though it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of other pricier machines, this foldable JTX treadmill is a worthy training tool. It reaches speeds up to 16km/h, offers 36 pre-set workouts and has the option to create your own routines. It will automatically adjust the pace based on your chosen workout, the motor is super quiet (it was the quietest on test, in fact) and the buttons on the handlebars let you quickly adjust your speed mid-session.
It lacks a fancy touchscreen, but the bright display window tells you all the essentials as you move: time, speed, distance and estimated calorie burn. There’s a tablet holder so you can binge Netflix on long runs, or, if you have a foot pod, you can connect with your favourite running app for a more interactive experience. After your session you can fold it up and slip it under your sofa – the machine folds almost completely flat. It isn’t an entirely faff-free process (it did require loosening and tightening screws) but when you consider the price, it’s hard to complain.
This is a strong wallet-friendly option for beginner and intermediate runners.
Best for: Runners looking for premium gym quality for under £1500
Let us introduce you to the shiny new Sprint-8 Pro from our pals at JTX. Like the popular Sprint-9, it’s a semi-commercial folding treadmill designed for endurance training at home, but according to the brand, the design is more compact.
Our verdict? If you’ve got the funds and you take your home gym set-up seriously, this is an impressive bit of kit. It’s got a large deck (153cm x 55cm) and weighs a hefty 115kg, which provides a firm, steady base and feels like the high-quality treadmills you find in fancy gyms. With a 15% incline and a top speed of 20km/h (4:50min/mile pace), it’s suitable for newbies and seasoned runners alike.
Overall, we found it a dream to use. The spacious belt meant we didn’t feel hemmed in when training, there was zero wobbling even at higher speeds and it felt extremely smooth underfoot. There’s a huge variety of pre-programmed workouts to flit between, plus a tablet holder so you can connect directly with Kinomap and Swift via Bluetooth and run stunning routes all over the world. Or, if you prefer to do your own thing, you can just hop on and start running.
The console isn't the fanciest, but it is simple to use and shows all your running stats, including time, speed, distance and cals burned, plus the quiet motor means you won’t disturb family or flatmates during early morning training sessions.
Though folding, be warned it will take up significant floor space and we found it a bit bulky to wheel away, but this may or may not bother you. All in all, a sturdy, capable running companion that will be with you for the long run.
Best for: Runners who use Zwift
If you're someone who dreads the treadmill and needs every distraction possible to get through the session, this is a good option. It's compatible with Zwift and Run Social and has a ledge where you can rest your phone or iPad. It also has a top speed of 22 km/h, which is faster than 4:33 min/mile pace, so should be suitable for all runners.
Best for: Those who aren't too bothered about folding the treadmill
If you're not worried about folding the treadmill away, or moving it from room to room, this Life Fitness T5 treadmill is a good option. It's easy to assemble, you can set up two user profiles to make jumping on simpler if you are sharing with another runner with different training needs, and there's a handy energy-saving mode for when you're not using it. It has a top speed of 12mph, which is about a 4:59min/mile pace.
Best for: Value for money
This JTX treadmill has got all the features you really need from a treadmill: a good-sized running deck (140x 48cm), durability thanks to its heavy gauge steel frame — built for stability under the pressure of daily use — Bluetooth compatibility and an incline of up to 12%, which will auto-adjust according to the terrain (if following a virtual workout via the likes of Kinomap).
It has a top speed of 18 km/h, which works out to be a 5:22min/mile pace, so should be fast enough for most. For speedsters, though, JTX also has the Sprint-9 Folding Gym Treadmill or Pro Professional, which are able to reach higher speeds.
Best for: Speedier runners looking for a treadmill they can assemble quickly
This treadmill has a top speed of 16km/h, which is a 6:02min/mile pace. As well as everything you'd expect from a treadmill (programmed workouts, a varied incline and easy assembly and folding), it's already 90% pre-assembled in the box, so you won't have to spend hours putting it together.
Best for: Those who love blasting music while running
If you’re in the market for a bargain machine, this folding option from Mobvoi is one of Amazon’s best-sellers, with over 1,200 4.5-star ratings. Its popularity is perhaps down to its simplicity – you’ve got two modes: one for walking, one for running. There’s also an in-built Bluetooth speaker for playing your favourite tunes and it has a high-quality running belt to protect your joints – all at an affordable price point. Plus, it packs down so small you can shove it under your sofa when you’re done!
Of course, the treadmill doesn't really compare to miles outside, but if you are taking your training indoors, there are a few tools that can help.
Yanar was our former Fitness Group Testing Manager. She managed health and fitness product testing across all the magazines, overseeing all testing processes and ensuring our lab and panel tests are conducted to the highest standards. Yanar spent 15 years as a health and wellness content editor and writer for national titles such as Runner’s World, Men’s Health and Women’s Health. Yanar is a Level 3 qualified PT, trained yoga teacher and a registered yoga therapist. She has been into fitness and wellness her whole life. After many years running races and marathons, she now trains and competes in CrossFit and Olympic lifting. She passionately advocates strength training for women to build a stronger mind and body for life.
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