Summary
After warming up your abs with the Twist and Shape, it’s time to sweat it out on the treadmill. This cardio training device is a must for gyms, but also for homes! Treadmills are becoming more and more popular at home, making them the ideal fitness equipment to work on your cardio and lose fat. If you want to keep in good shape or get back into shape, you will be able to find the model that suits you, according to your level, your goals, and your desires in terms of practice.
To guide you and help you choose the treadmill that will eliminate your calories, discover our top 5 of the best treadmills for effective cardio workouts!
Our favorite
🏆 The Best Treadmills :
What is a treadmill?
A treadmill is a fitness equipment that consists of reproducing the movement and feeling of running, but on a mat and indoors! The principle is simple, the treadmill starts moving at the desired speed, and all you have to do is start your run! Careful, you have to keep up if you don’t want to fall!
Cousin of the elliptical bike or rowing machine, the mat is designed to work the cardio, and burn calories to melt fat and slim your figure. The advantage of this device is that it allows you to practice running at your own pace and level, indoors, without worrying about the weather and without having to move from home! A real plus for the less motivated who still find it difficult to go far for a jog in the open air. In addition to a thorough cardio workout, you’ll work many muscles, including thighs, buttocks, and abs.
Which treadmill to choose?
The advantage of fitness machines and equipment is that there are many models to suit every level, every need and every use. As far as treadmills are concerned, there are 2 types of treadmills to choose from, depending on the use you wish to make of them.
-
Manual/magnetic conveyor belt
If you’re looking for a cheap treadmill, these are the most basic, and therefore the cheapest. Without any electric or motorized property, it is the runner who sets the pace by starting his run on the mat. It rotates following the movement, and slows down or speeds up according to the user’s rhythm. The bearing resistance is adjustable by changing the distance between the magnetic wheel and the magnetized part. The advantage of this type of mat is that you set your own pace, which is easier to get started. On the other hand, you have to push a little more on your legs to make the carpet roll.
-
Electric treadmill
With an electric motor that automatically rolls the mat, these models are ideal for working on your goals and your cardio, setting a fixed pace. You choose the speed you want on the dashboard, which defines the rolling of the belt. You will therefore have to follow the rhythm of the mat (unlike magnetic models), to keep a stable speed and work over time. You will also be able to choose an incline to add challenge to your race! Very well thought out and efficient with many features to push your cardio workouts, think that these mats are heavier and more expensive than the previous ones.
Foldable treadmill: alternative to lack of space
If you are short of space but still want to race at home, you can! Foldable treadmills are much smaller and lighter, and fold up for easy storage without being bulky. You may find magnetic or electric ones, but they will remain simpler and have fewer features than larger models. However, today most models are very easy to fold and store, even the most sturdy ones.
With these foldable treadmills, you’ll have no more excuses to stop practicing! Whatever your surface, you will be able to train at your own pace and warm up your muscle groups.
How to choose your treadmill?
A treadmill is a fairly large investment, so it is important to choose the right model for you and to carefully consider the different buying criteria to find the right treadmill for you.
-
Your level
As mentioned earlier, it is very important to choose a model that fits your level, to avoid injuries or other disasters. Whether it’s to get in shape, to prepare for a marathon or to push your limits even further, the treadmill must meet your needs and your workouts.
-
Your use
Depending on your sports training, frequency and intensity, your treadmill must be adapted. If you practice 5 times a week at 18km/h for 1h30, you won’t need the same resistance, quality and power of the device as if you run once a week at a light pace.
-
Engine power
If you choose an electric carpet model, the motor is the heart of your machine. The better its power and quality, the better it will hold you over time, and the more you can push it. If the motor is too fragile, your cardio machine may snap under your feet fairly quickly. On these machines, the power is indicated in horsepower. For occasional use, or fast walking, a 1.5 or 2HP mat is sufficient. For a more regular and intensive practice, a power of 2,5CV is more adequate.
-
Cushioning
The disadvantage of running is that it’s a sport that is quickly harmful to the joints if you’re not careful and you don’t take the necessary precautions when you run. On a treadmill, the cushioning system is a very important criterion for minimizing injury and joint wear. In general, you will find carpets with quality cushioning that reduces impacts by 15-40%, and some are adjustable to allow you to apply the level of cushioning you want. For occasional and light use, soft cushioning is sufficient, if you are a great runner, opt instead for firm cushioning that will rest your stride.
-
Speed
On most treadmills, the running speed can be up to 16km/h, which is already a good running pace, and is more than enough for occasional or even experienced runners. However, if you want more training and a faster pace, you’ll have to opt for models up to 20km/h, which will be more expensive but will allow you to practice the sport you expect.
-
Height and weight
The treadmill is an ideal device for home sports. So your equipment must be able to go home without too much difficulty and without taking up too much space. So be careful about the dimensions of the carpet, to avoid having to move all your furniture to install it! Size is also an important criterion since it is related to the surface of the mat and therefore to the running surface. The size of the tread should be taken into account, to adapt to your stride and not interfere with your pace during your race.
-
The functionalities
Depending on your needs and desires, you will find models with more or less features and options. The richness of the dashboard is to be observed, if you want an indicator of the number of calories burned, your average speed, your heartbeat, the distance travelled, the running time etc.. Some mats also offer sports training programs, integrated MP3 players, fans, and even landscape and scenery simulators via screens. The most connected will offer you a follow-up and evolution of your performance thanks to an application, or sessions with virtual coaches for ever more advanced and realistic experiences. Among the functionalities, the possibility of tilting the mat is a criterion to take into account if you are interested, to simulate climbs and vary the pleasure and intensity during your runs.
-
Security
Mandatory on all treadmills, the STOP button allows you to stop the treadmill cleanly if you feel bad, or want to stop the roll for any reason. Before choosing your treadmill, make sure it is accessible and visible.
-
The price
You will be able to find machines for every budget. For low usage, you can opt for cheap or second-hand treadmills, ranging from 200 to 500€. Average prices for mid-range mats for regular use range from €500 to €1000 depending on your level and the features you are looking for. If you are an avid runner and are looking for a more advanced machine, you will need to budget for more than 100€, with the best performing mats costing up to 4,000€.
Comparison of the best electric treadmills
-
The cheapest: the treadmill from Newgen Medicals
Rather adapted for fast walking than intense jogging, this treadmill remains qualitative for its price. It takes up very little space and folds very easily. Quite silent, it goes up to 10km/h, and is quite robust. The screen is rather small, so you have to press the same button to scroll through your speed, time, and calorie information.
Be careful, this mat stops automatically after 30 minutes, which is annoying if you are in full swing… you just have to press start again to start again. A carpet that gets the job done, for a very low price
Discover in pictures
Associated product
-
Practical: the foldable electric treadmill from ISE
Foldable and space-saving, the ISE mats can reach speeds of up to 8-10km/h, and are therefore more suitable for fast walking than for long runs. However, it is very robust and solid, and functional for its price. With adapted programs, you can train smoothly and increase your performance without any problems for a very ridiculous price compared to the competition. Small hitch, the running surface is a bit small, to be taken into account if you make big strides.
Discover in pictures
Associated product
-
The best value for money: the F10 folding treadmill from Sportstech
No products found.
With many features and options and a good solidity, this model is the best value for money treadmill par excellence. Renowned for its quality and expertise in the field, the Sportstech brand offers a model at the limit of the professional for a ridiculously low price. Foldable, connected and smart, a heart rate monitor belt comes with the device for precise monitoring of your performance. If you are looking for performance at a very reasonable price, this F10 mat is for you!
Discover in pictures
Associated product
-
The best mid-range: the 400i ProForm treadmill
The ProForm brand is a trusted name in the field, offering quality sports equipment that combines comfort, strength and efficiency. With its 18 programs and Bluetooth Fit technology, you can enjoy workouts adapted to your level and your goals, in complete safety thanks to ProShox cushioning. Even though this treadmill is foldable, it is still very imposing, so you need to have room at home. You can take advantage of pre-recorded warm-ups to start your session smoothly, and can shift from one gear to another without having to go through the intermediate gears. Small hitch, the manual is not always delivered in French, and the assembly can be difficult with many parts…
Discover in pictures
-
The best performance: the F37 pro treadmill from Sportstech
Once again designed by the renowned German brand, this professional quality treadmill is perfect if you are a seasoned runner. Going up to 20km/h with 12 pre-recorded programs, this device is one of those usually found in sports halls. Very robust and solid, it is quite quiet and benefits from a quality damping. A worthwhile investment, for training for all levels and many options for more comfort.
Discover in pictures
Associated product
Why use a treadmill?
The treadmill has many advantages:
- Sport at home: no more excuses not to move! Whatever the weather, you can do sports at any time. Above all, it allows you to optimize time thanks to its proximity: no need to go far and have a lot of time. Even if you only have 15 minutes, you can spend them running at your own pace.
- Fitness and cardio training: whether you are already very sporty or not at all, the mat allows you to have a physical activity, and to work all muscle groups, especially the lower limbs. You will especially work on your cardio, which is essential for good health, good blood circulation, loss of fat mass and good elimination of toxins through perspiration.
- Optimized and adapted running: even though it is always more enjoyable to run outside in a park or in the great outdoors, the treadmill has certain advantages over the activity itself. For starters, carpet cushioning is often better for your joints than running on concrete. Also, you can adapt the speed to your rhythm, and challenge yourself, playing on inclination and speed! Whatever your goals, you’ll find your account with a carpet.
- Progressive performance: One of the big advantages of this device is that it allows you to progress and increase your performance over time. Staying at the same level will continue to burn you out, but your body will eventually get used to it, so it’s important to boost your performance to continue eliminating and burning fat.
- To run, but not that! Although the treadmill is well known for running, be aware that there are many exercises and variations available to work other muscles, especially the upper body.
Some ideas of exercises to do with a treadmill
What are the best treadmill brands?
Among the best carpet brands you can find NordicTrack, ProForm, Sportstech, Technogym or SoleFitness. If you want a good quality treadmill for your cardio workouts, you will have to turn to the best brands. The prices are certainly higher, generally ranging from 600 to 4,000€, but quality comes at a price, and these brands offer rugs that are robust, efficient, and adapted to everyone.
Where to buy a treadmill?
To get one of these fitness machines that will get you fit and healthy again, you can turn to sports shops, such as Decathlon, Intersport etc. You will find there mainly the carpets of the signs (Domyos for example).
Online, you can buy them directly on the e-commerce sites of the brand you want. To get it at the best price, you will find your happiness on Amazon or Cdiscount.
Best treadmill: why trust us?
Thank you for reading this article! Because we know that it is not always easy to make the best choice without trying, each of our recommendations is the result of a long work of analysis of consumer opinions on flagship and little-known products on the market, of comparison of prices and technical characteristics, but also and above all of tests by a team of men and women constantly renewed in order to keep a real objectivity to help you in your purchasing process.
All the purchasing criteria are scrutinized for the realization of our comparative guides: budget, level of range, functional and practical aspects, design, pack and accessories, safety… All this in order to help you choose the products best suited to your needs, desires and constraints on a daily basis, at the best price!
