Transforming a section of your residence into your workout area carries its appeal. A treadmill doesn’t need to occupy a large portion of your living space. This is why well-regarded and established fitness brands have created foldable treadmills. The best folding treadmills raise the running deck off the ground and secure it in place, which may be particularly attractive for individuals residing in small spaces. Some models are equipped with wheels for easy transportation and offer vertical storage, while others are compact enough to fit under your living room couch.
Compact and dependable are two characteristics that aren’t always synonymous with folding treadmills. That’s why our list below showcases the finest folding treadmills currently accessible, featuring long-lasting models designed with innovative folding features and sturdy frames.
They are perfect for in-home use where space is a concern, but just because they are easily foldable and compact does not mean they compromise on safety or durability.
Things to consider when choosing a treadmill
- A powerful motor. A significant component of the treadmill’s price is attributed to the quality, durability, and power of its electric motor. “It’s one of the primary reasons to avoid purchasing a low-cost treadmill, as it might not have a strong motor and may not last long,” cautions Dr. Baggish, associate director of the Cardiovascular Performance Program at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. Home treadmill motors range from 1 to 5 horsepower (hp). A 3 hp strength should be adequate for walking or running.
- Ample deck or belt length: “It should be at least 48 inches, or longer if you’re taller than six feet,” Dr. Baggish points out. If you plan to use the treadmill for running or jogging, you may require a deck ranging from 54 to 60 inches (since the faster you go, the more your stride elongates). A thicker belt is more durable than a thinner belt.
- A sturdy frame. It should include front-side railings for safety.
- An emergency stop button. This provides protection in case of an emergency.
- Easy-to-read gauges: Ensure that the letters and numbers are large enough to be easily visible during use.
- User-friendly buttons. You will need straightforward controls to adjust the treadmill’s speed and incline as you exercise.
Discover more about our recommended folding treadmill, along with our expert advice and a handy list of the best foldable treadmills available on Amazon below.
Related Article: Top Treadmills Brands
1
NordicTrack T Series Treadmill
amazon.com Price: $999.00 SHOP IT
Bring home the interactive personal training folding NordicTrack treadmill, featuring an immersive 10-inch interactive HD touchscreen that streams on-demand iFit workouts directly to your equipment and provides easy stats tracking. The Smart-Response motor ensures effective running and cardio training.
It is equipped with 10 MPH smart one-touch speed control; Your iFit Trainer auto-adjusts your smart treadmill’s speed and incline for a fully optimized workout that meets your goals.
The innovative Spacesaver design with easy lift assist means your treadmill can fold up after your run for compact, simple storage; 20” x 50” tread deck offers plenty of leg and elbow space while you run.
2
ProForm Carbon T7 Treadmill
amazon.com Price: $1,099.00 SHOP IT
If space is limited for your workouts, then the Proform Carbon T7 might be your choice. Specifically designed for walkers and joggers, the 74.62-inch L x 35.24-inch W x 64.39-inch L treadmill features a 55-inch x 20-inch runway and can be folded into one of the most easily stored units available. With a maximum incline of 12% and speed of 12mph, the unit is powered by a 2.75 CHP motor. The T7 also features a 7-inch Smart HD Touchscreen and a set of 2-inch speakers and audio auxiliary port. For those unfamiliar with the iFit program, members have at their screen a dynamic workout community with real-time trainers in remote locations who can control the speed and incline of the machine.
The user can access maps and workout routines of their own choosing through iFit. Workout data and personal health information is stored into the program for later usage and incorporation into your plans. Heart rate data is collected by way of EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Sensors and also stored for later use. The machine comes with a warranty covering 10 years on the frame, two years for parts, and one year for labor.
3
Sole Fitness F80 Folding Treadmill
amazon.com Price: $2,469.99 SHOP IT
Treadmill users are certainly familiar with the Sole family of machines, and there’s little surprise that our pick for Best Overall Folding Treadmill is the Sole F80. A great mid-range option between the F63 and F85, its high-quality components are designed for durability. And more importantly, it folds easily for convenient space-saving. The folding treadmill design of the F80 actually originated from the demand of hotels for a treadmill as mobile as a service cart, yet still stable and effective. Thus, the Folding Deck Design – Easy Assist was born.
The F80 comes with a patented all gear rack and pin system and a safety lock that secures the unit in place when upright, allowing users to effortlessly unfold it. Other great features include a roomy 22-inch x 60-inch running deck, a 3.5 HP motor that supports both running and walking, as well as a power incline of up to 15%. A 9-inch LCD display brings 10 preset programs to the action, along with the included Sole Fitness App which allows users to sync up with FitBit, Record, Apple Health. The unit has a built-in tablet holder and Bluetooth connectivity. All in all, quite a bit for a folding treadmill.
4
Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill
amazon.com Price: $937.40 SHOP IT
While you can certainly find less expensive treadmills, the Horizon Fitness T101 is the best combination of price and features, making it a great value. It is a fairly compact treadmill at just 20 x 55 inches and powered by a modest 2.25 CHP motor, but it still offers essential specifications that even a beginner would likely appreciate, such as speeds up to 10 mph and an incline of up to 10 percent. Heart rate is measured through the handgrips, and a small cooling fan helps keep you comfortable during intense workouts. The treadmill also has an easy-to-use command center console and Bluetooth connectivity for playing audio from your phone through built-in speakers. Furthermore, the treadmill comes with about 30 pre-set workout programs.
Despite offering all these basic features, it still manages to fold up—similar to the way the ProForm SMART Pro 2000 folds up, although perhaps not as efficiently—so it can take up less space when not in use.
5
Echelon Stride Treadmill
amazon.com Price: $1,599.00 SHOP IT
The Echelon Stride is a newly launched treadmill with a fascinating folding feature that allows it to collapse down to just 10.25” flat. The uprights and console both fold onto the deck, enabling you to store this vertically along a wall or horizontally behind a couch.
The Stride may not be the most powerful treadmill, but it’s a great option for those with limited space, as it’s not very large even when in use. It would be an excellent choice for apartment or shared room residents.
The console is extremely simple, with no screen. Instead, a digital panel displays three preset metrics for both speed and incline. In the center, there’s a space for your personal phone or tablet which will sync via Bluetooth with the Stride. Despite the limited functionality of the console compared to other, more expensive treadmills, the ability to fold it down is quite handy and may be a desirable feature for many buyers.
The Stride is new and comes with a limited one-year warranty. Despite this, we appreciate its appearance and engineering, fitting nicely in Echelon’s lineup of affordable yet Bluetooth-enabled devices.
6
Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill
amazon.com Price: $429.99 SHOP IT
Goplus features a unique and innovative design, offering you essentially two different workout experiences, toggling between “run” and “walk” or “cool down” mode. This treadmill includes a removable handrail that enables it to function independently without taking up much space at all!
Another advantageous feature of this folding treadmill is the internal capability to connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing you to listen to your favorite music or podcasts during your workout.
With a 40 in x 16 in running surface featuring a non-slip design to prevent falls, LED lighting display to track your progress in time, distance, speed, and total calories burned during your workout, this treadmill is equipped with all the essential features.
The max speed of this treadmill in “run” mode is 7.45 mph, and in “walk” mode, it is 2.5 mph. Constructed of high-quality ABS plastic material, known for its resistance to physical impacts and chemical corrosion, this treadmill can withstand heavy use and adverse environmental conditions.
Additionally, this treadmill is relatively lightweight, weighing just 70 lbs when fully assembled.
7
NordicTrack Commercial 2950 Treadmill
amazon.com Price: $1,998.00 SHOP IT
For runners, a good treadmill makes all the difference. Deck cushioning is a necessity, a responsive console is mandatory, and variable training options for hills, sprints, and intervals are non-negotiable. Incline and decline features are absolutely essential. The Nordictrack 2950 is our choice for the best running treadmill, providing everything needed for effective home training.
The Nordictrack 2950 is equipped with an impressive 4.25 CHP DurX Commercial motor to power through the toughest training sessions. This self-cooling motor won’t overheat, ensuring lasting performance. Incline of up to 15% and decline to -3% adds versatility and extra challenge for hilly event training.
The 2950 boasts a stunning 22” touchscreen, featuring iFit and a Google Maps feature that allows you to create your own route anywhere in the world. By selecting the Maps tab and inputting your chosen location, you can manually draw out the route on the screen and have the 2950 automatically adjust incline and decline to match the terrain.
The combination of the cushioned deck, 22” touchscreen, automated incline and decline, and the Google Maps feature make the 2950 a fantastic treadmill for runners.
The Bottom Line:
All the above treadmills are excellent options, depending on your budget and requirements. After reviewing the top 7 treadmill models for 2021, we hope that you are confident in choosing a model that strikes the ideal balance between offering the features you need and a price that you can manage.
With that in mind, here are a few recommendations to help you improve your workout, regardless of which treadmill you choose:
- Start slowly to warm up your muscles and gradually increase your speed as your muscles loosen up.
- Once you have increased your speed to a jogging pace, raise the incline to at least .5 to reduce shock on your knees with each step.
- If you are aiming to improve your cardiovascular health, take shorter, brisk walks to get your blood pumping.
- If you are more focused on building muscle tone and endurance, take longer strides (swinging your arms with each step if walking) to develop your fast-twitch fibers.
- If you start experiencing lower back pain, ensure that you are striking down with the toe-ball of your foot to minimize discomfort.
- When you start feeling fatigued, don’t abruptly stop; it’s important to cool down at a slow pace for five minutes to avoid any leg pain.
The best folding treadmills are a great investment for improving your fitness levels. You can work out at any time, regardless of the weather or traffic conditions outside, and even fit in a few extra miles throughout the day.
