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The year 2020 has forced everyone to find creative ways to stay active from home. The global pandemic has prompted a surge in U.S. sales of fitness equipment by 170%. And what better way to keep fit than by using a compact treadmill? No matter what the weather brings or the time of day, a treadmill is a convenient and reliable way to exercise. Using a treadmill can help you lose weight, increase your heart rate and overall muscle tone.
Follow this guide to find the right small treadmill for you and a list of the 5 best compact treadmills for small spaces.
What to do before buying a small treadmill
There are many things to consider before investing in a small treadmill. First, determine your budget. Try to figure out how often you’ll use it and if it’s even worth it.
Secondly, find the perfect location for your equipment. Make sure you have enough room to exercise comfortably and if need be, away from distractions.
Next, measure the maximum area you have in your space. Visualize how the treadmill will be oriented and stored away when not in use.
Choosing a compact treadmill
With ever-changing technology and online offers, there are a variety of treadmills to choose from. Here are the important features you should look for in a compact treadmill.
- Dimensions: Check the specifications when it’s folded and unfolded. Small treadmills have smaller belts sizes which may not accommodate taller people. Look for a treadmill with a belt size of at least 20″ x 55″.
- Design: A folding treadmill is obviously more compact. Look how it opens and closes and if you can manage to do it on your own. Most websites detail the folding mechanism, if it has wheels and its weight. Remember to look at the maximum weight capacity. The bigger the capacity, the sturdier your treadmill will be.
- Motor: The more powerful the motor, the higher the horsepower. If you weigh more, you’ll need a treadmill with a higher horsepower. Generally, 2.5-3.0 CHP is enough for both runners and joggers.
- Warranty: The pricier the treadmill, the longer your warranty should be. Read the specifics of the agreement like which parts of the treadmill are covered.
- Extra Features: Most treadmills have a speed and incline range that satisfies athletes of all levels. But, some include LED screens or touchscreens, different electrical outlets, live fitness classes, memberships, speakers and water bottle or tablet/phone placeholders.
For the purpose of this article, we only chose folding treadmills and they all have the features above to be classified as compact.
NordicTrack T6.5 Si
The NordicTrack T6.5 Si is one of the least expensive treadmills on the list, but boasts some cool extras. It includes a touchscreen, auxiliary port and speakers. With the iFIT membership, you can interact live with personal trainers and participate in live workouts.
- Unfolded Dimensions: 67.5″ L x 36″ W x 73″ H
- Folded Dimensions: 36.8″ L x 36″ W x 73″ H
- Belt Size: 20″ W x 55″ L
- Motor: 2.6 CHP
- Weight: 203lb in box
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Warranty: 10 year frame, 2 year parts, 1 year labour
- Extras: 0-10 mph, 0-10% incline, 10″ Smart HD Touchscreen, 1-Year NordicTrack iFIT membership, and dual 2″ Digitally Amplified Speakers
- Price: $1299 USD
Horizon T101
The Horizon treadmill features a cooling fan, LED windows and a bluetooth connection so you can enjoy your music while you workout. The value you get from this affordable treadmill is key. And with a lifetime frame and motor warranty, you can’t go wrong.
- Unfolded Dimensions: 70″L x 34″W x 55″H
- Folded Dimensions: 46″L x 34″W x 61″H
- Belt Size: 20″ W x 55″ L
- Motor: 2.5 CHP
- Weight: 180 lbs
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Warranty: Lifetime frame and motor, 1 year parts, 1 year labour
- Extras: 0.5-10 mph, 0-10% incline, cooling fan, Bluetooth enabled, integrated speakers, USB port and 3 LED Windows
- Price: $699 USD
Lifespan TR3000i
The Lifespan treadmill is the most expensive one on the list. It has a fan, a color touchscreen with 3 different dashboards and is also bluetooth enabled. But for the price, it doesn’t offer much more than the other treadmills we’ve mentioned.
- Unfolded Dimensions: 71″ L x 33″ W x 56″ H
- Folded Dimensions: 42″ L x 33″ W x 56″ H
- Belt Size: 20″ W x 56″ L
- Motor: 2.75 CHP
- Weight: 225 lbs
- Weight capacity: 350 lbs
- Warranty: Lifetime frame and motor, 5 year parts, 1 year labour
- Extras: 0.5-12 mph, 0-15% incline, cooling fan, 7″ color touchscreen, Bluetooth enabled, dual speakers and USB port
- Price: $1449 USD
ProForm Carbon T10
Although the ProForm website doesn’t state the folded dimensions of this treadmill, the fact that you get it for free, if you buy a 3-year iFit membership, is a deal. It already includes an HD touchscreen, a fan, dual speakers and an auxiliary port. But for the $39/month, you get personal training and live studio and destination workouts.
- Unfolded Dimensions: 74.62″ L x 35.24″ W x 64.39″ H
- Belt Size: 20″ W x 55″ L
- Motor: 2.75 CHP
- Weight: 223 lbs in box
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Warranty: 10 year frame, 1 year parts and labour
- Extras: 0-10 mph, 0-12% incline, cooling fan, 10″ smart HD touchscreen, 2″ dual speakers and auxiliary port
- Price: $1403 USD but free if you purchase their 3-year iFit membership
Goplus 2-in-1 Folding
The Goplus 2-in-1 folding treadmill is your most basic style of treadmills. It has a smaller belt size, a shorter range of speed and no incline settings. But, it still has a bluetooth speaker and LED display. It’s worth mentioning for those that don’t want to spend too much and it folds up nicely and can fit under your desk or sofa.
- Unfolded Dimensions: 49″ L x 27″ W x 42″ H
- Folded Dimensions: 52″ L x 27″ W x 5″ H
- Belt Size: 16″ W x 40″ L
- Motor: 2.25 CHP
- Weight: 75 lbs
- Weight capacity: 265 lbs
- Warranty: 10 year frame, 1 year parts and labour
- Extras: 0.62-7.46 mph, no incline, LED display, Bluetooth speaker, remote control
- Price: $439.99 USD
Hopefully we’ve given you some useful tips and options to steer you into the right direction for buying small treadmills. Remember to do some thorough research before you buy and you’ll soon reach your fitness goals.
USA Home Gym gives in-depth insights into gym equipment, supplements, and fitness training methods. The motivation behind USA Home Gym is to provide you with information that goes beyond what you can find in any user manual, customer review, or other online review sites.
We go to great lengths to ensure that our reviews are completely comprehensive, usually covering everything from the design features to the warranty coverage and exercise options. This is all to help guide you towards the home gym equipment that’s best suited to your goals and budget, whilst also being the highest quality option in your chosen price range.
