Exercising on a treadmill is a great way to improve your cardio, burn calories, and strengthen your muscles. Not to mention, with Canada’s harsh winters, our busy lifestyles, and crowded city streets, running outdoors isn’t always an appealing option. That’s where having a home treadmill comes in handy.
Home treadmills are convenient, reliable, and packed with built-in workout programs to keep you engaged and motivated. Nowadays, you can even connect some treadmills to your favorite fitness apps.
Although running indoors on a treadmill doesn’t provide the same thrill as running outdoors, the convenience of exercising from the comfort of your own home can’t be beaten.
Keep reading to learn more about home treadmills and how to choose the right treadmill for your workout needs.
Our Top Picks :
- Best Overall: Norditrack T Series 6.5 S
Jump to Review - Best Under-Desk Treadmill: GYMAX 2-in-1
Jump to Review - Best Manual Treadmill: ASUNA
Jump to Review - Best Portable Treadmill: WalkingPad A1 Pro
Jump to Review - Best Folding Treadmill: Goplus
Jump to Review
Which Type of Treadmill Do I Need?
When it comes to buying a treadmill, it’s important to have an idea of your workout style and budget. Not all treadmills are designed for the same type of workout. For example, some treadmills are made primarily for walking. These are often referred to as walking treadmills, walking pads, or under-desk treadmills. Standard treadmills with incline features are higher speeds are more for high-intensity cardio.
Next, it’s critical to have a realistic budget in mind. While there are tons of affordable treadmills on the market, you may not get the same value out of them. As with most consumer products, the price you pay will reflect the quality and lifespan of the treadmill. Expect to pay more for a treadmill that’s suitable for frequent, high-intensity workouts.
Keep reading to learn more about home treadmills. We’ll also highlight the best home treadmills you can buy in Canada this year.
The 5 Best Treadmills For Home Use in Canada in 2024
Below are our reviews of the best treadmills for your home that are available in Canada this year.
Norditrack T Series 6.5 S Treadmill
Norditrack’s T Series treadmill is feature-rich and compact. It has a maximum speed of 16 kph and a weight capacity of 300 lbs. With a horsepower of 3, the T Series is powerful enough to incline upwards or downwards by 10% at any time with the press of a button.
The T Series treadmill has a built-in 5-inch backlit display that lets you monitor your workout progress over time. It also lets you easily choose from 20 different workout apps that were designed by personal trainers.
Another perk of the T Series is that it comes with a 1-month subscription to iFit which gives you access to 16,000 classes and workouts. It will even suggest personalized workouts based on your tracked information.
Another detail we love about the T Series is its comfortably padded belt. The belt is designed to replicate a real-life running experience while reducing joint impact.
GYMAX 2-in-1 Under Desk Treadmill
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly treadmill, the GYMAX’s 2-in-1 treadmill is a great option! As a 2-in-1 treadmill, it can be used as a standard treadmill for running or as an under-desk walking treadmill. While it’s basic in terms of features, it’s highly effective, minimal, and can even be folded when not in use.
While there aren’t any pre-set workout programs, your workout stats are tracked in real-time using a touchscreen interface and a 2-inch LED display. Its 5-layer non-slip belt cushions your feet and absorbs any shocks to your joints. Thanks to its powerful and ultra-silent engine, your workouts will be silent and comfortable.
Since it’s quiet, foldable, and can be used under a desk, the GYMAX is the perfect treadmill for the office. Transport rollers make it easier than most to transport.
ASUNA Hi-Performance Manual Treadmill
The ASUNA Manual Treadmill is an excellent manual treadmill if you’re looking for an intense non-electric workout machine. With 8 resistance levels and 4 incline levels to choose from, this treadmill is great for improving both your cardio and strength over time.
As a manual treadmill with no need for electricity, the ASUNA can be set up in your backyard, on your balcony, or literally anywhere in your home. Its built-in transport wheels will help you move it around. It can also be folded and put away when not in use.
With a maximum weight capacity of 440 lbs, this treadmill is suitable for a wide range of people. Overall, we recommend the ASUNA if you’re looking for a gimmick-free treadmill that can provide you with consistently intense workouts.
WalkingPad A1 Pro Walking Treadmill
With its award-winning minimal design, the WalkingPad A1 is a sleek treadmill that’s perfect for low-intensity jogging and walking. Since it doesn’t have handrails like most treadmills, the A1 can easily be placed under a desk without having to remove any parts. When not in use, the A1 can be folded to a much smaller size than most foldable treadmills.
The A1’s LED display is placed at the front of the machine and conveniently tracks your speed, distance, and workout time. For additional workout features, the A1 integrates with a fitness app. Since the LED display is not within arm’s reach, workout settings are adjusted using a remote control instead.
Overall, the A1 Pro treadmill is perfect if you’re looking for a compact treadmill for low-intensity workouts. It’s especially great for the office as it’s quiet and can be placed under your desk.
Goplus Electric Folding Treadmill
The Goplus is another excellent folding treadmill. Similar to the GYMAX above, the Goplus can easily be folded and tucked away when not in use. With its small deck size, the Goplus is perfect for apartments or small spaces. However, if you’re on the bigger side, it’s less ideal.
With its built-in Bluetooth speaker, you also can listen to music while working out. Additionally, there is a phone holder on the screen where you can place your device and enjoy your preferred TV show or film.
What we love about the Goplus are its minimal design and extra large LED display. You can track your pace, workout time, steps, distances, and calories burned in real-time. The downside is that there are no preset workouts and you cannot adjust the incline.
The Different Types Of Home Treadmills
There are two main types of treadmills: manual treadmills and electric treadmills. Hybrid treadmills also exist to combine both types of treadmills. Here are the main distinctions between each type of treadmill:
Electronic/Motorized Treadmills
Electronic treadmills are the most common type of treadmill. Compared to manual treadmills, motorized treadmills are typically larger and more durable. Since they’re bulkier than manual treadmills, they’re often more difficult to transport. For that reason, electric treadmills require a permanent position in your home.
When using your treadmill at home or at the gym, electronic treadmills are designed to offer you the highest quality workout possible. Almost all electric treadmills have customizable settings that allow you to create a workout at the perfect difficulty level.
Hybrid Treadmills
Hybrid treadmills incorporate the features of a regular treadmill with those of an alternative cardio machine. The most common hybrid treadmill will combine a standard treadmill with an elliptical machine or a stepper.
The benefit of hybrid treadmills is that you can easily switch between two forms of cardio without switching machines. You can also save space in your home and money by owning only one cardio machine.
Manual Treadmills
Manual treadmills are not powered by electricity and only work when you start running on their roller-based treading belts. The main advantages of manual treadmills are their smaller size, portability, and lower risk of injury. Since the belt rotates automatically as it does with a motorized treadmill, there is less risk of falling off the machine. Manual treadmills are also convenient since they don’t require electricity to function.
The main disadvantages of manual treadmills are that they tend to have limited functionality, smaller belts, and can potentially be less durable than other types of treadmills.
How To Choose The Best Treadmill For Home Use
Here are a few key factors to consider when buying a treadmill for your home:
Belt Size & Weight Capacity
It’s important to choose a treadmill with a deck size that is suitable for your workout style and that fits your home workout space. If you plan on using your treadmill for running, you should make sure the belt is wide enough to run on safely. According to VeryWellFit, the ideal belt size for running is 48 inches long and 18 inches wide. People over 6 feet tall will need an even bigger belt.
If you weigh over 250 lbs, make sure that the treadmill can safely support your weight. Most treadmills for home use will have a weight capacity of around 250 to 300 lbs.
Maximum & Minimum Speed
A treadmill’s minimum and maximum speed will largely depend on the horsepower of the treadmill. Most home treadmills will have a maximum speed of around 15 to 19 km/h. If you want to practice sprints, a higher maximum speed will be preferable.
Features & Pre-sets
Can the treadmill incline upwards and downwards? If so, at how many degrees? Does the treadmill come with pre-set training programs? Does it integrate with your favorite training app? Does it have a heart rate monitor? Does it track your workout progress over time? These are all features that are worth looking into if they interest you.
Price & Budget
Treadmills can cost anywhere from $300 for a manual treadmill to well over $2000 for a feature-rich motorized treadmill. When it comes to the latter, price is generally a pretty good indicator of quality.
In general, treadmills that cost less than $1000 are less likely to survive more than a few years due to the engine and belt’s lack of durability. However, many treadmills that start at around $1500 can provide the same level of durability and functionality as the commercial treadmills found in gyms.
How Do Treadmills Work?
A treadmill consists of a large conveyor belt that is typically operated by an electric motor. When the belt rotates to the back, the user must run or walk at the same pace as the belt. The pace at which the belt goes corresponds to the pace at which you walk or run. The user’s speed can therefore be calculated and tracked.
A treadmill’s efficiency is heavily affected by the characteristics of the belt, rollers, and deck. The treadmill’s deck is essential in terms of functionality. The deck is the first thing you should check on to ensure that the treadmill is sturdy enough to support your weight and workout style. In terms of the treadmill’s frames, steel is the ideal material.
The Benefits of Using a Treadmill
Exercising on a treadmill comes with many benefits. Firstly, walking, running, and jogging are all excellent cardiovascular activities for burning calories. In fact, running on a treadmill at a high intensity burns more calories per minute than any other form of cardio.
Cardio workouts on a treadmill increase blood flow and enhance heart function, resulting in increased stamina and reduced fatigue throughout the day. They also help keep your joints active and flexible. In fact, exercising on a treadmill is a great way to work out the thighs, glutes, and calves since they are the core of walking or jogging.
Another benefit of treadmills is their flexibility. Most treadmills will let you control the resistance level and/or incline level of the machine, allowing you to vary your workout intensities.
Many treadmills nowadays are also designed for under-desk placement, making them an efficient way to exercise while working a desk job.
