It’s a convenient, space-saving way to maintain your fitness from the comfort of your own home. But, there are many different models on the market, so the first—ahem—step is figuring out what purpose your foldable treadmill will serve. Runners and walkers will need different speed ranges, while size and weight capacity are additional key factors when deciding to make a purchase.
What To Consider
Maximum speed
Some foldable treadmills can reach up to 10 miles per hour, but you want a model that can go at least five miles per hour if you plan to jog or run, says Milica McDowell, DPT, exercise physiologist, and owner of Clearwater Physical Therapy. All models on this list range between 6.2 and 10 miles per hour, including our best overall, the NordicTrack T Series 6.5S.
If you’re a runner or want to challenge yourself during walks, adjustable speed settings are also essential to accommodate training and endurance as your fitness improves. The horsepower can determine how well a foldable treadmill can handle different speeds, says Cifelli, and recommends a motor with 1.5 to 2 horsepower for walking and at least 2.5 to 3 for running.
Size
Although folding treadmills are designed for smaller, compact spaces since they’re easy to store between workouts, you still want to be mindful of their size, says Cifelli. Take note of how much space you have in your home and double-check that the dimensions will comfortably fit. If you plan on purchasing a foldable treadmill with an incline, you also want to measure the height of your ceiling since it will be lifted off the ground.
The size of the treadmill may also contribute to ease of folding. All options on this list are easy to fold and unfold, but if you’re shorter, a smaller treadmill may be easier to maneuver.
Weight capacity
All foldable treadmills on this list can withstand at least 220 pounds, but Cifelli says that a higher weight capacity often means a sturdier and more durable machine, especially if you plan to run at higher speeds. For maximum safety and efficiency, always check how much weight a foldable treadmill can handle. Since they are inherently more lightweight than traditional gym treadmills, you want to choose one that supports you and anyone else in your household who intends to use the machine. Models with a higher weight capacity typically also have a wider and longer running belt, which is usually better for taller athletes with a longer stride, he says.
How We Chose
To find the best folding treadmills, Women’s Health editors consulted physical therapists Matthew Cifelli and Milica McDowell on their recommendations and essential features to consider depending on your goals. Each option on this list was ranked based on key factors like maximum speed, size, and weight capacity.
Ready to (metaphorically) hit the road? Keep reading for our guide to the best foldable treadmills, according to physical therapists.
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Pros
- Goes up to 10 miles per hour
- Incline creates more challenge
- Wide running belt
Cons
- Heavier than other options
After road-testing (home-testing? ha!) through a handful of top-rated foldable treadmills, our team and Cifelli decided the NordicTrack T Series 6.5S is the best for its durable design, add-on features, speed threshold, and incline capabilities. With a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour and an incline that can reach up to 10 percent (this feels like a steep hill!), it can seriously level up your workouts. Plus, you’ll score a 30-day free trial of the iFit streaming membership with tons of on-demand workouts, which Cifelli notes is great for interactive training and added motivation (after the trial, an iFit membership is $15/month).
With a weight capacity of 300 pounds, the treadmill is built for longevity with alloy steel to minimize instability. And, the wide running belt offers plenty of space whether you’re walking or running. Although it’s on the heavier side (203 pounds), it’s still compact and can fold up for easy storage.
Read more: Best Treadmills
| Weight capacity | 300 lbs |
|---|---|
| Size | 73.5″ x 36″ x 54″ in |
| Maximum speed | 10 mph |
Aiming for 10,000 steps a day but can’t always get outside? The SupeRun Walking Pad has your back. It’s designed with a five-layer anti-skid running belt, like our best budget pick, which decreases the risk of slipping. And, the large surface area accommodates those with long or short strides, says McDowell.
The maximum speed is 7.5 miles per hour, so it can absolutely be used for running or jogging. We especially love that it’s so slim it fits under a desk— all you have to do is remove the safety handle. It also comes with a remote control to adjust speed and incline (up to three percent) and is the only folding treadmill on this list with that sweet feature. Despite it being relatively light at 70 pounds, it can still accommodate a person who weighs up to 300 pounds.
| Weight capacity | 300 lbs |
|---|---|
| Size | 54.17″ x 25.51″ x 5″ in |
| Maximum speed | 7.5 mph |
Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based writer and graduate student at Northwestern Medill. She’s a mass consumer of social media and cares about women’s rights, holistic wellness, and non-stigmatizing reproductive care. As a former collegiate pole vaulter, she has a love for all things fitness and is currently obsessed with Peloton Tread workouts and hot yoga.
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