Walking on a treadmill, or going on a treadmill “hike” as Elizabeth (“Corky”) Corkum, a Precision Run coach at Equinox and owner of Coach Corky Runs, calls it, “can be an incredibly efficient use of time, and is an excellent form of cross training for runners or functional training for anyone.”
All of this said, there are tons of treadmill options on the market and they’re not all created equal. So, we tapped running coaches and a physical therapist to bring you the five best treadmills for walking, below.
What To Consider
Price
“You can get the $100 walking pads all the way to the multi-thousand-dollar treadmills, so finding one that is within your budget is also really important,” Lane says. Below, we’ve included picks that range from under a thousand up to almost $12K for people who want a lot of bells and whistles. (We didn’t include walking pads in this round-up because they don’t have an incline function.)
Size
Another big consideration, according to Lane, is the space you have available and what machine will realistically—and best!—fit that space. “Do you need more of a compact version that’s foldable that you can store easily in your apartment or do you have a big garage space?” she asks. You’ll want to keep in mind the “footprint” of the machine rather than just the size of the belt—although that can be useful to know as well, which is why we’ve included both stats below.
Belt type
There are two main types of belts on treadmills—regular and “slat” belts which are kinda what they sound like in that multiple “slats” come together to form the belt versus it being one continuous piece of material. “The main difference between slat and traditional belt is that slat belts absorb more impact, so they’re great for more intense workouts,” says Claudette Sariya, CPT, personal trainer, fitness coach, and organizer of Asian Women Stay Running (AWSTARS) Run Club in NYC. That said, with walking, that may not be as imperative as with an activity like running, per Sariya, and often, slat belts are more expensive.
Incline feature
Lane says she would definitely prioritize the ability to pump up the incline. In addition to speed, the ability to up the incline helps you to vary your effort and recruit more lower-body muscles. The machines on our list have inclines up to 15% but up to 12% is more than sufficient.
Touchscreen
Lane says this one is a “nice to have” but not necessary. She says that having access to classes—where you get coached through a workout and can compete against your peers—on these screens can make any type of workout more fun and engaging.
How We Chose
We consulted running coaches, a trainer, and a physical therapist to find out the most important factors when it comes to selecting a treadmill for walking. As an avid runner, I have done 12 marathons and logged countless miles both outdoors and on treadmills. I also leaned on my personal experience and expertise as a fitness editor to narrow down the following list to the absolute best treadmills for walking.
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Best Overall Treadmill For Walking
NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill
Pros
- Compact, less expensive
- More lightweight than other options on this list
- Has smart features such as on-demand workouts
Cons
- Less cushioned surface
Compared to many other options on this list, the Lane-approved NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is more lightweight (clocking in at 311 pounds) and compact, making it a great choice for home use. It can even be folded and rolled away for those who want to store it in a multi-purpose space.
Importantly, it also comes at a more affordable price point. While that may in part be due to the fact that it has a “regular” belt rather than a slat belt, remember that’s not as critical when it comes to walking as it is for activities like running that can be more impactful on your joints.
In short, this model is a good bang for your buck—and comes with a few more added bells and whistles compared to the other lower-priced options we included, like access to iFit on-demand running and walking workouts. Another perk? “The NordicTrack switches speeds and inclines quickly which can be very beneficial for certain workouts,” says Lane. And we’re not just talking about running! You can also integrate intervals with walking workouts which the experts say is a great way to boost cardio fitness.
In addition to up to a 12% incline, this model also allows for subtracting incline and going into a 3% decline, which can be a great tool during recovery intervals to help bring your heart rate back down to baseline.
Read more: Best Foldable Treadmills
| Footprint | 77.3 x 37. x 59.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Belt size | 22 x 60 in. |
| Belt type | Regular |
| Incline | Up to 12% |
| Touchscreen? | Yes |
Best Treadmill For Walking With A Decline Function
Sole F89 Treadmill
With a regular belt, the Sole F89 treadmill is great for walkers and is the company’s biggest option while still being on the lighter side (314 pounds). It has a 21.9-inch touchscreen display, and if you tire of the free Sole+ Studios workouts on demand, you can watch Netflix or Disney+ (who says you can’t watch The Eras Tour while walking?). In addition to an up to 15% incline, the treadmill also has six levels of decline, which is somewhat unique in terms of treadmill features. (The NordicTrack on this list has three levels of decline.) In addition to being a good option for recovery intervals, trainers say that the decline engages your quads, hip flexors, and shins differently. The F89 ‘mill comes with the bonus of being foldable.
| Footprint | 86 x 39 x 17 in. |
|---|---|
| Belt size | 22 x 60 in. |
| Belt type | Regular |
| Incline | Up to 15% (with 6 decline levels) |
| Touchscreen? | Yes |
Most Loved By Experts
Woodway 4Front Treadmill
“Woodway is the best of the best, so it’s fantastic for joints and the rubber belt means a good grip for shoes,” says Corkum. The only downsides in her book are the relatively high price point and weight of the machine (this one weighs in at 445 pounds). That said, Meg Takacs, CPT, a UESCA-certified running coach and founder of the Movement and Miles app, loves Woodways, too. “I find them a little bit softer [and] really comfortable,” she says. “The suspensions feel a little more bouncy and I think the incline is a little more accurate.” Personally, I love running on the Woodway at my gym as well. I’m always bummed when the handful of Woodways are all taken and I have to opt for another option.
| Footprint | 72 x 35 x 64 in. |
|---|---|
| Belt size | 68 x 22 in. |
| Belt type | Slat |
| Incline | Up to 15% |
| Touchscreen? | No |
How can you optimize your treadmill walking workouts?
“If you’re looking to improve cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength, I always recommend walking uphill,” says Lane. “Play with that incline level, whether you’re doing it the whole time or you’re doing it for intervals,” she says, adding that doing so helps engage more of the muscles in your legs in addition to your pelvic floor and core. As the incline increases, Corkum suggests leaning forward and being sure to engage your core. One word of caution: “Do not hold onto the treadmill and lean back—you’ll hurt yourself and also reduce the benefit of the exercise,” Corkum says.
Is treadmill walking Zone 2 cardio?
Yes, according to Lane. “Zone 2 heart rate is the range [in which] your body is breaking down fat as opposed to carbohydrates for its energy source,” says Lane. It’s essentially about 60 to 70% of your max heart rate and it’s where your body is going to be the most efficient at burning fat for its energy source, Lane explains.
How fast should I walk on the treadmill?
“It really depends on the person’s goals, but in general, I’d say anywhere from two to four miles an hour on the treadmill is a solid walking pace,” Lane says. If you have a heart rate monitor, she says that looking to stay in zone 2 or 3 is a good way to know that you’re at a “good” pace.
How long should I walk on the treadmill?
Lane often gets this question from clients and her answer is in line with the American Heart Association’s recommendation to get 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week, which could be 30 minutes five days a week.
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