The treadmill is one of the most popular types of fitness machines in the world for very good reasons. Whether you want to lose weight, enhance your fitness, work on a rehab programme, or tone up, a treadmill is a tried and tested tool that will help you get the job done.  The difference between your new investment becoming an invaluable ally in your quest for improvement, and an unused clothes horse has more to do with the choice you make just before you press that buy button than many believe. The bottom line is that if the treadmill you buy makes you bored, your chances of success are diminished. If your running machine can’t cope with the demands you place upon it then once again your chances of reaching your goals are once again diminished. But don’t panic, help is at hand and our treadmill buying guide below will help you choose the right running machine for you.

Yes, and this is a widespread concern when shopping for any item this big, but there’s no reason to worry. All folding models have a system that allows you to easily lift and lower the deck courtesy of a hydraulic piston underneath the deck itself that both greatly reduces the amount of effort required to lift the running deck and also allows it to slowly drop from a folded position to a flat position keeping things safe. Once you’ve finished your session on the machine you can simply step off it and fold it away, reclaiming that all-important floor space. Some models are flat-folding treadmills. These are designed for vertical storage against a wall or under a bed or sofa. The uprights and console fold down into the deck, making it completely flat with a very small footprint and these are ideal if you’re tight for space though are not usually suitable for heavy use such as training for a marathon.

If you want to walk or jog gently every day then a model with a small or medium-sized running deck (see the deck size section below) and a lower top speed along with some gentle incline levels will suit you just fine and there’s no need to go for something larger and more expensive as you’re unlikely to see any added benefits. If on the other hand, you plan to run 5 days a week and want to train for a half marathon you’ll need a larger machine, ideally with a standard or oversized deck, a higher max speed, an incline level of 10% or more and generally a model with a more robust construction.

Prices for most domestic motorised treadmills typically range from around £350 to approximately £3000. Go over £3000 and you’ll likely be looking at commercial or semi/light-commercial models. If you start to look at models below £350, you’ll likely be looking at a machine either without an incline function or one with a non-motorised, manual incline function and indeed you may start to come across non-motorised models that are powered solely by the user running on them. Check out our buying guide where we talk about the best models to match your budget.

It may seem like stating the obvious, but when choosing a treadmill, it’s important to pay attention to the size of the running deck. They fall into the categories: Extra Small, Small, Medium, Standard and Oversized. Standard Treadmills are the most popular running deck size. This measures around 50cm in width and around 140cm in length. This size of the running belt is suitable for runners of pretty much any height to be able to go right up to sustained fast running and sprinting speeds comfortably. You can check out our buying guide to find out which would be the most suitable for you!

With very few exceptions, all domestic treadmills feature workout programs of one kind or another. These programs automatically change the speed and/or incline to vary the difficulty of the workout, with an end goal in mind. Some programs focus on weight loss, others on cardio performance, and so on. There are 3 main ways treadmills deliver these workouts, which include traditional treadmills that come with pre-programmed workouts built into the console, requiring no internet connection, WIFI-connected treadmills that stream interactive workouts to a touch-screen console, often with personal trainers, and typically require a subscription and finally, Bluetooth-connected treadmills that sync with third-party apps via mobile devices, offering a mix of onboard programs and expanded options through various apps, some of which may require subscriptions.

When looking at treadmills make sure you’re looking at motor sizes between 1.5 to 4 CHP, which is sufficient for home use. A frequent runner? Make sure you get one with higher power to ensure you’re getting the most out of your workout. Another thing to bear in mind is the speed. If you’re looking to use your machine for walking or jogging, then the speed range of 10mph suits you. However, if you’re a more advanced runner then you may prefer a machine with speeds exceeding 14mph. Incline settings will help to increase your calorie output and engage more muscles in your body which simulates an outdoor-like resistance. It’s also extremely important to look into the right cushioning under the deck to reduce the impact on your joints - these can range from firm to soft depending on your preference. Finally, some treadmills offer programmes that adjust intensity based on your heart rate, so have a look at the heart rate monitoring, hand grips and check belts.