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Cardio at home

NordicTrack folding treadmill with incline

A treadmill that folds upright, which is the feature that decides whether it stays in the room.

Treadmill in a training room

Photograph illustrates the category, not this exact model.

What it is good at

  • Folding up to give the floor back between sessions
  • Incline settings that raise the effort without raising the speed
  • Holding a steady pace for long walking sessions

Check before you buy

  • Belt length and width against your stride and foot size
  • Continuous motor output rather than the peak figure quoted on the label
  • Whether the deck cushions, and how much the folded frame leans

Who it is not for

A flat with neighbours underneath, or a room where the machine cannot stay plugged in.

The folding frame is the whole point of a home treadmill. Measure the room with the deck down, because the machine needs its full length while you are on it, and check the ceiling above the folded position as well.

Running asks more of the machine than walking. A longer, wider belt and a stronger continuous motor suit running, while walking at an incline is comfortable on a shorter deck that takes up noticeably less room.

Also in Cardio at home

Elliptical training machine in a home gym

Cardio at home

Bowflex stepper and elliptical hybrid

A compact machine that mixes a stepper with an elliptical, so the arms and the legs work together.

Best for
Small rooms where a treadmill will not fit, and short sessions at a high effort.
Watch out for
The motion is fixed. It is not a substitute for a treadmill if you want to run.
Check price and availability