Yes, You Should Buy A Treadmill To Get Your Steps In While Watching Netflix

If you're a runner or avid walker, having a treadmill at home is such a luxury. Whether you're training for a race, trying to hit your step count, or simply getting in your daily cardio, having easy access without having to head to the gym will help you achieve your training goals. But investing in a treadmill can be a big investment and overwhelming experience. There are so many out there to choose from. To help you narrow it down, we asked experts for their tips.

The Treadmill Features To Look For

The incline/decline controls, according to Luke Read, personal trainer at Airfit and exercise machine expert for OnBuy. How many levels does it have? Can you create incline and decline? This often varies from brand to brand, and is not necessarily an option on all models. But being able to adjust your incline is key to increase (or decrease) the challenge based on your needs and capabilities. "Treadmills with an incline will make the workout more varied, but they also crucially can make exercise easier on your joints, allow for faster calorie burn, and support muscle definition," says Read.

The setting the company creates products for. For example, do they create their treadmills specifically to be used in commercial gyms? Or home use only? While the investment may be more for a commercial product, they're also built for more wear-and-tear, which usually means its more durable.

Price point. If budget is major for you, you can be more picky when it comes to the technology available by certain models. Many treadmills these days come with all the bells and whistles (like LED screens/HD touchscreens, built-in training programs and access to live classes). But are they features you will truly utilize? "Many machines come equipped with fancy extras these days such as inbuilt Bluetooth speakers, but it’s worth considering whether these are really necessary, and assessing which features will actually support your fitness journey before paying extra for them," adds Read.

The belt. This is big when it comes to the belt. While most belts are rubber-based, many have additional layers made of cotton, PVC, polyester, urethane or mono-filament that will add to its durability. "Always look at the treadmill belt to determine its thickness and durability. Ideally, whatever the material you’re looking for, it to be at least two-ply--although four-ply is even is better," says Read. Read also suggests checking whether the belt is pre-treated with a lubricating material such as silicone, or whether you will need to keep it lubricated as part of the maintenance of the machine. If so, you want to know how often (and how exhaustive) that process will be before you purchase.

The metal rollers. "If the rollers are too few or too thick, they put stress on the motor," says Read. "More rollers and those thinner in diameter is better."

The motor. If you look at a treadmill's specs, you will often see "CHP", which stand for continuous-duty horsepower. Treadmills often have CHP levels from 1.5 to 5. Treadmills with higher levels of CHP will have more power, and be able to deliver more speed over time.

Ready to get shopping? Here are 15 of the best treadmills of 2021.