Gone are the days when those interested in exercising at home had to give up great tracts of their home or apartment to accommodate a treadmill. Folding treadmills have a small footprint, and are no longer the cheap, flimsy machines they once were.
Livestrong 9.9T
Rated a runner-up in 2009 for "Best Buy" by the Treadmill Doctor website in the $700-$999 price category, the Livestrong 9.9T treadmill is a powerful machine. This heavy-duty treadmill has a 20-inch-by-55-inch running deck, a maximum speed of 12 mph, 12 training programs, contact grips to measure heart rate, speakers with MP3/iPod compatibility, and a workout fitness journal that provides you with feedback and enables you to track workout progression with the touch of a button. It also includes a built-in cooling fan, and supports a maximum user weight of 325 pounds. The warranty --- lifetime on the motor and frame, three years on parts, and one year on in-home labor --- makes it a good buy at $999, as of 2010.
Smooth 6.75
According to the Treadmill Talk website, Smooth Fitness is the go-to treadmill brand in the $1,000-$1,500 range for serious runners. The Smooth 6.75 retails for about $1,500 (2010 prices), and is described as sleek, light, and bright. It sits on 2.5-inch rollers, and its 3.0 continuous horse power (CHP) motor provides a silent run. The one-piece deck --- larger than most models at 20 inches by 60 inches, a perk for taller runners --- folds up independently of the console; it offers a top speed of 12 mph, and has 15 incline levels. The treadmill features a MP3-compatible sound system, supports a user weight of 350 pounds, and includes a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, five years on parts and electronics, and two years on labor.
Sole F80
Reviewers from the Treadmill Doctor and Treadmill Ratings Reviews websites agree that the Sole F80 is one of the best folding treadmills in its price range ($1,500 as of May 2010). It is easy to store, and offers a comfortable running belt (20 inches by 55 inches). A 3.0 CHP motor gives the F80 a smooth, quiet run, even at high speeds and/or steep inclines. The treadmill also features MP3- and iPod-compatible, built-in speakers, and a chest-strap heart-rate monitor, for accurate readings. The F80 has a maximum incline of 15%, and maximum speed of 11 mph. Its Cushion Flex running surface reduces overall impact, and it supports a user weight of 300 pounds. The motor, frame and deck come with a lifetime warranty, five years on the electronics, belt and rollers, and two years on labor.
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