The Best Treadmills On The Market

Treadmills offer several advantages for your personal exercise program. You can walk, jog or run on them no matter what the weather is like outside. They offer cushioned running surfaces to help protect your joints' health and comfort. For the best results, choose a treadmill that has won the praise of industry and fitness experts.

PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR

The editors of "Consumer Reports" magazine, a publication of the nonprofit Consumers Union, tested 40 different treadmill machines and selected PaceMaster's as one of the best. It's also one of the most expensive models tested by the magazine. It features a 3-horsepower engine that can propel its 20-inch by 60-inch walking area by up to 12 miles per hour. Its high-tech console offers a full-color display that can provide various monitoring readings, like the distance you've walked and your heart rate.

Gold's Gym 450

For budget-conscious users, The Treadmill Doctor selected Gold's Gym's treadmill as the best treadmill under $400. The company tested dozens of models to come to this conclusion, taking into account criteria like the motor's audible levels and the amount of cushioning offered by the track. The treadmill provides an 18-inch by 50-inch running area and a 2.5-horsepower engine. Don't expect anything too fancy in its features, though its liquid crystal display screen can tell you your speed, distance traveled and heart rate.

Lifespan TR4000i

Lifespan's treadmill was ranked by "Health" magazine as the best treadmill available. The magazine loved its tracking system. Unlike most treadmills, it's able to monitor the number of steps you take for an accurate distance counter. It also has a built-in electronics system that lets you sync your exercise data with your computer so you can better track your fitness progress. Its running area stretches 18 inches by 52 inches and is powered by a 1.75-horsepower engine.

Epic View 550

"Consumer Reports" magazine's tests found Epic View's treadmill to be one of the best folding models available, which is perfect if you don't have room for a nonfolding treadmill. Its running surface measures 78 inches by 37 inches and is fueled by a 3-horsepower motor that can push you up to 12 miles per hour. Technical features include a built-in heart monitor, a cooling fan that can blow on you while you're exercising, and a 7-inch TV that can display 28 personalized workout videos.