Products at a Glance
How did we choose the best treadmills for under $1000?
We’ve tried our best to make sure we’ve included both budget and higher-tier treadmills so there’s something for everyone without sacrificing too much. There are even treadmills that come with workout subscriptions these days, so you can take your gym class from home. However, it’s best to look at the basic requirements of a good treadmill first so you can know what to look out for when you’re starting your search. Here are some of the features we considered for our picks of the best treadmills under $1000.
– belt size: if you are running, the belt should be at least 48 inches long and 18 inches wide. Furthermore, a runner over 6 feet tall would need at least a 52-inch belt for walking and a 54-inch belt for running.
– cushioning: a cushioned deck will absorb shock, allowing for a better running experience on your knees and ankles.
– speed and incline: if you plan on using your treadmill for running, you may want to consider one that goes up to 10mph or higher to give yourself a challenge. Furthermore, a treadmill that has incline and decline features will allow you to get a better simulation of outdoor running conditions.
There’s been a bit of an evolution regarding home fitness since the pandemic, and we’re here to try and bring that to you with a bit of value for money mixed in. In addition to treadmills, equipment such as the Peloton bike and smart trainers have also been getting a lot of hype. If they’re something you’re interested in, you can check out our guides on if you should buy a smart trainer, and our lowdown on the Peloton vs the Nordictrack.
Product Reviews
- Up to 10 MPH speeds and 10% motorized incline
- SoftDrop folding technology
- USB port doesn't support data transfer
For most home users, the Schwinn 810 Treadmill is great value for money considering similar features can be found in $1000+ Treadmills. Its 55″ running belt is literally its biggest feature, with more than enough room and grip for those heavy cardio sessions. It’s not a heavy-duty machine with its motor running under 2HP, but it’ll cover all the features standard home users will need.
Assembly isn’t much of an issue at around 1-2 hours, but we’d recommend two people getting it together due to keep parts held in place. Schwinns anti-shock system, ‘SoftTrak’ makes sure your joints are getting minimal damage. It sounds daft, but running on a treadmill makes an impact on your joints. SoftTrak aims to minimize this by up to 40%.
Schwinn 810 drops almost half of its floor space thanks to its SoftDrop feature. A far cry from the janky and backbreaking treadmills of yesteryear, a little nudge teases the treadmill base to fold down with ease. Bear in mind though, this high-quality treadmill is longer than most, so make sure to measure up and check you can store this best treadmill for under $1000 before committing to purchase.
The monitor and control console is where the magic happens. It doesn’t feature an HD touchscreen effort like more expensive treadmills, but it’s a two-tone clear screen that packs in all the features you’ll need. There are 16 workout programs included which should give you a brilliant workout.
The quiet running of the Schwinn 810 should make it effortless to do a solid cardio workout in front of the TV or even hook up your smartphone via Bluetooth to stream music through its built-in speakers. Let’s not forget heart rate monitoring functions and choosing the right incline for you too, which make it our top pick of the best treadmills under $1000.
- Fold up 'EasyLift' assist
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Low incline range
NordicTrack T Series features great build quality, some highlight includes power coated chrome rails and stell side/cross beams for stability. Its Spacesaver easy lift feature makes tucking up the 20” x 55” running track a breeze, which features FlexSelect impact cushioning to protect users’ joints from long-term wear and tear as much as possible.
Coming in either 5” or 10” HD Touchscreens, users can easily view the progress and results of the programs you’ve been running. Its built-in heart rate sensors on the treadmill handle work a treat, will the console’s one-touch buttons do their job whilst users concentrate on getting a good sweat on.
Whilst the motor will comfortably handle whatever users throw at it with its 2.6 continuous horsepower credentials, it can be a bit on the loud side. As a result, playing music via Bluetooth on this best treadmill for under $1000 may be a little hard to hear at times. The motor is self-cooling however and handles users up to 300lb.
Like most treadmills, a safety key is included. This one is magnetically fixed onto the handle before turning on the treadmill, if it isn’t, the treadmill will not operate. It’s a failsafe for anyone who trips and falls whilst in the middle of a workout. The 10” T series is compatible with iFit, with the 5” screen models being compatible by using iFit on another smart device.
Its 10% incline will burn three times more calories compared to using the treadmill whilst flat. Not only that, but working out on inclines works for more muscle groups, strengthening and toning calves, back-side, and hamstrings. So if you’re up to the challenge, go and feel the burn, but don’t forget to cool off afterward!
- Self-Cooling Mach Z Motor
- 18"x55" Tread Belt
- Lack of features
ProForm Sport 7.0 treadmill is a great Treadmill for walking and running. Whilst it’s not going to perform for professional and marathon training, its 60” track combined with its 2.75HP motor is a winning combination for most home users considering its price point. Let’s not forget that the motor is covered by a lifetime warranty, so how can you lose?
Speaking of ProForm Sport 7.0 highlights, it features a 12% incline that smoothly adjusts into place with a tap of a button or automatically when using a built-in program. There are 22 built-in programs all told, with unlimited daily workout downloads obtainable via iFit. With that being said, the iFit module is sold separately, but the built-in programs are great for users looking to save a bit of money.
Although this best treadmill under $1000k is a full-sized treadmill and sports shock-assist technology, it folds up easily and saves on floor space, although it stands at 79.62” tall. Potential buyers will need to measure up and make sure they have the floor-to-ceiling space for this bad boy before committing to purchase.
For those looking to plug an iFit module into ProForm Sport 7.0, you’re looking at an extra $99 on top of the treadmill. With that being said, ProForm has made its name by being compatible with iFit. With the iFit module plugged in, users can chart their course on Google maps, with iFit working alongside Google to recreate inclines inline with the rising and falling landmass on the course.
If you want to be specific about the workout program you want to go for, then buy it. Otherwise, using the built-in programs do the same job, albeit with a little less personalization involved. But, it has built-in fans, which is a great additional feature for one of the best treadmills under $1000.
- 20” x 55” Tread Belt
- QuickSpeed® Buttons for Speed and Incline Adjustments
- RRP is expensive when compared to competitors
Currently serving as the flagship treadmill for ProForm, the Carbon T10 thanks to its 2.75 continuous horsepower motor. Built for running and professional training, the ProForm Carbon T10 also caters to light walking and running.
Its 10” HD touchscreen is perfect for those iFit sessions and personal trainer classes, which is where the automatic trainer control functions come in. iFit has the power to control the speed and incline of your treadmill, but don’t worry, it’s not in a malicious way. As part of their personal trainer classes, live trainers can adjust the settings on your Treadmill, which as far as we’re concerned is a cut above any gym experience.
Proforms IsoFlex cushioning makes sure those high-impact sprinting bursts are as quiet as possible. IT also makes sure your joints are receiving as little impact as possible. Trust us on this one, any professional athlete will tell you about the benefits of joint care.
ProForm carbon T10 is a compact and easily foldable treadmill. For those running light on storage room, this is brilliant but taller and marathon trainers may miss the shorter 55” track length when compared to the standard 60”. We’re not saying Carbon T10 isn’t long enough to train on, but we’re saying certain users may find it uncomfortable and feel like they don’t have enough room to properly lift their legs and go for it. However, for most users, this won’t matter at all.
The Bluetooth configuration is a little strange, however. IT allows you to hook up your own heart monitoring straps but won’t support audio streaming via Carbon T10s built-in speakers. There’s an auxiliary port instead, which feels a little outdated by 2021 standards.
- Non-slip, shock absorbing belt
- No assembly required
- fast fast enough for running
For those with limited storage space, CitySports have come up with a folding treadmill solution that can fit under your bed or couch, if it’s big enough. The issue with treadmills is that even when folded, they get in the way. Unless you have a little space set aside for storing one, they become more of a hindrance than a tool for fitness.
CitySports under desk treadmill isn’t for marathon trainers or runners, but for walking. The numerous lockdowns the world has endured are a testament to the fact that we need plenty of exercise. Not only do we need exercise for fitness and physical health, but for mental health reasons too, CitySports have created a compact endorphin releaser that fits into almost any lifestyle.
Weighing in at 26.2 kgs, this best treadmill for under $1000 is 147 cm long, 59cm wide, and 15cm tall. Very few people will have a problem moving this walking treadmill around, that’s for sure. With a top speed of 6KM/hour, users will be able to squeeze a light jog out of it whilst keeping the noise down. Due to its light design, it can only hold someone at the max weight of 100kgs (Around 15 stone 7), so any users over this limit will want to invest in a more traditional best treadmill under $1000.
Ditching the raised console and handles, CitySports have popped an angled/raised LCD screen at the top end of the treadmill for easy viewing. Displaying speed, distance, and time in a large font, the controls for this treadmill come in the form of a wireless remote. IT has on/off buttons with a speed plus / minus, with speed going up and down in 1KM increments.
There is a calorie burner count, but this doesn’t take into account your weight, size, or fitness levels. Whilst it’s a half-decent indicator, don’t take the calorie count as gospel. The track also features a textured grip surface, making sure those trips and falls you’ve seen on fail videos online don’t happen.
We think we’ve managed to give a treadmill option to just about every kind of user out there. From giving home workers that extra incentive to get some exercise into full-on marathon training, there really is something for everyone. However, it’s important to find the right treadmill with the right features for you. Buying an under desk treadmill is not going to cut it for anyone who wants a running machine for example. Not to mention, the costs and headaches involved in returning one of these bad boys just aren’t worth the stress. Hopefully, you’ll be much better-informed thanks to this best treadmills for under $1000 guide.
We think we’ve managed to give a treadmill option to just about every kind of user out there. From giving home workers that extra incentive to get some exercise into full-on marathon training, there really is something for everyone. However, it’s important to find the right treadmill with the right features for you. Buying an under desk treadmill is not going to cut it for anyone who wants a running machine for example. Not to mention, the costs and headaches involved in returning one of these bad boys just aren’t worth the stress. Hopefully, you’ll be much better-informed thanks to this best treadmills for under $1000 guide.
What motor speed should I be looking for in a treadmill?
ANything over 2.3HP or CHP (continuous horsepower) will do the trick for most users. For users looking to primarily run, we’d recommend going for 2.5HP
Are fold up treadmills safe?
Yes, they are, although we’d recommend not exceeding the maximum weight specified by the manufacturer and following their instructions when storing.
Do I need iFit for ProForm treadmills?
No, not at all, you’ll find that ProForm treadmills come with programmed courses or fitness programs. However, ProForm treadmills and iFit go hand in hand these days, so maybe go for a more traditional treadmill setup if you’re not interested in it.
What's the difference between manual and electric treadmills?
Manual treadmill belts move based on how much force you exert whilst using, making for an uncomfortable and unnatural running experience. Electric treadmills spin the belt to force you into keeping up certain speeds, making for an all-around better workout experience.
Our Verdict
Schwinn are onto a Scwinner with the 810 Treadmill. It isn’t going to break the bank and it features a full-length running belt with a 10% incline, programmed tracks, and every other feature a home user will need. Thanks to its easy fold-up design, we can recommend this best treadmill for under $1000 to almost any household. Just make sure you have enough room to store it by checking out its footprint and height measurement when folded before buying though.