9 Best Treadmills Under $1000: Reviewed For Home Gyms

Treadmills Under $1000 Compared

What To Expect From Treadmills At This Price Point

When you look at treadmills in the $500 to $1000 range, you should expect a decent machine. Good warranties and a lot of features are going to be commonplace in this budget.

You can expect a good motor and things like air cushion shock absorption, multi-speed controls, sturdy and reliable frames, and even audio or video components. All of the required features and components (discussed below) that make a great rated treadmill can be found in this price range.

With high-quality, durability, ruggedness, and high weight support, the treadmills under $1000 are a worthy investment.

Buyer’s Guide: Quality Treadmills Under $1000

Durability & Stability

Durability is something all treadmills will promise, but not all will meet your expectations. A highly durable and stable treadmill will support higher weights, have a frame and handles that don't buckle, and a uniform, rugged tread that won't wear out easily.

While it can be difficult to tell the durability and stability of a machine from the packaging, you can look at the connection types, which should be bolts and not click tabs.

Max User Weight

The max user weight is an important number to know. Not only should the treadmill support your full body weight, but also have enough left over to match the added weight from the momentum of running.

In this price range, you should expect a max weight range between 250 and 350 pounds. This should be high enough for most people starting on a cardio machine. However, if you need more weight support, there are a few options available that can go up to 400 pounds before getting to the next price range.

Size Vs. Space

When it comes to treadmills, there are two basic types. The standard upright models stay as they are once assembled and take up a constant amount of space. Foldaway models can be laid out or folded up to store in a smaller area, but still require the room to use properly.

The length and width of the machine will give you the floor space dimensions for the unit. However, you can’t forget about head space. Since you will be running, you need to account for your height, the deck height, and the extra room above head for running.

Deck Length

The deck length also needs to exceed your stride length at a full run. There are three major points of the deck that you will be in contact with. Towards the front is known as the impact zone. This is where your feet will come down to take the next step.

The middle area, known as the transition area, is where your foot will rest while the other moves towards the impact zone. Finally, the rear of the deck, also called the push-off zone or foot release zone, is where your foot will leave the deck to continue your stride.

If any of these zones are too short, you may find that you land on the frame or, even worse, fall off the back. 55 inches is about average for a quality deck length. However, taller runners or those with larger strides may find more comfort in 60-inch decks or larger.

Core Components

Secondary Features

The additional features lists will vary greatly from brand to brand and model to model. Some of these features you may be able to live without, saving you some money. However, more often than not, the few extra bucks for additional components can make all the difference.

Safety Features

Warranty

Finally, you will want to pay attention to the warranty. Not only should you look at the coverage period, but also what is actually covered. Normal wear and tear are generally not covered, and neglect, improper maintenance, and other factors won't be either.

It is essential to note from the start what it takes to make a claim. Most warranties will require preregistration, either through a mail-in card or online with model numbers. Others will require that you maintain proof of purchase or that you pay for shipping. Know what you are getting into before you buy.

1. Horizon Fitness T101

Best Treadmill Under $1000

Horizon Fitness has quite a few treadmills in their stable, and the best treadmill under $1000, our top pick, is the T101. Balancing performance, maintenance, and cost, this treadmill gives you everything you need for a nice, quiet daily workout.

The T101 is a motorized treadmill that comes with a 2.5 continuous-horsepower (CHP) motor. It adjusts to your speed and steps every time you put your foot down, allowing the motor to be more efficient and much quieter when operating.

The deck is 55-inches long, which will be sufficient for most strides. You can walk, brisk walk, jog or run for as long as you need. The safety key is a simple key plug that stops the unit if it is dislodged or removed.

You also get plenty of other features, including a built-in heart rate monitor in the handle. It displays your speed, time, and distance in a digital readout screen that also gives you push-button controls over your motor's incline and speed.

Included in the sturdy frame are a phone or tablet holder, water bottle holder, and fan. It also includes two decent Bluetooth speakers so you can connect your device to listen while you are running.

With a weight capacity of 275 pounds, it is ideal for almost every runner level, no matter your duration of use, speed of running (or walking), or size. If you want more, you can upgrade to the Horizon Fitness T202, which offers a 2.75 CHP motor, 60-inch deck, steeper incline, and app integration.

2. Schwinn 810

Highly Rated (Runner Up)

Schwinn may be best known for its bicycles, but their treadmill line is something to know about as well. These high quality and durable machines are capable of daily, constant use. With high weight limits and workout programs included, this highly rated runner up is worth a closer look.

The deck is 20 inches wide and 55 inches long, giving most people ample room for jogging and full stride running. For taller people (those over 6 feet), the 55-inch track may be a bit short for those with larger, full strides.

The biggest draw here is that the Schwinn 810 comes with the Explore the World app. This app gives you three free courses from around the world that you can watch on your smartphone or tablet as you walk or run.

This digital immersion helps you forget you are inside staring at your walls and helps you escape into a more fun atmosphere. If you want more, the app has a monthly subscription plan that unlocks more courses, trails, and streets from all over the globe.

The 810 also includes a hand-grip heart rate monitor and 16 pre-programmed workouts. The backlit LCD display will show the speed, incline, distance, duration, and workout progress. You will also find a tablet holder, cup holders, and built-in speakers.

Another notable feature is the soft drop mechanism. This is a slow-release hydraulic lift that keeps the deck from slamming to the floor. When this fold-up treadmill is moved into position, you can quickly and safely release the deck without having to catch it or worry about it falling to the floor, causing damage or injury.

3. Sunny Health & Fitness Asuna 8730G

Best Home Treadmill Under $1000

Sunny Health & Fitness offers several different treadmill designs and models. The Asuna 9730G model is a folding, compact treadmill designed for use in any room. It doesn't have a large frame or display area but does offer enough features to make it the best home treadmill under $1000.

The folding handles offer support and hand holds when needed. However, they aren’t as sturdy as most other models. While they can help you from falling or give you a place to rest your arms, they do wobble more and more over time and need to be tightened again.

There is a digital display with four windows. Each one will display either the speed, caloric burn, distance, and time. You can also use the simple push buttons to increase speed through presets.

The device display holds most cellphones or tablets for entertainment while running, including the media port, to allow the use of the embedded speakers. The only other feature on this compact treadmill is the safety key, which slips into the slot and removes easily when pulled to stop the motor.

Sunny Health & Fitness offers a 180-day refund policy so you can try the treadmill out. If you decide to keep it, the rest of the 5-year warranty kicks in to cover your investment.

4. ANCHEER

Best Folding Treadmill Under $1000

Ancheer has a treadmill that is one of the best folding treadmills under $1000. This model uses a hydraulic lift system to bring the deck down to the floor without possible damage or injury. The treadmill is lightweight and highly advanced.

The biggest feature is the large LCD display and touch screen programming panel. This control panel offers every form of settings and control of the entire machine. Along with speed, heart rate, and caloric burn, you can also track distance, time passed, and other factors.

There are three pre-programmed workouts in the system, and you can install or download more if you prefer. If you don’t want to follow a program, you can use the preset modes, including automatic incline and speed adjustments.

The deck is a bit small for larger runners in full stride, though. It measures 47 inches long, which is about 8 inches less than the industry average. Unfortunately, there is only a 1-year warranty on the machine with no trial period.

The only other negative from reviews is that the handrails are slightly lower than expected. For persons of average height, this won’t be any issues. However, for runners over 5' 9", the handles may be uncomfortable to hold onto.

5. ProForm Performance 300i

Best ProForm Treadmill Under $1000

The best Proform treadmill is the Performance 300i. This innovative treadmill offers simple controls and enough added features to make the cost worth it. With basic buttons and a simple readout, the interface is intuitive and highly user-friendly.

One of the best aspects is the speed and incline controls. There are 10 speeds in 1 MPH increments, adjusted by the up and down control or the 10 speed buttons. The motor will automatically increase or decrease rate, or jump to the preset speed, depending on which buttons you use.

The same can be said for the incline controls, also in 1-degree increments from 0 to 10. You will also find controls for 16 workout programs, Bluetooth control, and the safety key on the control panel.

The deck and belt have a lot of cushion and flex, which helps the noise levels, shock absorption, and impact on your knees and spine. With the cushion, you can run longer and faster without fatigue and distress.

The warranty covers the parts and labor for 1 year, the deck, belt and motor for 25 years, and the frame for a lifetime. The warranty isn’t hard to make a claim on, and customer service is easy to get a hold of with quick response time and friendly representatives.

6. Nordictrack T Series 6.5S

Best Treadmill For Runners Under $1000

Nordictrack is a name you know from years of television commercials and advertisements. They have been in the home gym and fitness game for decades and offer a wide variety of equipment, including treadmills. If you want the best treadmill for runners under $1000, the T series 6.5S is the model to look at closely.

This machine really does have it all, but it may be too much for the casual user. It offers you a great workout and is designed for those that like to run instead of walk or jog and for the individuals who are training for longer runs or competitions.

The T series treadmill also includes a 1 month trial subscription to iFit. This is a coach-based training program that includes workouts for running, beginners, advanced, and training. You will follow along on various inclines, routes, and courses as well as class-style workout sessions.

With a 300 pound max weight and superior shock absorption, there isn’t anything this machine cannot do. It is a sturdy and durable build that combines aluminum and steel for a rugged and still lightweight design.

With the 1/25/Lifetime warranty, your investment is covered. Backed by the Nordictrack name and brand reputation, you get a lot of machine for an affordable price.

7. Sunny Health & Fitness T7643

Best Walking Treadmill Under $1000

Sunny Health & Fitness are back on this list with the T7643. This treadmill is the best walking treadmill in $1000 for those looking for a more causal machine or a beginner level treadmill to start with.

The biggest feature about this treadmill is that it is large. The handrails are oversized for easier grip. All of the controls, including the start and stop, as well as speed controls are larger than average and easy to read. These make it ideal for the elderly or those with poorer eyesight to get the workout they need.

The LCD display shows you your speed, distance, caloric burn, and time used. What it doesn’t have, though, is a heart rate monitor or Bluetooth connectivity. However, you can use Bluetooth straps and your smartphone or tablet to track these, if you need to.

You will also notice the oversized cup holders and tablet holder. The tablet holder can hold any smartphone, tablet, and up to 13-inch convertible laptops. Like all Sunny Health & Fitness treadmills, it comes with the 180-day replacement guarantee, and this model has a 3-year warranty.

8. RHYTHM FUN

Best Under Desk Treadmill Under $1000

If you like to walk on your lunch break but can’t always get away, the best under desk treadmill is the Rhythm Fun treadmill. With a powerful 2.0 HP motor and exclusive app for control, you can walk while at your desk or put up the handrails and get in a light jog.

The remote control allows you to adjust your speed without having to stop. You can also use the Rhythm Fun app to take control of your machine at any time, even if you aren’t on it yet. If you prefer a more standard method, there are local controls on the console and foot pedals while you are walking.

If you want to move away from your desk or office, you can put the handrails up, and the machine will allow a higher speed. When down, you can only max out at 3.5 MPH. However, for those that want to break a sweat, the treadmill will go up to 7.5 MPH with the handrails locked up.

This machine also comes with a 1-year warranty on parts and labor, 2 years for the motor, and 10 years for the frame. It isn’t a lifetime warranty like many others, but it is long enough to cover your investment.

9. Sunny Health & Fitness Manual Treadmill

Best Manual Treadmill Under $1000

Sunny Health & Fitness round out our list with the best manual treadmill under $1000. This model doesn't have a motor and is powered only by you. However, the sleek deck and belt have little friction, and it is one of the most comfortable manual treadmills to walk on.

This model uses magnetic resistance to increase up to 16 levels to get more or less of a workout. If you want a simple stroll, leave the deck flat, and set to a low level. If you want more of a challenge, you can increase the incline and the resistance to work up a sweat.

Depending on your needs and effort level, the handles will come in quite handy. The multi-positional grips allow you to use more or less effort and can help you to push the belt around, even when on the highest incline.

To help keep an eye on your progress, the digital monitor will display your time, distance, speed, caloric burn, and heart rate. With pulse monitors in the handrails, you will always know where your heart rate is and be able to adjust accordingly.

As with other Sunny Health & Fitness treadmills, you get a 180 day trial period and a 3-year warranty. This model is easy to assemble with only 6 steps to complete. It also folds and stores easily when not in use.

Different Types Of Treadmills

Besides brands and features, there are different types of treadmills that you can purchase. Below are the various classifications, along with their strengths and weaknesses.

Manual Treadmill

Manual treadmills are just what they sound like. They don’t have a motor to move the deck belt, and it only moves if you move. They generally come in flat or curved decks, and you must exert more effort to keep the treadmill moving than with other types.

Motorized Treadmill

A motorized treadmill is more advanced, using an electric motor to power the deck belt and speed. With these types, you exert less effort to make the treadmill move but must be able to keep up with the speed of the belt during your workout.

Folding Treadmill

A folding treadmill is a type of treadmill, either manual or motorized, with a fold-up deck. These types offer fewer features (in general) than non-folding models, but take up less storage space when not in use. They are also easier to move from room to room.

Commercial Treadmill

A commercial treadmill is a larger, more powerful unit designed for heavy daily use. The motors are larger, the decks are usually bigger, and they are more expensive than their home-based counterparts. These are the type of treadmills you will find in your local gym or the workout room in a hotel.

The Benefits of Treadmill Workouts

Walking, jogging, and running on a treadmill has shown health and medical benefits. Not only does walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes a day help improve your health, it can burn fat and help maintain weight. What else does a treadmill work accomplish?

How to Safely Use a Treadmill

Using a treadmill seems simple enough; turn it on, get on, and start running. However, there are more concerns to think about every time you get on the machine.

First, you want to make sure you understand the controls and how each one operates. Everything from power and speed controls to incline. While treadmills are relatively safe, if misused, they can lead to serious injury.

Next, you want to know your stride and land on the belt deck with walking, jogging, or running. Your stride length needs to fall inside the belt length for a safe exercise. If you cut your stride short or the belt isn’t long enough, you can trip, slip or fall.

Finally, make sure you know and use the safety features. Things like hand holds and rails are there to grab onto if the speed gets too high or you start getting tired. Emergency stop controls like manual shut off or safety keys can keep you from falling and being flung off the machine.

For general health and safety, it is okay to use a treadmill every day. You don’t want to overdo it, though, and this should be built-up to. Start with a single exercise and gradually increase over time. Once you can go 30 minutes straight, you can increase your days until you are using the treadmill every day.

Recommended Treadmill Exercises & Workouts

Unlike other workout apparatuses, there aren’t many variations when it comes to workouts on a treadmill. Speed and incline will be your basic workout variations.

Always start with a warm-up. A 5 to 10 minute brisk walk will get your heart beating faster, and you should begin to sweat a little, which helps warm and loosen muscles, joints, and ligaments.

Increase speed to a brisk walk or jog for 10 minutes or so until you notice your sweating more and working harder. Don’t go outside your comfort zone, but try to maintain the same speed throughout this time.

Begin running for the rest of your workout. You can increase or decrease the speed, but your goal should be to maintain the running speed for a long as you can.

Don’t just stop. Instead, you will want to decrease your speed until you are back to a walk and allow your body and muscles to cool down for at least 5 minutes before turning the machine off.

These basic workout guidelines will target your cardio system, calves, hamstrings, quads, and core sections of your body.

You can do a lot of advanced workouts on a treadmill, but the basics are high speed, slow walk, and increase in incline. Alternating these daily (with days off to rest and recover) will help you maintain your image and increase your health and well being.

Care & Maintenance of Treadmills

When it comes to maintaining your treadmill, there are a few important things you must do regularly. Proper care and maintenance will make the machine continue to operate normally as well as prolong the life of your investment.

Lubricating the deck and belt must be done with either a silicone or wax-based lubricant (your owner's manual will tell you which). This should be done about every 60 days.

You also need to clean your machine from dust and debris to ensure the belt, deck, and motor stays clean at all times.

Finally, you also need to clean around the machine. Sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming the surrounding area, as well as underneath the treadmill, are as important to your treadmill as the lubrication.

Common Treadmill Questions Answered

How much weight can you lose on a treadmill in a month?

The amount of weight loss from using a treadmill will vary greatly based on many outside factors. Your level of activity, diet, and other exercise programs, for example, will play a large role. However, on average, 1 to 2 pounds per week, with a daily 30-minute routine on the treadmill, is possible. Some users can average 8 to 10 pounds per month.

How to calculate the calories burned on a treadmill?

To properly count the number of calories burned, you need to know specific formulas and input data such as weight, duration, speed, and incline. Instead of doing the complex math yourself, you can use the built-in caloric burn meter on some models or 3^rd party websites such as shapesense.com to estimate your total caloric burn per session.

What are the most popular and recommended treadmill brands?

There are many brands of treadmills out there from Bowflex and other widely known brands. Some of the most popular, though, are Horizon Fitness, which offers larger running decks and app integration. You can also find ProForm, Nordictrack, and Sunny Health & Fitness brands, which are quite popular because of their safety features, digital readouts, and Bluetooth compatibility.

What is a good run speed on a treadmill?

Speed will vary by individual and certain factors like fitness level, weight, and duration. However, for most people, running is any sustained speed over 5 miles per hour. 6 to 7 MPH is a general speed for average fitness levels for a 30 minute workout.

Is it safe for pregnant women, the elderly, or anyone with health issues to use a treadmill?

When it comes to health and safety, especially for elderly, pregnant women, or those with other health issues, it is generally regarded as safe to use a treadmill. While those with conditions or that are pregnant, moderate use is still encouraged. However, you should always consult your doctor for any exercise programs, limits, or alterations. Going slower, taking more frequent breaks, or using the machine every other day instead of daily are common restrictions applied to these groups.

Are expensive treadmills worth investing in? What are the drawbacks of cheaper ones?

In general, the more expensive a treadmill, the more features and abilities it will have. Compared to more affordable models, you will pay more, of course, but you will also get a lot more. The more automated the machine, the better workout you will receive, the more safety features you will have as well as more creature comforts. While you should never purchase anything outside of your allotted budget, saving longer for a better machine may be in your best interest in the long run.

Conclusion

Choosing the best treadmill under $1000 can be daunting. There are various brands and models in this price range that may seem to suit your needs. However, you need to account for things like storage and usage space, controls, motor power, and amount of use.

If you are still undecided, we suggest taking another look at our top pick, the Horizon Fitness T101. It is an advanced model with basic treadmill pricing. With app integration and upgrade abilities, you can have a well-performing treadmill that updates to meet your needs for years to come.