To learn more about the best treadmills for walking, we tapped sports and lifestyle chiropractor Sarah Sponaugle. Below, find our picks for the nine best treadmills for walking, along with Sponaugle’s advice on how to choose one, the benefits of owning a treadmill, and what to consider as you shop. We can’t recommend one treadmill that’s best for everyone, but we can help you navigate the many options. If you’re wondering how to choose a treadmill for walking versus running, here are some factors to consider: Horsepower: As we mentioned, some compact treadmills only have the horsepower to support walking and jogging. Walks on a treadmill require 2.0 horsepower, jogs require 2.5 horsepower at the minimum, and avid runners will want well over 3.0 horsepower. We’ve made sure to include these details for each of our picks below. Side rails: If you’ve ever lost your balance while running on a treadmill, you understand why running treadmills need handrails and side paneling for your feet. These allow you to grab hold or simply step off to the side if the belt is spinning and you need a break. A wider belt: To use a treadmill safely, there must be sufficient room to align your stride and keep your running mechanics in check. Otherwise, you could misstep and end up off the edge with an injury. “Walking on a treadmill is a good option if you are rehabbing an injury or need help with balance, as there are rails along the sides for support,” she adds. Treadmills are useful when you live in a location where walking outside is not an option due to inclement weather. “When the weather is cooperative, I prefer (for myself and my patients) to walk outside with a GPS-based watch. Walking outside allows for more benefits than just the cardiovascular ones (think decreased cortisol from being in nature, circadian rhythm resetting, and having a varying landscape with hills and straightaways for a more varied workout),” Sponaugle elaborates. At mindbodygreen, we’re big fans of walking. We’ve written tons of articles on the benefits of walking, walking as exercise, and even the science-backed benefits of walking for anxiety. Size, of course, is another factor. Designed specifically for walking and jogging, a compact treadmill offers a more affordable alternative. Generally around 22 inches wide and 60 inches long (and often foldable), this piece of workout equipment can boost your health while you work or be your track of choice on unsuitable weather days. From there, it’s really about finding the right features to suit your needs, such as whether you’ll be using the treadmill for light jogs, at inclines, or under your desk. What’s more, its lightweight design and wheels make storage easy. Either wheel it over to another area, or fold it up and store it in the closet or under the bed. While this treadmill is loved by walkers, joggers, seniors, and athletes, it’s also one of our top picks for best compact treadmills and comes highly recommended by plenty of reviewers on the company’s website. One reviewer who uses this treadmill for walking writes, “Never thought I could love a treadmill this much! Amazing hiking and walking classes programmed.” A 10-inch HD smart touch screen offers extensive training options with interactive studio workouts ready to stream, plus access to live classes through an optional paid membership. For walkers, the brand has sessions that take you on hikes from national parks like Yosemite to cultural walks in Lisbon, Portugal. Perhaps the coolest feature is the auto-adjust technology that pairs your treadmill’s speed and incline with the program selected. Since we’ve selected this as the best treadmill for walking with incline, it’s worth noting that it boasts the unique ability to decline, too, which is great for strengthening leg muscles. If you’re on the fence, its almost-perfect 4.9 out of 5 star average rating on the brand’s website from over 2,000 customers might persuade you. Customers rave about how easy the setup is. One writes, “Out of the box and ready to go in about 10 minutes. I love that it’s compact.” Another says, “This machine’s build quality is sturdy and the belt motor is solid.” Bonus: the City L6 has a minimal footprint and the ability to stow away easily. You’ll be able to track calories burned, steps, time, and distance on the LED display, plus you can even listen to your favorite music or podcast via Bluetooth speakers. Best of all, this machine is quiet and steady. Your coworkers won’t even realize you’re exercising during that Zoom call. Beyond its five-layered non-slip, shock-absorbing belt, what makes this model stand out from the pack is that it comes in seven fun colors, to compliment any aesthetic. Almost 10,000 people have rated this budget-friendly treadmill, and it’s earned a 4.1 out of 5 star average rating. One remote worker writes, “I wish I’d bought this sooner! This treadmill fits perfectly under my standup desk, is relatively quiet, and super easy to set up! Upon opening the box, it was assembled and ready to use. The Bluetooth speaker is nice. This is a great little treadmill and has helped me to get more steps in every day since arriving.” While the reviews for this treadmill are stellar, most stress that paying for assembly is very worth it. Otherwise, it can be an hour or two of mild frustration. One reviewer shares, “I am super happy with this treadmill. The best decision we made was paying for the assembly. The delivery team was incredible. They carried it downstairs and assembled it exactly where I wanted it. They were on time and super efficient.” You should know that the treadmill weighs 200 pounds, so if you’re not up for the exercise in weight lifting, definitely consider the set-up service. With a design that’s definitely unique, the brand has a cult following. One reviewer writes, “This treadmill is one of the best I’ve ever used for running and walking. My body feels incredibly supported while using it. I immediately feel when my posture’s not right and can correct myself. I feel a difference on and off the treadmill. It takes a minute to get used to, but it’s worth the learning curve.” The speed and incline knobs easily adjust controls without breaking your stride. If you’re taking a class, simply adjust your settings to auto-incline and the machine will automatically follow your instructor’s cues, no manual adjustments necessary. Its impressive 23.8-inch HD touch screen and sleek body give this treadmill modern appeal—and its most unique feature is the Body Scan which shows you the muscles you’ve targeted in your sessions. While this machine is applause-worthy, the reviews lay it bare: the treadmill itself is not the only reason people choose to buy Peloton. It’s for the classes and community. One reviewer writes, “This treadmill is one of the best I’ve ever used. My body feels incredibly supported while using it. Not only is it a high quality treadmill, but when paired with the workouts from Peloton, it’s a wonderful way to keep up with my miles over the winter and even throughout the year. I love the extra motivation from the instructors.”
