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|---|---|---|
 | Space Saving Design Easy Lift Assist Adjustable incline and speed 20 built-in programs HD Touchscreen |  |
 | 3.75 CHP Motor 10" Touch Screen iFit Coach Intergration Quiet Motor 3-15% incline available | |
 | Low Price Space-Saving Design 6 Built-In Workouts Manual Incline | |
 | Affordable Price Plenty of Built-In Workouts LCD Screen Roomy Belt Easy to Fold Away and Store Quiet Motor | |
 | Large Weight Capacity Powerful 2.75 CHP Motor Incline Adjustment Between -2% to +10% iFit Intergration Large Display | |
 | 9" Display Tablet Holder Workout Stats Powerful 3.5HP Motor Incline up to 15% 10 Built in Training Programs Easy to Fold | |
Treadmills are a fantastic way to exercise but they can take up a lot of room. This lack of room is the main thing preventing people from purchasing their own treadmill. That’s where compact treadmills can help. These small treadmills are great for people who live in apartments or want to convert a spare room in their home into the best home gym they can. Compact treadmills are small, lightweight, inexpensive, and portable. It’s easy enough for one person to assemble, move, and store them because they are that compact.
As with most things though, cheaper is not always better. The cheapest treadmill won’t even be worth the price of shipping. What you want is to choose a good treadmill that offers a nice balance between cost and features for good value.
If you’re looking to put together the best compact home gym and want a compact treadmill, then here are our top six best compact treadmills of 2020.
NordicTrack T 6.5 Si Treadmill
The NordicTrack T 6.5 Si Treadmill is one of the most affordable NordicTrack treadmills on the market. Don’t let the price fool you though. It’s still packed full of the same quality and features that you’d expect from NordicTrack. It’s an updated version of the old T 6.5 S and it’s clear that NordicTrack put in a lot of work to make this one even better.
The folding treadmill uses a SpaceSaver design along with EasyLift Assist technology. It’s just as impressive under the “hood” with a powerful 2.6 continuous duty motor capable of supporting 300 pounds. The running belt measures in at 20 inches wide and 55 inches long and comes equipped with comfortable FlexSelect Cushioning. You’ll have the option to tailor the running experience around your needs. Simulate what it’s like to run on-and-off-road or make things more comfortable for a less impactful workout. If that wasn’t enough, the treadmill comes with an adjustable incline (up to 10%) and adjustable speed (up to 10mph).
A lot of the basic specs are the same as they always were with the other model. One major change to the new model is that the incline and speed for the machine can be changed by live instructors. Take advantage of this yourself with the one-year free iFit membership. iFit is an online coaching system for people who work out at home but still want a personal trainer. The class instructor at the other end of the line can control speed and incline during a session, which is a great feature. This feature can also be used alongside Google Maps to create the experience of walking anywhere in the world. The include adjusts to the real-world surroundings you have set for yourself.
Another difference between the new and old models is that the new T 6.5 Si comes with an HD touch screen. The screen lets you clearly see the training program or Google Maps landscape you’ve chosen. The treadmill doesn’t have a fan built in, but it does have generously sized compartments for cups, phones, or personal fans. It also offers built-in speakers and aux inputs, but sadly no USB inputs.
The NordicTrack comes with 20 workout programs built in, and up to 16,000 extra workouts available through the iFit program. Even if you decide to not continue your iFIt membership you’ll still have several built-in workouts to choose from to get a great full body workout at home. For more information, you can check out our in-depth review.
The Good
FlexSelect Cushioning
The FlexSelect Cushioning offers great shock absorption and a more personalized workout. It gives you the option of a rougher workout that feels like being outdoors, or a softer workout that’s easier on the joints.
Program Variety
There’s a ton of variety when it comes to built in workout programs. There’s the 20 included in the machine of course, but there’s also thousands of workouts available through iFit.
Folding Design
The NordicTrack is made with the same SpaceSaver design as other models. It also has EasyLift Assist to make it easier to fold it up and store it.
The Bad
Small Running Deck
This compact treadmill is almost a little too compact with a 20×555 running deck. It might not be the best for taller users.
Incline and Speed Settings
10% incline and 10MPH are decent, but still on the low end of things compared to other treadmills.
NordicTrack Commercial 1750
The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 continues to top the list of the best treadmills, never mind the best compact treadmills. It’s a wonderfully powerful machine offered at a solid price and made even better with iFit integration. NordicTrack continue to innovate and add to the 1750 with Bluetooth connectivity being the newest addition.
The top selling points for the Commercial 1750 are the 3.75 CHP motor, the 10” touch screen, the built-in workouts, the iFit Coach integration and workouts, and the incline and speed options.
When combined with iFit Coach, you can connect the incline settings to Google Maps to recreate walking through anywhere in the world. Take a hike through Asia, Africa, Europe, or the snowy landscapes of the Arctic. iFit also continues to develop new workout programs and has personalized suggestions you can work with.
With everything that goes into the NordicTrack Commercial 1750, it’s impressive that the treadmill can be folded up in around 10 seconds. The 1750 has been a perennial favorite and it’s not hard to see why.
The Good
Quiet Motor
If you’re looking for a quiet compact treadmill then it doesn’t get much quieter than the Commercial 1750. It offers a 3.75CHP motor capable of hitting up to 12MPH without making much of a sound at all.
Large Touch Screen
A touch screen is a must for modern fitness equipment. The 1750 comes with a pretty sizeable 10-inch screen that lets you choose between different workouts, keep up with statistics like calorie burn and miles walked, and use the iFit Coach program.
iFit Coach Treadmill Workouts
Variety is the spice of life with working out. You need to keep things fresh and interesting. That’s what the 1750 does. The -3 – 15% incline allows you to virtually explore Google Maps and get a feel for what it would be like to run around the world. This is great for people who have trouble staying motivated when exercising.
iFit Data Tracking
The iFit Coach integration allows for iFit to keep track on your performance and data. The data from a completed workout is logged with the treadmill and shared with connected devices that also have iFit installed on them. It makes it easy to keep up with your diet and exercise goals and get personalized recommendations.
The Bad
Assembly
One of the few criticisms of the Commercial 1750 is the assembly process. Reviewers have said that it can take a while to put the machine together. You might want to consider paying a little extra for a professional assembly service.
Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill
The Weslo Cadence G 5.9 treadmill makes for a great entry-level addition to the best compact home gym. It’s also among the cheapest options out there. You won’t get the best treadmill in the world, but you’ll still get an excellent little machine. The small price tag will be a huge selling point for people who don’t want to invest too much. The small size of the Weslo Cadence G 5.9 means it’s also a great fit for people who don’t have a lot of room.
One thing to know about the Weslo is that it is designed primarily for walking. It isn’t much good for runners because it lacks in track size, top speed, and horsepower; the three most important elements for running. Be sure to check our in-depth review of this model.
With that said, the treadmill does come with a ramp to make workouts more strenuous and increase calorie burn. The ramp can be adjusted manually with two set positions. It also has a console built in. The LCD screen shows the speed, time, distance, and calories burned for each workout. Users can choose from six preset workouts too.
The Good
Low Price
The key selling point here is going to be the price. You can pick this up for less than $500 making it one of the cheapest options on the market.
Built-in Workouts
The console allows users to choose from up to six different workout programs. The programs were put together by personal trainers so you can be sure they’re good quality workouts that will push you to the next level of fitness.
Save Space
The Weslo Cadence is compact to say the least. It measures in at 64.5” by 29”. You can fold it up and pack it away to save space between workouts. It can even be stored vertically to take up even less room.
The Bad
Small Track
There comes a point where compact becomes too compact. The small track size here is just a little too compact. It may be restrictive for tall people.
Noise
Another problem with the track is that it runs on rollers and is pretty thin. This combines with the lightweight frame to create a fair amount of noise. It’s not bad if you’re listening to music on headphones.
Manual Incline Settings
While the G 5.9 does have incline settings, you have to adjust them manually. Other treadmills let you do this electronically. That means having to pause your workout to make adjustments if you want to adjust it mid-workout.
Horizon T202
The Horizon T202 is another affordable option for compact treadmills. This one does a better job of packing in features for the price than other low-cost compact treadmills. The treadmill measures 34” wide, 75” long, and 58” tall when in use.
One of the great features here is the wide choice of built-in workout programs. Users will be able to target a range of different goals including burning calories, losing weight, increasing rate, and covering a set distance. Everything is tracked by the treadmill and displayed on a neat LCD screen. There’s plenty of room on the belt to work out on thanks to the 20” x 60” belt.
When you’ve finished your workout it’s easy enough to pack the T202 treadmill away. Just fold it up and store it vertically. It’s surprisingly light so you’ll have no problem putting it away. It has FeatherWeight folding technology built in to make it easier to pack up and store.
Don’t worry about the Horizon T202 making a lot of noise during a workout. As well as being one of the cheapest compact treadmills, it’s also one of the quietest. It has a quiet 2.75 CHP motor running behind the scenes. It’s easy to see what makes this a great choice for anyone looking to buy a treadmill that doesn’t take up too much room.
The Good
The Price
The price will be a major selling point for this one. It retails for around $1,000 which is pretty good for a treadmill.
Warranty
It comes covered by an excellent warranty program. The parts are covered for up to a year with the option to extend the warranty by another one or two years.
Motor
The motor is powerful enough to get most people through a challenging workout while still being quiet enough to not bother anyone. The motor is also covered by a complete lifetime warranty, which is amazing to see.
Exercise Programs
The treadmill has 12 exercise programs built in, including programs for distance, time, calories burned, weight loss, and interval training. Another great feature here is the Advanced Goal Center. The advanced goals allow you to create long-term goals you work towards over the course of 31 days. The information from workouts can be transferred to other devices, such as iPads, without any issues.
The Bad
Cheap Belt
The belt on the treadmill is a 1.4mm thick one-ply belt. More expensive treadmills come with thicker belts that are more durable.
Proform Smart Performance 800i
The Proform Smart Performance 800i marks the 2019 entry in the Performance Series of treadmills. The treadmill offers some upgrades over the older models. The main improvements come in the form of more power, a bigger display, increased weight capacity, and a larger treadmill belt. While these improvements have made the Smart Performance 800i more versatile, it is still best suited for walkers or joggers. Runners would be better off looking elsewhere. It’s more of an entry-level treadmill that still has a home in the best compact home gym.
One area where the 800i stands out is the performance. It comes with the biggest motor seen with the Smart Performance Series. At 2.75 CHP this motor is good for walkers and joggers. It’s also good for low impact cardio, such as the kind seniors need to do. Another addition for the 800i model is being able to adjust the incline between -2% and +10%. This creates more intensity and makes workouts more (or less) difficult depending on what the user needs.
These incline options make it more fun to pair the treadmill up with the iFit App. Each purchase of the Proform Smart Performance 800i comes with one year of iFit Coach App. That means you get access to the same workouts and ability to “walk” across real world locations using Google Maps. The running deck connects with the app and moves in real-time using information about the terrain you’ve chosen. Take a virtual walk across the beach or through a city with iFit Coach. The treadmill has a huge 14” interactive LED screen to make the virtual walks more immersive and exciting.
Don’t worry about possibly falling off as you walk across the world either. The belt comes in at 60” by 18” making it longer than the average treadmill belt. The surface of the belt also has some cushioning to it for a softer and gentler workout.
Once you’ve completed your workout, no matter where it takes you, you’ll have no problem packing the Smart Performance up and putting it away. It features a great space saving design to fit in most small spaces.
Last but not least, it comes protected with an extensive warranty program. The frame is covered for 10 years, with 2 year coverage for the parts and 1 year coverage on the labor.
The Good
iFit Membership
While the Smart Performance doesn’t include any built-in workouts to choose from, it does have iFit compatibility. It comes with free access to iFit Coach for a year too. This subscription will give you unlimited access to thousands of workouts and a wide variety of personal trainers too. Even if you don’t want to continue your membership at the end of the year, you’ll still continue to get a free daily workout from iFit.
Incline Options
Being able to choose an incline up to 10% is common enough with treadmills and is the default standard. What’s not as common to see is the 2% decline. This gives you more variety to your workouts for better endurance and intensity, as well as the option for a lighter and less intense workout if you need it.
Speed
You can reach up to 12 MPH which is good for jogging and keeping fit.
The Bad
Best for Beginners
The main drawback of the 800i is that it was clearly designed with beginners in mind. It won’t be able to stand up to the demands of runners. More serious exercisers should look towards the Pro or Power series of ProForm treadmills to get what they need.
Sole F80
The Sole F80 treadmill is the latest – and best – in a line of folding treadmills for compact home gyms. It’s got some impressive features and has seen a few upgrades to take it to the next level. Some of the more stand out features are the 9” display for workout stats and the handy tablet holder. Pop your tablet on the machine for a bit of multitasking, entertainment, or just to sync up to fitness apps on your tablet or phone.
The F80 has some impressive specs backing it up. It starts with the 22” by 60” running surface and continues with the commercial grade 3.5 HP motor and huge incline of up to 15%. That’s what makes it one of the best compact treadmills on the market today. Sole equipped their F80 with a new reversible deck during the upgrade process. Not only does this deck mean that the treadmill lasts longer and performs better, but it also means that the treadmill runs quieter. As an added bonus, it’s also much more comfortable and reduces impact on joints.
Much like other Sole treadmills that have come out recently, the F80 comes with 10 training programs built in and the potential for users to create and save their own workouts. These workouts mean better and more effective results for users. Choose from the different workouts with the help of the 9” screen or connect the treadmill to a phone or tablet for more control options.
If you’re the type of person that likes to keep track of statistics and information with fitness apps then you’ll love what the 800i offers. It comes with Bluetooth connectivity and can sync up directly with the Sole Fitness app. The mobile app is compatible with just about any Android or iOS device. With the help of the app, you’ll be able to display your phone screen on the treadmill LCD screen to make the most out of an exercise. Keep yourself amused with a book or TV show, listen to music, or keep up with the news while still tracking all of your exercise information.
If that wasn’t enough then the Sole Fitness App also makes it easy to keep track of everything in one place. It can connect up to smartwatches and fitness apps like FitBit or Apple Health. The treadmill even has USB chargers and Bluetooth speakers. It’s impressive what you can fit on a compact treadmill.
Don’t let all those features fool you though. This really is still a compact treadmill in every sense of the word. The F80 can be folded up and stored away between workouts to open up your floor space. It locks into position to prevent any potential accidents or injuries too. Just press the switch and fold the treadmill when you’re done with it and put it away out of sight.
The Good
Great Quality Parts and Construction
There’s no doubt that what you get for here is a treadmill built for the long haul. It’s made from commercial-grade parts that ensure your treadmill will keep going for years to come and continue to provide a smooth and comfortable ride. It has powerful shock absorption for some extra comfort so you’ll have no problem using the machine on a regular basis.
Folding Capabilities
Another great benefit of the Sole F80 is that it is so easy to fold up and store away when not being used. If you’re putting together one of the best compact home gyms then you want to choose the smallest and lightest options you can. Rest assured that the Sole F80 will be able to meet those needs and then some. It’s super easy to fold up and pack away too. It actually folds up automatically at the push of a button.
Powerful Motor
The Sole F80 comes equipped with a powerful 3.5HP motor. It’s a great choice for anyone who enjoys running. It’s also suitable for heavier users that need more power from a machine. The treadmill can support just about any kind of workout imaginable. It can handle hill training, interval training, and long-distance running workouts.
The Bad
Limited Variety
One area the F80 falls short in is the workout variety. It only has 10 workouts built in. This is pretty good variety, of course, but some people might want to choose a treadmill that either has more workouts, or has the option to download and store more workouts.
Short Side Rails
The F80 does come with hand rails for added support and stability, but they aren’t as large as you’d get with other models.
What to Look For in a Compact Treadmill?
Now that you know some of the best compact treadmill options, let’s look at what makes them the “best” and also look at what you should consider when choosing from the list. Each of the treadmills featured on our list is affordable at the very least. Compact treadmills are generally more affordable than full-size treadmills because they are so much smaller. The design and building materials used for commercial-grade treadmills also makes it impossible to fold them.
Here are some of the things to look for in a compact treadmill;
Dimensions
The easiest way to know if a treadmill is right for you or not is to take a quick look at the measurements. How much room does it take up? One of the most common complaints about treadmills is that they take up a lot more room than expected. Remember that you’re looking for a compact treadmill. You don’t want to get one that’s too big, and you certainly don’t want one that you can’t fold up. Take measure of how much space you have for a treadmill and find something that can fit into that space.
Quality
You’ll find there are no end of cheap treadmills on the market. These are all sold by people you’ve never even heard of and their price is tempting, sure, but they aren’t worth it. They are often made from poor quality materials and you’ll be lucky to get a few months use out of it, never mind a few years.
Instead of going for the cheapest option, you should weight the cost against the features and quality of a treadmill. You want to find good value from a trusted manufacturer. The treadmills in our list have all been chosen for their quality builds and extensive warranties.
Belt Length
The belt length is something that requires a bit of careful consideration. There’s a delicate balance between having a belt long enough to be worth it, and being so long it’s no longer compact. The bigger the belt the more room to work out, but a bigger belt also means a bigger treadmill. We tried to find treadmills that have just the right belt length for a good workout while still being compact.
Features
If you can’t decide between two treadmills then take a look at the features they have available. Even cheap treadmills have something to offer with features. While most of these features are fairly streamlined, some stand out more than others and have unique elements and features to them, such as built-in workouts, fans, and user-friendly controls.
Conclusion
As you think about which is the best compact treadmill of 2020 and which one is right for you, be sure to look through the reviews and see what people have to say. These reviews will give you the insight you need to make the most informed decision and choose a good treadmill for you. The good news is that there’s a lot of choice out there. As long as you keep looking you’re sure to find the right treadmill for your compact home gym. Start out by finding out how much room you have for a treadmill, then find a compact treadmill that will fit in that space. From there, look at the features and quality.