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The ongoing pandemic has changed a lot of things in our lifestyle. From how we socialize with other people to how we take care of our health. For some of you, staying healthy means keeping up with regular exercises. But what happens when the gym is not an option? Well, I got you covered. In this article, I’ll be giving you my top recommendations of the best folding treadmills for home use this 2021.
Why Should I Get A Treadmill For My Home?
Before we get into the actual products, some of you might be wondering: why a treadmill?
I could have chosen any other gym equipment that would probably take less space in your house and you’re right. But if you’re a runner, doesn’t matter if you’re an athlete or just someone who casually likes to run, then you’ll surely appreciate this topic.
I chose treadmills as the main focus of this article for two reasons: one being I already wrote another article about ellipticals for your home gym, which you can read here. The second reason is that a treadmill can easily be used for either intense cardio or more light workouts just by adjusting the settings. Additionally, I like to run as well.
A folding treadmill is your best bet if you really want to keep running as part of your workout routine. Rain or shine, you’ll be in the comfort of your own home and still be able to burn through those calories.
While it’s understandable that a folding treadmill it’s still a pretty big piece of furniture, you have to admit it still saves a significant amount of space compared to a traditional treadmill. There are units out there that can collapse so it fits in a closet for easy storage and you can easily reclaim your floor space.
Apart from that, a folding treadmill is just generally a fun and great addition to your home gym. You can spice up your workouts with a treadmill through different ways by adjusting the settings, increasing your incline from time to time, and some treadmills also offer a personal coach you can interact with through their built-in screens.
Whatever it is you’re looking for in a folding treadmill, this list will surely have something for you.
My Top Recommendations
1. NordicTrack T 6.5s Treadmill
Overview
If you’re looking for the best of the best when it comes to folding treadmills, look no further. The NordicTrack T 6.5s is the one you need to set your eyes on.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the brand, NordicTrack is a very well-known and well-trusted premium personal gym equipment manufacturer for your home. They promise to elevate every workout experience for their users through their impressive personal training programs that are tailored just for you.
The NordicTrack T 6.5s is just one of the best entry-level units in their full home gym lineup and this takes the top spot in our list of the best folding treadmills for home use this 2021.
With their equipped iFit programs, you’ll never get a boring workout session with the NordicTrack T 6.5s. You can also opt to get a personal coach you can interact with in real-time through the screen. Your trainer can auto-adjust your speed and incline through a smart Bluetooth connection.
Additionally, the SMART-Response Motor allows for for effective speed, interval, and endurance training. While the FlexSelect deck cushioning protects your joints so you can solely focus on your workout without worrying about possible soreness and injuries.
The NordicTrack T 6.5s also has an innovative SpaceSaver design with EasyLift Assist that lets you fold your treadmill after working out in a compact and portable design.
Features & Specifications
- Product Dimensions: 73.5 x 36 x 54 inches (LxWxH)
- Running Area: 20 x 55 inches.
- Product Weight: 203 lbs. or 92 kg.
- Material: Steel and plastic.
- Color: Black.
- Maximum User Weight Capacity: 300 lbs. or 136 kg.
- Maximum Horsepower: 3 Horsepower.
- Top Speed Rating: 10 miles per hour.
- Incline: Yes, up to 10 percent.
- Screen: Yes, you get a 5” Backlit iFit Display.
- Preset Workouts / Fitness Programs: iFit, 20 built-in workout programs (without iFit).
- Warranty: 10-year frame warranty, 2-year parts warranty, and 1-year labor warranty.
- Extra Features: iFit Coach Ready, auxiliary music port, and dual 2” digitally amplified speakers.
Pros
- Sturdy and compact treadmill.
- Great entry-level design.
- Cushioning on the deck can easily be turned on or off.
- Even without an iFit subscription, you get 20 built-in workout programs to choose from.
- Wheels in the base of this model make it easy for moving around and storing.
- Suitable for people who like light exercises and training.
Cons
- Not meant for more intense workouts or training.
- No fans built in on the console.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Where Can I Buy The NordicTrack T 6.5s Treadmill?
2. Sole Fitness F80 Folding Treadmill
Overview
The Sole Fitness F80 Folding Treadmill is a real beast and something you should definitely consider if you want a folding treadmill that is built to last you for several years.
Equipped with commercial grade parts, the F80 will surely provide you with a comfortable workout session due to its excellent shock absorption. This will allow you to run or walk on your folding treadmill daily without the risk of too much soreness.
Unlike NordicTrack T 6.5s, the F80 can easily support trainees who enjoy longer runs as well as individuals on the heavier side who might demand more from their treadmill. This means you can also enjoy more intense and grueling workouts without worrying that this machine will falter. This is all thanks to the F80’s 3.5 HP motor.
If you live with other people in your house and don’t want to disturb them during your exercises, the F80 has you covered. The durable two-ply belt and 2.5 inch rollers will help keep the folding treadmill quiet while limiting tear and wear as you use it over time.
When it comes to comfortability, the F80 has a Cushion Flex Whisper Deck feature that minimized the stress and impact on your joints by 40% compared to when you’re running on asphalt or on any road.
Aside from its top-quality parts and somewhat ergonomic features, the Sole Fitness F80 can also conveniently fold up automatically with a single push of a button. How cool, right? Now you don’t have to worry about putting pressure on yourself to fold your treadmill after a tiring workout session. Just push the button then store!
Features & Specifications
- Product Dimensions: 85.43 x 37.01 x 17.32 inches (LxWxH)
- Running Area: 22 x 60 inches.
- Product Weight: 265 lbs. or 120 kg.
- Material: Steel.
- Color: Black.
- Maximum User Weight Capacity: 375 lbs. or 170 kg.
- Maximum Horsepower: Up to 3.5 horsepower.
- Top Speed Rating: 12 miles per hour.
- Incline: 0-to-15% rack-and-pinion gear design incline.
- Screen: 7.5-inch LCD screen.
- Preset Workouts / Fitness Programs: Six standard programs, two custom programs, and two heart programs.
- Warranty: lifetime warranty on the frame, 5 years on parts, 2 years on labor.
- Extra Features: Cushion Flex Whisper Deck, two-ply belt, pulse grip, and chest strap heart rate monitoring.
Check Out Our Dedicated Review Of The Sole Fitness F80 Here.
Pros
- Sturdy and durable build that can support trainees of different weights and sizes.
- Compact and easy design.
- Impressive warranty coverage.
- Great for intense and longer runs.
- It has built-in cooling fans.
- Comfortable to use and offers less impact and stress on your joints due to its Cushion Flex Whisper Deck feature.
Cons
- On the pricier end of folding treadmills.
- Has a limited variety of workout programs.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Where Can I Buy The Sole Fitness F80 Folding Treadmill?
3. Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill Series
Overview
Horizon Fitness T101 is an ideal candidate of folding treadmills if you prefer light or moderate workouts or runs. Not to mention, it’s quite affordable too! So if you’re on a budget and don’t want to splurge that much, this is a solid machine to give a thought.
If you’re unaware of the brand, Horizon Fitness provides and distributes low-cost treadmills and other fitness equipment for your home. Their T101 in their treadmill series is their entry-level unit with a foldable and compact design for easy storage.
Due to its incredibly affordable price, the T101 is one of their bestsellers. Because besides its budget-friendly price tag, the machine itself is still pretty high quality and can support up to 300 pounds of user weight capacity.
The T101 has thirty built-in workout programs that offer time, distance, and calorie targets as well as manual, interval, and weight-loss workouts to keep your exercise routines varied and challenging.
Other features of the T101 include a Bluetooth speaker system for people who like audio-listening during workout sessions, heart rate monitoring for your pulse, and built-in cooling fans to keep you fresh as you burn through those calories.
Features & Specifications
- Product Dimensions: 73 x 29.5 x 12 inches (LxWxH)
- Running Area: 20 x 55 inches.
- Product Weight: 180 lbs. or 82 kg.
- Material: Aluminum.
- Color: Black.
- Maximum User Weight Capacity: 300 lbs. or 136 kg.
- Maximum Horsepower: 2.5 horsepower.
- Top Speed Rating: 10 miles per hour.
- Incline: o to 10% of incline.
- Preset Workouts / Fitness Programs: 30 built-in workout programs to choose from.
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty on the motor and frame, parts and labor have 1 year.
- Extra Features: Built-in cooling fans, Bluetooth connectivity so you can sync your device on the T101’s integrated speakers, energy saver mode, device holder, audio input jack, USB charging port, and heart rate monitoring.
Check Out Our Dedicated Review Of The Horizon Fitness T101 Here.
Pros
- Budget-friendly price.
- Great for beginners and who just like light to moderate walks or jogs on their folding treadmills.
- 30 different workout programs to choose from.
- Has built-in cooling fans and Bluetooth speakers.
Cons
- The 2.5 horsepower is only suitable for light to moderate walking or jogging.
- The 20-inch x 55-inch tread belt is quite short.
- Cushioning is mediocre.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Where Can I Buy The Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill Series?
4. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7603 Exercise Treadmill
Overview
Another budget-friendly option out there for you is the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7603.
Just like Horizon Fitness, Sunny Health & Fitness is known for its affordable and budget-friendly fitness equipment for the home without making any compromises in terms of quality and craftsmanship on its machines.
And staying true to the brand, the SF-T7603 is no exception. In fact, this particular folding treadmill is another best seller from the Sunny Health & Fitness company as you might see in Amazon.
I’d understand if some of you might be skeptical of this folding treadmill’s quality as it’s being sold for under $500, but Sunny Health & Fitness is a pretty reputable brand too so you know their products are reliable and packed with terrific features.
When it comes to performance, the 2.2 horsepower allows its users for light to moderate jogs and workout sessions. This is usually the standard for more budget-friendly machines. Nevertheless, the overall performance is pretty solid for what it offers.
If you’re looking for a folding treadmill with higher horsepower so you can do more grueling routines, it will cost you.
Other noteworthy features of the SF-T7603 include the soft-drop hydraulic mechanism that allows the folded deck to gently lower itself to the floor and multifunction handrails with pulse sensors that let you change up your speed as well as measure your heart rate.
The SF-T7603 also has a Digital Monitor screen that displays your time, distance, speed, calorie, pulse, and chosen mode and program.
Features & Specifications
- Product Dimensions: 62 x 27 x 47 inches (LxWxH)
- Running Area: 49L x 16W inches.
- Product Weight: 103.6 lbs. or 47 kg.
- Material: Steel
- Color: Grey
- Maximum User Weight Capacity: 220 lbs. or 100 kg.
- Maximum Horsepower: 2.2 horsepower.
- Top Speed Rating: Up to 9 miles per hour.
- Incline: Up to 3 levels of incline only.
- Screen: Digital monitor display.
- Preset Workouts / Fitness Programs: 9 workout programs.
- Warranty:
- Extra Features: The unit comes with a free belt lubrication oil, a digital monitor to display your stats while working out, handrail controls with pulse sensors, a device holder, and a soft drop mechanism when unfolding your SF-T7603.
Pros
- Handrail controls are very ergonomic.
- Pretty decent workout programs.
- Good for beginners who like light to moderate jogs and workouts.
Cons
- Takes a bit of time to assemble in comparison to other folding treadmills that come in pre-assembled or almost pre-assembled.
- Low incline capability.
- Not meant for more intense runs.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Where Can I Buy The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7603 Exercise Treadmill?
5. XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill
Overview
Coming in at the fifth spot of our best folding treadmills for home use this 2021 list, let’s take a look at the XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill.
A quick information about the company; XTERRA Fitness is a brand that manufactures cardio fitness equipment based in Jonesboro, Arkansas. They produce high quality fitness equipment that can easily be accessed by everyone while helping you achieve your fitness goals in the comfort of your own home.
The TR150 in the XTERRA Fitness line is one of their entry-level models that are more suited for light to moderate runs and exercises such as jogging or fast-paced walking. It’s great for casual fitness enthusiasts and has really impressive user reviews on Amazon.
Upon opening the box, the machine comes in almost pre-assembled with just a few parts you would need to attach. Despite having a lightweight design, it can still easily support a maximum user weight of up to 250 lbs. or 113 kg.
The TR150 also falls in the smaller spectrum of folding treadmills compared to other folding treadmills in the market and is even smaller and more compact when folded (estimated to be around 29″ D x 28.75″ W).
When in use, the machine sits comfortably at 63.4″ (161 cm) long and 28.752 (73 cm) wide, which might not be suitable for people who are taller due to the deck’s size capacity. If you have longer running strides, you might struggle with your comfortability.
Additionally, you also get 12 preset fitness programs with this running machine as well as a manual option that gives you complete control of your fitness routine.
The biggest downside of the XTERRA Fitness TR150 for me is that you have to manually adjust the incline. Preferably, you need to adjust the treadmill before hopping in to start your workout. So if you like a machine that will let you automatically adjust your incline mid-exercise, this isn’t the one for you.
While it does lack a few bells and whistles so it can maintain its budget-friendly price tag, overall it’s still a pretty solid product.
Features & Specifications
- Product Dimensions: 63.4 x 28.75 x 51.4 inches (LxWxH)
- Running Area: 16 x 50 inches.
- Product Weight: 108 lbs. or 49 kg.
- Material: Steel and plastic.
- Color: Black.
- Maximum User Weight Capacity: 250 lbs. or 113 kg.
- Maximum Horsepower: 2.25 horsepower.
- Top Speed Rating: 0.5 up to 10 miles per hour.
- Incline: Up to 3 manual inclination levels.
- Screen: 5-inch LCD display.
- Preset Workouts / Fitness Programs: 12 preset programs.
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty on the frame, 1 year on the motor, 90 days on the parts, and labor.
- Extra Features: Built-in device holder and reading rack, and handgrip pulse sensors.
Pros
- Very easy to use and beginner-friendly.
- Great for light to moderate workout routines.
- Terrific customer support and warranty.
- Little to no assembly needed.
- The XTRASoft deck cushioning technology on this folding treadmill allows for less impact and stress on your joints.
Cons
- Not suitable for more intense workouts.
- Manual incline can be an inconvenience for some.
- This machine can expose you to chemicals including Toluene and Acrylamide which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Where Can I Buy The XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill?
6. Echelon Stride
Overview
The Echelon Stride folding treadmill will be your favorite in this list if you’re super tight on space inside your house. But it’s definitely on the pricier end of folding treadmills in our list.
It’s compact and not as chunky as other folding treadmills you might come across in the market. It measures 69 x 31 x 49 inches when unfolded and weighs 156 pounds. You’ll find wheels on the base of this machine for convenient transportation and has a unique auto fold feature for easy storage whether it be in your closet or under your bed.
Don’t be fooled by its modest size though, the Echelon Stride is very sturdy and you won’t experience any rocking or faltering when you’re using it. The 1.75 HP continuous power brushless DC motor in this treadmill allows it to go from 0.5 to 12 miles per hour along with 12 levels of incline that max out at a 10% grade.
The Stride also offers an Echelon United class membership, which costs $39.99 per month, $399 per year, or $599 for two years. Admittedly, that’s really pricey for me but if you can afford it, then I think you should go for it. Especially if you like to be competitive and challenge yourself constantly.
The Echelon United class membership allows you to stream live running and walking classes and even compete with other trainees on leaderboards.
The membership also gives you access to endless classes with professional trainers and a wide range of different workouts to choose from that focus on strength training, HIIT, and so much more.
Despite costing over a thousand dollars, the Echelon Stride offers financing options for people who are on a budget but still want a top-of-the-class foldable treadmill so you won’t have to splurge in one go.
Features & Specifications
- Product Dimensions: 69.3 x 31 x 49.2 inches (LxWxH)
- Running Area: 20 x 55 inches.
- Product Weight: 179 lbs. or 81 kg.
- Material: Steel
- Color: Grey
- Maximum User Weight Capacity: 300 lbs. or 136 kg.
- Maximum Horsepower: 1.75 horsepower.
- Top Speed Rating: 0.5 up to 12 miles per hour.
- Incline: 12 levels with a max incline of up to 10%.
- Screen: Digital display.
- Preset Workouts / Fitness Programs: 8 preset programs but you have the option to subscribe to their Echelon United class membership.
- Warranty: 12 months on limited parts and labor warranty as well as a 100% money-back guarantee for the first 30 days.
- Extra Features: Bluetooth (Echelon Fit App access), 2 Water Bottle Holders, Smart Phone Holder, Secure Tablet Holder, and Safety Stop Lanyard.
Pros
- Wide range of inclination levels.
- Impressive warranty coverage.
- Great for small spaces due to its unique folding design.
- Easy to set up and store.
- Can be used for more intense workouts.
- The Echelon United class membership offers an endless range of workout classes to choose from that is suitable for your fitness goals.
Cons
- On the pricier end of folding treadmills, especially with the added cost of the Echelon United class membership.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Where Can I Buy The Echelon Stride?
7. Bowflex T10 Treadmill
Overview
Last but not the least in our list of the best folding treadmills for home use this 2021 is the Bowflex T10.
As you can see in the picture, it’s a beast of a machine. It’s a lot chunkier and bigger than the previous units on this list. So if you don’t have a lot of space to spare in your home gym, then this might not be the folding treadmill for you.
In any case, folding treadmills of this size are great because they usually are a lot more durable, meaning they last longer. They can also support heavier individuals with ease and have better warranty coverages on them.
The T10 checks all those boxes. In addition, the Bowflex T10 has a unique feature of both incline and decline training compared to other machines in this list that only have incline options. You can get up to 15% incline or decline down to -5%.
Overall, this feature is very impressive as it really allows you to have a versatile workout routine and pump up your cardio training. Not to mention, the T10 is also equipped with wireless heart rate monitoring that operates via Bluetooth to give you a more accurate measurement. This way you can monitor your progress without any hassle.
Other terrific features of the T10 include the JRNY Experience subscription, an adjustable 10-inch touchscreen display, a large cushioned deck, easy SoftDrop mechanism, pulse handgrips, incline knobs, a media shelf, and so much more.
Features & Specifications
- Product Dimensions: 85 x 39.6 x 65.3 inches (LxWxH)
- Running Area: 22″ x 60″
- Product Weight: 323 lbs. or 146.5 kg.
- Material: Steel
- Color: Black
- Maximum User Weight Capacity: 400 lbs. or 181.4 kg.
- Maximum Horsepower: 1 horsepower.
- Top Speed Rating: Up to 12 miles per hour.
- Incline: Up to 15% of maximum incline.
- Screen: 10″ HD touchscreen.
- Preset Workouts / Fitness Programs: JRNY Experience for interactive workout classes.
- Warranty: 15 years of coverage on frame and motor, 5 years on parts, and 2 years on labor.
- Extra Features: Built-in media shelf, Comfort Tech deck cushioning, SoftDrop folding system, Bluetooth HR armband, and Bluetooth speakers.
Pros
- Great maximum user weight capacity.
- The JRNY experience allows you to have access to streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, etc. as well as interactive workout classes.
- SoftDrop mechanism for easy folding and storage.
- Motorized incline and decline options.
Cons
- On the pricier end.
- Warranty is not the best out there in the market compared to other treadmills within its range.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Where Can I Buy The Bowflex T10 Treadmill?
Before You Invest
Now that we’ve covered the best folding treadmills for home use this 2021, here are some quick tips you may want to keep in mind before fully investing in these excellent gym equipments.
Workout Space
Before you make any final purchases on your desired folding treadmill, I highly recommend considering the amount of space you have for the machine. This will also give you an idea what size of treadmill you should go for.
While folding treadmills are pretty compact for storing, that’s not the case when they’re in use. They can still acquire a lot of space once unfolded and the last thing we want is to be crammed up in a corner without much space to move.
Treadmill Size
Once you’ve determined how much workout space you have to spare, it will be fairly easy to know which treadmill size is perfect for you. But don’t forget to take into account your own size as well.
Most treadmills can usually accommodate the average person with their maximum weight capacities. But it’s still much better (and I highly recommend it) to check out how much weight a particular folding treadmill can handle.
This will also help avoid any unwanted incidents or issues regarding the size and weight capacity of a certain unit.
Incline
The levels of the incline in your chosen folding treadmill will solely depend on your preference. Some of you might prefer a running machine that has a wide range of inclination levels to choose from to keep your workouts challenging and versatile, while others may not.
I personally prefer the former as well and fortunately, so many manufacturers in the market provide a variety of options for us.
Do keep in mind that some folding treadmills have inclines wherein you can adjust manually or automatically. I would recommend going for the latter as you won’t have to step out of your running machine in case you want to change your incline level mid workout.
Workout Programs
Most folding treadmills have built-in preset programs. Some have more programs to choose from and some have less. More high end brands offer subscription based apps you can sign up in to have access to different live workout classes and even a personal coach to train you.
Treadmills Accessories
This isn’t the most important thing to consider but it is still pretty convenient to have in your treadmill. Not to mention, quite ergonomic too.
Having a water bottle holder is nice so you don’t have to go to the kitchen to get one, a device holder is great so you can put an iPad or your phone to listen to music or even watch some shows to keep you entertained while running. There are more reasons to enumerate but I think you get the idea.
Warranty
Another thing to consider before making any final purchases is the treadmill’s warranty from its manufacturer. Usually, the warranty for a lot of standard folding treadmills are pretty generous. A lot of them even offer lifetime warranties on the frame.
But try not to overlook this factor in case you get a faulty machine or missing parts. One of the worst things we can experience is poor customer support or delayed replacements of faulty machines.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, if you have the budget and enough space to spare in your home, a folding treadmill is pretty much worth the investment. Especially if you really like jogging or running as part of your workout sessions.
A treadmill is just so versatile and we owe it to ourselves to keep our bodies fit and healthy in the best way possible. Especially now that we are currently in a pandemic. Taking care of our health is more important than ever.
Luckily for us, there are so many folding treadmills to choose from in the market right now and I’m sure there’s one you’ll find that will fit your expectations and needs. It’s just a matter of preference and hoping that my list was able to help you figure it out.
Did your favorite folding treadmill for home us make it in our list? Tell me all about your experiences and your suggestions if you have any in the comments section below! I’d love to hear your insights.
Recommended reading for you:
The Best Elliptical Machines For The Home 2021
Your Best Home Treadmill Buying Guide For 2021
The Sole Fitness F80 Review: Is This Popular Folding Treadmill The Best For Your Home Gym?
Horizon Fitness T101 Review: The Best Budget-Friendly Folding Treadmill
