best compact treadmill

Best Compact Treadmill

You know what? I think there is a good argument that most runners (or even just people wanting to keep in shape) should have a treadmill in their home.

And with a at home, you get to work out in privacy, and you don’t have to be stuck in traffic, taking painstaking trips to the gym.

Some people don’t believe they can fit a into their home. But these days can be really compact. Especially when folded up.

Compact are great for smaller homes as they can be folded and stored away while not in use.

Don’t be put off by the thought of having a bulky and boisterous machine taking up all your floor space – simply look for a compact treadmill instead. 

And there are some great compact out there. I’ve been doing my homework and have been checking out some of the best ones on the market.

I was careful to include the product dimensions, so you can see for yourself whether they’ll fit in your home’s space.

And after that, I’ve got a handy buying guide for you which walks you through everything that you might want to think about before your buy.

In a hurry? 

Can’t wait to get your own hands on a compact treadmill?

There’s not much better than being able to work out in the comfort of your own home, with no one around you to disturb.

OK, Let’s have a look at some of the best compact treadmills out there.

My favourite on the market has to be the Nero Pro Treadmill, and here are a few reasons why:

  • The LED display can tell you a lot about your workout. 
  • You can connect your phone to the treadmill thanks to Bluetooth capabilities. 
  • The treadmill can be folded to almost flat so that you can store it away compactly.

Nero Pro Treadmill

First up on the list is a compact treadmill from Nero Pro, boasting a Bluetooth connectivity feature that can pair your phone and tablet to your treadmill.

Keep up to date with your progress and goals with this very beneficial addition. 

The LED screen allows you to monitor your heart rate, calories burned, speed and distance, and time.

There are 12 automatic programs to use in total, and you can also add in your own manual programs if you’d prefer. 

This treadmill measures in at 50 x 24 x 47 inches and weighs 53 pounds.

It also has wheels on the bottom for easier storage.

The steel alloy frame also folds to be almost completely flat, which is ideal for storing in tight spaces or underneath furniture. 

The Nero Pro Treadmill requires 750 watts of power to run and you can reach speeds up to 6.5mph.

It comes with an extended warranty for three years. What’s more, there are three incline settings as well. 

Pros: 

  • Bluetooth connectivity to pair your phone. 
  • Detailed LED display included. 
  • Compact and easy to move around. 
  • Folds to almost completely flat. 

Cons:

  • Doesn’t reach as high speeds as you might prefer.

CITYSPORTS Folding Motorised Treadmill

CITYSPORTS is a great manufacturer in the world of fitness, with plenty of exercise equipment at reasonably low prices.

This treadmill looks a little different to many typical machines as there is not much of a handle to hold onto. 

In fact, you can either choose to purchase this treadmill with or without a thin handle to hold onto!

Many users tend to lay this compact treadmill underneath their standing desk so that they can work out while working!

Likewise, you can store the treadmill under any furniture while it’s not in use. 

There is still an LED display that you can use to tell you the time, distance, and calories you’ve burned.

You can control the speed settings with a handy remote control so that you don’t need to put yourself in a dangerous position. 

The machine weighs 74 pounds and has foldable wheels to help you transport it around your house.

If you’re looking for a compact and inexpensive treadmill and have good balance, this is the one for you! 

Pros:

  • Have the ability to choose between a handle or no handle. 
  • Very easy to store while not in use. 
  • Controlled by a remote. 

Cons:

  • Only reaches speeds of 3.7 miles, so not great for running. 
  • Not the best for people who have trouble balancing. 

Bluefin Fitness KICK Innovative High-Speed Folding Treadmill

The Bluefin Fitness treadmill works alongside the Kinomap app which features thousands of structured workouts and fitness regimes for you to follow along to.

Take advantage of the incline feature, as well as the other high-quality features that make this a treadmill designed for serious use. 

Shock absorption is very important when it comes to treadmills, as it protects your joints that are compromised when running.

The aero-dampening system makes every step comfortable and stable, so you can feel safe and secure during every workout. 

The track is also antistatic (no huge electric shocks when you touch anything after your run) and quiet underfoot so you don’t need to worry about disturbing the neighbours or anyone else in the house.

With a maximum speed of 12 mph, it is great for most ability levels. 

This treadmill measures in at 67 x 32 x 53 inches and folds into a compact storage size.

Unfolding is just as simple thanks to the hydraulic arm locking system. There are also wheels underneath the machine.

Pros: 

  • Works alongside a fitness app to keep you engaged and excited about exercise. 
  • Shock absorption protects your joints. 
  • Quiet to use. 
  • Fast maximum speed. 

Cons:

  • Doesn’t compact as much as other models on my list. 
  • Expensive in comparison to other compact treadmills. 

CITYSPORTS 440W Foldable Treadmill

Another compact treadmill from CITYSPORTS, this model offers you a faster maximum speed at 5mph.

While this is not as fast as other treadmills on offer, you can still achieve a reasonably paced jog at this speed. 

You can control the treadmill’s speed with a remote located on the simple handle of the machine.

This handle is not what you might expect on a traditional treadmill; however, it does a good job of giving you something to balance on while in use. 

The LED screen lets you know vital information about your session. The armrest folds down once you’ve finished and the hidden wheels allow storing this treadmill to be a  breeze every time. 

Enjoy your favourite music through the Bluetooth capabilities and integrated speaker.

One of my favourite features is the fact that the treadmill will let you know when you need to add some more oil into the lubrication hole, prolonging the lifespan of your machine. 

Pros: 

  • Foldable and thin handle. 
  • Bluetooth capabilities for playing music. 
  • Lubrication reminders every 101 kilometres.

Cons:

  • Might not reach the high speeds that you might want. 
  • The LED display might be difficult to read.

Evolve B1 Motorized Electric Foldable Running Machine

Last but not least is the Evolve B1 treadmill, this is a serious bit of kit, made from carbon steel and measuring in at 48 x 18.9 x 41.7 inches.

With three levels of incline and a speed range of 0.5 to 6mph, you can customize your workouts as you progress in your fitness journey. 

The LED display is easily accessible with large buttons for operating the treadmill.

The display will show you how many calories you’ve burned, the distance travelled, your speed, and much more.

There are 12 pre-programmed workouts to follow and you can connect your devices through the AUX, USB, or Bluetooth capabilities.

With all of these features, the Evolve B1 treadmill seems just like a machine that you’d find in a public gym, but there is one key difference. This treadmill can be folded and stored compactly. 

Simply fold the running surface up, lock it into place, and you’re done!

Use the wheels to transport it to its home while not in use and feel free to forget about it in between uses. 

Pros:

  • Three levels on the incline feature. 
  • 12 pre-programmed modes to use. 
  • Lots of impressive features such as pulse sensors. 

Cons:

  • Doesn’t compact as much as other models on my list. 
  • One customer found the incline pins tricky to use. 

Buyer’s Guide

As promised, here’s a little buying guide for you. It’s of vital importance that you research your treadmill before committing to a purchase.

Although, I know that researching products can be incredibly difficult when you don’t know what to look for. 

But don’t fear, that is why I have collated all of the most important information when it comes to choosing the for your circumstance.

Remember that everyone’s needs are different – a treadmill that your friend swears by might not work for you. 

Folding Capability

Perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing a compact treadmill is how well it can be folded up.

The entire premise and point of a compact treadmill are that it needs to fold up as small as possible to preserve space, so it would be pretty useless purchasing one that doesn’t do this. 

When floor space is at a premium, the less room your treadmill takes up, the better. Many treadmills can be folded up when not in use.

And once folded you can either slide them under the home furniture, or you can prop them against a wall out of the way.

But better yet, you can even get treadmills where the handlebars fold down while you’re using the machine.

They’re generally called under desk treadmills because you can set your desk across it, and work away while taking a gentle stroll.

As you can see, many compact treadmill manufacturers have a different idea of what it means to be compact.

So, it’s important that you measure your storage space before purchasing a treadmill to avoid it being too large to fit in your house. 

Built-in Exercise Programs

Sometimes you need to get into exercise habits gradually. And at some point, it will be time to bring your work-out up a gear.

That’s why it’s good to have several different exercise programs to choose from. 

Sometimes you’re going to want to do a power walk, sometimes a jog, sometimes cardio, sometimes high-intensity interval , and so on. The more options you have, the better.

If you’re just starting out with exercise, you might rely more on built-in exercise programs. Some treadmills offer an incline feature that helps you to build upon your stamina and muscle building. 

However, if you’re an advanced user you can still use these exercise programs as long as they’re still challenging enough for you.

So, it’s vital that you take a look at the built-in exercise programs to ensure that they’re challenging enough for your skill level. 

Special Features

Besides folding capability and built-in workout programs, compact treadmills can often come with a number of special features.

These aren’t necessarily essential but are very nice to have. Let’s go through some of them now.

Heart Rate Monitoring

A treadmill that has a heart rate monitoring system is a plus. Especially if you want to use the machine for cardio exercise to burn off excess fat. 

To burn off fat when you exercise you need to keep your heart rate above a certain level for a set amount of time. And the only way to ensure you do this is by monitoring your heart rate.

Some treadmills have heart rate monitoring built-in, and sometimes you can buy a heart rate monitor that you wear on your chest or your wrist. And quite often these can connect to your treadmill via Bluetooth.

Shock Absorption

One thing that sometimes puts people off from buying a treadmill is the idea that too much jogging and/or running can damage your joints, such as your knees.

To that end, treadmill manufacturers have started producing treadmills that feature shock absorption, to lessen this damage to joints as your foot impacts the running belt.

Speakers 

Having a compact treadmill doesn’t mean you have to go without any of the cool features you can get on regular treadmills. And the good news is that that means music!

You don’t want to have to deal with headphone or earphone wires if you can help it, so why not go for a treadmill with speakers, linked up to your music device via Bluetooth.

Running surface

Compact treadmills shouldn’t interfere with your usage too much as they should perform similarly to a normal treadmill.

However, there is the possibility that the manufacturer has reduced the amount of running surface on their treadmill to make it more compact for storage purposes. 

This is usually not an issue unless you’re very tall or have a wide stride.

When purchasing a treadmill I would always recommend measuring your average stride length so that you can find a safe treadmill for you to use. 

While it is often hilarious when people fall off treadmills in the movies, it’s not so funny when it’s real life and it’s you getting injured.

So, always be safe and take the time to find the best treadmill for your body. 

Cost

Yes, on the whole, a treadmill can be an expensive piece of kit, but even though some treadmills out there can cost over £1000, you can get a treadmill with loads of great features for under £400.

Or a good but more basic treadmill for under £300.

And with the average gym membership costing £58 per month, you can get your money’s worth in just 6 months!

It’s a bargain if you’re going to make the most of it and use it for a prolonged period of time.

If you’re looking for an easy way to get into fitness, a treadmill is a great way to go. 

Warranty

As I’ve just mentioned, treadmills aren’t inexpensive pieces of equipment.

The last thing you want to do is invest in a new compact treadmill only for it to break down within a couple of months, right? 

To soften this blow, there would need to be a warranty in place. If you’re spending over £100 on a piece of equipment it is always worth looking into what sort of warranty there is.

Warranties indicate that the manufacturer believes in their product and is happy to work with you if it were to falter. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are compact treadmills still effective? 

Yes! Compact treadmills work in the exact same way as normal treadmills, just with folding capabilities.

You can find higher-end compact treadmills and well as budget picks, just like you can for typical treadmills. 

Can tall people use compact treadmills? 

Everyone should be able to use a compact treadmill just like they would a typical one that can be found in a gym.

However, you should always look at the running surface that a treadmill provides. 

Measure your stride and compare it to the running surface of the treadmill that you’re considering. If it is too short, look elsewhere!

You could injure yourself or damage your belongings around you if you use a treadmill too short for you. 

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