How We Review Treadmills

At TreadmillReviews.net, truth is paramount. Our goal is to provide trustworthy information that helps shoppers decide which treadmills and treadmill alternatives best fit their needs. We’re also committed to being clear about how we review the treadmills on our site. Each person that makes up our team has a fitness background, and our diversity in specialties provides a well-rounded approach in providing the best guidance in matching you with the right treadmill for your goals.

No Shenanigans: Treadmill Reviews You Can Trust

Editors Brian and Jessica assess products at Johnson Fitness. Photo by: Oleksandr Kosheliev / TreadmilReviews.net

The Internet is flooded with unreliable product reviews. We offer a useful alternative. Most importantly, our treadmill reviewers have no stake in the ratings they assign. We aren’t swayed by company partnerships, affiliate payouts or advertising. Whether we write a disappointed two-star or an enthusiastic five-star review, our compensation is the same, and the work is posted. There is a clear distinction between the advertising and editorial/research/review teams. To learn more about how we support our work, see our earnings disclosure here.

Three Ways We Review

Our review team relies on personal experience, research, and critical thinking. Like any good product analyst, we know better than to simply parrot the messages printed in sales brochures. Our fitness professionals take many data points into account for each treadmill review. Once published, each review is subject to change based on new customer feedback, manufacturer updates, recalls, and more. 

Our review guides are centered on real-life experience(s) with the products. Sometimes we meet a treadmill before it’s even “born,” thanks to assembly line tours. There are three methods we employ to review treadmills:

• Hands-on reviews
• Research-based reviews
• Manufacturer headquarters visits

Regardless of the review method, we strive in each article to share an informed understanding of how a given treadmill model works in the real world – from day one of ownership and down the line. Is assembly a hassle? Is this treadmill fine for a petite athlete but not fit for tall runners? Is it durable enough for an active family? Does it squeak? We’ll do our best to let you know. We take measures to make your shopping experience as informed as possible, enriching each article with plenty of reputable links to relevant material including peer-reviewed articles and suggestions for alternative machines suited for particular needs not met by the product being reviewed.

We understand there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” treadmill. Some focus on the lowest possible price. Others want a top-notch machine for daily training that the whole family can use. That’s why we provide helpful roundups based on the buying point that matters to you. We also offer helpful links within our reviews to navigate you to treadmills that may be a better fit for your needs. 

We use an outline to standardize our treadmill reviews and help shoppers make comparisons. Our reviewers rate each product based on specific criteria related to design and performance. The ratings also consider each model’s value compared with other treadmills in its price range.

• First, we consider a treadmill’s essential components. We are interested in factors such as the sturdiness of material used in the frame, the capacity of the motor, and the cushioning beneath the treadmill’s belt.
• Next we consider the electronics. This includes screen size, accuracy of the calorie counter and heart rate monitor, and the quality of any built-in or integrated workout programs.
• Our reviews take “extras” into account. For instance, some but not all treadmills have automated inclines, sound systems, Internet connections and other features beyond the essentials and standard workout programming.
• After we have a pretty solid impression of a product, we consider its price and warranty. The editor considers, “If this treadmill broke down right after its parts warranty expired, how much would it have cost to use per day?”
• Sometimes we go undercover, calling the manufacturer’s toll-free number or using online chat to pose as a customer with a problem mentioned in reviews. This helps us understand the availability, friendliness, and helpfulness of customer service. Team members have also taken factory tours (not undercover) and met with treadmill manufacturers to get a better sense of companies’ cultures.
• Finally, the editor compares their draft review with other online feedback. What have customers written? What have other experts written? Sometimes these posts confirm what’s been written. Sometimes they lead to more research and a revision before the review is published.

Our criteria have evolved with the treadmill industry. For example, the horsepower and electronics that earned five-star reviews several years ago have become ho-hum today. With TreadmillReviews.net and our YouTube channel, you can count on getting reviews that are relevant. We take an exhaustive approach… to keep you from being exhausted.

Browse our treadmill buyer’s guide for more in-depth information about how each treadmill component is analyzed.

Hands-On Reviews

The Horizon 7.8 AT treadmill is one of many we’ve had the opportunity to get our hands on and test drive. Photo by Jessica Jones, TreadmillReviews.net

Whenever possible, we provide hands-on reviews complete with photos and videos to give you a real-life look at treadmills you’re considering buying. This gives you a unique perspective of the delivery process, assembly, and insider information based on our experience trying out features like built-in programming, app integration, and proprietary attributes that make each treadmill unique. 

As we assess a new product that makes it to our doorstep, we carefully assess all pertinent details that matter as you shop. Let’s take a look at the process:

• Photographing of the product pre-assembled, making notes about anything that made the delivery process stand out
• Assessment of construction including frame, deck, belt, cushioning, and motor
• Detail of console including built-in programming, special tech, app integration, incline/decline, speed, and accessories
• Durability projection based on warranty, weight capacity, roller size, belt type, and feedback from other customers
• Noise test using decibel meter
• Notation of particular experiences using the treadmill whether it be positive or negative feedback 

Obviously our own test runs can’t tell the whole story. How will a machine hold up over the next few years? Will it provide good value or be dragged to the curb? Will it suit a single person but not a whole family? Our treadmill reviews are rounded out with information including consumer reviews from multiple sources, other treadmill experts’ contributions, the product’s specs list, our knowledge of the brand, the product’s price, competitors’ alternatives, and more.

We understand there are a lot of products featured on our site, and that’s why we’ve created our helpful treadmill comparison tool to narrow down your options based on specs that matter to you.

Research-Based Reviews

Whenever possible, we personally test the treadmill we review. You can see some of this action on our YouTube channel, which shares dozens of our treadmill review videos. However, the fact remains there are hundreds of models on the market. We take pride in the collective expertise of our team, but there aren’t enough of us to personally test every treadmill available. 

With that being said, our team spends countless hours researching those products that aren’t delivered at our doorsteps. Here are the steps we take:

• Scour the manufacturer’s website to gather current specs
• Interpreting product specs and other information to project who would best benefit from the treadmill
• Compare the quality of a product to the cost to evaluate overall value
• List out pros and cons
• Reach out to customer service via phone or online chat to clear up any questions and assess responsiveness
• Seek out online reviews from verified customers to assess what people are saying based on their experiences
• Compare the product with other available models

We make it our goal to remain unbiased, and that’s why our team carefully considers every piece of information we gather to provide our professional assessments, making efforts to provide both positive and negative aspects.

Visits to Manufacturer Headquarters

Our editors hit the road to check out some of the leading brands to get a behind-the-scenes tour of business practices in action. Photo by: Oleksandr Kosheliev / TreadmilReviews.net

We have had the opportunity to visit most major treadmill manufacturers’ corporate headquarters to get an understanding of their marketing and sales processes. During our plant visits, our team gets regular demonstrations of the internal equipment and electronics testing facilities, Quality Assurance departments, call centers, showrooms, and more to evaluate their processes. During a typical visit, we’re provided:

• Facility tour
• Opportunity to ask detailed technical questions and gain insights into plans for future products before they hit the market
• Ability to try out dozens of models side-by-side for on-the-spot comparison review
• Access to disassembled products to allow an inside-look under the hood
• All the time we need to gather photos and video clips to allow our readers to join us in our travels

Exclusive factory tours from the manufacturers gives us unique insight into how a machine is created, quality checked, and prepared for delivery. We’ve had the opportunity to evaluate the packing, shipping, and logistics from some of the most efficient in the business.

Best of all, our visits allow us to network with top executives of fitness corporations. This helps us to stay in-the-know with the latest updates, model releases, and new tech so you’re always up-to-date.

Product Updates

In order to keep up with changing demands and keep their products relevant, manufacturers continually update old products and introduce new ones. While it would be easy to post a review and never revisit it, we take careful measures to keep our reviews updated. 

Some of the aspects that are often updated in the ever-changing world of treadmills include:

• Tech features including app integration and advanced built-in programming
• Capabilities like speed range, incline, etc.
• Price
• Design

To ensure we offer you the best chances of getting a great deal on the treadmill you decide on, we provide links to multiple retailers when possible.

Beyond the Review

TreadmillReviews.net offers in-depth feedback on the top treadmills on the market. However, we don’t stop there. Our team is always hard at work drafting the content you need to make the right purchasing decision. 

Roundups

Not sure where to get started as you explore our site? Our well-researched and carefully vetted roundups feature our favorite products for specific needs. 

On a budget? We’ve got you covered with product lists meeting specific price ranges. Plan on using your treadmill specifically for walking? Our Best Treadmills for Walkers is a great place to start. Maybe floorspace is your biggest concern. We’ve rounded up our favorite folding treadmills. Each product featured in our roundups includes links to the best prices on the web and the full review for detailed information to guide you through the treadmill buying process. 

If you’re really not sure where to start, you’ll want to check out our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide. It’s rich with critical information many people overlook until a treadmill that won’t work for their needs shows up at their doorstep. 

Brand Reviews

Fitness brands spend decades establishing their reputation and proving to consumers their products stand up to the rigorous demands of cardio training. Our brand reviews can be a great place to start your treadmill shopping experience. They provide background information on the company along with a thorough overview of what we do and don’t like about their products. If you’re just kicking off your shopping journey, checking out popular brands like NordicTrack, Sole, and Horizon can be a great place to start.

How To’s

From start to finish, we strive to be your one-stop-shop for treadmill ownership. Our how-to articles provide valuable information after you’ve purchased your treadmill. From fixing common problems and effectively incorporating interval training to  avoiding injury, ensuring safety, and much more, we’re proud to be a part of your fitness journey. 

We Value Feedback from Readers Like You!

As machines age, their respective strengths and weaknesses are understood in new ways. We welcome your feedback to help us stay aware of how different treadmills perform in various contexts and over time. We regularly edit our reviews to incorporate the latest feedback from customers, manufacturers, personal trainers, and others with product experience.

We encourage all readers to share their experiences with or knowledge about all treadmill models and brands. You can do that here: treadmillreviews.net/contact-us. Readers’ contributions are part of TreadmillReview.net’s success.