You are probably familiar with the residential treadmills used at home, but do you know commercial versions? And how can you search for the best commercial treadmills on the market?
Generally speaking, there are few differences between the two types except for the durability. The commercial genres have sturdier build, which can withstand the intense workload on a daily basis. If you take running seriously, you cannot go wrong with a commercial treadmill.
Our team of experts has examined all the essential factors of a treadmill, including motor, performance, speed, features, etc. before compiling this top list. Therefore, you can rest assured about the quality of each unit introduced in this article.
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- Best overall: Sole Fitness F85 Folding Treadmill
“This product is strong with a 4.0 HP motor that few treadmills can provide users. The weight capacity of 400 lbs is also impressive. If you desire a sturdy machine, the Sole Fitness F85 is the one.”
- Runner-up: NordicTrack C 1650 Treadmill
“The most powerful treadmill out of three NordicTrack treadmills reviewed in this article. Rest assured about the quality of the machine if you own one of NordicTrack.”
- Best for the price: NordicTrack T Series (6.5S & 6.5Si Models)
“Even if you have a tight budget, go for a high-quality commercial treadmill like this one. It got plenty to offer despite the low price tag.”
- Best for convenience: NordicTrack C 990 Treadmill
“For added convenience, this NordicTrack provides a lot of additional features. If you want versatility and durability at the same time, the C 990 is your best bet.”
- Best for small spaces: ProForm Power 995i Exercise Treadmill
“Do not let space prevent you from working out. This ProForm features a SpaceSaver design for folding up easily and saving space in the house.”
- Best for entry levels: Gold's Gym Trainer 720 Treadmill
“Beginners cannot go wrong with this Gold’s Gym 720 treadmill. It is versatile and user-friendly.”
1. Sole Fitness F85 Folding Treadmill
The first name on our list is the foldable treadmill from Sole Fitness, a well-known manufacturer in the industry.
Most notably, this F85 is equipped with the largest deck that Sole got to offer, which measures about 22’’ wide. Especially, the deck can reduce 40 percent joint impact for an effortless running session. On top of that, it can occupy users weighing up to 400lbs. If you are a big person, you cannot go wrong with this treadmill from Sole Fitness.
This equipment comes with a powerful 4 HP motor, which is capable of moving the belt from 0.5 to 12 mph, quite large compared to other competitors.
In terms of the programs, this F85 treadmill provides six default programs and two custom programs, which you can change to fit your workout demands and goals. Also, there are two separate heart rate control programs that can calculate your recommended target range based on your age. Amazing, isn’t it?
For detailed instruction, you can refer to the nine-inch display with a message board on the unit. The board will show the data for speed, incline, time, distance traveled, calories, pulse, and pace during operation.
Additional features include a sound system and cooling fans. Treat yourself a chilling workout with some nice music now!
We would love to have a better display with more options at this price range, however. The current display is of average quality only, and other brands employ more vivid units. All these great features make it become one of the best home-use treadmills2. NordicTrack T Series (6.5S & 6.5Si Models)
If you have a tight budget, do not miss out on this low-priced product from NordicTrack. It has plenty of features that you cannot find even in high-end treadmills.
Users can always get the training they want thanks to 20 built-in training programs designed by a certified professional trainer. Once purchased the unit, you are eligible for one month iFit membership. Visit the website and download a vast library of workouts and programs.
What’s more, you can track your progress effortlessly thanks to an I-fit app. Change the training programs if you find the current one ineffective for your goals.
One striking feature that you may be interested in is the machine’s ability to adjust your incline up to 10 percent to gradually increase the intensity of your workout. This will help you to progress further on the way to a healthy body.
Is the treadbelt your concern?
The NordicTrack offers users a large belt of 20x55’’ to keep you on the treadmill all the time. Also, there is an adjustable cushion level to make your own joints comfortable.
You have many options to reduce the cost of this commercial treadmill. For example, the unit can come assembled or unassembled for a lower price. Alternatively, you can negotiate whether you want a two-year warranty of a three-year one at the checkout. Of course, the longer warranty will cost you a bit more.
Similar to the Sole Fitness, NordicTrack provides a built-in sound system, which you can plug your device into and listen to your playlist.
Note that after the free trial, you have to pay a monthly fee of 15.00 to maintain your subscription with iFit.
3. NordicTrack C 990 Treadmill
Another treadmill from NordicTrack, this unit offers even more built-in programs compared to the one from T Series above. There are 32 preloaded workouts in total, all of which are designed certified trainers.
The treadmill is equipped with a 3.0 horsepower motor that will deliver lasting power for a consistent and smooth run. The motor comes in a bigger case to achieve more stability and less vibration. The dual cooling fans will reduce the operating temperature, thereby increasing the lifespan of the whole item.
Keep track of your progress with the seven-inch touchscreen on the unit. The information on display includes distance, speed, time, heart rate, calories burned, incline, as well as decline. You can create a custom training route anywhere in the world with the Google Maps and Street View images.
The screen is web-enabled so that you can surf the net while working out. This feature provides maximum convenience, especially for a busy person.
Along with the treadmill, you will receive a 20x60 inch belt, which is specifically designed to reduce noise and friction. Have a quiet and effective workout now with this NordicTrack C 990.
The center console has storage on either side of the screen. You can put your water bottle and other small items there. If you want to hold larger stuff, there is a bigger rack lower down on the unit.
While the T series can change the incline up to 10 percent, this unit is capable of adjusting the incline from 0 to 12 percent at the push of one button.
When it comes to protection warranty, you can decide between four and five years at the checkout stage. Also, professional assembly is totally optional.
We had a delightful experience with this product, but the customer service did let us down a little bit. They took hours to get on the phone, let alone responded to our questions.4. NordicTrack C 1650 Treadmill
The fourth name on our list today is the NordicTrack C 1650. What is the difference between the C 990 and this one?
The first difference is the C 1650 comes equipped with a 3.5 HP motor and a 10-inch touchscreen on the console of the unit. You can see that both features are larger compared to the 990 unit. Thus, you are guaranteed a great experience with this NordicTrack unit.
This treadmill also provides more preloaded workouts than its 990 counterparts. You have a total of 34 programs built in the design to add variety into your training sessions and keep you motivated.
Other features are mostly the same. The product comes with a 20x60 inch belt to keep you safe during your run. When you run on the treadmill, you can select a FlexSelect-cushioned deck to reduce impacts on the joints.
Also, the unit can arrive with or without professional assembly based on your choice. The length of the warranty is also selective, which you can choose between four or five years.
The C 1650 also employs a stable bracket to keep your tablet at eye level. Keep yourself entertained in the workout for the best results.
It may take you a while to learn all the features as they are relatively complicated. It is more difficult if you are not into cutting-edge technology.
This machine is a great treadmill for walkers and runners weighing 300-pounds and below.
5. ProForm Power 995i Exercise Treadmill
This 995i treadmill of Proform is designed for serious runners with 30 workout programs. Each comes with adjustable speed, incline, and resistance. Especially, the 995i is a real game changer in terms of incline training, since it can adjust the quick incline from 0 to 15 percent.
This Proform treadmill is iFit enabled, so feel free to download additional workouts and receive fitness advice from experts. iFit also allows users to run on customized trails through Google Maps. Train yourself from beginner to marathoner right now!
What about the motor?
The 3.0 CHP motor of this treadmill can support the daily exercise of your family effortlessly. It operates at 12 mph for multiple types of workouts, from walking, jogging, interval training, speed training to endurance runs.
Fully stretch out your stride now with the 60-inch length deck of this Proform 995i treadmill. Also, you will have extra room for the elbow thanks to the 20-inch width. Rest assured about the quality of this product, as the belt is tested for one million cycles at the double the user weight before release.
Additional features include a smartphone-compatible audio port and two 2’’ speakers, which allow you to chill some nice music and get entertained while doing exercises. On top of that, there is a CoolAire workout fan to keep your workout as comfortable as possible.
One impressive feature that you can hardly find elsewhere is the SpaceSaver design. Generally, the treadmill is a huge equipment which takes up a lot of space in your house. With this Proform product, space is no longer your concern! You can fold up the whole thing at ease to keep in the corner. Bonus, it comes with a powerful built-in shock to help you push the deck to lift it.
Customer will get a lifetime warranty for the frame and motor, three years on parts and a year of labor.
6. Gold's Gym Trainer 720 Treadmill
The last name on our list of best commercial treadmills is Gold's Gym Trainer 720, a treadmill designed for beginners of Gold’s Gym. You can find the unit easily on sale online.
As the equipment for entry levels, this treadmill does not have too many features to offer. It consists of 18 workout programs to add variety to the exercises session of users.
The running area measures about 20x55’’, which is not impressive but large enough for you to run comfortably. The drive system comes equipped with a G-Force 2 motor, but unfortunately, the strength of the motor is unknown. We hope that the manufacturer will add this information to the product details soon.
Similar to other treadmills of Gold’s Gym, this 720 unit features AirStrade Plus Cushioning System, which adds support and cushioning to the deck. As a result, you will feel less impact on the joints and run more smoothly.
There are ten levels of resistance in total, and you can adjust the settings quickly by the QuickSelect control. The machine’s speed reaches up to 10 MPH, which is adjustable via the control, too.
For added convenience, the console includes two large cup holders, a CoolAire workout fan, and a music port compatible with the smartphone. There is a multi-window LED display, but note that it is not back-lit.
This Gold’s Gym treadmill is a folding machine with a SpaceSaver design. Even if you live in a small space, feel free to work out with this fitness equipment from Treadmill.
Although the features are not really appealing, the low price tag does justify them. On purchasing the product, you will have a lifetime warranty for the frame, 25 years for the motor, and one year for parts and labor.
One minus is the display screen that is narrow and difficult to read. You will get basic workout data, including calories burned, time, and distance.
Tips for choosing the best commercial treadmills
In order to help you distinguish the high quality commercial treadmill from cheaper residential treadmills, here are some things you should remember:
Treadmill belt
The quality of a treadmill belt or track can decide the maintenance and longevity of machine. If the belt has high quality, it will less frequently need maintenance and it will serve more miles before retiring. For the belt of commercial treadmill, it is often infused with silicone or treated in other ways so it rarely needs to be lubricated.
The materials of the belt are virtually stretch-free too. The less a belt stretches after uses, the less you need adjust it. Generally, belts of good commercial treadmills can serve for about 15,000 miles or even more before it needs to be replaced.
Treadmill deck
The second thing you should consider when choosing a commercial treadmill is the size of deck. The commercial treadmill decks tend to be especially larger and wider than other ones of normal treadmills. The benefits of having large size are to accommodate more weight and provide more spacious workout surfaces.
Beside the size, you should also pay attention to its cushioning system because this takes responsibility for how comfortable you feel with treadmill. In fact, the decks of commercial treadmill can generally absorb a lot of impact compared to cheaper home treadmills and outdoor running surfaces (grass, asphalt and pavement). Moreover, in the terms of durability, many decks of these models are reversible.
Related: Best Treadmill desks
Treadmill motor
Can withstand even high intensive workouts, of course, commercial treadmill’s motors are higher powered than other home treadmill’s motors. These can run for several hours a day while supporting high speeds without overheating or lagging. Especially they work very smoothly and quietly. A 4.0 CHP motor and top speed about 12 mph or higher are good features you can find on the best commercial treadmills. But if you just want to find a commercial treadmill for lighter residential use, the less motor power is sufficient.
Read reviews
As when purchasing any product, you should refer reviews on it. Don’t believe too much on product’s advertisement, just reviews of users gives you exactly information as well as experience on product. Especially, with the high price commercial treadmills, you should be more careful. You can search these on websites of manufactures or Amazon.com to have the most sincere rating and reviews.
Price
The price range for most commercial treadmills is approximately from $3,500 to $10,000. However, normally, commercial treadmills aren’t always advertised with exactly price that means you can negotiate to have better price.
Durability
Addition to powerful and quieter motor and high quality tread belt, commercial treadmills often come with a welded steel frame to endure high intensive workouts. Commercial treadmill is expected to be used more than 5 hours per day and 7 days per week.
Incline/decline
Many treadmills even normal treadmills have automated incline/ decline for the track. For commercial treadmills, the typical maximum incline is 10% to 15% and decline is -3%
Wireless Heart Rate Receiver
The best commercial treadmills are often compatible with trainees’ wireless chest straps to monitor their heart rate.
Reliable brands
Landice, Precor, Life Fitness are leading commercial brands. These brands often provide the highest quality machines with long warranty policy. However, there are also many reliable brands depending on the price level you will spend for treadmill.
These above features are key features you have to pay attention when buying commercial treadmills. Besides, there are also other features such as workout programming, High-Tech Electronics and so on.
Some general advantages of commercial treadmill
The advantages of commercial treadmills include lower maintenance designs, consistently trouble-free electronics, and premium components. These machines also tend to have very long parts warranties if used for home use. In fact, many people choose commercial treadmill because of its top-notch performance and long-term value.
Besides, they can meet all the needs of any trainee with high weight capacities (sometimes exceeding 400 pounds) which are always suitable for walkers as well as avid runners.
The Bottom Line
The treadmill is a brilliant fitness equipment to have at home, and if you are a serious runner, a commercial console is undoubtedly your best bet. It is built to last with quality material and can accommodate your daily workout sessions.
Before jumping to buy one, refer to this article to make a wise decision.
According to our opinions, the best of the best commercial treadmills is the F85 unit of Sole Fitness. At an average price tag, it comes equipped with a powerful motor and a large treadbelt. Also, customers will get plenty of additional features for added convenience. Try it, and you will not regret it!
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