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The 8 Best Cushioned Treadmills for Small Spaces, Streaming, and More for 2023

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A treadmill is usually one of the anchors of an excellent home gym set-up. Not only can it help you run off calories and get your miles in regardless of the weather, but a good cushioned treadmill may reduce the impact your joints take from repeated footstrikes on concrete or pavement. With a bit of research, buying a great...
The post The 8 Best Cushioned Treadmills for Small Spaces, Streaming, and More for 2023 appeared first on BarBend.


A treadmill is usually one of the anchors of an excellent home gym set-up. Not only can it help you run off calories and get your miles in regardless of the weather, but a good cushioned treadmill may reduce the impact your joints take from repeated footstrikes on concrete or pavement.





With a bit of research, buying a great treadmill might be the best investment you can make for your fitness journey, but it’s important to find the right one for you. Do you prefer to run or walk? How much space do you have set aside for your treadmill? Do you want a high-end teched-out treadmill or a simple budget option? We looked around and dug up the best cushioned treadmills on the market for however you like to train.





The Best Cushioned Treadmills






How We Tested



The BarBend team is made up of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts, and we’ve put down endless miles on treadmills for both fitness and testing purposes. For this article, we tried different treadmills to determine the amount and quality of their cushioning, how well their technological features work, and to evaluate each treadmill’s overall run experience.





Best Cushioned Treadmill Overall: NordicTrack Commercial 1750















NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill









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NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill









The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is made for the tech-loving runner. This high-tech treadmill features a touchscreen monitor that can tilt and rotate, and offers automatic incline, decline, and speed adjustments based on the workout you choose.

















Shop NordicTrack

























Specs



  • Dimensions: 65” H x 80” L x 38” W


  • Max Speed: 12mph


  • Incline Range: -3-12%


  • Weight Capacity: 300lbs


  • Price: $2,199



Pros



  • This treadmill can reach speeds of up to 12 miles per hour and an incline range of -3 to 12 percent.


  • You can fold the deck up and out of the way to save space.


  • It’s compatible with iFit’s enormous catalog of live and on-demand workouts.



Cons



  • To stream, you need a monthly iFit subscription, which is $40 a month.


  • There are more affordable treadmills if you don’t want a touchscreen.


  • The large footprint may not be ideal for people who are tight on workout space.



Part of NordicTrack’s Commercial line of treadmills, the 1750 is loaded with features. It boasts a swiveling 14-inch HD touchscreen, Bluetooth speakers, a cushioned deck, a feature that changes speed and incline settings to keep you at your optimal heart rate, and a decline setting, which is a rarity in treadmills.





The Commercial 1750 has a unique feature with its Runners Flex cushioning. By twisting a dial on the side of the deck, users can choose between a softer, more comfortable impact or a firmer impact that simulates running on roads.





One of the highlights of this treadmill is its iFit integration. The streaming service provides access to thousands of live and on-demand classes, as well as scenic virtual runs that take place in locations all over the world. The scenic runs were a favorite among our testers, as the automatically adjusting settings added a touch of realism.





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BarBend tests the NordicTrack Commercial 1750




Our tester was wowed the first time they experienced the automatic adjustments, saying that feeling the angle adjust to mimic the hill on the screen added a sense of immersion in the scenic run.





Right now, you can pick up the Commercial 1750 for $2,199. And while that’s not chump change, it can feel like a bargain considering all the technology that it comes with. Remember that it also comes with a free month-long membership to iFit, but when that’s done, you’ll need to shell out an extra $39 a month to keep it going.





Read our full NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill Review.





Best Folding Cushioned Treadmill: Sole F63















Sole F63 Treadmill









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Sole F63 Treadmill









The Sole F63 is a high-quality, no-frills treadmill. The 3.0 HP motor can support up to 325 pounds, and the foldability is ideal for those tight on space.

















Shop SOLE

























Specs



  • Dimensions: 67” H x 77” L x 35” W


  • Max Speed: 12mph


  • Incline Range: 0-15%


  • Weight Capacity: 325lbs


  • Price: $1,199



Pros



  • You can fold up the deck of this treadmill to save space.


  • The tablet holder lets users stream workouts and content while they run.


  • At under $1,200, this is on the less expensive side of the treadmill spectrum.



Cons



  • There’s no decline setting on this treadmill.


  • If you want to stream content on an in-console monitor, this isn’t the treadmill for you.


  • The fan’s angle isn’t adjustable.



The Sole F63 packs features that you’d find in a more expensive treadmill (15 percent incline, top speed of 12 miles per hour, folding deck) but manages to keep the price down to a manageable $1,199. It also has built-in pulse sensors on the handlebars, so you can track your heart rate zones while you run.





There are many folding treadmills with decks that fold up and out of the way to save space, but the F63 stands out for its gas-assisted folding operation. There’s a kick-release arm at the end of the deck that activates a gas shock that helps lift the deck. The gas shock also slows down the deck as it is being lowered so it doesn’t slam down to the floor.





The 6.5-inch LCD screen isn’t particularly impressive, but it provides stat tracking and 10 preset programs, including Manual, Hill, Fat Burn, Cardio, Strength, and HIIT. If you prefer to stream your workouts or want to catch up on Netflix while you run, the handy tablet holder on the top of the console has you covered. If you’re not a fan of earbuds, the speakers are Bluetooth enabled so that you can pair them with your devices.





Sole doesn’t list anything about the cushioning except for the fact that it is cushioned, but our tester noticed that it provided a comfortable run. Our tester did note that there is a bit of wobble during runs, but not enough to make the treadmill feel unstable. The 20” x 60” deck is long enough to accommodate taller runners, and the hydraulic lift system makes it easy to raise and lower the deck to save space.





Read our full Sole F63 Treadmill Review.





Most Durable Cushioned Treadmill: ProForm Pro 9000















ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill









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ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill









If you’re looking for a high-tech tread for your home that can fold up when not in use, the ProForm Pro 9000 is a great option with a 22-inch touchscreen display and automatic incline and speed adjustments. The 60-inch running deck ca incline from -3 to 12 percent for a variety of running and hiking workouts.

















Shop ProForm

























Specs



  • Dimensions: 59.6” H x 77.3” L x 35.3” W


  • Max Speed: 12mph


  • Incline Range: -3-12%


  • Weight Capacity: 300lbs


  • Price: $2,299



Pros



  • The powerful 3.6 CHP motor can easily maintain the top speed of 12 miles per hour, increasing its potential longevity.


  • The large 22-inch HD touchscreen for streaming iFIT workouts and scenic runs.


  • There are built-in heart rate monitors in the handles.



Cons



  • There are other treadmills on this list with a higher weight capacity.


  • If $2,299 is out of your price range (even with ProForm’s financing), you’ll have to find a more budget-friendly option.



If you’re looking for a treadmill that will last, you will want to find one with a powerful motor. The 3.6 continuous horsepower (CHP) motor on the ProForm Pro 9000 is on the higher end of the power range (the average treadmill motor size is 2.5 CHP), which means it can run at higher continuous speeds with minimal wear on the engine.





Not only does that lessen the odds of the motor burning out, but that power also means that the Pro 9000 can hit its top speed of 12 miles per hour and top incline of 12 percent quickly and smoothly. Our tester noted that the treadmill felt smooth and stable even when running sprints on an incline. This stability could also be due to the deck’s built-in shock absorbers and thick 2-ply belt, which also help to take the pressure off joints during run training.





Another feature of note is that in addition to the incline, the Pro 9000 offers a decline setting, which is rare among treadmills. If you gravitate towards hilly races, this could be a huge help for training those downhill sections.





The Pro 9000 offers a 22-inch HD touchscreen and a one-year free membership to the iFit fitness app, which offers live and on-demand fitness classes as well as scenic virtual runs that take place all over the world. Plus, the treadmill comes with a Bluetooth chest strap heart rate monitor as well as built-in heart rate monitoring sensors on the handlebars.





Read our full ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill Review.





Best Cushioned Treadmill for Home: Sole F80















Sole F80 Treadmill









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Sole F80 Treadmill









The Sole F80 treadmill is full of modern touches. It can withstand long runs, offers an incline range up to 15 percent and speed range up to 12 mph, and has a cushioned deck that makes running 40 percent less impactful on your joints than the outdoors.

















Shop SOLE

























Specs



  • Dimensions: 66” H x 82.5” L x 38” W


  • Max Speed: 12mph


  • Incline Range: 0-15%


  • Weight Capacity: 350lbs


  • Price: $1,899



Pros



  • The folding deck is perfect for people with limited space in their homes.


  • This treadmill has a Cushion Flex Whisper Deck, which may reduce joint impact by 40 percent.


  • The 10.1-inch display can play streaming content from Netflix, ESPN, and other streaming apps.



Cons



  • Hill runners may be disappointed in the lack of a decline option.


  • Some runners may feel that the 10.1-inch screen is too small.


  • At 2.36 inches, the rollers on this treadmill are on the smaller side.



The Sole F80 Treadmill is an excellent option for runners who want to bring the amenities of a brick-and-mortar gym into their home. The F80 offers a 3.5 HP motor that offers speeds up to 12 miles per hour and inclines up to 15 percent, both specs that you’d find on commercial treadmills that can cost way more than this tread’s accessible $1,899.





The 14-inch monitor has seven preset apps, including YouTube, Netflix, ESPN, and several news apps, so you can watch TV just like in your gym’s cardio room. Want fitness classes? You can screen-mirror fitness apps on your phone to the monitor. There’s even a wireless charging pad so your phone doesn’t die in the middle of a workout.





Most treadmills have a belt width of 20 inches, but the F80 tops out at 22 inches. Several five-star reviews mentioned the extra lateral space, which leaves plenty of room for arm swings and the occasional weaving. “The wide belt is awesome,” one five-star user review says. “[I researched] other models with a 22-inch belt [and] they were well into the $2,000 to $3,000 range.”





The F80 is equipped with Sole’s Cushion Flex Whisper Deck, which the brand claims reduces joint impact by 40 percent, compared to running on pavement. With your purchase, you’ll get a free membership to Sole’s fitness app, but if you want to keep it simple, the 10 preset workouts like Fatburn, Cardio, Strength, Hill, and Interval should be plenty to keep you motivated.





Read our full Sole F80 Treadmill Review.





Best Cushioned Treadmill for Streaming Classes: NordicTrack Commercial 2450















NordicTrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill









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NordicTrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill









The NordicTrack 2450 is one of the most high-tech treadmills on the market. It features a 22-inch touchscreen display that can tilt to your comfort level, and rotate 360 degrees. Your purchase includes a free month of iFit, and all of your trainer-led classes offer automatic adjustments to the incline, decline, and speed settings.

















Shop NordicTrack

























Specs



  • Dimensions: 78.5” H x 65” L x 35.6” W


  • Max Speed: 12mph


  • Incline Range: -3-12%


  • Weight Capacity: 300lbs


  • Price: $2,999



Pros



  • The large 22-inch touchscreen monitor is ideal for runners who like streaming workouts.


  • NordicTrack’s iFit online programming offers a variety of streaming options, from live and on-demand group class HIIT and run workouts to scenic virtual runs.


  • This treadmill offers a three percent decline, something you don’t find on a lot of treadmills.



Cons



 
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