The 9 Best Treadmills for Runners under $1000 of 2021 – Top Budget-Friendly Options
Most of them are junk…
Yes, we mean it…
If you are looking for the best treadmills for runners under $1000 for some time then you probably know it already.
However, the important thing is, most of them are but not all.
If you are planning to run on a treadmill, we found a couple of great options that are both affordable and will give you great performance.
Of all NordicTrack T 6.5 Si triumphs all.
However, the rest of the treadmills that we selected are also not far behind.
Best Treadmill for Runners under $1000
Best Overall
NordicTrack T 6.5 Si
- 10 MPH SMART OneTouch speed control.
- 16,000+ On-Demand Workouts.
- For multiple users.
Best Budget
Miageek Fitness Folding Treadmill
- Bluetooth G-fit Sports APP.
- Level 6 damping system.
- 3/5% Maunal Incline.
Best Warranty
ProForm 705 CST
- Highest speed is 12mph.
- 22 different workouts.
- Audio Auxiliary Port w/ Dual 2″ Speakers.
On this page
- ✅ 9 Best Treadmill For Runners Under $1000 – Detailed Review
- 1. NordicTrack T 6.5 Si Treadmill
- 2. Horizon Fitness T101 Series Treadmills
- 3. Miageek Fitness Folding Electric Jogging Treadmill
- 4. Sole New 2019 F63 Treadmill
- 5. ProForm PFTL59515 Performance 400i Treadmill
- 6. ProForm 705 CST Treadmill
- 7. Horizon Fitness 7.0 Advanced Training Smart Treadmill
- 8. LifeSpan TR1200i Folding Treadmill
- 9. ProForm 2000 Treadmill
- • Our Top Pick
- • Buyer’s Guide
- • FAQs
1. NordicTrack T 6.5 Si Treadmill
NordicTrack is a supplier of equipment for many elite gyms and hotel and are one of the best commercial and home treadmill manufacturer around.
So, NordicTrack T 6.5 Si will not disappoint you in any way and is built for even rough usage.
This affordable treadmill has a very spacious walking/running deck and comes with a wide display for keeping track of your workouts.
One thing I don’t like about this otherwise a great treadmill is, NordicTrack tries to push you to take up the iFit membership.
Though this membership is worth it, however, some users may not want to enroll for that.
Thankfully, there is a very simple workaround available. Using this step by step details, you may easily bypass this minor annoyance once and for all.
And this is the reason that we have given this great treadmill the 3rd position.
However, this is a very good treadmill even for home usage and is highly shock absorbent.
This is easy on your knees and joints and will keep them protected even during high-intensity workouts.
It comes with one-touch speed and inclines controls which will help you to achieve your desired performance without breaking your workout rhythm.
With 20 preset workouts, you will be able to reach your fitness goals in no time.
Specifications:
Product Dimensions: 76.5 X 31.8 X 11 inches
Weight of the machine: 198 lbs.
Motor: 2.6 CHP
Deck: FlexSelect Cushioning
Running Surface: 20 inches by 55 inches
Display: 10-inch full-color capacitive touch display.
User weight support: 300 lbs.
Built-in Programs: 20 pre-built programs.
Cooling fans: ⤫
One-touch speed control: ✓
One-touch incline control: ✓
Sound system: ✓
Device holder: ✓
Folding/Non-folding: Folding (EasyLiftAssist)
Residential Warranty: Lifetime on Frame and Motor and 1 year on parts and labor.
Light Commercial Warranty: ⤫
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2. Horizon Fitness T101 Series Treadmills
This treadmill is perfect for even tall runners. It not only has a spacious area for a workout but also the length of the running deck is great.
It comes with 3 zones cushioned deck and is highly shock absorbing.
Due to this, they are very soft on your joints and don’t let you get injured.
It comes with one-touch speed control so that you can adjust your running speed without breaking your rhythm.
Also, the incline of this running machine is automatic and you can adjust it using the touch of a button.
As with most of us, especially me ;), running on a treadmill is a tedious task and seems like a never-ending session.
If you belong to the same camp, then you can reduce your monotony with music.
Yep, this treadmill comes with Bluetooth enabled speaker and you can use your smartphone to play your favorite songs while you run.
Apart from all these benefits, this comes with the free app to control your workouts.
You can also push data to your favorite fitness apps and can rapidly charge your devices using the rapid-charge USB port.
Also, It comes with device holders and will help you to run hands-free.
Apart from being affordable, this treadmill comes with a lifetime frame and motor warranty.
Motor: 2.75 CHP
Running belt size: 20 inches by 60 inches
Speed: You may accelerate by 1 mph in 1.5 secs
Fans: Hi/Low built-in fans
One-touch speed: ✓
One-touch incline: ✓
Speed range: Up to 10 MPH
Contact Heart Rate: ✓
Machine Weight: 172 lbs.
Folding/Non Folding: Folding
Audio Speakers: ✓ (Bluetooth enable and can be used with your Smart Devices)
Max User Capacity: 250 lbs.
USB: Rapid-Charge USB
Warranty: Lifetime on Frame and Motor
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3. Miageek Fitness Folding Electric Jogging Treadmill
Miageek Fitness folding treadmill is one of the best treadmills for runners.
It is very affordable and doesn’t compromise on quality.
It comes with a spacious running track which is perfect for runners of almost any height and size.
Whether you are a pro athlete or a novice runner, it will help you to achieve your fitness goals with the help of the built-in fitness program.
You can use these programs at a varied speed setting based on your fitness level and it also helps you to run in your target heart zone with the help of heart sensors.
Also, you can synchronize your workout data with our smartphone by using Bluetooth and this treadmill is compatible with both IOS and Android.
This running machine makes very little noise and will not annoy anyone around you in case you are selecting it for your home workouts.
This comes with a shock-absorbing deck and is easy on your joints, especially your knees which is the most injury-prone joint for any runners.
After your workout, you may fold it and keep it in a convenient place so that it doesn’t get into your life’s way.
Transporting this folded treadmill is easy as it comes with transportation wheels.
Also, once you start getting used to your treadmill workouts, you may also increase the level of difficulty by increasing the incline.
However, this is a manual incline but is effective nonetheless.
Specifications:
Motor: 2.25 HP motor
Running belt: Anti-slip, anti-static lawn texture, level 6 damping system.
Speed range: 1 km – 14 km/hr
Speed: One-touch
Incline: Manual
Pre-Set Programs: 12 Built-in programs with speed variations
Heart Rate Sensor: ✓
Folding/Non Folding: Folding
Bluetooth: ✓ (Compatible with iOS and Android)
Max User Capacity: 220 lbs.
Warranty: 1-year warranty for frame and motor.
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4. Sole New 2019 F63 Treadmill
This is the new version of F63 and is launched recently and is one of the best of the lot.
It is affordable and almost a commercial grade treadmill. It comes with a long-running surface of 60″ and is perfect for runners of any height.
Also, since the weight capacity is 325 lbs almost anyone can workout using this treadmill.
It comes with a 6.5″ LCD display and the mobile app provided by Sole is compatible with your Android or iOS devices.
It has a 3.0 CHP motor which is very quiet. You can safely use this treadmill at home without annoying your family members.
Also, it is equipped with 10 inbuilt workout programs which are great for anyone trying to up their fitness level.
It also comes with inbuilt Bluetooth audio speakers which are great at making you forget the monotony of your workout.
No matter your fitness level, this treadmill is ready to challenge you as it can go up to a speed of 12 mph.
And still, if you wish to increase your challenge, it is equipped with 15 levels of incline.
The cushioning of the track is also great and is perfect for protecting your knees and joint even if you up to workout intensity to crazy levels.
It also comes with a pulse and heart rate monitor, so that you can have a more effective workout.
Specifications:
Motor: 3.0 CHP
Treadmill Belt: 20 inches by 60 inches.
Cushioning: CushionFlex
Roller: Large track roller
User weight: 325 lbs.
Display: 6.5 inches LCD display
Speed: 0 – 12 mph (Quick access speed button)
Incline: 0 – 15% (Quick access incline button)
Built-in programs: 10 programs
Folding/non-folding: Folding
Transport: Wheels for easy transport
Contact heart rate: ✓
Sound-system: Bluetooth enabled speakers
Warranty: Lifetime frame, 3 years parts and electronics, and 1-year labor
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5. ProForm PFTL59515 Performance 400i Treadmill
Proform PFTL59515 comes with one of the most affordable treadmills around, however, this doesn’t mean that the company has cut corners in quality.
This one has one of the best shock absorbing decks in this entire lot and comes with Proshox cushioning.
This cushioning helps you to protect your joints and is easy on your knees which is the most vulnerable joint of a runner.
Also, the 2.5 CHP Mach Z motor is one of the quietest motors around.
This makes it easy for you to accommodate it into your home without causing any kind of inconvenience to your family members.
The treadmill belt is also spacious with a dimension of 20 inches by 55 inches and can accommodate a user weight of almost 250 lbs.
Whether you are a novice or a pro athlete, this running machine will help you to take your fitness to the next level with the help of its 18 pre-programmed workouts.
Also, since it comes with a grip pulse EKG heart rate monitor, it is easy for you to work out in the target heart rate zone.
This helps in maximizing your weight loss and getting into shape faster.
It is compatible with Apple products and you can utilize it to hear your kind of music when you are working out.
Also, the warranty is the best in class.
It comes with a lifetime warranty on frame, 25 years for the motor, and 1 year for parts and labor warranty.
Specification:
Motor: 2.5 CHP Mach Z Commercial Motor
Dimension: 77 X 30.2 X 11.2 inches
Weight: 200 lbs.
Holders: Integrated tablet holder
Cushioning: Proshox cushioning
Belt: 20 inches by 55 inches
Incline control: 0 – 10 % Digital Quick Incline Control
Speed Control: 0 – 10 mph Digital Quick Speed Control
Display: Round Watts LED
Foldable/non-foldable: Foldable
On-board workouts: 18
Audio: Audio Auxiliary Port w/ Dual 2 inch Speakers
User Weight: 250 lbs.
Warranty: Lifetime warranty on Frame, 25 Years on Motor, 1 year on parts and labor.
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6. ProForm 705 CST Treadmill
This is the second ProForm that has made it to the list.
As with other ProForm treadmills, this one also comes with a heavily cushioned deck.
The cushioning used in this treadmill is called ProShox and is proprietary to PROFORM.
However, it has proven to reduce the impact on joints and is very stable even at a higher speed.
Also, the workout area is vast, and the running deck has a dimension of 20 inches by 60 inches.
It can bear a load up to 325 lbs and this makes it perfect for any kind of runner.
22 built-in workouts that will help you achieve your fitness goals.
It has a backlit display of 5 inches and is capable of tracking all the data of the runner like distance, calorie burnt, time, etc.
It has a speed range of 0-12 mph and an incline of 0-12%. You can achieve any combination of both by simply using the one-touch buttons.
This helps you to focus more on your workout rather than your treadmills setting.
So, you will be able to have a more effective workout without having to worry about anything.
Specification:
Motor: 2.75 CHP Drive System Motor
Dimension: 83 X 30 X 12 inches
Machine Weight: 254 lbs.
Holders: Integrated device shelf
Cushioning: Proshox cushioning
Belt: 20 inches by 60 inches
Incline control: 0 – 15 % Digital Quick Incline Control
Speed Control: 0 – 12 mph Digital Quick Speed Control
Display: 5 inch LCD
Audio: Audio Auxiliary Port w/ Dual 2 inch Speakers
Heart rate: EKG Grip Pulse and heart rate monitor
User Weight: 320 lbs.
Warranty: Lifetime warranty on Frame and Motor, 2 years on parts, and 1 year on labor.
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7. Horizon Fitness 7.0 Advanced Training Smart Treadmill
This treadmill comes with a 3.0 CHP motor which is powerful enough to support a user weight of up to 350 lbs.
Also, the length of the treadmill deck is 60 inches which makes it perfect for people over 6 feet tall.
It comes with a 3-Zone cushioned deck that protects your joints from the bouncy movement which is typical of a treadmill.
Also, the power requirement for this treadmill is also very less.
It is 120v – 60hz.
So, the total consumption of electricity will be less than $1 for a 1-hour usage.
Also, if you stick to your routine with this treadmill, you can give up your gym membership altogether and save some more cash in the process.
You can connect any Bluetooth device to this treadmill and can stream any kind of media.
Also, the built-in speakers are very decent. It will help you to play your favorite songs and will break the treadmill workout monotony in the process.
It also has a Rapid Charge USB port which can help you to charge up your smartphone or iPad in no time.
Also, it has an inbuilt device holder in which you can place your iPad easily and workout while watching your favorite movie.
The best part is, it comes with a free fitness app that helps you to sync and monitor your fitness data easily.
Specification:
Motor: 3.0 CHP Motor
Machine Weight: 253 lbs.
Holders: Integrated device shelf
Cushioning: 3-Zone cushioned deck
Belt: 60 inches in length
Incline control: 0 – 15 % Digital Quick Incline Control
Speed Control: 0.5 – 15 mph Digital Quick Speed Control
Display: Tablet can be used as a display
Audio: Bluetooth speakers
Heart rate: EKG Grip Pulse Sensor w/ included chest strap
User Weight: 350 lbs.
Warranty: Lifetime warranty on Frame and Motor
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8. LifeSpan TR1200i Folding Treadmill
This treadmill is another crowd favorite. It is not only affordable but also is very sturdy and durable.
You will get plenty of workout space as the treadmill deck is 20 inches by 56 inches.
Also, it can support a user weight of almost 300 lbs. which is more than sufficient if you are looking for a home workout machine.
It comes with a 2.5 HP motor which is very silent and will not cause any trouble to the people you are living with.
The treadmill deck comes with 6 compression shock absorbers which are perfect for absorbing the impact caused by running.
Also, this keeps your joints safe and sound especially your knees which are more prone to injury.
It is a lightweight treadmill and you can fold it easily as it has EZFold technology which uses hydraulic shock to assist folding and unfolding of your treadmill.
It has built-in 21 easy exercises which will help you to take your fitness level to a whole new level.
Also, it comes with LifeSpan’s proprietary Intelli-Step technology.
This technology will automatically stop the treadmill belt after you have stepped away from it for 20 secs.
It can support a speed of 0.5 11 mph with an incline of 15 levels and that too at the touch of a button.
This makes it very easy for you to manage your workouts and helps you to perform at your best.
Specification:
Motor: 2.5 CHP Motor
Dimension: 70.25 X 33 X 63 inches
Weight: 220 lbs.
Cushioning: 6 compression shock absorbers
Belt: 20 inches by 56 inches
Incline control: 0 – 15 % Digital Quick Incline
Speed Control: 0.5 – 11 mph Digital Quick Speed Control
Display: Backlit display
User Weight: 300 lbs.
Warranty: Lifetime warranty on Frame and Motor.
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9. ProForm 2000 Treadmill
Proform 2000 treadmill is designed for any kind of runner and is a long term investment if you are starting out.
Also, in the beginning, most of the newbies tend to be overweight. This treadmill is perfect for them and can support a weight of up to 300 lbs.
It also comes with a host of additional features that makes this easy to use and very user-friendly.
The display of this treadmill is 7 inches and will provide you with information like mileage, speed, approximate calorie burn, heart rate, and time.
For easy visibility, this display is back-lit and you can check your stats just at a glance.
It comes with ProShox cushioning which reduces stress on your joints and keeps them protected.
It comes with a 3.5 CHP Mach Z Commercial Motor which is great with performance and is not as noisy.
Warranties include Lifetime Frame and Motor Warranty, a 5-Year Parts Warranty, and a 2-Year Labor Warranty.
Specification:
Motor: 3.5 CHP Mach Z Commercial Motor
Dimension: 84 X 25 X 38 inches
Weight: 210 lbs.
Roller: 2.5 inches rear and 1.9 inches front, precision balanced, non-flex
Holders: Integrated device shelf
Cushioning: Proshox cushioning
Belt: 22 inches by 60 inches (commercial 1 ply non-stretch)
Incline control: -3 – 15 % Digital Quick Incline and Decline Control
Speed Control: 0 – 12 mph Digital Quick Speed Control
Display: 7 inch LCD with racetrack display
Audio: Audio Auxiliary Port w/ Dual 3 inch Speakers
Heart rate: EKG Grip Pulse Sensor w/ included chest strap
User Weight: 300 lbs.
Warranty: Lifetime warranty on Frame and Motor, 5 years on parts, and 2 years on labor.
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Buyer’s Guide
How to buy a budget treadmill?
When you are buying a budget-friendly treadmill that will cost you lesser than $1000, you have to keep an eye on the features that it is providing.
Also, you need to adjust your expectation when trying to buy such a treadmill. You are not going to get a commercial grade treadmill at such a price.
Being said that, here is what you should be looking for when trying to buy a budget-friendly treadmill.
Running Platform
The is the running surface on which you will run while using the treadmill. The longer and wider the running surface is, the better is the workout experience.
Also, if you have a shorter running surface, and you are a taller runner, then you will have to take shorter strides. This will make you feel too much uncomfortable while running.
The margin of error is also very less if the treadmill is shorter and narrower. You will have no wiggle room for when running on it.
What you want to go for is a running surface of at least 20″ X 60″.
With these dimensions, you will be pretty comfortable with your workout session.
So, when you are inspecting the specs for buying, check this one size. There are many treadmills that will flaunt a size of 16″X50″. That will work for runners of shorter height. But if you are above 6 feet, that will be too much of a space crunch.
However, this 20″X60″ is available in the $1000 treadmills. So, we are all set there.
Another thing I’ll check is the thickness of the running belt. Most of the budget options will have a treadmill belt of single-ply. This will incur more maintenance.
However, if you can get something which is 2-ply or 4-ply, it will be great. This will also put lesser pressure on the motor.
Motor
The strength of the motor is the deal breaker for any treadmill. The stronger the motor the better it will perform. Also, if it has a stronger motor, it will be able to weather a lot of intensity.
Most of the motors in this category will be in the range of 2 CHP to 4 CHP or continuous horsepower. It means how much power a motor can sustain. In a way, CHP is better than HP.
If a motor is stronger, you will be able to get a more smooth and stable workout from the treadmill and will not struggle at a low speed like 6mph.
This means that you have to deal with lesser maintenance and also will last you for a longer period of time.
Anything above 3 CHP is a good treadmill for an intensive workout. If your workout routine involves more of jogging or walking and occasional running, then you may go for a lesser powerful machine.
Roller
The size of the roller also matters when it comes to selecting a treadmill. Rollers help the treadmill belt to move in that continuous circular motion.
If your treadmill has a larger roller, it will provide you with a more stable running experience. Also, it will put lesser pressure on the treadmill motor.
Any roller in the range of 2.5″ is supposed to be good. If the treadmill is of a much cheaper category, you may see a roller of size 1.5″ to 1.9 inches.
Although it is not a deal-breaker, if you have to choose between two similar treadmills, go for the one which has a bigger roller.
Warranty
This is another deal-breaker when it comes to buying a treadmill. If you are not careful in checking this, you will have to deal with a nightmare, if things go wrong.
However, if you choose the correct option, then you will be able to have peace of mind.
When it comes to warranty, you will find that there are some different things provided by each company. However, it can be broadly divided into 4 separate parts:
- Frame
- Motor
- Parts
- Labor
In most cases, frame and motor warranties are the longest. What you want to see here is that the motor warranty should be more than 25 years. Also, this will also provide you with a rough idea of how the treadmill actually. If it is a quality product, you should see a motor warranty of a lifetime.
Apart from this, the parts warranty varies a lot. It is generally in the range of 2-5 years. However, it is not uncommon to see a 1-year warranty on parts. But more often than not, such parts are of cheaper quality.
Last but not least is the labor warranty. This is generally 1 year for the cheaper treadmills and can go up to 2 years.
Warranty is another parameter that will tell loads about the quality of the treadmill. If you have a shorter warranty, this means that the treadmill can get breakdown easily.
Longer warranties are always better and you can buy the treadmill with confidence.
If you need to decide between two similar treadmills, go for the one which provides a better warranty. Ultimately this is what will save your investment if things go wrong.
Features
You will not get a lot of features when it comes to a budget treadmill. This helps the companies to keep these machines cheap.
However, there are some pretty awesome features that you can get from these treadmills.
Built-in Workouts – To stay competitive, most of these treadmills come with built-in workouts. You can expect somewhere between 10-30 workouts built-in to these machines. However, the workouts are simpler and may not provide you with a whole lot of variety.
Basic display – These machines come with a basic display where you will be able to view some basic workout related data. Also, they may be smaller to save some space.
Bluetooth – These machines come with Bluetooth connectivity. Not all, but most of them come with this. If speakers are provided, you can use them to listen to music from your phone, or you may be able to track your fitness data.
Heart Rate Tracking – Most of these budget treadmills have this feature built-in. You can sync them with your fitness tracker. Most of them will have this.
Folding – Most of the budget treadmills nowadays come with folding capability. This can save a lot of space when it is not in use.
Shock absorption – This is a very important feature to have and is kind of a deal-breaker for me. If the treadmill doesn’t have proper shock absorption, your knees will be directly affected as there will be more bouncing movement. When buying a treadmill, check if this feature is present on the treadmill of your choice.
USB/MP3 ports – This will help you to charge your devices while simultaneously listening to music. However, this is a nice to have feature and is not a deal breaker.
One-Touch buttons – This helps to use a preset like a certain incline or speed instantly. This is a handy feature and can help you to change the speed or intensity of your workout with just one touch.
Bottle-Holder – This will help you to keep your water bottle at an arm’s length and completely accessible.
Device Holder – This is present in most of the budget treadmills and can hold your tab or phone comfortably.
These are in a nutshell that you should be looking at. If you get more, then that is the cherry on top. However, most of the treadmills in this price range will not have very sophisticated features.
However, if you can get most of them then you have got a nice treadmill for $1000 which will last you for a long time.
FAQs
How much should you spend on a budget treadmill?
If you are planning to buy a budget treadmill, you should go to the price range of around $600 to $1000. You will get a good treadmill at this price and you may not have to even pay the delivery charges.
Also, these treadmills are much better when compared to the cheaper ones as they have a stronger motor, wider platform, and generally much better warranties. They will also last you for a longer period of time and will not breakdown as easily as something under $500.
You will not get a fancy treadmill at this price. You will get basic workout equipment that will get the job done. However, nowadays, many companies are including more entertainment and advanced features in this range of treadmills.
Another important thing to remember is these treadmills are not designed to support multiple users. Also, they may not perform well f you use them for more than 1 – 1.5 hours in a day. You can get away with a decent walk or run but you may not be able to train for your marathons on this one.
Do Treadmills Under $1000 Have Good Warranties?
Yes, treadmills under $1000 have good warranties. Any treadmill that provides you a lifetime warranty on motors is a good treadmill. This is an essential clue about the quality of the treadmill.
Also, most of the treadmills provide a warranty on frame, motor, parts, and labor. Some of them even provide a warranty for the deck, electronics, and the incline motor.
While inspecting the warranty of the treadmill that you are interested in, check that they should provide a parts warranty of at least 3 years or more and a labor warranty of at least one year.
However, for a motor warranty, it is best to have a life-time warranty. Treadmills with lesser years of warranty like 25-years are more budget-friendly. However, these motors are generally weaker and tend to get heated up if you do some intense workout to the point of melting away the wires.
If you are tempted about a cheaper price, then always remember, you won’t be saving much if you have to replace the treadmill after a couple of months.
Who should spend more than $1000 on a treadmill?
If you are planning to use your treadmill regularly and that too much for running, then you should go for a treadmill for more than $1000.
Also, most of the treadmills under $1000 have a user capacity of around 300lbs. If you weigh around 250lbs, then also, you should go for a treadmill that has a higher price. This treadmill will have a higher user weight capacity and will not break down easily as it will not be working at its maximum capacity.
It is also a good idea to buy a higher-priced treadmill if you are a very regular runner or want to perform an intensive workout. Under $1000 treadmills will not be able to provide you with much support in that area.
Can you get a good quality treadmill for under $1000?
Yes, you can definitely get a good quality treadmill for under $1000. However, it will have its own limitations that we will discuss later in this post.
Also, these treadmills are no-frills treadmills and you will not have all those fancy features.
That doesn’t mean that you will have to compromise joint protection or lower back protection. They come with good cushioning and will have almost the same comfort level as the more expensive ones.
Being said that, good and bad also depends on your personal preference. You must be clear about what you want from your treadmill. If you want to train for long-distance races, that may not happen on this treadmill. However, they are perfect for shorter runs and you will not have to worry about it. Also, you should also switch between outdoor and treadmill running.
Should you buy a fully loaded treadmill?
This is tricky to answer. In other words, you are the best judge of that.
The choice of your treadmill will entirely depend on your usage and preference. It will also depend on the frequency of use and weight.
As mentioned earlier, it all boils down to, what you want from your treadmill.
Another, important aspect to consider is, who will be using the treadmill? If it is meant for your family use, then you should have a fully loaded one or at least something in the range of $1700 to $2000.
Budget treadmills cannot be used by multiple users as their motors are not as powerful. Also, they may not be able to store your workout data and your preference.
What is the best treadmill under $1000?
We have chosen NordicTrack T 6.5 Si as the best treadmill for under $1000. However, there are other choices also as mentioned above.
Also, your best choice may vary from us because it will be based on your preference. You may be looking for a particular weight capacity, or platform length, or price range. So, your choice will vary from us.
However, whichever you choose, apart from the warranty, also check whether it has good shock absorption or not.
This will protect your joints in the long run.
How did we compare these treadmills?
Here are the exact parameters based on which we have compared these treadmills.
- Stability of at higher speed.
- The sturdiness of the treadmills.
- Weight capacity.
- Shock absorption capacity.
- The length of the ramp should be greater than 50″.
- Width of the ramp.
- Motor capacity.
- Warranty and the types of warranty provided.
- Features available.
- Anything special perks available to the buyers.
- The lasting capacity of these treadmills.
- Foldability.
What are some of the drawbacks of these budget treadmills?
Here are some of the drawbacks of these budget treadmills:
Lesser Horsepower
A runner’s treadmill should have a motor of at least 2.5 CHP or continuous horsepower.
Anything less than that, the motor will work at its maximum capacity and will tend to heat up. So much so that it can even breakdown early.
However, treadmills that come with a lifelong motor warranty tend to have more than 2.5 CHP and generally will perform better.
Cheap/Plastic parts
To keep the cost low, companies use plastic parts for incline gears. These gears tend to get worn out faster than their metal counterparts.
This makes these running machines noisier and will breakdown faster.
Cost-effective wiring
Cost-effective wiring a.k.a cheap wiring is a major problem with budget treadmills.
When you perform intense workouts on such treadmills, the heat generated is enough to burn down these wires.
Also, a major problem many of these treadmills have is flicking screens and early departure when worked hard.
This makes them somewhat unreliable…also since most of the time, screens are not covered under warranty, you will have to spend $100s to get them replaced.
Belt quality is not up to the mark
The quality of the belt varies widely with the price of the treadmill. The cheaper the treadmill, the question is the quality.
The problem with cheaper belts is their thickness. These belts can rip off with a bit of intensity. However, if the belt is thicker you may be able to avoid this problem.
Also, with these kinds of belts, you will have to lubricate them every couple of months for them to run smoothly. Otherwise, you will be hit by an unexpected cost.
Another problem with low-quality treadmills is that they tend to lag or in other words, sluggish. They don’t adapt with you and you have to be more attentive when running on these.
Self-Assembly
If you are looking to buy a budget or under $1000 treadmill, you will have to take care of the assembly yourself. you may not get much help from the company.
You can definitely go for a treadmill assembling service at Amazon, which is very reasonable by the way, but you will still have to shell out those extra bucks.
Low on advanced tech
These treadmills tend to come with no bells and whistles. These will be very basic machines, that will help you to just run/walk.
However, if you need to use some advanced features like heart rate monitoring, you will have to go for an additional gadget like a chest strap heart rate monitor or a fitness tracker.
Conclusion
When shopping treadmill on a budget, it is a must that you look at a couple of things.
First nonnegotiable thing is, your treadmill must have shock absorption.
Without that, you will move up and down and you are at a greater risk of getting injured.
Also, check the weight capacity of the treadmills and if you are tall then go for one which has a belt length of 55 inches or above.
We think MordicTrack T 6.5 Si is the best treadmill for runners under $1000.
However, there are 8 more which fit the bill. Also, we would encourage you to do some more research on your own as this is a significant amount of investment.
Madhusree Basu
Author, Admin
Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.
References
Nigg, Benno M., RUUD W. De Boer, and V. E. R. O. N. I. C. A. Fisher. “A kinematic comparison of overground and treadmill running.” Medicine and science in sports and exercise 27.1 (1995): 98-105.
https://www.treadmillreviews.net/best-treadmill/cheap/
https://www.shape.com/fitness/cardio/best-treadmills-under-1000
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