The best treadmills for your home gym

So, there’s a space in your home for a brand-new treadmill. But where will you keep your treadmill when you’re not working out? If space is tight, we recommend investing in a foldable model that can be kept out of the way. 

The Opti Folding Treadmill can be folded when you're finished with your run — easily stored in a cupboard or convenient space. OK, so it's not the only folding treadmill on this list but it's also one of the cheapest options, making it a win-win if you're tight on both space and budget.

And there's plenty more to this treadmill than just a foldable frame. It also comes with 10 pre-set workout programs, plus pulse sensor, adjustable speed, and start/stop buttons on the handle bars for easy access. A small monitor keeps you up to date with progress and stats, measuring speed, distance, time, and calories burned. Basic but essential info for smashing your personal best.

It even has a tablet holder so you can stick your smart device in front of you and watch your favourite shows or listen to music during your workout session.

It doesn’t matter how big your home is, there’s never enough space. And who couldn’t do with more storage room? If that sounds familiar, consider investing in a treadmill that will boost your fitness without hogging too much space.

The Dynamax RunningPad Folding Treadmill is one of the most compact models on the market, with a physical deck that folds in half and can be rolled across to the floor to easily store away. It's practical and convenient.

Of course, having that all that space-saving technology is great, but if you’re forking out on a treadmill you need it to have high-tech functionality too. 

The Dynamax RunningPad is basic but it delivers, too. It has an automatic stop safety system, plus adaptive speed control and five display options — speed, time, distance, calories, and steps. There's also Bluetooth connectivity, which syncs with the Dynamax app, providing real-time feedback and stats.

You control the speed with a wireless remote, while the treadmill itself has adaptive speed control that auto-adjusts to match your position on the deck. It's basic and probably best for beginners, but fitness-wise gets you from A to Z.

Here’s a treadmill with a difference. The NOHrD Sprintbok is an exercise (quite literally) in curved manual treadmill running. More than just some fitness fad, there are very real benefits to using a curved manual treadmill. Ultimately, it gives you a more natural running experience. But make sure you have space for it. It's non-folding and a hefty piece of kit.

There are no settings or motors. Rather than let the treadmill dictate and limit the pace, a curved manual treadmill puts your legs in control. You can gear up and gear down, and shift between the front and middle of the running deck. And unlike motorised treadmills, you have the freedom to break into sudden speed bursts and sprint intervals. This builds leg muscles for a faster pace — great if you like to run — and helps you refine that running technique.

The NOHrD Sprintbok is a premium piece of kit. It's built from a solid hardwood frame with 62 wooden, shock absorbent slats.

Despite the more natural, rugged approach, it's not without some up-to-date technology. It had a 17.2-inch touchscreen that displays real-time progress and keeps you distracted with a movie or TV show as you pump those legs.

If you have the space and want the full gym experience, look no further than the NordicTrack EXP 14i — one of the most tech-savvy, bells-and-whistles treadmills available at this (not exactly cheap) price point.

It excels at the basics, with an automatic incline control between 12%, a speed of almost 12mph, one-touch controls, resistance, and real-time stat tracking. 

A 14-inch HD touchscreen gives you access to iFit Coach, an interactive fitness app that streams sessions from top personal trainers — plus, virtual runs that take you all around the world via Google Maps. The trainers cam take control of the treadmill and will automatically adjust your incline and resistance. It's a virtual experience but a very real workout. You can also manage your nutrition with personalised meal plans and video tutorials from nutrition experts.

The iFit app is subscription based, however, so you'll incur some ongoing costs. But that's the cost of getting in shape.

Other impressive features include an AutoBreeze fan and Bluetooth speakers. The running area is spacious, bolstered by Flex cushioning. This allows you to switch between high-impact absorption, taking it easy on your joints, or providing a tougher real road simulation.

The Peloton Tread comes with improved features after being recalled due to safety concerns. The new version features a wearable safety key plus a safety lock, which requires a unique four-digit digital pin to unlock the belt (so unauthorised users won't be able to turn on the treadmill).

For anyone invested in the Peloton cinematic universe, the Tread is the way to go. With a Tread and a monthly Peloton membership, you'll get access to a star squad of upbeat, motivating trainers plus thousands of live and on-demand classes to choose from. Basically, you won't find a more fun run than on a Peloton Tread. 

The 23.8-inch touchscreen feels like a real TV and gives you an immersive workout experience, and the incline and speed knobs make for easy in-workout adjustments. The slim, minimal design looks damn good in just about every room, too.