What can you expect from the best treadmills for runners?

The best runner’s treadmills typically have much sturdier construction than those built for walkers or joggers, as they need to stand up to heavier use. Think about walking at 4 mph vs running top speed at a heavy incline. The latter will really take its toll on a treadmill.

As such, treadmills built for running are usually more expensive, as they need better parts, stronger motors as well as more supportive cushioning to minimize impact on the knees and joints.

Some of the best treadmills in this category will also have a nice assortment of built in workouts, grip as well as wireless heart rate monitoring and workout tracking/sharing capability, all things that serious runners appreciate.

Here is a guide to help you find the very best machine for running:

1. Belt/Deck: Look for at least a 20″ x 60″ belt so you have enough room for a comfortable stride, especially if you are on the taller side. You may find up to 22″ width on some of the better machines. Also, make sure the deck is strong and stable to support your runs.

2. Motor: Look for at least 3.0 CHP motor, which will provide ample power for your runs. 3.5 CHP or higher is even better, and some machines will have a 4.0 CHP motor. Anything less than 3.0 and it may be overworked, leading to mechanical issues down the road.

3. Cushioning: When you’re pounding the treadmill hard, as all runners do, you need to have advanced cushioning to help you not only avoid excess impact but also to provide the ideal support and give at various points throughout your stride. Look for commercial grade suspension systems that give you what you need.

4. Incline Capability: In order to make your training more like an outdoor experience, you need to have some incline to vary it up. Look for at least 15% incline to ramp up your efforts, and if you can find a treadmill with decline, even better.
That way you are getting a better cardio workout as well as hitting more leg muscles in the process.

5. Workout Programs: We all love a manual run, but it’s nice to have a variety of built in workouts to change it up from one day to the next. Look for at least 10 workouts, if not more, including intervals, distance, hills, heart rate, calories and more.

So decide which features appeal most to you on these top treadmills for running, and select the one that has everything you need, and a lot of what you want.