Treadmills are usually best in one area either being affordable and/or durable. But it’s safe to say that most people want something that is both of these things, yet still does a good job on meeting all of their needs. It can be hard to tell which treadmill will be the best for this but we hope this article can help clarify some things for you!
We have reviewed the top 5 treadmills under £400 that are available right now so you can get acquainted with them before going out and buying one yourself.
Top 5 Treadmills Under £400
1) Sole F45 Treadmill
The Sole F45 treadmill is a great treadmill for anyone looking to lose weight. Its features include an easy to read digital display with a built in timer so you won’t need to bother your partner every time it’s time to start running. It also includes a patented tread belt system which helps to reduce the amount of vibration felt by the runner. The Sole F45 treadmill is able to reach speeds of up to 12.5 mph and can be used indoors or outdoors.
Pros
- Easy To Read Digital Display
- Built In Timer
- Built with Patented Tread Belt System
- Great Speed Range & Heart Rate Monitor
Cons
- Needs Some Assembly
- Loud
2) Schwinn 230
The Schwinn 230 is a great choice for most general workouts. It can achieve speeds of up to 12.75 MPH and it includes a 16 track system so you don’t have to worry about getting bored with the same workout over and over again. The tread belt system makes the Schwinn 230 an all-around great treadmill and much more comfortable than most other treadmills on the market today. The Schwinn 230 also has the ability to track you heart rate through a hand pulse monitor.
Pros:
- Easy To Read Digital Display
- 16 Track System- Hand Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
Cons:
- Can Be Loud Sometimes
3) Spirit XT 460 Treadmill
The Spirit XT 460 is a great treadmill for runners who are just looking for something that can keep up with them. It can reach speeds of up to 13 mph and can be used with or without incline. The Spirit XT 460 also has the ability to track your heart rate through a hand pulse monitor which makes it great for people who like to track their heart rates.
Pros:
- Great Speed Range & Heart Rate Monitor
- Can Be Used With Or Without Incline
- Hand Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
Cons:
- Complicated assembling
- Loud
4) Precor 933i Precor 933i
The Precor 933i is a great treadmill for anyone looking to lose weight in a safe environment. This treadmill features a 10-inch high resolution, high definition digital display which makes it much easier to track your progress. The Precor 933i also has the ability to track your heart rate through a hand pulse monitor. In addition, you can choose between two incline settings (0% and 10%) to help give you the endurance that you’re after.
Pros:
- High Definition Digital Display
- Portable Incline Settings
- Hand Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
Cons:
- Needs Some Assembly
- Complicated User Manuals
- Loud
5) Proform 815 lb Folding Treadmill
If you’re someone who has a limited amount of space available, the Proform 815 lb folding treadmill may be ideal for you. It weighs just over 600 pounds, which is less than most other treadmills on the market today. The Proform 815 folding treadmill can reach speeds of up to 12 mph and it includes a built-in sound system so that you don’t have to worry about having your phone on the speaker while you run.
Pros:
- Less than 600 pounds in weight (compared to most other treadmills on the market)
- Portable Incline Settings
- Built in Sound System
- Hand Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
Cons
- Complicated Assembly
- Loud
What features to lookout for when buying a treadmill?
There are a number of things you should look for when buying a treadmill. To help make your life easier, we have compiled a list of some things to look for when buying a treadmill.
- Stability: Stability is something that’s really not typically talked about in treadmills, but it’s still very important. Most treadmills that don’t fold will be a bit more stable than those that do fold, but the more stability your treadmill has it will be harder to tip over at all while you’re running on it. So if you’re worried about stability like I was, search for treadmills with greater than 120 pounds of weight capacity as opposed to less than 120 pounds.
- Braking System: The braking system on a treadmill is another thing that isn’t talked about much but is still very important. This is especially true if you’re someone who has a fear of falling and you’re worried about missing your workout because the treadmill suddenly stopped. The best treadmills have a safe stopping system that works quickly and efficiently to keep the treadmill from moving when it’s not supposed to.
- Track System: This one may be obvious, but the track system on your treadmill will make or break how easy it is to use your treadmill in any given workout. The best track systems will have a lot of cushion, will be anti-slip, and they will allow you to take corners without too much difficulty.
- Weight Capacity: The weight capacity on your treadmill may vary depending on the treadmill that you’re looking at, but it is still something that you should be looking for in your next purchase. The higher the weight capacity the more people can use the treadmill at once and while this doesn’t matter especially when you’re using it alone, it’s still a good idea to buy a treadmill with a higher weight capacity if you’ll be using it with others frequently.
- Running Area: The running area of the treadmill may not seem very important, but it most certainly is. The running area is typically the length and width of the actual treadmill, so imagine if you can’t even get onto your treadmill because there isn’t enough room for you to stretch out. This will be very frustrating and if you’re someone who needs a lot of space in order to workout properly, then make sure you don’t buy a treadmill that has a small running area.
- Comfort: Comfort may seem like an unnecessary thing to look for when buying a treadmill, but it’s really not as much as you would think. If a treadmill is very uncomfortable to use it will make you want to avoid going on it as much as possible. So when deciding on a treadmill make sure you find one that is comfortable enough for you to stand, run or even sit for extended periods of time.
- Headphone Jack: This is an increasingly common feature that will allow you to listen to your music during your workout. Now if you’re someone who doesn’t really care about music during your workouts then this might seem like an unimportant feature but if music motivates you and helps get your mind off the pain then this is something that should be high up on your list of priorities.
- Heart Rate Monitor: The ideal treadmill is one that also has a heart rate monitor feature. This will allow you to set your own personal target and ensure that you’re getting a good workout. It will also help you monitor how much of exercise/running you’re doing correctly and give you a better idea of what type of exercise routine you need to be doing.
- Warranty: This doesn’t mean anything for all treadmills, but it’s important for those intended as household appliances. This is especially true if you have children who may need to use the treadmill safely or if you are planning on using the treadmill in public areas such as the pool or while at work.
- Manual: You should be able to find a manual online or at your local gym suppliers. Read this carefully, especially if you are planning on using the treadmill or walking machine away from home. It may have information that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to find.
Conclusion
Finding the right treadmill can be difficult when you’re trying to carry out your workout routine without having access to equipment at home or while in a public area such as at the gym or in a hotel.
In conclusion, all of these treadmills are viable options. You may have some specific criteria that can help you make a decision about which one will be best for you. As far as versatility, we would recommend the Sole F45 treadmill and the Spirit XT 460 treadmill. Both of these treadmills are able to be used indoors as well as outdoors and they are both very user-friendly.