Best Commercial Treadmills of 2024

Commercial Treadmills Buying Guide

For those planning hard core training on their treadmill, it might be worth spending a little more money to get the highest quality products available. Then commercial treadmills are the right choice for you. By now we’re assuming that you’ve spent some time in the gym and/or exercised on a treadmill. During this time you’ve probably thought it would be great to actually own a treadmill yourself to save on the monthly gym membership. These machines are built with thicker belts, bigger motors, and a larger deck. For those with large families, or plans to run in marathons, the money you will save on replacement parts for smaller units might better be spent on a commercial treadmill.

And these days it’s very easy for the dream of home exercise to become a reality. Treadmills are becoming increasingly common in the American household, and manufacturers are responding to this by producing more lines. Lucky for us, this means that there are now more options and price ranges than ever before. Years ago there were only a few cheap home treadmills available, but now producers are offering affordable commercial treadmills aimed specifically at the home market. This allows you to exercise on the very same piece of equipment you find at the gym!

Although commercial treadmills cost more, they’re the smartest investment in the long run because you’re essentially getting the highest grade parts and construction available. Even under the most intense use, these treadmills should last for years. All things considered, commercial treadmills are the wise investment over the long-term.

Interested? Aside from the higher price point, the only other major thing to think about before buying a commercial treadmill is space. Most commercial treadmills don’t fold and are also quite large to begin with, so you should have plenty of space reserved for one, if not a whole room.

Why Commercial Treadmills?

When compared to treadmills designed for the home, commercial treadmills offer stronger:

• Motor Size
• Deck Size (Running Surface)
• Thicker Belt
• Higher Speeds
• More Incline Range
• Larger Max User Weight
• Guaranteed Durability
• Traditionally Excellent Warranties
• More Electronics

Commercial treadmills are simply better. Unfortunately, they’re also more expensive and at the end of the day your wallet may be the one doing the talking. However, if you look at all the stronger specs plus the track record of commercial treadmills lasting longer, the commercial-grade products generally end up being the wisest investment.

Commercial Treadmills — Worth the Price?

We get this question all the time. Commercial treadmills are worth the price; plain and simple. The specs are stronger across the board, and they’re also way more durable and not inclined to break down in a couple of years like other treadmills can. You truly get what you pay for here.

Even if you can afford to buy a commercial treadmill, you must first decide if you have the space. Commercial treadmills rarely fold and tend to take up more space than other treadmills on the market. However, if you have the room and money then they are unquestionably the best option. Period.

Questions & Answers

• Which treadmill is best for commercial use?
  The Life Fitness Club series is part of a family of products designed specifically for commercial gyms. Scaled down a bit for home use, they’d be the best pick for a smaller gym or commercial setting.
• What is the most reliable commercial treadmill for home use?
  The NordicTrack X22i brings the biggest motor for the bucks at 4.25 CHP and also a strong track record of both service and performance.
• How much does a commercial treadmill normally cost?
  These models are typically higher in cost due to size and durability, with prices anywhere from $3,500 up to $10,000.
• What commercial treadmills do gyms typically use?
  That really depends. The Life Fitness brand is part of the Life Time commercial gyms and used extensively there, while the Precor TRM 243 is also a top pick in facilities.
• How should I choose between home and commercial treadmills?
  Consider how much use the machine is going to get. With thicker belts and bigger motors, these machines will hold up to harder, longer, pounding. For large families of distance runners, or people who train for marathons, this can make a big difference. Manufacturers recommend lubricating treadmill belts every 40 hours, and let’s face it, some hit that mark sooner than others. The smaller home treadmills won’t take the pounding like these commercial products.