Best Folding Treadmills of 2024

Folding Treadmills Buying Guide

When you first decide you want to buy a treadmill, one of the first questions you need to ask yourself is whether you want a folding or regular model. To help you decide, you need to evaluate your space and determine whether or not it would be beneficial to be able to fold your treadmill up after each use, or whether you have the room to just leave the treadmill laid out.

One might think that everyone opts for a folding treadmill simply because it’s easier, but that isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, many people prefer the simplicity of getting a treadmill and just letting it sit where it needs to be. Where the folding treadmill really shines is if you just don’t have the space to put a regular treadmill, and therefore have no other option.

The good news is that folding treadmill options have significantly improved over the past few years, so now you can get one that folds up incredibly easily and may also be lighter than the ones that don’t fold. This makes them easier for getting into your house as well, which is something to factor in if that could be a concern for you.

Compact Folding Treadmills

When on the hunt for a folding treadmill, compact folding treadmills tend to be the smallest in both size and weight and therefore are the best option if you want to move the treadmill from room to room. Some people just fold up the treadmill and leave it in the same room, using the extra space to complete their free weight training. Others prefer to fold their treadmill up and move it into storage. It’s a good idea to figure out what you plan to do with the treadmill once it’s folded, before making your purchase.

The biggest drawback you’re going to find with folding treadmills is that they sometimes don’t offer all the functions that a regular treadmill does. For instance, if you look at the under $500 budget treadmills you’ll see that they do fold and are very nicely priced, but they have a lower power motor, a smaller deck, and just aren’t as fancy as some of the other models on the market. If you just want to get on it and walk, this type of treadmill will definitely do the trick. But if you want to run on it regularly or you are a taller individual, it’s likely not going to be in your best interests to purchase this variety.

This doesn’t mean that a folding treadmill is not for you; just that one in this price range is not. When you increase your price range you’ll find that there are plenty of great folding treadmills that are very comparable to other non-folding treadmills on the market. You just need to spend to get that.

If you’re a larger individual, just be sure that you do pay attention to the maximum weight listed on the treadmill as this will typically tell you whether it can support your own weight or not. In addition to this, always look at how much the treadmill actually weighs. Some treadmills are advertised to be the smallest folding treadmill on the market, but they may also be very heavy and not by any means easy to move. You need to be realistic in how much weight you are actually going to lug from room to room.

If you still feel uncertain about whether you truly need a folding treadmill or not, it never hurts to get a lower priced model and see how you like it. If you find it isn’t doing the job and you don’t use the folding feature as much as you thought, you can upgrade to a regular, higher priced, fancier model in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are fold-up treadmills worth it?
  Treadmills which can fold are certainly worth it for folks with space limitations. The best folding treadmills offer durability and performance with the added bonus of being storable when not in use.
• Are treadmills good for weight loss?
  Absolutely. Depending on one’s bodyweight, users can easily burn anywhere from 300 to even 1,000 calories per session. This capacity varies widely with the user and their ability, but there’s no question that treadmills are a great weight loss tool.
• Are non-folding treadmills better than ones which fold?
  Only for those who want to store the unit when not in use. The non-folding units are typically larger and do tend to offer more features.
• Can one use a treadmill daily?
  Yes, although one should always consult with a medical professional before jumping into an exercise routine. That said, walking daily is highly recommended by most physicians.