Best Treadmills in Canada

We’ve spent years searching far and wide for the best Canadian products to recommend to you. Our extensive experience has taught us what to look for when it comes to home products, mattresses, exercise equipment, and more. We send every product to our test lab, where we perform extensive evaluations. Once those are finished, we send each product home with our team of dedicated testers.

We arrive at our recommendation using their feedback and our test results. When it comes to treadmills, we looked at performance areas like:

• Horsepower. In treadmills, power is measured in horsepower. Power ratings can determine how well the treadmill works for various exercises. We made sure to include multiple horsepower options for a variety of Canadians. 
• Speed. The speed of your treadmill determines what you can do with it. Walking, for instance, requires lower speeds. We included the speed range on each treadmill so you can choose the one that’s best for you.
• Incline. A treadmill’s incline can drastically change the outcomes of your workout. We looked for options with multiple incline levels but included some without as well.
• Size. The size of the treadmill determines where you can place it, so we made sure to include treadmills in multiple size categories. 

How to Choose a Treadmill in Canada

Treadmills are a staple of any home gym. They are great options for most people who are working on their fitness. Purchasing one for your home can be a great idea. However, choosing one can be a bit more difficult. There are a lot of options available, and most have a long list of variable specifications. So how do you choose? We’re here to help you figure out what treadmill will fit your needs.

Horsepower

The power of your treadmill is measured in horsepower or HP. This rating can determine what you can use your treadmill for, as well as its limits and capabilities.

• Less than 3.0 HP. Low-horsepower treadmills are great for walking and hiking, especially if you have incline controls. However, they can’t be used for longer periods and aren’t meant for long-distance travelling. 
• 3.0 HP to 4.0 HP. Treadmills in this range can be great for most types of training. Many affordable treadmills fall in this range. Treadmills closer to 4.0 HP are superior and can be used for most types of training. You shouldn’t use a motor with this HP rating for longer speed training exercises, or more than about 7 miles at a time. 
• More than 4.0 HP. Only the best treadmills have a horsepower rating this high. Professional treadmills in this category are meant to be used often, and at high speeds over long distances. If you are doing a lot of running or endurance training, you’ll likely want a treadmill with this power rating.

Speed

Treadmills can be fast, but the speed options will determine the upper limits of how fast your treadmill can run. If you are using your treadmill for running only, choose one with a speed up to 9 or 10 miles per hour. Walking can be as little as 2 to 6 miles per hour, and jogging can be at any speed up to about 8 miles per hour.

The speed you need depends on how you’ll use the machine. However, the speed that the machine is capable of is determined by the horsepower of its motor. If you are interested in slowly ramping up your treadmill workouts to include running or jogging, choose a machine that is already capable of reaching these speeds.

Incline

When a treadmill features an incline adjustment, the front of the deck will raise or lower. This incline can have a huge effect on your workout. A steeper incline works your muscles harder, whereas a flat incline is easier on them. Incline adjustment can be done digitally on some of the best treadmills in Canada, but it can also be a manual adjustment.

The more incline levels available, the more variable your workout can be. If you want a challenge, look for inclines between 5% and 10%. While the incline will be available, you can also walk, run, or jog while the treadmill is flat. These adjustments only give you a chance to expand your workouts if you choose.

Size

How much space do you have for your home gym? How tall are your ceilings? Both considerations should be addressed before you shop for a treadmill. Treadmills come in a variety of sizes, and you need to make sure that you have enough floor space to accommodate them. This is especially true if you are tall because taller users require a longer treadmill belt.

Aside from the floor space in your home gym, you need to consider the height of your ceiling. Many treadmills have incline options, which raise the deck by degrees to make workouts more challenging. Make sure that the incline on the treadmill isn’t going to create a hazard to the ceiling of your room.

Keep in mind that the size of a folding treadmill might not matter. Because they can fold up and store out of the way, you can choose an option with a longer deck even if you don’t have the space to keep it set up all the time.

Weight Limit

Every treadmill has a weight limit or capacity. It’s best to stay under this weight limit while using your treadmill. Even if you plan to lose weight, you should choose a treadmill that can accommodate you at your current size. That’s because this is the tested limit under which the treadmill can run normally. Exceeding this limit can result in your treadmill malfunctioning. It may also be unsafe to use the treadmill above the weight limit.

Always pay close attention to the weight limit the manufacturer specifies. If you disregard this limit, it might also void your warranty on the treadmill.

Display and Tracking

Display monitors are common in most modern treadmills. A screen near the control panel will usually display metrics such as calories burned, distance travelled, and speed. These monitors help you keep track of how you’re doing. Some monitors will store this information over time, allowing you to track your progress on your fitness journey.

However, not all displays are created equally. Some displays are simple LCD screens, while others are tablet-sized touch screens with multiple metrics and quick access to logs and programs. The display can be an important part of your workout, so make sure that you consider which type you’d like to use. If you don’t see yourself using one of the larger, more advanced screens, choosing an option that only displays common metrics might be more viable.

Here is a short list of the options that may be displayed on your treadmill’s monitor.

• Speed. How fast you are running.
• Distance. How far you’ve run during your workout.
• Calories Burned. How many calories you’ve burned during your current session.
• Heart Rate. Helps track heart rate so you can stay in your most effective range, which is different for everyone. 
• Steps. For tracking your progress or fitness over time.
• Incline or Program Information. For challenging yourself.
• Time. How long you’ve been working out. 

These metrics can help you keep track of your fitness journey, but keep in mind that they are calculated with a general formula. The actual amount of calories burned depends on several factors that your treadmill cannot accurately predict. While this metric is a great way to track your fitness, you should be careful about using it in any meaningful way.

Safety Features

Anxious about using a treadmill? Sometimes, accidents happen. You want to do the most you can to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Safety features can help ease your mind and help in a sticky situation. There are a few different features to look for in a treadmill.

First, the emergency stop clip is the most important safety feature you should look for. This clip is usually magnetized. When removed from its spot on the control panel (usually by pulling the cord), the treadmill will come to an instant stop. This is essential for safety situations.

Other options include anti-skid stops on the side of the treadmill, which offer a place to stand when you need to get off the belt for a moment. Anti-slip attachments can ensure that the belt keeps working as intended, too.

These are just a handful of helpful options, but you should consider the best safety features that will ease your mind.

• Runners should use a belt that is 20” wide and 60” long. A belt this long can help accommodate taller users, especially those over 6 feet tall. 
• Walkers and some joggers only need a belt that is about 17” wide (up to 20”) and 45” to 60” long. You can choose a smaller belt if you only plan to walk on the treadmill, or if you are very short. 
• Larger users might want to select an oversized treadmill belt, up to 22” wide and over 60” long. These belts are made for users of all sizes, including larger users. 

Subscriptions and Apps

Some treadmills (like NordicTrack’s options) use apps and subscriptions to help elevate your workout. These subscription services are often monthly or yearly and can include on-demand workout programs, live personal training sessions, and continuous tracking of your progress over time. If you are interested in using your treadmill often (or want to effortlessly keep track of how you’re doing), choosing a treadmill with app integration might be the perfect option for you.

Each luxury treadmill brand has its subscription service. If your treadmill isn’t from one of these brands, you should still check for app integration compatibility. Often, these luxury-brand apps will include integration with other treadmills, especially those with Bluetooth compatibility. Shop around and find a subscription service that works with your treadmill, but also offers programs you’ll use.

Storage

Most Canadians won’t have a lot of room for their home gym. Treadmills can be large machines, especially longer decks for running and taller users. To avoid having your treadmill take up valuable floor space, choose a folding option. Folding treadmills allow you to pull the deck upwards, storing it against the wall. Folding will greatly reduce the footprint of your treadmill and allow you to move around a little easier.

If you have plenty of space, folding isn’t necessary. Storing your treadmill becomes a lot easier when it folds, though. Even if you often go long periods without using your treadmill, having a folding storage option may be incredibly beneficial.

Special Features

Your treadmill may also have a few special features that aren’t necessarily part of your workout. However, these features can help make your time on the treadmill that much better. Special features include a device holder or shelf or a bottle holder for your water bottle. Other options include auxiliary inputs for your phone or music player, as well as built-in speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and more.

These special features don’t necessarily make your workout any easier. Once you have a treadmill with full connectivity, a bottle holder, and a place to put your phone, you might find yourself more inclined to use it. The value of these special features might be more impressive than you think!