Unpredictable weather and crowded trails can make outdoor workouts challenging and a less ideal option. Crowded gyms are equally not the best resolutions to kickstart your fitness journey. But these challenges don’t mean that you have to give up on your fitness goals. In fact, today, it’s easier to develop a cardio workout thanks to the budget treadmills for home.
Although these treadmills won’t give you the same outdoor experience, you’re guaranteed a stellar workout regardless of your fitness level. In this article, I’ll review the 5 best treadmills for homes under $500, along with a handy guide to help you make an informed decision.
Are Budget Treadmills Worth it?
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a good workout. Here’s why low-budget treadmills can work as well as high-end treadmills.
Just as Efficient
A budget treadmill can burn calories and improve your health and wellness just like an expensive machine. You just need to ensure that your favorite budget treadmill can support your weight and has the right motor speed for your exercises.
They Have features You Need
Budget treadmills come with features like a safety key, speed adjustment, heart rate monitor, and adjustable incline. These are the features you need to burn calories even with an expensive treadmill.
A Great Way to Get Started on Your Fitness Goals
This is the main advantage of a budget treadmill. It is cheap and more convenient than signing up for a gym membership. These treadmills can last over a decade if you take good care of them.
It Makes You More Accountable
It’s easy to skip a day from the gym, and before you know it, you’ve totally neglected your fitness goals. If you have your treadmill at home, you’ll be more consistent on workouts since you can jump straight into your machine at any time.
Less Cumbersome
High-end treadmills usually weigh a ton and occupy more space. If you’re limited on space, a budget folding treadmill can easily fit into a spare bedroom than the larger machines. This creates more space to add more equipment like a T.V or yoga mat.
Easier to Assemble
The expensive treadmills can be hard to assemble compared to cheaper models. For instance, you can assemble a budget treadmill in less than 30 minutes.
Disadvantages of Getting a Budget Treadmill
It Can be Quite Boring
The main downside of exercising on a treadmill is that you already know how to do it, so that it can get boring quickly. This machine cannot simulate other physical exercises apart from running or walking, so you’re likely to get bored easily.
There’s No Sense of Community
Finally, working out on a treadmill is a personal experience. You cannot share it with your family and friends unless you have other treadmills at home. Therefore, working out at home can make you feel lonely.
What Does a Treadmill Do to Your Body?
Regardless of the treadmill you purchase, it will positively impact your body. Treadmills come with tons of benefits. They are great machines for cardio exercises, strengthening your heart, and reducing the risk of having a stroke or diabetes. Here are some more benefits of a treadmill:
- Exercising on your treadmill can improve your balance and endurance.
- It can help you recover from an injury, so it can be used as a form of physical therapy.
- A treadmill keeps you away from harsh weather, road hazards, and vehicles.
Treadmill for Home under $500 Buying Guide
When buying the best treadmill for a home under $500, you have to consider some aspects to ensure that the product you choose is worth every penny and durable. For the best treadmill for homes under $500, here is a breakdown of what you should be keen on.
Your Space
Generally, treadmills occupy more space compared to other exercise equipment because of the wide running surface. Foldable treadmills are great options because they make storage a breeze. However, it shouldn’t occupy the same space as the traditional unfoldable treadmills.
Deck Size
The larger the deck size, the better. A large deck will relieve you of the stress of accidentally hitting the side and changing your walking style as a result. A small deck is ideal for short guys, provided they’re walking.
Weight Limit
This is one of the most important factors to consider in a treadmill. Most budget treadmills have a weight capacity of between 250 to 300 pounds. If you want something that supports more weight, you’ll have to increase your budget. Make sure you check the weight limit of your treadmill to avoid disappointment.
Workout Programs
The main reason for purchasing a treadmill is to keep you motivated, right? You don’t want a machine that’s boring to work on. You need a treadmill with impressive training programs that will keep you motivated when exercising.
Ease of Movement
If you don’t have a home gym, then a treadmill is not a great good addition to your home décor. Therefore, go for a treadmill for a home equipped with wheels and a foldable design.
Horsepower
The motor’s capacity determines the strength of a treadmill, either the maximum it can go or the continuous power it can supply. So make sure that you check the horsepower. However, the power you need will depend on your workout style. If you prefer jogging or running, go for a treadmill with 2.5 or 3 CHP, and for walking, go for 2 CHP. Also, the weight of the user and workout intensity will demand more CHP.
Ease of installation
Most budget treadmills come with easy installation instructions. If you want to install it by yourself, it may take two hours at most. However, you can choose a professional to install it for you at a low price.
Tread Belt Cushioning
A high-quality running deck is designed to protect your knees or joints from serious impact or injury. You should always look for one that has a shock-absorbent system.
Best Treadmill for Home under $500 Reviews
Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Treadmill
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The Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Treadmill is an affordable all-rounder machine and gives excellent value for money. This budget treadmill has a large fancy panel with a large LCD, cup holders, a phone-tablet holder, and buttons to control the nine built-in workouts.
This treadmill has an easy folding design and soft drop system that help you unfold your treadmill hands-free and safely. Whether you’re doing a quick jog or a slow walk, you can easily adjust the speed up to 9 mph, depending on the workout intensity. If you enjoy listening to music or watching videos, then you’ll like the device holder feature.
Features
- Quick speed buttons
- 3 levels of manual incline
- Transportation wheels
- 220lb weight capacity
Pros
- Easy to transport
- Speed control on handles
- Heavy-duty construction
- Optimum comfort and efficiency
Cons
- Assembly instructions aren’t clear
Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill Series
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For a comfortable workout that will minimize joint pains, the Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill Series was specially designed for a comfortable workout. This treadmill folds to save space when not in use. It comes with six workout programs, a two-position adjustable incline, and comfort cushioning that prevents joint pains and aches post-workout. With this treadmill, you can easily target specific group muscles, thanks to the adjustable incline settings.
Features
- 10mph max speed
- Blue-tinted LCD
- Comfort Cell Cushioning
- 6 personal trainer workouts
Pros
- Good value for money
- Quiet operation
- Solid construction
- Foldable design
Cons
- Belt slippage
SereneLife Smart Digital Manual Incline Treadmill
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For easy installation, the SereneLife Smart Digital Manual Incline Treadmill comes with a soft drop system to avoid any heavy lifting and a safer setup. Whether you want to challenge yourself or are a new runner, this model has 16 preset training modes to help you achieve your fitness goals. With this treadmill, you can keep yourself entertained with your favorite tones or podcasts using the Bluetooth settings. What’s more, the safety handrails come with speed settings to help you adjust the speed to suit your needs.
Features
- 16 present training modes
- 15.75”x43.30” running surface
- 1.5HP motor power
Pros
- Adjustable speed settings
- Durable and stable design
- Foldable and space-saving design
- Multiple preset programs
Cons
- The treadmill is a bit noisy
Confidence Power Plus 600W Motorized Electric Folding Treadmill
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The Confidence Power Plus 600W Motorized Electric Folding Treadmill is an affordable treadmill that’s ideal for beginners and those who want to shed weight. This treadmill has a basic design and lacks any bells and whistles, so there are no exercise programs or heart rate monitors. It comes with a small footprint and is one of the most compact treadmills available.
Features
- 250lbs weight capacity
- Folding frame
- LED display
Pros
- Requires no assembly
- Stylish design
- Compact with a small footprint
- Foldable design
Cons
- The tread belt may be uncomfortable
Exerpeutic TF1000 Ultra High Capacity Walk to Fitness Electric Treadmill
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The Exerpeutic TF1000 treadmill is designed for walking only, suitable for seniors and those recovering from injuries. This treadmill is foldable to save space and comes with a two-position incline. You can use this treadmill for walking or fast-paced brisk walking with up to 4 mph.
This treadmill can hold up to 400 lbs making it a perfect choice for heavy guys. It has a 20-inch treadmill belt, making it comfortable and natural to walk on. Additionally, it has long safety handles equipped with heart rate sensors that are super accurate.
Features
- 40-inch deck length
- 1.5 HP high-torque motor
- 2 manual incline positions
- LCD console
Pros
- Wide treadmill belt
- Ideal for heavy guys
- Foldable and easy to transport
- Durable design
Cons
- It cannot be used for running
- The treadmill handles are a bit low for tall guys
Conclusion
You can get a high-quality treadmill for a home that suits all your workout needs at a budget price. These treadmills are a big investment, so ensure that you choose a product that will suit your space, needs and support your workouts. Good Luck!