Personal Trainers Say These Are The Best Foldable Treadmills For Small Spaces

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If you’re reading this you’ve probably heard of "Hot Girl Walks," but who says they only have to be outside? Yes, walking outdoors can be nice for getting fresh air and sunshine, but what about on rainy days or those cold winter mornings when you don’t feel like leaving the house?

Well, walking (or running) inside has never been trendier. Treadmills, especially foldable treadmills, have become the best cardio machine for testers, and with good reason: They make it easy to squeeze in a workout, all while being compact enough to store in small spaces, or hide under a bed, couch, or desk until your next sweat sesh.

Best foldable treadmills

What to Consider

In the spirit of keeping it real, foldable treadmills can be a pricey investment. So, there are a few things to consider before adding one to your shopping cart.

Weight

For starters, check how much weight the treadmill can handle. "Foldable treadmills are going to be a little more lightweight and not as sturdy or supportive as a traditional gym treadmill," says personal trainer Ashley Barnett, NASM, a regional manager at Cyclebar in Oklahoma City, OK.. "You want to make sure that it's going to support you and make you feel comfortable."

Size

Take note of how much space you have at home. This will help you determine how big or small you want your foldable treadmill to be. Sherman also notes that it's essential to know the length of your walking or jogging stride: "Look for a treadmill that accommodates your needs and intentions—and remember that you’re not meant to sprint on these!” says personal trainer Keri Harvey, a NASM, with Form Fitness Brooklyn. She advises to keep in mind the height of your ceiling since the tread will be lifted off the ground when it's at an incline.

Incline and speed

If you’re looking for a foldable treadmill that offers high speed and incline features, make sure they also include handrails. "Remember that folding treads are often compact machines meant to help increase your light to moderate aerobic activity," says Sherman. Many won't offer the ability to run on steep inclines, but a few of our favorite picks have decent speed limits.

Price range

Whether you’re on a budget or are looking to splurge, you should think about how much you're truly willing to spend before considering your options. "The prices [on folding treadmills] range from about $300 to $2500 with the average price being around $600," says Harvey. Our experts also recommend to stick to trusted brands (i.e. Nordictrack), and treadmills that are highly-reviewed.

How we selected

For the past few years, Women’s Health editors, including freelance writer Jenna Clark and our editorial assistant have been researching the most popular and top-rated foldable treadmills. Our team consulted other WH editors and five personal trainers including Sydney Sherman, Keri Harvey, Ashley Barnett, Asia Jayy, and Jordan Farrell for the story. Ready to shop? Read on for our definitive list of the absolute best options for all preferences.

TR150 Folding Treadmill

Xterra's foldable treadmill is a great budget-friendly pick that gets the job done. While it doesn't have an LED touchscreen, reviewers say that it offers incredible value. For $400, you get 12 preset workouts, a sturdy frame, a widescreen display, and three incline settings. "It has a high capacity and high MPH limit," says Ashley Barnett, a certified personal trainer based in Oklahoma City. "Just by the sturdiness, I could say that this one is great for people who are already active and want to get in extra movement at home."

Users with larger strides will be able to move comfortably on Xterra's wider-than-average surface. Each side of the main frame has accessory holders to hold your belongings. Plus, the pull knob and transport wheels make it easy to fold and stow away.

Testers say that even after two years, the treadmill still runs smoothly. They love how sturdy it is and note that it runs very quietly compared to some other models. Some also find the TR150 super easy to assemble.

Read more: Best Under-Desk Treadmills

SF-T1407M Foldable Manual Treadmill

Sunny Health's relatively affordable treadmill, which has a compact design, can fit in ultra small spaces. For under $200, it even comes with incline capabilities reaching 13.5 percent.

"It's a manual treadmill, which means you control the speed," says Barnett. "It's based on how fast you're walking, so this can be good for someone who wants to start getting into activity or wants to get in some extra low-impact cardio."

This treadmill is a great option for power walkers and those who enjoy light jogging. Since it's not electric, you can essentially place it anywhere without having to worry about whether or not there is an outlet nearby. The running pad is also non-slip, and the base has wheels to help you move the treadmill around your home efficiently.

Testers were quick to fall in love with this treadmill, with many saying that it's a great buy for those looking to burn more calories than your average walk. Some also call out how easy it is to move around the house and set up. The fact that it's manual gives testers the extra comfort of knowing they're in full control of their speed.

Two-In-One Folding Treadmill

Goplus' foldable treadmill has a really sleek look, whether it's folded or not. Use it with the handles when you want to run, or put the handles down and place the tread under your desk to increase your step count while on video calls. "It's very light, but can hold 275 pounds. The speed allows for a light jog if you want to do cardio or you can walk while you work from home," says Barnett.

For $500, it packs a lot of features. The treadmill comes in seven different color options, has an LED display, features Bluetooth speakers, and is just 74 pounds. The built-in cushioning will also protect your knees and joints, minimizing the overall impact of running on your body.

Oh, and don't worry too much about slipping. The running belt is spacious and made of five layers of non-slip textured material.

Testers are amazed by how quiet this treadmill is. They also like the sleek design and how effortless it is to store. Many reviewers say that it adequately supplements their other workouts and allows them to really break a sweat.

Folding Treadmill

Folding up to the size of a laptop (yes, it's that small), this Walkingpad treadmill is ideal if you're really low on space. We found that its 180-degree folding design could fit in college dorm rooms, a tiny studio apartment, or under your (home) office desk. The Walkingpad is also just 62 pounds, so it's fairly easy to move on your own.

"This allows people to increase their activity without having to get out and go to the gym," says Jordan Farrell, a North Carolina-based ACSM exercise physiologist and personal trainer. "It doesn't have the guard rail, so it would be best for someone who has good spacial awareness and balance."

Since its maximum speed is four miles per hour, the Walkingpad is great for brisk walkers and those trying to meet their daily step goals.

Major bonus: This treadmill was built with gravity sensors that adjust its speed control depending on the position of your feet on the running pad. This minimizes the risk of falling off and adds an extra layer of security to your workout.

Testers are impressed by the quick setup, often praising its speed. They appreciate the convenience of easily folding and storing it under beds or in closets. Moreover, they find it easy to control the treadmill through the app on their phones.

Commercial 2450

With a maximum speed of 12 mph and a maximum incline percentage of 12 percent, this treadmill gives you the ability to level-up your workouts and keep pushing yourself as you progress.

The brand has partnered with Google Maps, so you can choose any location in the world to immerse yourself in and go for a guided run—no passport required. When you purchase this treadmill, you'll receive a 30-day iFIT family membership, which you can use to stream live and on-demand workouts and track your progress along the way. The iFIT Trainer will also auto-adjust your speed while you run for a hands-free experience.

"This is similar to what you'd see in a gym, and you can get that community and accountability aspect with the membership as well," says Farrell. "It would be best for someone who feels like they need more programmed and interactive workouts in order to stay consistent."

Testers are obsessed with the Google Maps feature on this treadmill, noting that it serves as a great distraction while working out. They also enjoy the guided challenges and appreciate the extra stability that comes from the handle bars.

2.25HP Folding Treadmill

If you’re looking for a foldable treadmill, but the thought of assembling one scares you, look no further than this option from Urevo. This treadmill is easy to put together even for those who are not handy, as it comes with every tool needed and easy-to-read instructions.

This tread is also equipped with four wheels, making it easy to store or to move into different rooms. We found that the motor is incredibly quiet without slacking on power, which means you can squeeze in a workout without interrupting anyone who may be sleeping (or attending a video meeting) in the other room.

Testers find the Urevo to be compact and easy to store. "It's also super easy to set up," says one user, adding that they were walking on the treadmill within 10 minutes of receiving the box. Plus, it's super comfortable to walk on with testers saying it never wobbles during workouts.

Three-in-One Treadmill With Desk

This treadmill-desk duo is the perfect home office upgrade. Simply use the desk to clock in some steps while on video calls. Then, fold down the Goplus to get in a jog after work. The treadmill's speed can be adjusted with the remote control, or on the control board so you can keep working out without disrupting your flow.

"It has all of the basics," says Farrell. "The speed is good for increasing activity and getting your heart rate up while saving space and money. It's a combination desk that allows active professionals to take meetings while getting their workout in."

If you want to listen to music, simply connect your smart device to the machine via Bluetooth and keep your phone in the holder for easy access when switching songs or answering work calls. It's also easy to change up your scenery throughout the day.

Testers like this treadmill because of how easy it is to store. They also appreciate the optional handle bars and sleek design. Many note that while it can be used for a light jog, it may be better for speed walking.

Folding Treadmill

There are many reasons to want a quiet treadmill. You could have a sleeping baby or a partner who is always on work calls. Whatever your reasons may be, you'll love that Rhythm Fun's treadmill is made with special shock-absorbing technology designed to make it one of the quietest cardio machines on the market.

Whether you're an advanced or a beginner treadmill user, this machine will make your experience an interactive one. "It's really versatile for any kind of runner," says Asia Johnson, a Washington, D.C-based certified personal trainer. "You have enough space on the belt for sprint intervals and long distance running, making it a great find."

If you want to work from the treadmill, you can do that too: The LED display is large enough to double as a tabletop.

Many testers already love this treadmill for its streamlined design, but being able to fold it up makes it that much more convenient. One reviewer calls out how quiet and sturdy it is, adding that it never wakes her roommates up during late night workouts. While it is pricey, many testers agree that it's worth the buy.

Compact Motorized Treadmill

Unlike many other foldable treadmills on the market, Sunny Health's compact treadmill has enough range of motion to have an incline feature. It offers the ability to move at an 11.9 percent incline and run at speeds up to seven miles per hour even though it only weighs 74 pounds.

The extra elevation will help you break a sweat whether you're walking or running. "Most people won't do anything over a ten incline," says Johnson. "But if you're training for something very specific, that [incline] scale can be helpful."

And while it's one of the smaller, more affordable options on this list, it comes with a lot of other notable features. The belt does a great job of absorbing shock to provide a more comfortable exercise experience for users, and it's also equipped with a touchscreen and device holder that you can rest your smartphone on while working out.

"I love the touchscreen because you can effortlessly switch between different speeds which makes it good for interval training as well," says Johnson.

Testers say this treadmill takes minimal effort to put together. Some add that the speed range makes it ideal for anyone who would like to add variety to their workout. They also believe that anyone who isn't used to walking on an incline may need time to adjust to the max, but the bar can help with stability.

Incline Folding Treadmill

This Therun folding treadmill is perfect for people who want a mix of speed with the added challenge of an incline up to 15 percent. Additionally, this treadmill has 10 silicone shock absorbers inside of it along with a running pad that has two layers of non-slip. This makes it a great option for anyone who has sensitive knees or joints.

The motor is powerful but runs smoothly. It can take users anywhere from.6 to 10 miles per hour. Plus, this treadmill comes with a digital LCD display that shows you your time, speed, distance, calories burnt, heart rate, and incline. And if you're worried about slipping off, just know the running pad has a generous amount of space.

Reviewers find this treadmill to be exceptionally sturdy and durable. Some note the wide running surface provides enough room for a comfortable stride. Additionally, a few testers believe the treadmill's cushioning system offers ample shock absorption.

Folding Incline Treadmill Bundle

A great option for anyone looking to upgrade their at-home gym, Ksports' treadmill bundle is a great value for what it offers at $500 (and you can frequently catch it on sale, too). It comes with an exercise mat and weights, but the machine itself has bars for sit-ups and other weight-lifting workouts.

We also love how easy it is to play music on the Ksports tread: Just use the machine's Bluetooth speaker to connect to your smart device. Additionally, the treadmill has four levels of manual incline and 12 preset workouts for a more structured exercise.

"You get a soft drop with this, so the bar will slowly lower when folding it down," says Barnett. "You can also walk on an incline and do some weights, but it's not going to be something you can hide, since it won't fit under a couch or bed."

Testers say this treadmill doesn't take a lot of effort to assemble. They also appreciate the bluetooth features and love the added bonus of the sit up rack and dumbbells. Some reviewers find the treadmill a bit heavy to move around, but the majority feel that the weight is manageable.

What are the benefits of a folding treadmill?

The experts we spoke to say there are many benefits to using a folding treadmill. "Folding treadmills are a great, compact option for increasing your aerobic activity through the day—especially during busy work-from-home days that limit your ability to get outside for a walk, or days where the weather is less than ideal for an outdoor walk or run," says Sydney Sherman, an NASM-certified personal trainer.

TL;DR: Foldable treads are an easy, minimalist way to get more daily movement in, and the perks of living a less sedentary lifestyle are endless.

Meet the experts

• Sydney Sherman, NASM, is a personal trainer.

• Keri Harvey, NASM, is a personal trainer at Form Fitness Brooklyn.

• Ashley Barnett, NASM, is a personal trainer and regional manager at Cyclebar in Oklahoma City, OK.

• Asia Johnson is a Washington, D.C-based certified personal trainer.

• Jordan Farrell is a North Carolina-based ACSM exercise physiologist and personal trainer.

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