If you’ve contemplated buying a home treadmill, you’ve probably wondered, “How much do treadmills cost?” In a nutshell, these beloved cardio machines have a large price range affected by several factors. The treadmill market is vast with trusty Toyota Corolla-type treadmills, lavish Maserati-type treadmills, and everything in between.

Getting to know a treadmill’s components and features can help you understand how the price of a treadmill is determined. Understanding what sets the best treadmills apart from the middle-of-the-road or basic models can help you pick the right model for your needs and budget. Let’s take a stroll through the vast treadmill world and the different types of treadmills to understand how pricing is determined.

Price Ranges for Treadmills

If you’ve ever run on an old treadmill and also had the opportunity to take a quality treadmill for a spin, you know that not all treadmills are created equal.

The price of fitness equipment is determined by a combination of factors that add value to the user’s workout experience. The most common factors that help determine the price of a treadmill are its brand, motor power, durability, features, deck size and cushioning, weight capacity, warranty, speed, incline capabilities, and accessories. 

These factors, or the lack thereof, all contribute to the wide range of pricing found in the treadmill market.

Budget Treadmills — Under $1,000

The best budget treadmills provide the basics for an at-home workout and can offer a reliable and effective way to accomplish fitness goals for those who don’t have complex needs or the extra cash to invest in a robust treadmill.

Budget treadmills offer lower horsepower, a basic display, a manual incline (or none), basic cushioning, a lower weight capacity, and a lower max speed.

Our tester on the Sunny Health and Fitness SF-T4400.

“Budget-friendly treadmills specifically provide access to exercise for A) individuals with a lower income who know they are ready to commit to exercise, and B) individuals at any income level to test the waters in this exercise category without spending thousands of dollars on a machine they may end up not using,” says our expert reviewer, Amanda. 

For individuals looking to use their treadmill for walking or light jogging who don’t need a higher weight capacity or advanced features, a budget treadmill may cover all your fitness bases — and save you some money.

If you’re looking for one of the best compact treadmills, a walking treadmill, or a foldable treadmill, plenty of budget-friendly options are on the market. Retailers like Amazon and Walmart offer a wide selection of no-frill treadmills if you don’t need the fancy features.

One of our favorite budget home treadmills, The Sunny Health and Fitness SF-T4400 treadmill, checks all those boxes — compact, built for walking, foldable, and affordable. You can check out all the details in our Sunny Health and Fitness SF -T4400 treadmill review.

Mid-Range Treadmills — $1,000 – $1,500

Maybe you don’t need all the luxuries a high-end treadmill has to offer, but still want a few bells and whistles. Mid-range treadmills tend to offer more features and a more durable build than a budget treadmill, and for some, it can make a big difference in your treadmill workout. 

With a mid-range treadmill, you can expect a more powerful motor, a higher weight capacity, a higher max speed, motorized incline levels, better cushioning for shock absorption, and a better warranty. (Our treadmill warranty guide can help you determine what’s “good” in terms of treadmill warranties.)

If you’re unsure of the appropriate motor power for your needs, Capritto recommends you “look for CHP (continuous horsepower) of at least 1.75 to 2.5 for walking… [and] for running, you’ll need a more powerful motor with 2.75 to 4.0 CHP.”

Our tester unfolding the ProForm Pro 9000 treadmill

Features like WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, LCD touchscreens, Bluetooth speakers, a longer running surface, built-in heart rate monitors on the handrails, preset program options, and water bottle holsters can also be found on many mid-range treadmills. 

Popular workout programs like NordicTrack and ProForm’s iFIT and the Peloton app can make all the difference in finding motivation and hitting cardio goals in your workouts. (We’ll break down the additional costs of treadmill subscriptions later.)

When finding your Goldilocks of gym equipment for home use — especially for those with limited space — you may find one of a folding treadmill to be “just right.” Foldable treadmills that fall in the mid-range category bring the perfect balance of luxury features and a compact footprint at a price that won’t break the bank.

Speaking of treadmills that are “just right,” check out our ProForm Pro 2000 treadmill review, which highlights all the reasons we love it so much: heart rate monitoring, a fan, LCD display, iFIT workouts, Bluetooth connectivity, and impressive speed and incline levels (just to name a few).

High-End Treadmills — $1,500+

Just like a basic car will get you from point A to point B, basic exercise equipment will provide a standard workout to get you moving. But let’s be honest — having luxury features and a high-quality build can make the ride more enjoyable and comfortable. 

If you have the means to invest in a high-end treadmill or have above-average workout needs, a high-end treadmill might be the way to go. “Even though they are expensive, investing in a good treadmill up front can save you money in the long run if you’re a high-volume runner,” explains Capritto.

Our tester on the NordicTrack Commercial 2450.

In addition to the features of a mid-range treadmill, many high-quality treadmills will offer superior running surfaces (think top-of-the-line shock absorption), advanced heart rate monitoring and fitness metrics, heavy-duty frames, cooling fans, extended warranties, a higher weight capacity, higher horsepower (3.0 to 5.0 CHP), large touchscreens, Bluetooth speakers, and top speed and incline levels.

Before you drop your hard-earned cash on one of the best high-end treadmills, be sure to match its features with your specific needs so that you’re not throwing money at features that aren’t relevant to you.

If you’re looking for a commercial treadmill for your home gym with loads of extra features, we’d be remiss not to share the NordicTrack 2450 — it’s what a runner’s dreams are made of. 

The 22-inch touchscreen on the NordicTrack Commercial 2450.

It features a 3.6 CHP motor, 22-inch touchscreen monitor, and automatic adjustments to your incline, decline, and speed settings via iFIT. It also includes Google Maps integration, which allows you to take scenic runs at nearly any location in the world. You can read all about its impressive features in our NordicTrack 2450 treadmill review.

What Influences the Cost of a Treadmill?

The price of a treadmill is largely determined by its features and technology, build quality, motor power, warranty, brand reputation, and model. Be sure to shop around at different retailers as the same model could have different prices depending on which retailer you’re purchasing it from. 

We should note that non-traditional treadmills like manual treadmills (generated on human power rather than a motor) or walking pads (known as under-desk treadmills) are priced differently than traditional motorized treadmills.

Features and Technology

The features and technology built into a treadmill aren’t necessarily mandatory for results but can make a big difference in the enjoyability and comfort of your treadmill workout.

Imagine you’re breezing through your treadmill workout with a cool fan blowing on you, a large, well-cushioned running surface supporting your joints, and a large touchscreen streaming your favorite show. This scenario is a far cry from watching the tenths of a mile tick by on a rickety treadmill and wishing the workout was over.

Our tester using the touchscreen on the CAROL Bike.

As BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto says, “Treadmills with TV screens offer an escape from the boredom of the ‘dreadmill.’ The best treadmills with TV screens are generally top-tier machines, offering comfortable running decks, plenty of conveniences, and modern tech specifications.”

Build and Weight Capacity

Gym equipment with a high-quality build and weight capacity of 300 pounds or higher can make a big difference for any user. Even if you don’t reach the maximum weight capacity, having a durable treadmill means that the components are built to handle more stress, which can translate to better performance and increased longevity.

Different types of treadmills will offer varying degrees in the quality when it comes to treadmill belts, rollers, and bearings. You can keep your treadmill costs in check by following our tips for treadmill maintenance.

Delivery and Assembly

You’ve added your choice treadmill to the cart, calculated the taxes, and have a grand total displayed on the screen, but wait! There’s one more thing to consider — delivery and assembly.

You can opt for standard delivery (the treadmill is left outside your home and you are responsible for moving it inside), white-glove delivery (a premium service that includes delivery to a specific room, assembly, and often a basic product setup), or a basic delivery service that brings the treadmill into your home, but may not include assembly.

Budget treadmills from retailers like Amazon and Walmart tend to offer a standard delivery, while premium brands may offer white glove delivery. Depending on the retailer and brand, assembly and delivery could be free or an additional cost — sometimes tacking on a couple hundred extra unforeseen dollars. Be sure to calculate any fees into your grand total.

Lastly, take measurements once you’ve decided where your new exercise equipment will go. Knowing how to move a treadmill is a skill you’d rather not have to learn after you’ve had it delivered and assembled in a space that’s too small.

Speed and Incline

Treadmills that can reach high speeds and inclines require advanced components, thus adding to the cost of the treadmill. Not all users need a max speed of 15 miles per hour or a 20% incline, so they may be unnecessary for the casual treadmill walker.

BarBend’s Jake Herod taking on an incline workout.

For some, a treadmill is a means to accomplish a specific goal, like training for an event or increasing cardiovascular health. In these cases, the speed and incline abilities of a treadmill make reaching those goals much more achievable.

“Incline capabilities can be beneficial for individuals who are training for an outdoor event that will require hill work, such as an outdoor race, obstacle course race, or hike/backpacking trip. Even if you’re not training for such an event, incline training is still a great way to build cardiovascular endurance and muscular endurance in the lower body,” says Capritto.

Additional Costs

As your mouse hovers over “complete purchase,” be sure you’ve accounted for any extra costs that aren’t presented in the cost of your actual exercise equipment. Delivery and assembly fees, maintenance, repairs, energy consumption, and subscription fees are all important to consider in the “big picture” of owning a treadmill. 

Keeping up with treadmill maintenance will be crucial in making sure your treadmill is in good working condition and lasts as long as possible. We think it’s money well spent to invest in one of the best treadmill lubricants, which can be purchased from $10-$40.

Tasks like replacing treadmill belts, rollers, and other components may be needed at some point, but on a less frequent basis than lubrication. You may want to look into the repair and parts costs of the treadmill you’re considering so there’s no sticker shock in the future.

Subscriptions

Treadmill subscriptions are services provided by treadmill manufacturers or third-party companies at an additional cost. They offer access to workout content, including live classes, on-demand workouts, educational content, and personal coaching. They can also deliver community features like challenges, leaderboards, tracking, and analytics to enhance your workout experience.

Browsing iFit on the NordicTrack Commercial X22i.

“They can keep fitness fun and interesting, expose you to types of training you may not have thought of yourself, and at the same time, keep things simple so you don’t get distracted by all of the noise around fitness online,” says Capritto. 

Below are some common subscription services you may see while shopping for treadmills.

FAQs: How Much Do Treadmills Cost

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