If you want to use your training time as effectively as possible, add these beginner treadmill workouts to your gym routine. They’re both designed by Fran Bungay, head coach for the Training Today App and Goal Specific Coaching, and use the incline and speed settings on a treadmill to program interval runs that will get you fitter and help you lose weight.

While you can just step onto a treadmill and run at a steady pace for your workout, you’ll get more out of short sessions in particular by doing intervals which raise your heart rate and effort level, and burn more calories.

How To Do These Beginner Treadmill Workouts

Bungay has put together two beginner treadmill sessions to try, one with intervals based on speed and one on incline. You’ll be using the 1-10 RPE scale (rate of perceived exertion) to judge your effort, where 10 is maximum effort. This might feel hard to judge at first, but whatever you do will result in a great workout and you’ll get more adept at judging your effort levels over time.

Each workout begins with a warm-up and ends with a warm-down. Don’t skip either of these.

The main workout involves sections of work and recovery intervals. The instructions for each section are written as “5 x 1min at 8/10 RPE, 1min walk recovery”. This means you do five sets of the following: run for one minute at an effort level of 8/10, then recover for one minute while walking.

Beginner Interval Treadmill Workout

Do the entire workout with the treadmill set at a 2% incline.

Warm-up

5min walk 

5min building up to jogging to finish at around 6/10 RPE 

Workout

5 x 1min at 8/10 RPE, 1min walk recovery

3 x 2min at 7/10 RPE, 1min walk recovery

5 x 1min at 8/10 RPE, 1min walk recovery

Warm-down

2min at 6/10 RPE

2min at 5/10 RPE

1min walk 

Beginner Incline Treadmill Workout

Warm-up

Set the incline to 2% for the warm-up

5min walk 

5min building into a jog to 6/10 RPE

Workout

Aim for 7/10 or 8/10 RPE during the work periods, as you get fitter you might want to increase the pace on the lower incline section.

3 x 1min at 6% incline, 1min at 2% incline, 1min walk recovery

3 x 2 min at 4% incline, 2min at 2% incline, 1min walk recovery

Warm-down

2min at 6/10 RPE

2min at 5/10 RPE

1min walk

Find out which treadmills are worth buying with my guide to the best treadmills.

The Technogym Run is an impressive machine and one of the best treadmills you can get, as long as neither its size or price put you off. You can get more compact machines that offer better value for home use, including the Technogym MyRun treadmill or Bowflex Treadmill 10, but if you simply want the best machine the Technogym Run is hard to look past.

Technogym Run: Price And Availability

The Technogym Run treadmill launched in spring 2023 and costs $11,850 in the US and £9,480 in the UK. This makes it one of the most expensive home treadmills, and the priciest that I’ve tested. The Technogym MyRun is a cheaper option in the range at $4,650/£3,450.

How I Tested This Treadmill

I tested the Technogym Run for two weeks, doing six runs on it during that time as part of my usual training: I’m a keen runner and was logging 60-70 miles a week while marathon training at the time of the review. I’ve also tested the Technogym MyRun treadmill, as well as the Peloton Tread and a range of the best treadmills for home use.

The Treadmill

The Run is a large machine that doesn’t fold. It measures 78in x 33in x 69in (LxWxH; 197cm x 83.5cm x 175cm) and has a 68in x 20in (172cm x 51cm) slatted running belt. This belt is raised off the floor, and you need clearance in the room where you use the machine. Technogym suggests a ceiling height of a user height plus 23in (59cm) to be safe. The max user weight is 353lb/160kg.

There are paddles at the front on either side of the machine that are used to change speed and incline quickly, and bars to hold when using the sled push function. The Run has a speed range of 0.1mph-15.5mph, which is a higher top speed than most home machines. It has an incline range of 0%-15%. It doesn’t offer a downhill incline setting, unlike some home treadmills from other brands.

A 27in HD touchscreen is on the front of the machine. In the main, this is what’s used to control it. The screen is huge and when running it creates an immersive experience, whether you’re following a guided workout, enjoying a scenic run or using apps like Netflix or YouTube.

The large running area, slatted belt and open front makes running feel natural. With most treadmills I’ve tested, I usually feel a difference in the feel and intensity of indoor running vs outdoors, but to me the Run feels like a more realistic equivalent of outdoor running with regards to effort and feel. The machine changes speed and incline quickly during interval workouts, and runs smoothly and quietly at higher speeds. You can also do sled-push exercises on it, leaning forward and holding the front bars and pushing against resistance on the belt. It can mimic weights of up to 121lb/55kg.

External devices, such as heart rate monitors, can be connected to the treadmill via Bluetooth and ANT+. It’s also possible to control external devices, like laptops or iPads, running apps such as Zwift. You can even plug a device in through an HDMI port on the back of the screen or use a Google Chromecast to mirror devices on the Run screen. You can use this to run Zwift on the treadmill’s screen, for example. A strong Wi-Fi connection is required to run some of the content smoothly on the treadmill’s screen, which may affect where you place the machine in your house. 

There’s nothing to fault with the hardware on the treadmill, as you’d expect from gym-standard equipment at this price. It runs like a dream and is likely to be better than the treadmill at your gym—unless it has its own Technogym Run.

The App

Brillant hardware is just half the story with the best treadmills these days, and the success of the Run is heavily dependent on the Technogym app. You can log in to your account on the machine by holding your phone near the NFC sensor on the console, or scan a QR code. 

There’s no need to log in to use most of the features, but for the best experience it’s worth linking an account. The treadmill uses your personal information to judge stats like calories, and you can see your workout history and sync training sessions to other apps, like Strava. There are four broad categories of entertainment available in the app: guided workouts, scenic runs, links to third-party apps, and links to streaming apps such as Netflix.

The guided workout category is extensive. It includes trainer-led sessions that can focus on running or incorporate the sled feature on the machine—so you can swap between running and pushing for a varied workout. There are also workouts to follow off the machine, like strength training and yoga. I still rate the guided class on the Peloton Tread as the best I’ve tried, but the Technogym sessions are excellent too. There are many options and the instructors are motivating.

The routines section of the app has guided workouts that can run in the background, so you can fire one up to follow, with the incline and speed changing automatically (you can also adjust them manually), while watching another app or a scenic run. You can create a custom routine if you have a training plan you’re following and want to do the workout on the treadmill. 

There are instructions that pop up when there’s a change in incline or speed, so you know it’s happening even if you’re using another app. The routines section contains a lot of workouts and it’s easy to tailor them to the time you have available, your fitness goals and your fitness level. You can even set up a customized training plan in the app for a 5K, 10K or half marathon.

The guided workouts are a big part of the Run’s appeal and you get an impressive library of them with a free account. You can unlock even more classes with a Technogym Plus subscription for $8.99/£8.99 a month, though I don’t think it’s a necessary addition given the amount of content you get without the subscription. It’s not the same as with the Peloton Tread, which is a basic machine with a simple running mode unless you have a Peloton subscription.

I have a training plan that’s set by my coach so I don’t use guided workouts on treadmills much beyond testing them out. As a result, the other entertainment options on the Run suited me better. The scenic runs are spectacular on the 27in screen, and there are some that use automatic incline changes to mirror the landscape you’re running on.

I’m a fan of using Zwift when on a treadmill because I find watching my avatar running through a virtual world engaging. I linked the Run to Zwift on my iPad for some runs, leaving the treadmill’s screen free to show workouts, scenic runs or YouTube, and did one run with Zwift mirrored from my laptop to the treadmill screen through an HDMI cable, which worked well.

The Technogym app is packed with entertainment that makes running on the treadmill fly by. On one evening run I had Zwift on the iPad with a scenic run and then YouTube on the treadmill screen. It’s a long way from my early days of treadmill testing, when mostly I stared at a brick wall.

Is The Technogym Run Worth It?

If price isn’t a concern, the Technogym Run is comfortably the best treadmill I’ve tested. It feels natural and comfortable to run on, and the software is without equal in the depth and range of entertainment available to help your runs pass by. 

However, if you’re at all concerned by the price of the Run, then it isn’t worth it. This is because you can get superb home treadmills for a lot less, like the Technogym MyRun, Bowflex Treadmill 10 or Peloton Tread. The Wahoo Kickr Run treadmill, which is due to launch in summer 2024, will be half the price of the Technogym Run and has the ability to adjust its speed based on how you’re running, making it another intriguing, cheaper option to consider.

The best home treadmills are amazing machines. You can get them with high top speeds and inclines, and even declines, as well as huge screens on the console to show guided workouts, scenic runs, or Netflix.

However, as a keen runner who has tested many great treadmills, I’ve yet to find one that captures the feeling of running outdoors. The new Wahoo Kickr Run is designed to change that. Wahoo’s first treadmill looks set to be one of the most innovative and its aim is to create a realistic outdoor running experience for indoor runners. 

Central to this is the RunFree Mode, which allows you to change speed without touching a button or dial. The treadmill reacts to where you land on the belt, so striding out and landing further forward on the belt will see it speed up in a way that feels more natural. There are also “nudgeable” panels you can use to adjust speed quickly, if you prefer.

Another innovative feature on the Kickr Run treadmill is its ability to tilt laterally to create a more road-like feel. Presumably it won’t tilt so much that you’re thrown off to the side, but anything that can recreate the camber that seems to be on every sidewalk near me is going to feel more realistic, and it will change the angle of contact on your run so it’s slightly less repetitive when using the treadmill.

Wahoo also says the belt on the machine has a surface that mimics the energy return of outdoor running and it has a top speed of 4min 0sec/mile or 15mph. Most treadmills I’ve come across only go up to around 12mph, even expensive ones, so this extra capacity will be a plus for fast runners.

The treadmill has an integrated shelf to hold a laptop or tablet and connects directly to third-party apps like Zwift, and Wahoo’s SYSTM training platform. Apps can control the treadmill's speed and incline automatically to make running in virtual worlds or following workouts easier to do without having to fiddle with dials.

Wahoo’s indoor cycling products like the Kickr V6 smart trainer and Kickr V2 Bike are among the best available and the Kickr turbo is particularly popular, so it will be interesting to see if the Kickr Run can pull off the same trick with runners.

The Wahoo Kickr Run treadmill will launch in the US in summer 2024, with the price yet to be confirmed. It will be available globally in 2025.

If your January fitness kick has taken you to the treadmill in 2024, it might well be the case that you’re starting to get a little bored of indoor runs already. Unless you’re following a treadmill workout plan or have uncommonly high levels of motivation, indoor running can be hard to stick with without some kind of entertainment, and the best free running app for this is Zwift.

I am an obsessive runner who usually logs 50-70 miles a week. I do the majority of this outdoors, but if I do run on the treadmill I will always fire up Zwift to make the run more enjoyable.

What Is Zwift?

Zwift is a virtual training app where you control an avatar that runs through dramatic landscapes. Some of these landscapes are entirely fictional, like the island of Watopia, while others are based on real places, like Paris and London.

The app began catering to cyclists on turbo trainers and connected indoor bikes and it’s very popular. Cyclists have to pay a monthly subscription, but it’s free for runners. 

Download Zwift: App Store and Google Play

How Does It Work?

To control your avatar you need to either link your treadmill to Zwift, or use a footpod or running watch that can send your pace to Zwift so it knows how fast you are running.

In the past this used to be quite difficult. Most treadmills weren’t directly compatible with Zwift and footpods were expensive, and a bit fiddly to set up and calibrate for Zwift. Nowadays, however, most modern treadmills will link directly to Zwift and they have a tablet or phone holder.

You can check if the treadmill, footpod or running watch you’re using is compatible with Zwift on the app’s website, but I will say the list there is not comprehensive, especially on watches as some newer Garmins have the virtual training mode and aren’t listed.

Linking the treadmill directly to the app is the simplest option if available. If you’re using a watch or footpod you will need to calibrate the pace on it, which is easily done within Zwift via a guided process where you run at three different speeds. The pace readings will not be infallible, especially if using a watch, so you might find you’re running a bit slower or faster than your avatar, but it will still make the run more fun.

Getting Started

Once you’re set up on Zwift, I recommend exploring a few of the virtual worlds at first, then look at the guided workouts available in the app and the group runs. The group runs are divided up by pace so there is an option for runners of all levels, and joining them will mean you get to run with other people within the app. This will help with motivation, especially when tackling workouts on the treadmill. 

There are also full training plans for runners on Zwift that you can follow to build up to events like a 5K, 10K or half marathon. If you want to get a full introduction to the app, there’s a Zwift 101 plan that will ease you into your first workouts. I’ve also written a Zwift for runners guide which may be of help.

Finally, if you really want to push yourself, there are races you can join on Zwift, which are graded by ability to ensure you’re not lapping the field or getting left behind.

Find out more about these picks in my guide to the best treadmills.

Running outdoors in the cold is not for everyone, but continuing to train can make a huge difference to your performance once races return. That’s where treadmill workouts come into their own, and the off-season is a great time to add strength work into your routine too.

You can slot both elements into the same session if you use this treadmill interval workout from Technogym ambassador, certified personal trainer and avid runner Rhiannon Bailey. 

The workout alternates between treadmill intervals and dumbbell circuits.

Bailey has suggested speeds for the treadmill intervals for different fitness levels.

For beginners, she recommends setting the treadmill to 4km/h when jogging, 8km/h for running and 12km/h when sprinting. If you complete the workout at those speeds without breaking a sweat, advance to 6km/h, 10km/h and 14km/h, or 8km/h, 12km/h and 16km/h. 

Remember, the key to interval running is to be able to maintain the pace across the session. If you’re going all-out on the first interval drop the speeds down a level.

Bailey insists you warm up before tackling this workout and so do we. This gym warm-up routine has a sequence specifically designed to be used before tackling a treadmill session.

Treadmill Section 1

Begin with a brisk walk, perform four sets of the jog-run-sprint sequence, then finish with a brisk walk.

1 Brisk walk

Sets 1 Time 60sec

2A Jog

Sets 4 Time 60sec Speed 4km/h, 6km/h, 8km/h

2B Run

Sets 4 Time 45sec Speed 8km/h, 10km/h, 12km/h

2C Sprint 

Sets 4 Time 30sec Speed 12km/h, 14km/h, 16km/h

3 Brisk walk

Sets 1 Time 60sec

Dumbbell Section 1

Complete one set of each exercise below. Work for 45 seconds and rest for 15 seconds. If you’re unfamiliar with any exercise, click the link for a form guide.

1. Goblet squat
2. Hammer curl to shoulder press 
3. Romanian deadlift
4. Lateral lunge
5. Renegade row
6. Russian twist

Treadmill Section 2

Begin with a brisk walk, perform four sets of the run-sprint-jog sequence adjusting the incline as directed, then finish with a brisk walk.

1 Brisk walk

Sets 1 Time 60sec

2A Incline run

Sets 4 Time 30sec Speed 8km/h, 10km/h, 12km/h

Set the treadmill to an incline.

2B Incline sprint 

Sets 4 Time 30sec Speed 12km/h, 14km/h, 16km/h

2C Jog

Sets 4 Time 30sec Speed 4km/h, 6km/h, 8km/h

Remove the incline while you recover.

3 Brisk walk

Sets 1 Time 60sec

Dumbbell Section 2

Complete one set of each exercise below. Work for 30 seconds and rest for 15 seconds. If you’re unfamiliar with any exercise, click the link for a form guide.

1. Lateral lunge
2. Dumbbell clean and press 
3. Dumbbell bench press 
4. Glute bridge
5. V-Sit 
6. Burpee

If you’re considering investing in a treadmill for home, check our guide to the best home treadmills for essential buying advice and tried-and-tested recommendations. And once you’ve bought one, get started using our treadmill workout plan. You can also find more running and strength workouts in the Technogym App.

The Peloton Tread is reduced from $2,995 to $2,695 in the Black Friday sales, and while no-one is going to tell you with a straight face that a $300 discount makes this machine cheap, after extensive testing for this Peloton Tread review I can confirm that it’s a superb treadmill.

It’s the best treadmill I’ve tried outside of a gym, and that’s entirely thanks to the hardware. The 59in by 20in running belt is huge, and the open front of the machine means that it feels even more spacious. As a 6ft runner I had no concerns about room and could run comfortably at speeds over 10mph for long periods without feeling cramped.

The speed and incline can easily be adjusted using the dials on the sides of the treadmill, with the speed going up to 12.5mph and the incline to 12.5%. The 3HP motor means the treadmill runs smoothly even at high speeds with incline, and the speed and incline both change very quickly when you twist the dials.

Obviously the vast 23.8in screen is a big part of the appeal of the Peloton Tread, and with a Peloton membership ($44 a month) you get access to a library of guided workouts you can do live or on demand, as well as scenic runs. Peloton is yet to open up the screen to third-party apps like Netflix or Zwift though, which is a shame, and without a membership all you can do on the treadmill is use the ‘just run’ mode.

If you can afford the initial cost and membership—and have room for it—the Peloton Tread is an exceptionally good treadmill and makes indoor workouts more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a cheaper machine though, the Bowflex Treadmill 10 is another one I highly recommend after testing, and it’s $1,699  in the Boxflex Black Friday sale.

Buying a treadmill can be a daunting task. In most cases you’re spending thousands of dollars so you want to make the right choice, or you’re spending hundreds but have the nagging feeling that you will be stuck with a machine that isn’t worth the money.

Thankfully, the October Prime Day rerun—Amazon Prime Big Deal Days— features deals on several tried-and-tested favorites, including one which earned the full five stars from our reviewer.

This is my fourth Prime Day covering treadmill deals and I've found three worthwhile ones to suit a variety of budgets and aims, including a space-saving folding treadmill for light cardio and a heavy-duty training partner. Read on to see my best Prime Day treadmill deals.

Whether you're a seasoned runner, or just want to reap some of the benefits of treadmills, then now might be the time to purchase one. Amazon Prime Day sales events run for two days in July (11th and 12th) and another two in October (10th and 11th) making this a great time to invest in larger pieces of fitness equipment like a treadmill or exercise bike. 

If you're not quite ready to buy, then don't worry, Black Friday is just around the corner and we're sure to see some more great discounts then! Bookmark our Black Friday treadmill deals page for the latest discounts.

The Bowflex Treadmill 10 sits proudly at the top of my round-up of the best treadmills available, having impressed me during testing thanks to the large running belt, high top speed and large incline range, and the connectivity it has with apps like Zwift and JRNY.

It’s not a cheap machine, so any discount is a welcome surprise, and this time, you can get a substantial $200 off this premium treadmill during Bowflex’s Labor Day sale, which also throws in free shipping as a bonus. This brings the price down to $2,099 direct from Bowflex, which is great value for a machine as capable as the Treadmill 10.

I am an obsessive and fairly quick amateur runner with a marathon PB of 2hr 28min, and I’m quite tall at 6ft. However, I  could still comfortably do pretty much any kind of training run on the Bowflex 10 I wanted. 

The running belt is 60in/152cm long and 22in/56cm wide, which is spacious enough to stride out and comparable to commercial machines in gyms, and the top speed is 12mph (20km/h). There’s a 10-inch screen as well to help you access the JRNY and other entertainment apps. 

The motor was powerful enough that I could run smoothly for extended periods at top speed, even with an incline, which runs from -5% downhill to 15% uphill, and when following certain scenic routes in the JRNY app it will actually automatically adjust the incline to make your run feel more realistic.

You get a two-month free trial of the JRNY app (usually $19.99/month or $149 annually), and it includes instructor-led workouts similar to those from Peloton and Echelon to help keep you motivated during your training.

But if you prefer to catch up on the latest TV shows and films while running, you can stream Netflix alongside your guided workouts too. Plus, there’s a handy shelf for your phone or tablet, and the machine connects to third-party workout apps like Zwift to make indoors runs more exciting. 

While this discount doesn’t make the Bowflex Treadmill 10 an absolute steal, it’s a fair price for an excellent treadmill that matches up well with the top options from Peloton and Technogym, which are far more expensive.

The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is one of the best treadmills you can buy – provided its high price doesn’t put you off. The incline and speed range are large enough to satisfy runners of all levels, and the JRNY app provides a wealth of workouts and entertainment options that you can watch on the 10in screen.

Bowflex Treadmill 10 Review: Price And Availability

The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is called the Bowflex Treadmill 25, or Bowflex BFX25, in Europe (because of the screen size, which is 10in/25cm). In the US the Treadmill has an RRP of $1,999. The BFX25 Treadmill I tested was lent to Coach by Fitness Superstore, where the price is £2,599.

Design And Key Specs

The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is a large machine, measuring 85in x 39.6in x 65.3in (LWH, 215.8cm x 100.5cm x 165.9cm) when unfolded, and 44.5in x 39.6in x 70in (LWH, 113cm x 100.5cm x 177.8cm) when folded. The machine provides assistance to help you fold it up, but it’s heavy (323lb/146.5kg) and difficult to move around. I generally left it unfolded since it didn’t save significant space to raise the belt.

The benefits of the size are that it has a spacious running belt that never felt cramped for me as a 6ft/1.83m-tall runner. It’s 60in/152cm long and 22in/56cm wide, which is comparable to the belt sizes of commercial machines in the gym. The max user weight is 400lb/181.4kg.

The top speed of the machine is 12mph/20km/h, and the incline range extends from -5% downhill to 15% uphill. Bowflex doesn’t give the exact horsepower of the motor in the machine, but it has run smoothly for me when using the highest speeds available for long periods.

On the front frame of the treadmill are dials for changing the speed and incline, and a 10in HD touchscreen display that is raised above a shelf that you can put a tablet or phone on. A gripe I have about this shelf is that it’s positioned so the console screen obscures the top section of a tablet on it, so when using Zwift I couldn’t see my stats, which were hidden behind the screen. As a result I often used a separate tablet holder while on the treadmill to get a clearer view.

The treadmill connects to third-party apps like Zwift or Peloton using Bluetooth and will send your stats to them, so they can be used for guided workouts instead of the built-in JRNY app. However, you have to use these third-party apps on a separate tablet or phone because the built-in 10in screen will only show the JRNY app and certain streaming services.

How I Tested This Treadmill

I’ve been using the Bowflex Treadmill 10 for three months, running on it once or twice a week, with more frequent use when the weather was bad. I am a keen runner with a marathon PB of 2hr 28min and regularly used the higher speeds on the machine.

The JRNY App

The JRNY app is central to the user experience on the treadmill and a year’s membership is included. After that it costs $19.99/£19.99 a month or $149/£149 a year. Wifi is required for the app, but you can use the machine offline in manual mode without a JRNY subscription, though you still require wifi at set-up.

Before diving into the workout options in the JRNY app you take a fitness assessment that helps the app customise the difficulty of the workouts to suit you as a runner. It also adapts the workouts over time in line with your fitness progression and provides a target “burn rate” of calories per minute throughout workouts. However, since you set your own speed and incline during the workouts it’s really up to you to ensure they’re challenging.

There are video workouts where an instructor talks you through the session, and workouts with audio instructions and a line showing your progression through it. The advantage of the latter is that you can choose the entertainment shown on the screen. 

The options for this include a range of scenic routes from around the world, along with streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+, which you can log into and use on the console screen while the workout continues in the background with audio instructions. This is something you can also do on the Technogym MyRun, but notably not the Peloton Tread.

Along with running workouts there is a range of sessions including yoga and strength classes. All the workouts are on-demand and the instructors have a relaxed approach compared with the more intense classes I tried with the Peloton Tread. 

The JRNY app has no live classes, which are a compelling feature of Peloton’s line-up. In general, I’d say the Peloton classes offer a more motivational, communal feel, but I prefer the option of popping a workout on and then choosing to watch Netflix or use the scenic videos.

You can use the scenic routes without tackling a workout, and there are even routes where the incline on the treadmill changes in line with the terrain. This appeals to me as a runner who prefers to be outdoors on natural rolling terrain.

Is The Bowflex Treadmill 10 Worth It?

The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is an excellent machine that provides a great user experience to runners of all levels. The JRNY app has many options to keep you entertained and/or challenged during your runs, and can help you progress as a runner.

It’s not a completely closed system either – connectivity to apps like Zwift and Peloton means you can get a lot from the treadmill without using the JRNY app – but if you aren’t planning on using JRNY, it’s better to get a Bowflex machine without the big screen. 

If you are using JRNY then it is also worth looking into the specs of the more expensive Bowflex Treadmill 22 ($2,699/£3,099), which has a 22in display that will be more immersive for scenic routes and better for watching streaming services.

I would add that I found the instructor-led classes on the Peloton Tread to be more immersive, though the Bowflex Treadmill 10 is much cheaper and better for basic workouts, as well as allowing you to watch streaming services on the screen. It’s a similar experience to the Technogym MyRun but with a built-in display, which the Technogym lacks despite its higher price. The MyRun is a smaller machine and easier to accommodate at home, but also has a smaller running belt than the Bowflex.

All the entertainment options and connectivity you get with the Bowflex Treadmill 10 make it expensive, and there is greater value in getting a machine with similar specs from brands like DKN or JTX for a lower price and then using a tablet to find apps that can provide guided workouts, of which there are many, or watch Netflix. 

Having it all in the one package with the Bowflex Treadmill 10 is undeniably convenient though, and the hardware and software on the machine are top-notch.

Think of a treadmill and many people think of pounding the belt for as long as it takes to break a sweat, burn some calories and shake off the cobwebs. But that’s not the only way to get a great workout in.

Aaron Breckell is a level 3 CIMSPA-registered personal trainer working at supplement brand Innermost. He’s created a circuit that makes the treadmill the star of the show, while incorporating functional movements as well.

“It’s a great session to improve your general fitness levels but it also smokes calories making it a great option for fat loss,” says Breckell. “All you need is a treadmill and a dumbbell. What’s more, it will take no more than half an hour.” Breckell has factored in time for a warm-up as well – a good job too because the workout begins with sprinting. This gym warm-up routine will do the job and takes less than 10 minutes.

For more great sessions, try one of these treadmill workouts or this treadmill workout plan. And if you’re looking to improve your home gym, browse our selection of the best treadmills and the best dumbbells.

Treadmill Workout For Weight Loss

This session is formatted as a five-move circuit. Do each exercise for 30 seconds, rest for 30 seconds, then go on to the next exercise. Complete four rounds in total.

1 Treadmill sprint

Time 30sec Rest 30sec

Set the treadmill to a challenging speed and run for 30 seconds. This should leave you completely breathless.

2 Goblet squat

Time 30sec Rest 30sec

Stand with your feet hip-width apart, holding a dumbbell by one end in front of your chest. Bend your knees and push your hips back to lower, keeping your chest and head up. Descend until your thighs are at least parallel with the floor. Drive through your heels to rise. 

3 Press-up

Time 30sec Rest 30sec

Get on your hands and feet, with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your body in a straight line from head to heels. Bend your elbows to lower your chest slowly to the floor, then push back up to the start.

4 Treadmill walking lunge

Time 30sec Rest 30sec

This is a real quad burner. Set your treadmill to a slow walking speed and perform walking lunges, bending your knees to close to 90°. If you’re not confident or you’re feeling fatigued towards the end of the session, perform lunges off of the treadmill for 30 seconds instead.

5 Incline treadmill walk

Time 30sec Rest 30sec

Set a steep incline and the speed to a fast walk. Concentrate on using your glutes to power each stride.

A treadmill can be a hefty investment with most machines costing four figures, even if you use our round-up of the best Black Friday treadmill deals. True, you can find solid, if stripped-back, treadmills for upwards of £500, but if you’re a beginner runner or someone who is just looking to up their activity levels with an under-desk treadmill, there is a more suitable, more affordable way. 

The Mobvoi Home Treadmill Pro is currently down to £359.99, the cheapest it’s ever been. We’ve reviewed the Mobvoi Home Treadmill and included it as the top compact running machine in our tried-and-tested roundup of the best treadmills, so we’re confident that the pro version outperforms that modest price tag.  

First things first, this isn’t a product for seasoned runners. It has a maximum speed of 12km/h, which is approximately 5min/km pace, and the relatively narrow 40cm-wide running belt doesn’t suit speedy strides. However, it’s a good fit for slower steady-state sessions or newcomers looking to follow a couch to 5K run-walk plan. 

It’s also foldable and can double as a walking treadmill if you leave the sidebars down, slipping easily under a standing desk so you can smash your fitness tracker’s daily step goal during video calls. 

It has a quiet 0.75HP motor that won’t annoy the neighbours or even your housemates, and we found it had no problem coping with longer walking sessions. Our reviewer noted that the belt is longer than you’d expect on treadmills at this price too, making it more suitable for jogging and ideal for taller users. 

There are no incline settings, and the Mobvoi treadmill can’t hold a candle to more expensive running machines which still feel sturdy when running at higher speeds. For this reason, our writer described it as “a walking treadmill that you occasionally use to run”. But, if that’s what you’re after, you’ll struggle to find a better machine for the price. 

To top things off, it’s quick and simple to assemble, can easily be stored under a sofa or bed when folded flat, and has wheels on one end to make it easier to move around,. 

So, if you’re looking to buy a treadmill to start running at home or walk while you work, we think this is a top budget option. 

The best treadmill deals will appeal to many runners. While it’s great to get outside for your runs when possible, treadmill running is just as good for your running fitness, and sometimes a better option when it’s cold, dark and wet, or dangerously hot, or wildfires have caused air quality to be a concern. The main downside of buying a treadmill is the cost, so it makes sense to snap one in a deal, especially during big sales periods like Black Friday.

Running machines are a brilliant way to get a comprehensive cardio workout in the comfort of your own home, adjusting your pace and incline as you go. Some of the best treadmills have touchscreens, enabling you to enjoy engaging follow-along workouts and expert coaching, as well as detailed insights into your performance. 

The best treadmill deals are usually found during wider sales periods. Two of the biggest sales to look out for are Black Friday in November and Amazon Prime Day, which in the last couple of years has fallen in July and October.

Other big sales usually fall around public holidays, such as the big discounts available from Boxing Day through to early January. In the US there are also sales around President’s Day, Labor Day and Memorial Day.

During those sales we’ll be highlighting the best deals available on top treadmills below, and throughout the year we’ll flag up any unexpected discounts that catch the eye. You also find a list of the best retailers to check for treadmill deals below, to make it easier to hunt them down yourself.

Quick Links

US deals

• Amazon: Today's treadmill deals
• Amazon: All treadmills
• Best Buy: Top treadmill deals
• Dick’s Sporting Goods: $100s off NordicTrack, Sole and others
• NordicTrack: Check for deals on NordicTrack machines
• Walmart: All treadmill deals
• Bowflex: Shop the Bowflex sale
• Peloton: Check for deals on the Peloton Tread

UK deals

• Amazon: Treadmill deals updated daily
• Decathlon: Check for discounts on treadmills
• Fitness Superstore: Deals on treadmills from ProForm, NordicTrack and others
• Argos: Check for treadmill discounts
• JTX Fitness: Shop the sale on cardio machines
• NordicTrack: Check the NordicTrack sale
• Bowflex: Deals on Bowflex treadmills
• Peloton: Discounts on the Peloton Tread

Today’s Best Treadmill Deals

During big sales events we’ll give more details on the best treadmill deals but here’s a round-up of today’s top treadmill discounts from across the internet.

Treadmill running gets a bad rap. Sure, running on a treadmill can be a little dull at times, but it’s a reliable option when it’s dark, wet and cold outside – and besides, there are many ways to spice up indoor runs, especially as the best treadmills connect to virtual training apps like Zwift.

However, we weren’t sure if treadmill running carried a similar risk of injury as outdoor running, so we asked three experts to help clear things up: Alex Townsend, a specialist musculoskeletal (MSK) and sports podiatrist, and Yasmin Milne, a specialist MSK physiotherapist, both from Pure Sports Medicine, and Nuffield Health rehabilitation specialist Kelley Blalock.

The takeaway is that the injury risk of treadmill running is broadly equivalent to running outdoors, but as is almost always the case when speaking to experts who know their stuff, the real answer is it depends.

“It depends on so many different variables,” says Townsend. “And it very much depends on what risk you’re referring to a lot of the time. If you’re talking about tripping or slipping, then you could make the argument that the treadmill is a more predictable environment. You could say that it’s ‘safer’.”

The well-known benefits of treadmill running – that you get to avoid bad weather and dark nights – may help to reduce your risk of aggravating existing injuries.

“Wind and rain may mean people put more effort in when they’re running,” says Milne. “Increased effort means increased force through the recovering area. Also when you’re running outside, the time of day can change your mindset – you might run a bit quicker if you’re in the darkness, where you might not feel as safe. You’re not necessarily going to be as relaxed.”

Being on a treadmill also means you can focus on your gait in a controlled environment, which can be useful when you’re aiming to work on something such as your running form, and it’s easier to control your pace.

“From a physio perspective, if we want someone to return to running at a slower pace than they would do otherwise, we can more easily control their pace and control their load on the injured area,” says Milne. “If they go quicker they’re putting more force in, risking a bit more.”

“People don’t really realise how much impact they’re putting through the ground,” says Blalock. “So if they’re on a treadmill, they can play what I call ‘the quiet game’, or ‘white jeans and muddy puddles’. You try to make each foot land more softly than the last, and that’s going to reduce the impact of the body. I like the visual image of wearing white jeans and running through a muddy puddle, but you don’t want to get your jeans wet.”

So overall, running on the treadmill largely carries the same injury risk as running outside, except you’re less likely to fall over on slick pavements. So if you prefer to run indoors at times, then go right ahead. It can make sticking to your running routine much easier.

“The treadmill is great for consistency and adherence,” says Blalock. “It’s always there for you. You can just go and not have to worry about cars hitting you or it getting dark, or any of those safety concerns that people have.”

Whether you’re already a keen runner or are looking to exercise more regularly, having access to your own treadmill makes it easier to establish a routine. And there are plenty of treadmill workouts you can use to keep your training interesting.

Treadmills are also part of the connected fitness revolution and Peloton has released its own treadmill, although that’s not the only option. Many of the best workout apps, such as Fiit and Apple Fitness+, include treadmill sessions, while Zwift for runners lets you race and train in a virtual world.

Below you’ll find a range of great treadmills to suit every runner and walker, whether you’re looking for a budget machine or have thousands to splash out on a gym-standard unit. You’ll also find a buyer’s guide with info on how to pick the right treadmill for you.

How I Choose The Best Treadmills

My recommendations are based on hands-on experience with treadmills as a committed amateur runner with a marathon time of 2hr 28min. I began reviewing treadmills in April 2020 and have been working through as many as possible since then. I have reviewed all the treadmills below and more, giving me the experience to compare and contrast machines. I spend two to three months with each treadmill, integrating it into my training schedule. 

The Quick List

Here you can see at a glance my pick of the stand-out treadmills in the most popular categories, with a quick explanation of why I rate them so highly. Click on the links to jump to my full review in the main buying guide further down the page, where you’ll also find some other top options.

The Best Home Treadmills

Best home treadmill

The BowFlex Treadmill 10 (or BowFlex Treadmill 25, as it’s called in Europe and the UK) is not cheap, but it offers a similar experience to machines that cost a lot more, with excellent hardware and software that will meet the needs of the most demanding runners. It offers a wide range of both speeds and inclines, and I found that the machine ran smoothly even when tackling long stints at high speeds.

It’s a large machine that dominates a room even when folded, and I found it too heavy to move around by myself easily, but the advantage of its size is the spacious running belt. Of the treadmills I’ve tested only the Peloton Tread feels roomier thanks to its open front.

To get the most from the machine you need a JRNY membership—you’ll get a year’s worth included with your purchase (it’s $19.99/£19.99 a month or $149/£149 a year thereafter). This opens up a host of on-demand workouts, with instructor-led video classes or audio-guided workouts you can follow while watching streaming services—Netflix and Disney+ are among those you can watch on the 10in built-in display. The BowFlex Treadmill 10 also connects directly to Zwift, though you can’t use this on the display, so you’ll have to pop a tablet on the holder. Unfortunately the treadmill monitor blocks a section of the tablet screen.

Get more details in our BowFlex Treadmill 10 review

Best-Value Home Treadmill

If your budget for a home treadmill is around $1,300/£1,000 this excellent machine is almost certainly your best bet. The speed range of up to 12mph (20km/h) is equivalent to commercial machines, while the incline goes up to 12%. I found that even when running for long periods at high paces the belt ran smoothly and the machine was easy to assemble, though having an extra person on hand is vital to get the heavy base in position. 

The JTX Sprint-7 doesn’t have some of the high-end features you get on more expensive treadmills, such as a built-in screen to showcase instructor-led workouts, but it does connect to Zwift directly. It will serve all your running needs very well even if you’re an experienced runner. I had no problems running for long stretches at near its top speed, and while the running belt isn’t huge, I am 6ft (183cm) tall and didn’t feel unduly cramped.

Get more details from our JTX Sprint-7 review

Best Treadmill For Guided Workouts

Peloton began with a wildly successful spin bike and glossy subscription app, and it has applied that formula to indoor running. The treadmill has a huge 23.8in (60.5cm) HD screen on the console that streams an inexhaustible supply of guided workouts as well as scenic runs in exotic locations, which look stunning on the screen. You control the speed and incline on the treadmill by twisting two knobs on the sides of the machine, and it maxes out at 12mph (20km/h) and a 12% incline.

The main reason to get the machine is of course the extra motivation of the live and on-demand workouts, which remain the best I’ve come across on any treadmill. However, even if you don’t use the classes regularly it’s also a high-end bit of kit in general, with a slatted belt that gives a more realistic running feel as well as a spacious design with an open front which makes it very relaxing to run on—I normally worry about clipping the front of treadmills. Of course, this all comes at a cost: the treadmill will set you back $3,495/£3,345 with a further $39/£39 a month for a subscription to the app.

Get more details in my Peloton Tread review

Best Connected Treadmill

It may be expensive, but if you have the money the Technogym MyRun offers a complete indoor running experience. The impressive hardware includes a 3.0CHP motor, a top speed of 12mph (20km/h) and an incline range that goes up to 12%. Although it’s a compact machine that doesn’t dominate a room, it also has a reasonably large 56.3 x 19.7in (143 x 50cm) running belt that accommodated me easily as a 6ft/183cm tall runner.

Along with its small size, what sets the MyRun apart is the range of features in the partner app, Technogym Live. These include guided workouts with instructors and interval sessions where the machine’s speed and incline settings are changed automatically, so you can run them in the background while you watch one of the streaming services you can access in the Technogym app, like Netflix and YouTube. It costs $8.99/£8.99 a month to get full access to the app—but you’ll find more than enough classes to keep you busy on the free option.

Get more details in my TechnoGym MyRun review

Best Folding Treadmill

The EnduRun offers a gym-standard experience thanks to its sizable running belt, high top speed, powerful motor and easy-to-use console that includes buttons to take you directly to certain levels of speed or inclines. You can also adjust these using handily placed buttons on the sides of the machine, which I found easier to use while running, and it folds up to make it easier to move around and store when not in use.

It can also connect directly to Kinomap and the ledge on the console is well placed so you can rest your tablet there without obscuring the EnduRun’s display. When I reviewed the treadmill I was also able to connect it directly to Zwift easily, but it’s now not listed as Zwift-compatible, so that might no longer be the case.

There are 27 workout modes on the machine, several of which can be configured by the user, but the connectivity to apps means you’ll be able to access far more immersive guided workouts that way, even if the preset options are handy in a pinch.

Get more details in my DKN EnduRun review

Best Treadmill For Small Spaces

The Stride connects to the Echelon app where you’ll find enough live and on-demand guided classes to last you a lifetime. The treadmill has a top speed of 11.8mph (19km/h) and the incline goes up to 10%, with a 1.75CHP motor. The guided workouts are the key selling point of the Stride (the app subscription costs $29-$34.99/£25-£39.99 a month, depending on the length of contract), but another major plus is that it folds up to just 26cm thick and 176cm tall, and I found it easy to tuck out of the way when not in use. You can either slip it under a sofa or secure it against a wall in an upright position, making it much less obtrusive than other folding treadmills.

The size of the running belt, power of the motor and top speed all make the Stride a little under-specced for the price, but it still performed well when I tested it, and the small size when folded adds to its appeal significantly. It also works well as a general treadmill even if you have no plans to use the Echelon app, though if you are going to do that there’s better value to be found in the JTX or DKN machines.

Get more details in my Echelon Stride review

Best high end treadmill

If the price of the Technogym Run doesn’t put you off, it’s a tremendous treadmill that’s probably a better standard than the machines in your gym. It has an impressive spec sheet, including a top speed of 15.5mph and a spacious running belt, and the slatted design of that belt and open front of the machine create a natural-run experience that I found more akin to outdoor running than the feel of most machines.

The hardware is matched by the excellent app, which is displayed on the 27in touchscreen mounted on the console. Within the app there are a variety of guided workouts, plus scenic runs and entertainment apps like YouTube and Netflix. You can also link the treadmill to Zwift and display it on the screen via a wired connection. 

Read more in my Technogym Run review

Compare Treadmill Specs

Treadmill Buyer’s Guide

Treadmill FAQs

We love the Peloton Tread. We gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars and praised the expansive running belt and vast HD screen in particular. However, we also love a treadmill deal, so we had concerns over whether it justified its high price, and that was when the Tread cost $2,695 in the US and £2,545 in the UK.

In August, Peloton increased the price to $3,495/£3,345, a huge hike especially when you consider you also have to pay $44/£39 a month to unlock all the classes. And unlike the similarly expensive Technogym MyRun, you can’t use the HD screen for anything other than the Peloton app.

Fortunately, there are more affordable alternatives to the Peloton Tread. If you’re looking for one of the best home treadmills to use with guided classes, the Echelon Stride is worth considering – especially since its price was just reduced by $200/£200.

The Stride now costs from $1,399/£1,399, plus a monthly rolling membership of $34.99/£29.99 (you can reduce the subscription price further if you buy a year or two years up front) to access live and on-demand classes in the Echelon app.

While the Stride doesn’t have a built-in screen or as impressive a spec sheet as the Peloton Tread, it has a top speed of 12mph and an incline range that goes up to 10%, which will more than satisfy most runners. We also found it ran smoothly for long periods even at its highest speeds when we tested it, and though the running area is shorter than the Peloton Tread’s, a 6ft runner could use it fairly comfortably.

The Echelon Stride also has a neat trick the Peloton Tread doesn’t, which is that you can fold it completely flat to make it easier to store against a wall or underneath a sofa. The classes in the Echelon app are also engaging and will help to motivate you in just the same way as the Peloton ones.

If you’re on the hunt for a home treadmill to use as winter approaches, the Echelon Stride is worth checking out – and it certainly now offers better value than the Peloton Tread.

Most of us have a love/hate relationship with the treadmill. While the benefits of treadmills are obvious and they are clearly an effective way to get in shape, if you’re not mixing up your treadmill workouts it can start to be as much a mental challenge as a physical one to keep plodding away.

The best treadmills have a range of preset workouts to choose from and these will typically involve a mix of speed and hill intervals. Interval running, where you run at a faster pace or up a steeper gradient for short sections, are great for improving your fitness and making you a speedier runner, and they’re the perfect way to get a great workout on the treadmill in 30 minutes or less.

Of the different types of runs you can do, interval and hill runs are definitely the best suited to the treadmill. You don’t really want to spend hours on the machine tackling the steady-state long runs in a training plan, and intervals can be tricky to run outside if you don’t have the right conditions because wind, hills, other people and road crossings can all frustrate your performance during a hard session.

To help you make your time on the treadmill more engaging, we enlisted Ian Scarrott, a personal trainer at PureGym Loughborough and running/triathlon coach. He gave us three interval sessions to try as well as a comprehensive warm-up to do before your workout.

Treadmill Workout Plan Warm-Up

"Before each session, I would advise doing some glute activation exercises, and making sure you loosen your hip flexors,” says Scarrott.

Scarrott recommends doing five minutes on the cross-trainer then doing this hip flexor mobility move and glute activation exercises.

1 Hip flexor stretch

Sets 3 Reps 12 each side

Start in a split squat stance with your knee on the floor or just off of it. Make sure you have a soft surface to rest your knee on. Rock back and then forwards again to complete one rep.

2 Glute bridge

Sets 3 Reps 10

Lie on your back with your feet planted close together. Drive your hips up to form a line from your knees to your neck. Squeeze your glutes at the top of the movement, then lower under control.

3 Side steps with resistance band

Sets 3 Reps 10 each side

Loop a short resistance band around your thighs and lower into a squat position. Step to the side and keep the tension in the band.

4 Step-up to high knee

Sets 3 Reps 10 each side

Step up onto a raised surface and bring your trailing leg through, lifting the knee to your chest.

5 Treadmill

Time 5-10min

Once you’ve loosened your hips and activated your glutes, step on the treadmill for the rest of your warm-up.

Spend five to 10 minutes increasing your pace from around 3/10 effort (where you can speak conversationally) to 5/10 effort (steady – where you can still speak comfortably in sentences) to 7/10 effort (tempo – where you can only say a few words).

Treadmill Workout Plan

Scarrott suggests doing one of the following three workouts each week to get used to pushing yourself harder on the treadmill. Make sure to do the pre-workout activation drills and the warm-up before getting into the meat of the sessions.

Workout 1: Pyramid

In this workout you will alternate between running hard for a set period of time then running at a recovery pace. There are seven periods in which you run hard and the time changes each round. The first period is for 15 seconds, then each work period increases by 15 seconds until you run for 60 seconds. Then reduce the duration of the work period by 15 seconds every time until you finish running for 15 seconds again. Here’s the sequence in full.

1. Run 15sec Recover 15-60sec
2. Run 30sec Recover 15-60sec
3. Run 45sec Recover 15-60sec
4. Run 60sec Recover 15-60sec
5. Run 45sec Recover 15-60sec
6. Run 30sec Recover 15-60sec
7. Run 15sec Recover 15-60sec

“It’s your choice what pace you go out at, but don’t go too hard in the first couple of reps,” says Scarrott. “My challenge to you is to see if you can hold 7/10 effort for the duration. Your pace may change throughout, and it may vary from day to day owing to stress, hydration levels, nutrition, sleep, your menstrual cycle – you know where you’re at.”

Workout 2: One-Minute Reps

Again, this workout alternates between running hard and running at an easier pace to recover.

“Do one-minute reps and build up to an 8/10 effort,” says Scarrott. “Focus on pushing yourself – you may not be able to talk at all. This will feel tough but will get easier if you train yourself to run hard for sustained lengths of time.”

Set 1

Reps 2 Time 60sec at 7/10 effort Recover 60sec at 3/10 effort

Set 2

Reps 6-8 Time 60sec at 8/10 effort Recover 60sec at 3/10 effort

Workout 3: Fartlek

The term fartlek means “speed play”, and sessions often involve mixing up your pacing without a defined structure. In this case, jump on the treadmill (after your warm-up of course), and run for 10-12 minutes, throwing in bursts of speed of varying times and distances. If you’re lacking inspiration we have plenty of suggestions for fartlek sessions.

Warm-Down

For the warm-down afterwards, take a few minutes to stretch your muscles and kick-start the recovery process. We have a great full-body stretching routine in this warm-up and warm-down guide for runners.

Editor’s note: This review was first published in 2021 and revised a year later to reflect changes in app compatibility.

We first came across the DKN EnduRun during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic when treadmills were sold out almost everywhere. The machine stood out to us then partly because it was one of the few treadmills still in stock, but also because of the impressive spec it offered for the price, which frequently drops well below its £2,199 RRP.

DKN is the in-house brand of online fitness equipment retailer Sweatband and it manufactures two treadmills, both of which make Coach’s round-up of the best treadmills. The cheaper EzRun has a smaller motor and running belt and a lower top speed than the EnduRun. I’ll look at the differences in more detail later, but while the EzRun would satisfy most people’s needs, the EnduRun is worth the upgrade if you’re tall or a faster runner, or if you want the durability and performance of a gym-standard machine.

For that is what the EnduRun is. The beefy 2.5CHP (which stands for continuous horsepower; the treadmill can handle a 4.5HP peak) motor provides enough power to run smoothly for long periods even in the upper ranges of the machine’s 0.5-22km/h speed range. I’ve done progression runs and interval workouts that have involved long periods running in the high teens, and the machine has performed just as well as any gym treadmill I’ve used for similar work.

It has an AC motor, which means more power and less maintenance than a DC motor. AC motors are more common in commercial machines, while DC is generally used for home treadmills.

The incline range is also impressive, rising to 15%. Both the speed and incline can be controlled using handily-placed buttons on the sides of the machine too, which is easier than holding a finger on the console in front of you while running. There are also preset speed and incline buttons on the console for a quick change.

The running belt is expansive, measuring 53 x 151cm. That’s huge, and big enough for any runner – bigger even than the belt on the Technogym MyRun, which costs over £3k. I’m 183cm tall and never had the slightest doubt that the belt was roomy enough, even when opening my stride out to sprint. The maximum user weight is also high at 150kg, so both taller and heavier runners are well catered for.

The flipside of those impressive specs is that the EnduRun is a large machine, and even when folded – which can be done simply enough thanks to the hydraulic system – it takes up a lot of space. It’s also not an especially quiet machine, measuring around 70-75 decibels during my runs – loud enough for my wife to hear me training in the garage from inside our house.

There are 18 preset workouts available on the machine’s console, with small graphs detailing the approximate speeds and inclines involved, and nine more workout modes including some that you can set up based on things like time, heart rate or calories.

The range of workouts can be enlarged by linking the treadmill to the Kinomap app. This software allows you to watch runners’ scenic videos from around the world while you run, as well as following workouts where the app can directly control the EnduRun.

When I tested the machine I was also able to link it directly to Zwift, a training app where your avatar runs around the virtual world of Watopia, or digitised versions of real places like London and New York. However, the machine is not listed as compatible with Zwift anyone, which is a huge shame, because this was a big selling point for me and I did all my running on it while linked to Zwift.

• Find out more about this popular training app with our review and guide to getting started with Zwift Running.

While Sweatband suggests that the treadmill can be put together easily by two people (there’s heavy lifting involved), I can’t attest to this as my review model was constructed for me. I have built treadmills solo in the past though, and while I wouldn’t recommend it, it is doable.

The EnduRun offers a terrific all-round experience for runners, and is a cheaper alternative to some gym-standard machines like the Technogym MyRun or a Life Fitness model. However, it will be overkill for many runners who don’t value the top speed or large running belt.

In that case, the EzRun is a more attractive option. Its top speed of 20km/h is still more than enough for most and the 52 x 140cm running belt will accommodate most runners as well. The EzRun also has an incline range of up to 12% and a 1.75CHP (3.5HP peak) DC motor that will be powerful enough for years of home workouts.

If you’re after an even less expensive home treadmill it’s worth looking at JTX’s Sprint series. The Sprint-3 is £605, goes up to 16km/h and is powered by a 2HP motor.

Buy the DKN EnduRun from Sweatband | £1,399

Mobvoi is a Chinese tech firm founded in 2012 that manufactures earbuds and smartwatches, and with this treadmill it’s moved into home cardio machines. 

If you leave the Mobvoi’s sidebars folded down, it works as an under-desk walking treadmill; but with the arms up it can be used as a proper running treadmill, with speeds of up to 12km/h, which equates to a pace of 5min/km. 

The treadmill costs £429.99, which is towards the lower end of the price spectrum – the best treadmills can cost as much as £3,500. That means it doesn’t feel as sturdy as more expensive machines and it doesn’t have the option to set an incline. 

What I liked best is the length of its belt, which at 100cm is slightly longer than most walking treadmills and makes jogging feasible. However, the belt is only 40cm wide, and I struggled with this while running. It’s best thought of as a walking treadmill that you occasionally use to run. 

The 0.75HP motor is built to be quiet, which in tests it certainly was compared with most home treadmills, and it can comfortably accommodate longer runs. Unfortunately, the speed is capped at 12km/h, which is not enough if you were considering doing high-speed interval workouts on it. 

The Mobvoi is ideal as a walking or under-desk treadmill to use with a standing desk. If you want a treadmill for regular running, you’ll need to spend more.

Design

The Mobvoi Home Treadmill comes flat-packed in a 34kg package. It took less than 30 minutes to assemble, though the weight and dimensions meant it required two people to unpack it safely. 

The instruction leaflet illustrates the few steps required to assemble the treadmill. To use it as an under-desk treadmill, there is little to do apart from taking it out of the box. If you do want to run on it, you need to unfold the control panel, which you do by unfastening a clasp on the right-hand side of the belt and raising the bar into position. Then you screw on the sidebars and phone holder.

While the treadmill is marketed as foldable, folding and unfolding it requires screwing and unscrewing the sidebars every time, which takes a couple of minutes. Once it is packed down it’s only 11.2cm high, which means it can be stored under a sofa or a bed. It also has wheels on one end of the belt so it can be moved more easily.

Its design is plain and sleek: I tested the black model, but it’s also available in silver. The foldable control panel features a touchscreen with limited functionality: a start/stop button on the left-hand side, buttons numbered 1 to 12 to jump to the corresponding km/h, and +/- buttons to adjust the speed 0.1 km/h at a time. I found these controls lacking in responsiveness and it sometimes took more than one attempt to decrease the speed when I was running fast.

There are no bottle holders on the control bars, and the phone holder was hard to screw in. It will not stretch to accommodate a tablet, and there is no rest for a laptop either. While my phone felt securely attached to the treadmill, I felt the spring system on the phone holder was flimsy and may not work for larger smartphones. However, the treadmill does have built-in Bluetooth speakers to which you can pair your phone. This means if you are listening to music or watching a workout on your device, you can hear the sound through the machine rather than headphones or your phone speaker.

The treadmill doesn’t have a screen on the control panel to display metrics about your workout, but there is a small LED screen at the front of the belt. This display rotates between your current speed, and calories burned, distance covered and duration of the session. The treadmill has standard safety features, including a safety key you can pull to force-stop the treadmill. 

The Mobvoi treadmill has a remote control that is helpful if you are using the treadmill under your desk. The remote lets you control the speed by pressing a +/- button, replacing the buttons you find on the control panel when it is unfolded. The remote control becomes useless when you are using the treadmill as a running machine, though, because there is no space to put it down while working out. 

Performance

I tested the Mobvoi treadmill both as a walking and a running treadmill. Walking felt comfortable and there was no sign of the machine struggling even after an hour walking at 5km/h. The motor also sounded faint at speeds between 3km/h and 5km/h: I recorded less than 55dB, a level equating to a quiet office.

At higher running speeds, the treadmill never went above 65dB, and in fact the sound of my feet treading on the belt was the loudest noise. The quiet motor meant it was possible to hear my music through the treadmill’s Bluetooth speaker, which was a bonus. 

The motor kept up with a 30-minute run at 10km/h and short bursts at 12km/h, but that max speed isn’t fast enough for a decent interval session if you’re an experienced runner. There is no incline/decline function either, which limits the options for your workouts.

I struggled with the combination of a narrow belt and placement of the screen. While putting the screen at the end of the belt saves space on the control panel, having to look down to see the metrics made it feel harder to maintain my balance, especially while running. The belt may be longer than on other walking treadmills but it’s shorter than running ones, and I felt close to coming off it a few times. 

The Mobvoi treadmill will work for longer, low-intensity runs, but it can’t compete with a cheap running treadmill. 

Verdict

The Mobvoi Home Treadmill is primarily a walking treadmill. On those terms, it is a practical option which can be easily stored and used under a desk. It had no problem coping with longer workouts and was quiet. 

Runners should not expect too much from this treadmill, though. The maximum 12km/h speed, lack of incline and small belt, make it feel limited. 

For the price, you get a sturdy and powerful walking treadmill, ideal if you’re trying to get more steps in during the day or want to do light jogging. But if you’re after a proper treadmill for home, I’d recommend an entry-level running treadmill like the JTX Sprint-3 or, if a flat fold is important to you and your budget can stretch, try the Echelon Stride.

The first version of the Peloton Tread was recalled owing to safety concerns, but the machine is back on sale with reassuring updates such as a Pin to unlock it before a workout and a safety key to stop the belt instantly.

With those worries put to bed, you can focus on the many impressive features of the Peloton Tread, which include a spacious running area and a vast 23.8in (60.5cm) HD touchscreen to display guided workouts in the app. It certainly deserves its place on our recommendations of the best treadmills.

Peloton Tread Review: Price And Availability

The Peloton Tread is available on the Peloton website and costs £2,545, plus a monthly subscription of £39 to unlock the classes and other content in the app, though you can use the treadmill in Just Run mode without a subscription. As of March 2022, delivery is available only to mainland UK.

The price of the Peloton Tread includes delivery and assembly, which is always welcome news with something as large as a treadmill. 

There are package options available, which bundle in things like dumbbells and a workout mat with the machine. 

Peloton often reduces the price of the Peloton Tread. Browse our Peloton coverage for the latest deals and check these Peloton Black Friday deals to see how much you could save in the biggest sale of the year.

The Treadmill

The machine is undeniably impressive, with a spacious 150cm x 50cm running belt that feels even larger because of the lack of plastic cover at the front of the belt. This open design means you don’t have to worry about clipping this cover when running near the console, a fear that means I often find treadmill running a little stressful. The downside of this spacious design is that the Peloton Tread takes up a lot of room, and it doesn’t fold up to save space, but I’d live with those things because the Peloton Tread is the most enjoyably roomy running experience of any home treadmill I’ve tested.

On each side of the treadmill you have knobs that adjust the speed (right) and incline (left). These make it easy to change these settings rapidly and the treadmill responds faster than most I’ve tested. Even when jacking the speed all the way up to the 20km/h max from walking pace during interval sessions it would only take 10 seconds or so to hit top speed. 

You can choose between using kilometers and miles for your pace on the machine, but the speed is always shown in miles, which is a little strange. You are always scrolling from 1-12.5mph when adjusting speed, but on screen you can then see your pace in mins/km. The 3HP motor ensures that the belt runs smoothly even for long periods near or at the max pace.

The incline range runs up to 12.5% in 0.5% increments, and also changes quickly – though the machine will be a little wobbly during the transition if you’re running fast while it changes. It settles down fine once it reaches the desired setting, though.

The screen is, of course, fantastic. It’s absolutely huge and this makes for a very immersive experience, whether you’re following a guided workout or one of the scenic runs in the app. The major downside here is that the only thing you can get up on the screen is the Peloton app. You can’t put virtual training apps like Zwift on there, or other entertainment services like Netflix and YouTube (without doing some shady workarounds that might void your warranty, anyway). You are locked into the Peloton app, and while it is a great app, sometimes I want to run while watching Netflix on a huge screen right in front of my face.

One final note on the machine is that I did have a couple of hardware faults during my time using it, the first of which required Peloton to send someone out to replace a part. The second time I was able to fix it myself by resetting the machine. I was using a media loan unit and these take a beating during testing for multiple reviews, so I don’t have any real durability concerns. There’s a 12-month warranty on the touchscreen and most original components, three years on the motor and belt, and five years on the frame.

The Peloton App

There are many companies that offer guided workouts through a partner app that links up with a cardio machine, but Peloton’s classes remain the best I’ve tested. There’s an extensive library of on-demand options, plus a schedule of live classes, and the instructors in general do a great job of being motivational without going over the top. 

Most of the classes fall into the short, sharp HIIT category, but there are also longer, more relaxed options that can help you roll through 60 minutes of running with a little company from the instructor. There are also training plans in the app, including one that guides you to a first 5K and a new program to help you train for a marathon.

Along with running there are all kinds of other workouts, including yoga, strength and Pilates sessions. If you don’t want any kind of instruction there are scenic runs set in cities and national parks which look pretty spectacular on the massive screen. You can also stack several classes or scenic runs together for a long session.

You can link the app up to Strava to upload your runs there, and the Peloton Tread also integrates closely with the Apple Watch, so you can track your sessions more accurately on your wearable using stats beamed over from the treadmill.

Lanebreak Tread

Peloton added its Lanebreak feature to the Tread in July 2023. The gamified workout mode was introduced on its bike in 2022, and now sits alongside instructor-led classes and scenic runs as one of the options for training sessions on the treadmill.

During a Lanebreak Tread workout the screen shows a roller running on a track with six lanes, with users able to switch lanes using the incline dial on the treadmill. The idea is to follow on-screen instructions, collecting bars that pop up in the lanes, while also hitting certain speeds and jumping onto inclines that appear. The treadmill automatically increases and decreases the incline for you if you are on these hills (you can turn this off if you’d prefer to adjust the incline yourself).

Following the instructions earns points, and your overall score goes on a global leaderboard at the end of the workout. The available workouts range from five minutes to 30 minutes; they use different music genres and have different styles, such as intervals or endurance-focused sessions.

Before you start, you set a level for the pace targets. You can see what the average pace will be along with the top pace you’ll be expected to hit, so you know what to expect and can tailor the session to your ability. You control the pace throughout the workout—it’s not adjusted automatically.

I tested Lanebreak Tread at Peloton’s London office and found it an engaging way to train on the treadmill. The futuristic graphics are fun and there’s always another instruction coming up, so your workout ticks by quickly. I don’t think it’s as enjoyable as doing the full instructor-led sessions on the machine, but it is a good option to have on the machine when you want to do something different, while still getting a tough interval session in. If I was using the Peloton Tread several times a week, I’d use Lanebreak for at least one of those runs to keep my training fresh.

Is The Peloton Tread Worth It?

I can’t really imagine any runner being disappointed with the Peloton Tread. Even as an experienced and obsessive runner with a training plan who doesn’t really need the motivation of the classes, I loved using the machine because of the fantastic hardware. Newer runners using the classes will get a lot more out of the machine, and it delivers a very engaging experience that should keep you coming back for more.

The question of whether it’s worth it has a less clear-cut answer, because the price is so incredibly high. You simply don’t need to spend this much money to get a great home treadmill. A machine such as the DKN EnduRun offers great hardware and connectivity to apps like Zwift for £1,399. You can also use guided workouts from any number of apps, including Peloton’s own, without needing them to be integrated directly into the treadmill. 

If you do want classes via a partner app, the Echelon Stride treadmill offers a cheaper alternative to the Peloton Tread at £1,599 plus £39.99 a month. There is no screen – you use a tablet on the console instead – and the hardware isn’t as good as Peloton’s, but you can still get a great workout.

If you are planning on spending big money, the Technogym MyRun is also worth considering. At £3,450 it’s even more expensive than the Peloton Tread and has a tablet stand instead of a screen, but you can link it to apps like Zwift, and in the Technogym Live app (£8.99 a month) you can watch Netflix and YouTube while following workouts that run in the background, as well as following traditional guided workouts.

All that said, if the price isn’t a concern, the guided workouts on offer are unrivaled and I found the general running experience to be better than any other machine I’ve tested. If they would open up the screen to other apps, that would be the cherry on top, but nevertheless it’s a very impressive piece of kit.

The main benefit of treadmills is that they grant a lot of control over your workouts, allowing you to monitor your speed and adjust your incline. But other than that, the benefits of running  on a treadmill and running outdoors are remarkably similar.

“When comparing treadmill and outdoor running, energy consumption, muscle activity and load placed on joints are largely comparable,” explains Belinda Durey, a lecturer in clinical exercise physiology at the University of South Australia.

But there are a few advantages to using a treadmill that are worth highlighting – along with some drawbacks, too. We asked Durey to break them down for us.

The Benefits Of Treadmills

1. High Energy Expenditure

Treadmills allow you to run all year round, if you live in a place where the winters or summers make it dangerous to exercise outdoors. On top of that, running is great for your cardiovascular fitness.

“Running is a whole-body exercise: it involves all the major muscle groups,” Durey says. “For this reason, running expends more energy than many other forms of physical activity, and has the greatest impact on aerobic fitness.”

Several small studies have shown that treadmills can help you expend more energy than other popular gym machines, including one published in the Journal Of The American Medical Association. Different machines in the gym – like rowers and elliptical machines – might activate a higher number of muscle groups when compared with treadmills, but if energy expenditure is your main goal then the treadmill is your friend.

2. Progress Tracking

You can monitor your speed on a running watch when you’re outdoors, but it’s a lot easier to control this on a treadmill. You’ll also be able to control other environmental factors, which could have positive effects.

“The benefit of controlling your training – the temperature of the room, your pace – is that you can more easily predict and track progress,” says Durey. “When starting out as a runner, this is probably encouraging and beginners may find interval training – eg a couch to 5K plan – easier on a treadmill. For athletes, training on a treadmill will help to control any external barriers like weather and traffic, and offer some variety if they are putting in lots of kilometres outdoors.”

3. Breaking Up A Sedentary Lifestyle

You don’t have to go at top speeds to get some benefits from a treadmill – under-desk treadmills allow you to walk while you work.

“Limiting sedentary time is important as part of a healthy lifestyle,” says Durey. “Public health guidelines recommend we break up periods of sitting, and build activity into our daily routine. Standing is better than sitting, walking is better than standing and so on. Standing desks and under-desk treadmills provide the opportunity to include unstructured exercise in our day.”

And of course, you can position a screen near a normal treadmill and walk during presentations and video calls when you don’t have to turn your camera on.

4. Treadmill Running May Help With Rehabbing Knee Injuries

When we spoke to a trio of experts about whether running on a treadmill is bad for you compared with running outdoors, the overarching message was that they were broadly equivalent. However, one thing that was highlighted was that treadmill running could be better for people with knee pain.

“The science isn’t really strong about saying what’s good or bad, but there was one really good paper by Van Hooren et al, which was a meta-analysis on ‘is motorised treadmill running biomechanically comparable to overground running’,” says Alex Townsend, a specialist musculoskeletal (MSK) and sports podiatrist at Pure Sports Medicine.

“Largely, the comparisons are yes, it’s close enough. But the evidence in the literature for knee pain and ankle pain is reasonable. Knee pain is better with treadmill running. We see an increase in knee flexion at footstrike on a treadmill compared with track running, and we see a decrease in the range of motion with knee flexion. Often that dictates a shorter stride length, and there are arguments that a longer stride length with a lower cadence could potentially be a contributing factor to patellofemoral pain – front-of-the-knee pain. So you could make the argument that treadmill running may lead to a shorter stride length, which may mean that it could be less risky. I’m really cautious of quoting that, but it may be less risky.”

The Disadvantages Of Treadmill Running

1. No Decline Options Or Uneven Terrain

Very few treadmills offer a decline option, which means you can’t emulate downhill running. This type of training is more challenging than you might expect and offers various benefits.

“Running downhill is eccentric training,” explains Durey. “This means your muscles are lengthening while contracting, to support your bodyweight against gravity and absorb shock. This, put simply, creates more stress for the muscles.

“In the days after a session this often results in more delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, but in the longer term there are beneficial adaptations that are unique to eccentric training. These include injury prevention, better strength gains, and more efficient energy use.”

Similarly, you can’t emulate uneven terrain on a treadmill, so your body misses out on the stimulus.

2. Treadmills Won't Prepare You For A Race

When you’re training for an event, you need to practise taking on environmental factors that are beyond your control, which you can’t really do on a treadmill.

“It is important to replicate the competition environment as closely as possible,” says Durey. “For example, with a marathon, it is important to run outdoors to prepare for any external influences, such as wind, humidity, uneven ground, differing surfaces. However, having a variety of training is also advantageous.”

Her advice for marathon prep? “A combination of outdoor running including hills, uneven surfaces and natural pace changes, plus treadmill running for controlled simulation of the competitive environment, is arguably best for marathon training.”

For a long time, runners who exercise indoors have envied cyclists who do the same. While treadmills have historically been simple machines, cyclists have been able to link their exercise bikes to virtual worlds through apps like Zwift, and have had the option of enjoying top-notch guided classes through the likes of Peloton and Echelon.

The best treadmills have been catching up, though, and the Technogym MyRun offers an array of entertainment options to help keep you engaged on the run, including guided classes and the ability to link directly with virtual training apps like Zwift and Rouvy.

This all comes at a high cost, however. The MyRun alone costs £3,250 and to unlock all the content in the partner Technogym Live is an additional £8.99 a month. Free users still get a worthwhile amount of classes in the app, though, so I’d say that the extra subscription isn’t really needed to enjoy the MyRun.

The Machine

The MyRun is a surprisingly compact machine given its technical specs. It has a top speed of 20km/h and an incline range that tops out at 12%, powered by a 2.5-3.0 CHP motor. The running belt is not the biggest I’ve come across, but at 143 x 50cm it was large enough to comfortably accommodate me as a 183cm tall runner even when training at the top speed available.

On the console, you have two flippers to control speed and incline, plus the central on/off flipper – though the machine turns itself on when you step on to it, which is both impressive and disarming. The minimal design of the MyRun is great for smaller homes, since it doesn’t dominate the space it’s in – something you might expect from a treadmill with these specs – but it does make the whole machine feel slightly less robust when you first run on it. I have no concerns about the actual sturdiness of the MyRun, but it’s less steady for running at high speeds than bulkier machines.

You can mount a tablet on top of the console using the wire rack, or put it in the middle of the console itself. When using the mount you can pull out a clamp from the back of the console to hold your tablet in place on the rack, which is a smart bit of design and absolutely needed to stop the tablet tumbling mid-run.

There’s little to fault about the hardware of the MyRun. It has the specs of a commercial treadmill in a stripped-back machine that is better suited to home use.

The Technogym Live App

The partner app is very much key to the MyRun’s success – if you have no intention of using the features in the app you can get similarly-specced machines for a lot less than £3,250. Even the free version of the app contains enough classes to keep you motivated on the run for months. You’ll also find other features like custom workouts and scenic outdoor runs to enjoy.

Within the app, the classes come in two flavours. There are the usual instructor-led workouts, which are called “sessions” in the app, and there are also “routines”. With the latter, you start up the class and the app will change the speed and incline of your treadmill automatically as it progresses. For these you don’t have to actually keep the class on screen.

This means you can get the class going, then bring up Netflix on your tablet and watch a TV show while the class continues in the background. It’s an impressive option for people who want a guided session plus in-run entertainment and only have one screen available. With the routines you can also set the time you want the class to last in advance (10-20, or 40 minutes), as well as giving your fitness level so the speed and incline changes provide an appropriately challenging workout.

You also set your level for the instructor-led classes. While following them on screen there are button shortcuts to the suggested pace and incline you can use, which makes life easier compared with holding the flippers to get to the right pace. In the classes I tried, the instructors did a good job of treading the fine line between being motivational and annoying, and while the variety between the classes isn’t huge – it’s mostly intervals of some kind using incline and speed – there are enough options to help you mix up your training each week.

The app also contains the option to create your own custom workout, with step targets based on distance or time. The workout creator tool is easy to use and this is a really useful feature for runners like myself who follow a training plan with set workouts each week.

There are also scenic outdoor runs in the app for something more relaxing, and other kinds of classes you can do including strength, yoga and stretching sessions.

You can also link the Technogym Live app to Strava, so not only are your workouts automatically uploaded, the app can grab your Strava runs and recreate them indoors, complete with incline changes that match what you did in the real world. It’s probably not a feature you’d use frequently, but it’s an interesting idea and would be handy for people who do the same race each year and want to run sections of it, or the whole route, in advance during their training.

On top of all these in-app features, the Technogym MyRun connects easily over Bluetooth to Zwift. I found that you can’t use Zwift and the Technogym Live app at the same time though, so you pick one or the other for each run. If you do pick Zwift, I found the connection stable throughout my runs. You can also link the treadmill to the Rouvy app if that’s your preferred virtual training option.

Should You Buy It?

The Technogym MyRun is the best home treadmill I’ve come across. It’s extremely expensive, though, so if you’re just looking for the specs it offers then there are much cheaper options available like the DKN EnduRun or one of the JTX Sprint series.

The Technogym goes well beyond those machines with the classes and other features available in the partner app, though on that front you can get classes with the Peloton Tread, which also has a built-in screen and costs £2,295. However, the Peloton subscription is significantly more expensive at £40 a month.

It’s the combination of features that makes the Technogym MyRun stand out. It offers reliable hardware, good connectivity and endless entertainment through the app, all in a machine that’s surprisingly compact. If you have the money, it’s the machine to get.

Buy from Technogym | £3,250

Some people love treadmills and spend most of their time exercising on them, while some people begrudge any time spent on them and avoid them as much as possible. For the lovers we have loads of new treadmill training sessions that you’ll enjoy, and for the haters we have short, sharp workouts that will get you on and off it in ten minutes while still getting in a good-quality session.

Before we get to our workouts, it’s worthwhile understanding the preset workouts that treadmills come with. Pretty much every treadmill now comes loaded with a range of sessions, which usually fall into one of four categories. Interval sessions involve bursts of fast running or even sprinting broken up by recovery sections at a slow pace. These are great for burning lots of calories in double-quick time, but should be used sparingly. Hill sessions are similar to intervals, but the harder sections involve raising the incline of the treadmill belt rather than increasing the speed. These build leg strength as well as increasing your fitness and burning calories.

Many treadmills also offer fat-loss programmes that are designed to keep you in the so-called fat-burning zone. This is at around 65% of your maximum heart rate, where your body primarily uses fat for energy rather than carbs (which are the main source of energy when you hit higher heart rate zones). You’ll need to enter your age and weight, and ideally link a heart rate monitor to the treadmill, for these programmes to be as effective as possible.

Finally, you’ll also find a fitness test programme on many treadmills. This is exactly what the name suggests – a test of your fitness, where the workout gets progressively harder over time. It’s a bit like the bleep test, and worth doing from time to time to check how you’re progressing.

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey’s Treadmill Sprint Workout

This sprint session was put together by former Team GB sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey for audio-workout app WithU, and is a great, speedy session that will push you hard in under 15 minutes. The full session is below, but first here are some pointers from Aikines-Aryeetey’s audio instruction to help you sprint like a pro.

“I need your chest up and I need you to be popping off the floor,” says Aikines-Aryeetey. “Pop off the floor and dorsiflex – that means pulling your toes up. Aim for minimal ground contact time.

“Your arms and shoulders should be relaxed. I want you to be bouncing off the treadmill flowing through the balls of your feet. You’re a duck on water – I want to see you relaxed up top, but working hard below.”

Warm-up

Time 4min

For the first two minutes and 45 seconds, gradually progress from walking to a steady jog, then return to a walking pace for the remaining time.

Sprints

Reps 6 Time 45sec Rest 30sec

In the first rep aim to run at 80% of your sprinting speed. In the second aim for 85%, and raise it to 90% for the third rep. Then repeat that sequence on the fourth, fifth and sixth reps. On the rest sections, slow to walking pace.

Warm-down

Time 2min

Jog slowly for two minutes to bring your heart rate down after the sprints session.

Interval Workout For Beginners

A simple but effective interval session is one that sets a speed which you return to after each effort. A baseline of 5km/h is an easy place as any to start, but feel free to adjust that according to your level or even how you’re feeling on the day so you’re firmly in your comfort zone. You’re going to end up running 10km/h faster than this baseline so make sure you can handle that top speed for a minute. The good news is that as you’re going to gradually increase the speed over the session, your body should be ready for the big finale.

Work at your base for one minute, then increase the speed by 1km/h. Hold at this new speed for one minute, then return to your baseline for a minute. For your next effort increase the speed by 2km/h, after a minute return to your baseline speed for a minute, then up the speed for the next effort by 3km/h and so on. Continue in this manner until 20 minutes has elapsed.

See related

• The Best Treadmills For Home
• The Newbie’s Guide To The Treadmill
• Sharpen Up Your Speed, Strength And Stamina With This 15-Minute SkillMill Treadmill Workout

Zwift Treadmill Workouts

To use the Zwift virtual training app you link up a footpod, a treadmill sensor or even a smart treadmill to the app, and then watch as your avatar runs on screen in scenic virtual worlds. It’s a great way to decrease the monotony of treadmill running, and there are plenty of top-notch preset workouts on Zwift, where the finish line for each step or interval is marked by a banner to help with motivation at the end of a rep. If that has piqued your interest, our guide to Zwift running explains all.

Here are a few example workouts from Zwift, which you can do on any treadmill without connecting to the app. You will need to know your 5K pace though, because the pace for the workouts is set at percentages of your 5K pace. This running pace calculator should help convert your best time to a pace.

Furtherance

This workout will help you hold your pace when fatigue starts to set in towards the end of races. After a good warm-up you’re going to complete a series of intervals at your 5K pace. These intervals will get shorter, but so will the recovery sections in between them.

Broken Tempo

Tempo sessions are great for improving both your stamina and speed, but knocking out a long 15- to 20-minute stretch at threshold pace is pretty tough mentally, especially on the treadmill. With this workout you’ll break up your tempo sections to make things a little easier while still getting the benefits.

“You’ll be doing five three-minute efforts at 94% of 5K pace, taking short breaks of 30 seconds at 70% of your 5K pace," says Abigail Flynn from Zwift.

Again, make sure you get in a good warm-up before starting your first tempo intervals.

“In this workout you do two sets of three minutes at 103% of 5K pace, two minutes at 105% of 5K pace and one minute at 110% of 5K pace,” says Flynn.

The intervals get shorter but you have to get faster in this short speed session. Even with a good warm-up and warm-down you’ll be done within half an hour, and you’ll enjoy the speed benefits when you next tackle a short race. Take one minute of recovery between each interval, then two minutes between sets.

10-Minute Treadmill Workouts

If you’re a bit more familair with the ’mill, try one of these interval workouts from strength and conditioning coach Jamie Lloyd that mix up the speed and incline. Or, if you’re feeling brave, combine a couple for a 20-minute session.

Before you start on your ten minutes of effort it’s important to warm up with a few dynamic stretches and a five-minute jog. You don’t want to go into these workouts cold.

To set the right speed and incline just follow the instructions in the workouts. The pace setting on most treadmills is simply the kilometres per hour speed, while incline is measured in percentage, so you can just mirror the numbers in the workouts below. Or, if you’re an old hand on the treadmill, adjust the speeds to fit your level of fitness.

Workout 1

Keep the incline at a steady 2% throughout this beginner workout but vary your speed between 5km/h and 7.5km/h every minute for 10min.

Workout 2

The incline is really upped in this workout. Start with 1min of running at 6km/h at a 7% incline, then drop down to 5km/h and 1% incline for 1min 30sec to recover. Repeat four times.

Workout 3

The incline stays at 1% throughout this four-interval workout. Start with 2min 30sec at 8km/h, then 2min 30sec at 5.5km/h. Repeat for 10min.

Workout 4

Time to forget the incline and focus on speed. Set the incline to 0% and run at a flat-out pace (14-18km/h, depending on your ability) for 1min, then jog for 1min 30sec at 6km/h. Do this four times. Be careful when finding your top speed that you don’t overdo it and fly off the back of the treadmill.

Workout 5

Having to change the speed and incline settings every minute or so might seem annoying, but it’s actually a great way to distract yourself from the pain in your legs.

Workout 6

The incline gets steeper with every minute of this workout but, mercifully, the speed drops at the same rate.

A home treadmill is a substantial investment and many are put off by the worry that they’ll stop using it after a time. One counterintuitive solution is to spend more money by buying a smart treadmill like the Echelon Stride and subscribe to the partner app (£39.99 a month on a rolling contract in this case) with a wealth of guided running classes. The benefits of having an on-screen instructor talking you through your runs are considerable, providing both motivation and an effective workout so you can be sure your time on the treadmill is well spent.

The Echelon Stride is one of the best connected treadmill options, partly because it’s pretty good, but also partly because there aren’t that many options. There is the excellent Peloton Tread but it is very expensive.

However, at £1,599 the Stride is very expensive given the specs it offers, and that’s before you get to the continuing subscription costs. Whether or not it’s worth that price will depend on your affinity for the guided workouts in the Echelon app and how much space you have for a treadmill in your home.

Design

The Echelon Stride is a light treadmill at 70.8kg and as a result it’s easy to put together, aided in that regard by its relatively small size. Its diminutive nature has its drawbacks too, however. It feels slightly flimsy at times and when changing the incline level during a run, the Stride would get a little jittery until it reached the new level.

The small size is also achieved by reducing the size of the running belt to 50.8cm wide by 139.7cm long. That’s one of the shorter running belts I’ve come across in treadmills at this price – a length of over 150cm is standard. That said, I’m 183cm tall and did not have any problems with it, even when running at close to its 19.3km/h top speed. I should say that I have a fairly short stride length for my height, so some taller runners may have to adjust their style a little on the Stride.

The Stride’s incline range has 12 levels and goes up to a maximum of 10%. You can adjust both the speed and the inline using controls on the sides of the machine as well as with quick presets on the main console itself.

That main console is sleek and features an adjustable tablet/smartphone holder – the Stride doesn’t have a built-in screen so you need to link a device up to the treadmill to use the guided workouts in the app. It’s worth noting that this tablet holder is positioned in such a way that my device got showered in sweat throughout every run, which was a little concerning at times.

There are two water bottle holders on the console, and you also get a phone stand you can push into one of the holders. Make sure this is something you’ll use a lot before you insert it, because it’s so firmly in place on the machine I tested that I’m unsure if it’ll ever come out again.

It’s possible, of course, to use the Stride treadmill without the partner app. One reason you might want to (aside from cost) is that the Echelon app can evidently only show distance and pace in imperial units, while the treadmill itself has all its stats in metric. Odd.

One distinguishing feature of the Stride is how easy it is to fold up and store. The arms and console fold down automatically at the press of a button, and once folded it’s just 26cm thick so you can slide it under a bed. It’s also light enough that you can easily lift it to stand on its end, leaning against a wall.

However, I did not feel comfortable leaving it against a wall without securing it with the straps provided, since it did seem as if it could tip over at the lightest touch. If you are planning on storing it upright you’ll need to do it somewhere you’re happy to attach straps to the wall.

Running Performance

Compared with other treadmills around its price, the Echelon Stride’s motor is underpowered at 1.75CHP. I did find it still ran smoothly even when doing longer reps near the top speed, but long-term performance might be a concern, and it’s a little disappointing that there isn’t a beefier motor in place.

The treadmill connects to the Echelon app quickly and reliably and reacts fairly rapidly to alter your on-screen stats after you manually adjust them on the treadmill. In the app you’ll find a wide range of guided classes, along with a small selection of scenic runs, where a video of a glamorous location plays while you run. Glamorous in comparison with the garage I was actually running in, anyway.

Along with the library of on-demand workouts there are live classes to join throughout the day. Each type of class has a leaderboard with participants ranked by output, a measure of your effort based on the speed and incline the treadmill is set on. If you do a live class the leaderboard creates more of a communal feel, and I found even on-demand classes did just enough to fire up my competitive nature to push a little harder.

You can filter the classes by length, instructor, genre of music and type. The type filter is almost useless since it includes every kind of class on the Echelon app, including the likes of yoga, cycling and Pilates, and the many types there are not listed alphabetically. So even though there are different kinds of runs and walks you can do, it’s easier to just scroll through the classes section of the app to find the one you’re after than try to filter by type.

Most of the classes are variations on an intervals theme, with stints of higher effort broken up by slower jogging or walking. There are enough different instructors that you’re sure to find one you like, and the sessions do a good job of burning calories and improving your fitness. They range in length from five to 45 minutes, and there are a lot of hill sessions that focus more on incline than simply ramping up the speed.

I’m probably not the typical Echelon user as a very keen runner who normally follows a structured training plan and runs six times a week, usually for at least an hour at a time. However, I did enjoy the sessions I did, even if they don’t follow a typical format for the kind of interval and track workouts I do.

The sessions would be of more use for someone who is looking to do two or three runs a week to get fit and lose weight, and wouldn’t be looking for extra-long sessions to prepare for a marathon or similar.

One thing you can’t do with the Stride is connect it to other apps via Bluetooth, which is disappointing. It’s locked into the Echelon app and while you can get around this using third-party solutions, it would be good if you could link it directly to something like Zwift since it clearly has the necessary hardware to do so.

Verdict

Given its modest specs the Echelon Stride did surprise me with how good its level of performance was. Even when pushing the pace up to 18 or 19km/h the belt ran smoothly and I didn’t have any problems with its relatively short length.

The small size of the machine when folded is also a huge advantage, especially as it is light enough to manoeuvre around easily. This is certainly a key selling point for the Stride, since it is smaller and less intrusive than most treadmills.

However, if you have room to handle any treadmill, the Stride is worth buying only if you are confident the Echelon app is right for you. You can use the Stride as a normal treadmill, but you can get better machines for the same price or even far less – the superior JTX Sprint-7 is under £1,000, for example, while the NordicTrack S 45i is £1,499 and even has a built-in screen for guided classes through iFit.

The Echelon classes are engaging and will help you to keep using the treadmill, but the cost of £39.99 a month is very high. You can reduce the overall cost by signing up to a one or two-year contract, but then you have to pay for the duration of that period upfront – £399.90 for one year or £599.85 for two. Delivery also costs £99.99, unless you take out a one- or two-year membership from the start. If you are keen on guided classes in general, you can find them through other apps like Kinomap or iFit and use a cheaper treadmill, some of which will link to the apps directly.

Overall, while I enjoyed using the Echelon Stride even as someone who doesn’t tend to use guided classes, the price is a little too high for what you’re getting with this machine.

Buy from Echelon | £1,599, plus £39.99 monthly subscription

Buying a home treadmill is an expensive business. Unlike exercise bikes and rowing machines, you can’t really replicate the experience you get in a gym for less than £1,000. However, you can get very close to it with the JTX Sprint-7. It might lack a few of the fancy extra features present on premium treadmills, but it nails the basics and will satisfy runners of all levels.

I consider myself to be an experienced runner, running every day with six marathons under my belt, and under current conditions I’ve been able to log lots of miles on its belt.

The machine has a top speed of 20km/h (12.4mph), not as high as some top-end machines but enough to satisfy the vast majority of runners. Crucially, the Sprint-7 has a powerful 3HP motor, which means that even when working at the top of its range, the belt runs smoothly. That isn’t always the case with advertised top speeds if the motor is too weak to back them up, but I logged long stints at 16-17km/h on the Sprint-7 without ever feeling like I was stretching its limits.

It’s not particularly quiet, hitting around 70 decibels as standard during my runs, so you’re probably not going to make any friends if you live in a block of flats with thin walls. But it’s not considerably louder than other treadmills, and this is something you’ll have to take into account if your heart is set on a home cardio machine.

The console display is pretty standard, showing the key stats on your run with a virtual track running around the main screen so you can watch your run fly by in 400m chunks. I found this oddly captivating – even when I had linked a footpod to training app Zwift to run in its immersive virtual worlds, I’d keep checking on my progress in the current 400m chunk.

There are quick speed and inline buttons on the machine that you can use to hit certain levels without having to hold the up or down buttons. These are very useful in interval workouts when you don’t want to hold down a button while trying to maintain your sprint speed.

The machine is loaded with 36 preset workouts, which are all displayed either side of the screen in tiny graphics that show how the speed and incline will change throughout. It’s not the easiest way to browse and decide on a workout. You select the one you want by pressing the P button until the number of your session comes up. All the workouts default to a duration of 30 minutes, but this can be adjusted to anywhere from five to 99 minutes using the speed buttons before you start.

You don’t get a larger, more readable version of the workout on the display once it’s started, or even a prompt as to what’s next in the session. You have to squint at the tiny image of the workout breakdown to try to see if the speed or incline is about to change.

If you use a Bluetooth heart rate monitor the treadmill will connect to that to display your heart rate on screen and it did this automatically with the Polar belt I use. You can then set workouts based on your heart rate, creating a target zone on the machine, which will automatically adjust the speed and incline to keep you in that zone. Setting this up is a bit of a faff, though – it’s easier to keep tabs on your heart rate and change the levels yourself.

It all makes for a decent range of workouts and although the way they’re implemented leaves a little to be desired, if you’re looking to mix up your training you can pick one pretty much at random and be assured you’ll get a tough session. You can also set a simple target using the M button before starting your run, whether that’s a time, distance or calorie goal.

The treadmill itself requires very little technical expertise to assemble – there aren’t very many parts and they just need to be screwed together. However, step one is getting the base out of the box and in position, and it’s very heavy. I just about managed to do it solo, but what would have been an easy one-minute job with two people took 15 minutes of sweating and swearing by myself. Get someone to help you assemble it, is what I’m saying.

The machine comes with a bottle of lubricant, which you are advised to use every three months. That and keep it clean – not a particularly onerous task but one that’s vital to keeping the belt running smoothly in the long term. The Sprint-7 also has a three-year in-home repair warranty.

The 145cm by 51cm belt is spacious enough to accommodate taller runners – I’m 6ft (182cm) and found I could run comfortably on the belt without any fears of tumbling off the back. The folding system is handy for reducing the room the machine takes up, but it is still pretty large even when you do bring the belt up to the console. Once folded you can wheel the machine around fairly easily and tuck it into a corner at least.

With pricier treadmills you get extra features like flashier consoles or connectivity to a range of apps. Although the Sprint-7 can connect to the Kinomap app to follow routes and workouts uploaded by other app users on a tablet or phone – the machine comes with a tablet holder you can attach to the console – it doesn’t really excel on this front. The free version of Kinomap doesn’t have a vast amount of content and it’s less engaging than using something like Zwift or just streaming something on a tablet.

However, not excelling when it comes to those kinds of frills is hardly a reason to criticise a machine at this price. It matches up well with top treadmills when it comes to the essentials – running smoothly at high paces, with a solid interval range and a decent array of preset workouts to try. If you’re a runner of any level looking for a well-priced treadmill that will last you even when using it regularly at high speeds, the Sprint-7 should be top of your list.

When you first venture into a gym you might view the treadmill as a safe space. You don’t have to share it with others or put it back in the right place like you do with weights, and it’s really quite hard to use it incorrectly, in contrast to initially terrifying contraptions like suspension trainers or cable machines.

However, once you clamber aboard you might well discover that using the treadmill is not as simple as anticipated. Modern machines have a baffling array of dials and buttons you can adjust to mix up your workout, and if you steadfastly ignore them in favour of hitting the big “quick start” button and just plodding along at a set pace, you’re missing out on a world of opportunity.

You’ll also get bored. Really bored, no matter how exciting the true crime podcast you’re listening to while on the treadmill is. Running on the spot staring at a wall or out into the rest of the gym is a monotonous enough experience without adding to that by sticking to the same workout, so it’s time to get acquainted with all those buttons that’ll let you change up your training easily.

To help you get the most out of treadmill training we spoke to David Howatson, master trainer at equipment company Technogym, manufacturer of one of the best home treadmills.

What are the first settings people need to adjust when they first step on a treadmill?

The most basic settings to consider are speed and gradient. First-timers should begin at a moderate speed that replicates a similar speed to which you run or walk outside.

My little tip is to make sure you walk, jog or run with a gradient of at least 1.5% on your treadmill. Working without a gradient means that the machine does most of the work for you. Because the belt is moving your muscles don’t need to do too much work at a 0% gradient – you are literally just putting your foot down and lifting it back up again without having to drive forward as you would outside. Having a 1.5% gradient gets the muscles to produce some force, making the whole activity more effective and authentic.

What is the red clip that’s found on treadmills?

This is the emergency stop function. There’s a small clip on a string that’s designed to halt the belt if the user gets too close to the back edge of the treadmill. If the string is pulled to its full length, the belt will come to an immediate stop.

The clip should always attach to the waistline of your shorts or trousers – because T-shirts can be baggy and vary in length, it’s best to avoid clipping to them.

What are the common pre-set workouts to try?

Programming will vary, but distance-based treadmill workouts tend to be the most commonly used because people look to hit a target, whether it be a 5K or a marathon. Hill-based and interval-style sessions are always popular too.

Running at a set speed or pace is an extremely valuable strategy, especially for those looking to hit a particular time on their given distance. However, sprint intervals are great for those looking to work at high intensity or improve their pure speed. One of the benefits of this type of training run is developing fast-twitch muscle fibres, which improves your ability to perform power movements.

Hill training will build strength in particular areas of the body as well as improving your muscular endurance. Every muscle in your posterior chain – calves, hamstrings, glutes, lower back and shoulders – is switched on and working during hill running.

When should you use the heart rate monitor hand panels on a treadmill?

The heart rate monitor panels are useful for recording levels at the start and end of the workout. It’s best to track heart rate using a chest, wrist or forearm device while moving. Holding the hand panel takes the arms out of walking or running which prevents people from moving naturally. It's a bit like running with a shopping trolley or a baby buggy.

The best advice I can give is to monitor heart rate in every treadmill session. Getting into the correct heart rate zone ensures the body is working in the appropriate way to match your goal. For example, if you want to build endurance your heart rate should be at 70-80% of your maximum. That specific zone develops your capacity to transport oxygen to, and carbon dioxide away from, your muscular tissue.

What are some good ways to stop treadmill sessions getting boring?

Tracking your sessions and setting a goal really helps combat the boredom. For example, the Technogym MyRun app connects a tablet to the treadmill, so you can see all your live workout data and browse the web at the same time. For the beginner, this distraction will help – even if it leads to just a few more minutes of exertion, that's still a few steps closer to the target.

Having a goal is the best killer of boredom. People who use the quick start option on treadmills don’t tend to last very long! Even the most basic goal, such as time or distance, will focus the mind – and having a training plan [like this treadmill workout plan] that includes some variation is always a winner.

How does running on a treadmill differ to running outside?

The physical demands of running on treadmills are often lower than running outside. This is due to being able to run uninterrupted at a pre-set pace without variation in the surface or speed. Treadmills also cut out any changes in direction, which lowers the risk of injury and takes less energy to perform. However, these benefits can also be downsides, as you may want those variations in surface, speed and direction to keep your body stimulated.

Are there any treadmill etiquette pointers people should make sure they follow?

Absolutely. First of all, listen. We've all had that person running next to us who sounds like a herd of elephants. That is sometimes down to bad technique, but often highlights a runner who is on a 0% gradient. So be aware of how much noise you’re making when your feet make contact with the belt. Whatever your size or weight, technique can be improved to make each step that little bit softer and more efficient.

Second, be clean. Nobody wants to step on a treadmill covered in sweat. Always give the kit a good wipe down afterwards.

The self-powered treadmill is one the best pieces of gym equipment that you’re currently not using (probably). The main advantage of a non-motorised deck is that you can up the pace instantly, rather than holding down a button and waiting for the speed to slowly increase.

This makes self-powered treadmills great for short, sharp HIIT sessions in particular, and some non-motorised treadmills also have the option to increase the resistance on the belt, so you can do exercises like sled pushes to strengthen your legs.

If your gym has a Technogym SkillMill, you can put your legs through their paces in just 15 minutes by trying this workout created by Technogym master trainer Rory Knight.

15-Minute SkillMill Treadmill Workout

“If you’re a beginner who has never used a Technogym SkillMill before, ensure you hold the side rails – only free your arms up when you have a feel for the machine and feel comfortable to let go,” says Knight. “The first few minutes are all about building confidence.”

Even with a quick 15-minute blast on the SkillMill, it’s important to warm up. Going straight into sprints is a recipe for injury disaster.

“I love to start with a few simple but highly effective agility drills in all my SkillMill workouts,” says Knight, “particularly to prime the hamstrings and calves.”

Warm-Up

Start with 30sec of brisk walking before easing into a light jog for 1min 30sec, performing the two drills below during that time.

“While jogging, rapidly kick your heels back behind you towards your butt repeatedly for 15 seconds,” says Knight. “This is a classic drill to ensure that your hamstrings are super warm and fired up before progressing onto speed work.”

The second drill to include in your warm up is skipping.

“With your skips you want to drive off the front of each foot in order to prepare for more explosive action later in the workout,” says Knight. “If you struggle with either of these drills, focus on pinpointing your weaknesses and work on them until they become your strengths.”

“Gradually pick up your pace two minutes into the warm-up for another two minutes, focusing on correct running mechanics with a chest up, shoulders down posture. Try to remain nice and light on your feet, minimising ground contact time by imagining that the SkillMill deck is red-hot underfoot.”

“Remember your warm-up is where you set the tone for the rest of your workout, with form and posture a crucial component of your running.”

Section 1 – Conditioning and stamina

For this section you will do two rounds of three exercises. Don’t rest between exercises, and be careful not to overdo it on round one.

“Be aware of the cumulative effect of this block – be cautious with your speed and effort on the first round and begin to ramp up the intensity on round two,” says Knight.

Squat

Time 30sec

“Stand on the sides of the SkillMill and perform squats for 30sec,” says Knight. “Control your descent, taking 2-3sec on the way down and sitting back into your heels. Just before you drive up, your head should be facing forwards, with your arms in front of you for balance. Take 1-2sec to drive up tall and strong, squeezing your glutes at the very top.”

Run

Time 30sec

“You should be pushing at around 75-80% of your maximum effort,” says Knight.

Sled push

Time 30sec

Lean your body into the SkillMill and grab the handles beneath the console.

“Crank the resistance up to between levels 8 and 10,” says Knight. “Get low, lift your knees, keep your heels lifted and fully extend your leg back, really focusing on using the powerhouse of your body – your glutes.”

After completing two rounds of the above without rest, do a 30sec light walk for active recovery, then continue to the next section.

Section 2 – Acceleration intervals

This section of the workout involves two 90sec progression runs. Do these back-to-back, only resting after you’ve completed both.

“Keeping the SkillMill resistance set to 0, build your speed from 30sec at an easy level (up to 50% effort), to 30sec at a slightly uncomfortable pace (65-75% effort level), and then 30sec of high-intensity, hard effort (80-90%),” says Knight.

“Ensure there is a distinct contrast between each phase and create the need to take the active recovery, which is the easy phase.”

After your two progression runs, walk slowly for 30sec as active recovery.

Section 3 – Speed

For a big finish, really open up your legs and hit your top speed.

“Sprint for 15sec at maximum effort, then run slowly for a 15sec recovery, then finish with another 15sec sprint where you completely empty the tank,” says Knight.

Warm-Down

“Remember to bring your heart rate down with some slow walking or jogging afterwards, and warm down with a combination of dynamic and static stretches, and ideally some foam rolling,” says Knight.

The first time you step on a self-powered treadmill like the Woodway Curve or the Skillmill, your inclination will be to leap off to safety immediately. It’s disconcertingly different to a regular motorised machine and, even though it only rolls in response to your movements, it takes a few moments to realise it’s not trying to throw you off.

It’s worth sticking with it and getting your bearings, though, because self-powered treadmills are popping up in chains like Virgin Active and boutique gyms with increasing frequency, and are an excellent way to get a fat-scorching workout in double-quick fashion.

The running belt is almost frictionless, so it moves according to how fast you’re running. To speed up, you just run faster, with your feet landing further forwards on the upward curve of the belt.

It makes the machine far more responsive than a regular treadmill, so you can go all out on your sprints, rather than trying to guess what your top speed will be and setting it on a motorised treadmill, which then takes a few seconds to get up to that speed.

As a result, self-powered treadmills are very useful for HIIT circuit workouts. You can jump on, sprint for 30 seconds at full speed, jump off and move on to the next station.

Woodway claims running on its Curve treadmill burns up to 30% more calories than it would on a regular treadmill, and having tried out a sprints session on the Curve I can confirm it at least feels 30% harder than on a standard treadmill.

I ran for 20 minutes on a Curve, alternating between jogging for one minute and sprinting for 30 seconds. It’s a workout I’ve done many times on a normal treadmill, but it was completely different on the Woodway.

According to my wrist tracker my heart rate was, on average, about 10bpm higher than a similar workout on a normal treadmill, and I really felt the difference after every sprint. You can coast a bit on a regular treadmill, even if just for safety reasons – it’s a bit daft to set a sprint speed you’re unsure you can sustain, even for 30 seconds – but there’s no hiding place on the Curve. I was pretty much a broken man at the end of each 30-second interval.

The Curve calculated that I’d burned over 500 calories after 20 minutes, which is almost certainly a wild overestimation as I didn’t set my personal metrics on the machine. The 294 recorded by my tracker is probably more accurate and pretty good going for a 20-minute session – it works out to about 30 more calories than I would burn on a normal treadmill, which is around 10% more rather than 30%. But whereas I’d normally jog in between sprints on a regular treadmill, I was forced to walk on the Curve because I was so knackered after the intervals.

It’s also worth noting that calories burned varies significantly from person to person, so all we can say for sure is that the Woodway Curve is going to torch a hell of a lot of them in not much time at all.

The downside to the Curve is that after just 20 minutes on it, I'm not sure when I’ll be able to face going on it again.

When the weather outside turns frightful, indoor training becomes a very appealing option for runners and cyclists – but the trade-off between escaping the worst of the elements and dealing with the boredom of long, solo sessions on treadmills and turbo trainers is still a tricky one.

Cyclists, on the other hand, have been able to reduce the boredom of indoor training for some time now thanks to Zwift, an interactive game that plays host to thousands of riders every day.

Zwift links with a sensor that lets players control an onscreen avatar with their pedalling – the faster they go in real life, the faster their avatar moves on screen – but the real fun is in joining the many group rides and races available each day.

This kind of gamification is the perfect antidote to the boredom of whirring the pedals alone. It’s a new way to make your exercise social, as Zwift CEO Eric Min explains: “It’s not gadgets and apps that motivate people to be fit or be active, it’s other people. What we’ve done is just bring other people into a virtual space.”

And now runners will be able to get the benefits of Zwift when they’re forced off the streets and onto treadmills. You can already use Zwift for running via an Easter egg released in an app update in November (and hundreds already do), but a more formal release is expected in early spring.

The set-up for cyclists on Zwift can be fairly complicated. You need a bike, a compatible indoor trainer and a Bluetooth power/cadence sensor. Plus the Zwift subscription, which is $10 (about £8) a month, and a screen to watch your avatar on (or an iOS device with the app, which isn’t currently available on Android).

It all adds up to something that’s designed for pretty serious riders, but it should be more accessible for runners.

“It’s actually easier to run on Zwift than it is to cycle,” says Min, who had just completed a Zwift run before speaking to Coach.

“I used an iPhone, Apple Watch and footpod. I think we can get it down to your iPhone and Apple Watch, or iPhone and sensor. That would work on any treadmill. Eventually we’ll migrate to treadmills that will connect directly to Zwift.”

A Bluetooth footpod like the Polar Stride Sensor will still set you back £60 and you’ll obviously also need access to a treadmill and the Zwift subscription. But if it opens up a new world of virtual running to make treadmill session more palatable, that’s something many runners will be happy to accept. Running with companions, even virtual ones, makes the distance fly by.

“I guarantee that every 15 minutes there will be a 5K or 10K run with a couple of hundred people lining up to run together virtually,” says Min. “It’s happening already with cycling.”

“[Imagine] runners from all over the world going out for their 5K. I think there was a virtual Parkrun this past weekend on Zwift – maybe the weather was foul or something! There was maybe 30 or 40 runners that did it together.”

The other advantage for more serious runners could be accessing coaching, something that’s already happening with cyclists on Zwift.

“There’s nothing stopping a coach talking live to the runners as they're doing their session – a group run with an instructor who may or may not be running,” Min says. “It opens up a whole new way of training with others from the comfort of your home or the gym.”

For more info on Zwift and a free seven-day trial subscription, visit zwift.com