Best Commercial Treadmills

TreadmillReviews Editor Brian Boyce tests out the NordicTrack Commercial 1750. Photo Credit: Treadmillreviews.net

Commercial treadmills are designed to withstand frequent and intense use, such as the heavy traffic of a health club or hotel gym. Compared to residential treadmills, commercial treadmills are generally built with higher quality materials and tend to require maintenance less frequently, so they can be a great option for home treadmill shoppers with a higher budget too.

Ready to compare the best commercial treadmills currently on the market? Check out our top picks below.

Top by Category

Prefer to do a bit more research before you shop? Scroll down to learn exactly what to look for when shopping for a new commercial treadmill.

1. Best Overall – NordicTrack Commercial 1750

Where to buy NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Check price at NordicTrack Check price at Amazon Check price at Dick’s Sporting Goods Where to buy NordicTrack Commercial 1750 $1,899 See details $1,899 See details  $1,899 See details

If streaming a variety of workout classes on a well-built treadmill is important to you, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is the perfect pick. This treadmill offers a great balance of value, durability and top-quality features, making it versatile for both commercial and home use. If you live in a household with people of different fitness levels and varied workout preferences, it’s important to invest in a treadmill that can check all of the boxes. The NordicTrack 1750 is one of the most well-rounded treadmills out there; you won’t find another treadmill with these specs and features at the same price.

Its key features include a quiet 3.5 CHP motor with a 15% incline and 3% decline; a 14″ HD touchscreen which tilts and pivots for interactive training and tracking your stats; and Bluetooth audio so you can listen to your favorite workout playlists. This unit also comes with a free 30-day iFit membership to give you that customized workout experience. Although it’s the most budget-friendly model of NordicTrack’s Commercial Series treadmills, it doesn’t compromise on quality or features for the great value price.

Use it for walking, jogging or long-distance running and mix up your workout routine with the help of iFit. The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 offers the perfect combination of entertainment, workout performance and affordability, making it our best overall pick. If you’re looking for a high-quality commercial treadmill for everyone at home to enjoy, this is an excellent choice. This feature-packed machine will keep you motivated for years to come.

For a deeper dive into the pros and cons of this treadmill, see our in-depth review of the NordicTrack Commercial 1750.

Key Specs

2. Best Runner-Up – Sole TT8

Where to buy Sole TT8 Check price at Sole Check price at Amazon Check price at Dick’s Sporting Goods Where to buy Sole TT8  $2,399 See details $2,399 See details $2,499 See details

If you’re an advanced runner looking for a treadmill that can handle intense cardio training, the Sole TT8 might be your best bet. Its impressive 22″ by 60″ track will allow you to run freely knowing you’ll never veer off the track. Key features include a powerful 4.0 HP motor; a decline/incline range of -6% to 15% to simulate downhill and uphill running; deck cushioning and convenient adjustments on the hand rails to easily control your decline and incline levels. The high-quality 2-ply belt and 3″ rollers will contribute to years of trouble-free performance.

For monitoring your progress, the Sole TT8 works with the Sole Fitness app to conveniently track your stats during your workout. Sync your data with your favorite fitness apps including FitBit or Apple Health to manage your workout history in one convenient location. In addition, wireless heart-rate monitoring allows you to keep tabs on your essential stats, which is particularly handy when training for a marathon. Other useful extras include 9 preset workout programs, an integrated smart device holder for your mobile phone or tablet, Bluetooth speakers and a USB charging port.

See our detailed review of the Sole TT8.

Key Specs

3. Best Premium Treadmill – Life Fitness Club Series+

Where to buy Life Fitness Club Series+ Check price at Life Fitness Where to buy Life Fitness Club Series+  $7,425 See details

If you’re in the market for a luxury commercial treadmill for your home gym, the Life Fitness Club Series+ Treadmill is a great pick. With a sleek SL console, it’s designed to look great in any home or commercial setting. This premium treadmill includes a 60″ track with incline, 4.0 HP motor and 22 pre-loaded workout programs to choose from. Extras include Bluetooth connectivity, a 20.5″ touchscreen LED display, Polar and ANT+ Heart Rate compatibility.

As with most commercial units, the Club Series+ treadmill is expensive, but this is largely because it’s made from premium, high-quality components. Your purchase will be well-protected with a standard warranty including 10 years on parts, 1-year labor, 6 months on cosmetic items and a lifetime frame and motor warranty. The Club Series+ console provides an excellent variety of workout support and entertainment, and the generous warranty gives you peace of mind to justify the high price point. This machine is a top choice for those willing to spend a little more on a premium home treadmill.

See our detailed review of the Life Fitness Club Series+.

Key Specs

4. Best for Streaming – NordicTrack X22i

Where to buy NordicTrack X22i Check price at NordicTrack Check price at Amazon Check price at Dick’s Sporting Goods Where to buy NordicTrack X22i  $3,499 See details $4,127 See details $2,999 See details

If you’re looking for a treadmill that supports incline training while diversifying your workout routine by streaming different programs, take a look at the NordicTrack X22i. It can incline up to an impressive 40% and decline as low as 6%, allowing you to test yourself and amp up your training beyond what many commercial treadmills can offer. While watching iFit routines on your 22″ HD Smart Touchscreen (which will include a free 30-day iFit membership), the incline and decline will automatically adjust to your Google Maps trail, or whichever iFit workout you’ve selected. So if hill sprints or treadmill hikes are your go-to cardio workouts of choice, the X22i is a great option for you. There aren’t many treadmills out there that can give you such a customized, immersive and entertaining workout experience.

Other key features include a powerful yet fairly quiet 3.6 CHP motor, a Bluetooth chest strap for wireless heart-rate monitoring and adjustable dumbbells. The NordicTrack X22i will give you a full-body workout, so it’s perfect for home use as you’re essentially getting a full cardio workout in one machine. Some downsides include the limited weight capacity at only 300 lbs, so this won’t be the best fit for heavier users, and the free iFit membership only lasts for 30 days. The warranty package includes 10 years coverage on the frame, 2 years for parts and just one for labor, which again isn’t the most generous compared to other commercial treadmills. But if you’re looking for an immersive treadmill with impressive incline and decline capabilities, the X22i shouldn’t disappoint.

See our detailed review of the NordicTrack X22i.

Key Specs

Want to compare these models to see which one is best for you? Try our comparison tool. To use it, just check off any treadmill you want to look at in more detail, and then click ‘compare’. Learn more about what to look for when shopping for a commercial treadmill below.

What to Look for When Shopping for a New Commercial Treadmill

Commercial treadmills are the highest quality treadmills available and are built to withstand many hours of daily use in a paid gym, hotel fitness room or physical therapy clinic. So, what counts as “commercial”? For most manufacturers, a “commercial treadmill” warranty is valid when the machine is used up to six hours per day, whereas “light commercial” treadmills are covered for up to three hours of use per day.

Commercial cardio trainers are markedly low-maintenance, which along with their long-term value and top-notch performance leads some home treadmill shoppers to choose them over residential treadmills. What’s more, commercial treadmills can meet the needs of almost any trainee so they are ideal for a multi-person household, offering high weight capacities (sometimes exceeding 400 pounds) and suitability for avid runners as well as walkers. As they are designed for diversity, commercial cardio trainers also tend to offer a good range of workout programs and plenty of extras, sometimes with a choice of consoles including streamlined and advanced workout technologies.

Key Features of Commercial Treadmills

As most commercial treadmills come with higher price tags of around $3,000 and up, it’s not a decision you should rush. It’s best to learn what key features to look out for, so you can get the right model to suit your workout needs.

For someone at the start of their fitness journey, it may seem as though there’s no real difference between a commercial treadmill and a home treadmill. This changes when you learn more about how these treadmills are built; you’ll soon see why commercial models outshine many of the home treadmills on the market. Although they may look similar, their build quality is drastically different. There are three main areas where you’ll notice a major difference between commercial and home treadmills, which we go through in more detail below.

1. Treadmill Belt

If there’s one part of a treadmill that will make or break your user experience, it’s the belt. The quality of the belt has a major impact on the longevity of the machine. If it’s not designed properly and has to be replaced constantly, it won’t be long before you are replacing your whole treadmill. What you want to look for in a commercial treadmill is a belt that’s been infused with silicone so there’s no need for constant lubrication. When a belt is well lubricated it will run smoothly through the machine, resulting in a quieter and steadier user experience. As well as dampening your exercise experience, if the belt isn’t turning properly it can also put more stress on the motor. As a benchmark, you can note that a good commercial treadmill model can easily take you through to 15,000 miles without needing a belt change while the best belts on the market can go up to 150,000 miles.

2. Treadmill Deck

After the belt, you’ll also want to consider the treadmill deck. This is responsible for absorbing your weight as you run, so it plays a huge role in ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride. The two main features of the deck that you should consider are the deck size and the shock system. You may have noticed that almost all the commercial machines on the market have a larger deck size than home use models. For optimum comfort, you should go with a deck size that is wider than standard as this will help you feel less cramped. Some commercial treadmills also offer reversible decks, so as one side starts to show signs of wear and tear, you can simply flip it around and use the other side. This extends the longevity of the treadmill considerably, so it’s a great feature to consider.

3. Treadmill Motor

Finally, never forget about the treadmill motor. You’ll notice that commercial machines have a higher continuous horsepower rating than home treadmills, which means they can support ongoing use and accommodate heavier individuals. They’re also able to withstand high intensity training, allowing you to train at full capacity without having to worry about the machine. Because most commercial treadmills are used in public gym settings, this means they must run for hours at a time without ever overheating or burning out. That’s why we see a big difference in the motor power; for commercial models, 4.0 CHP is the industry standard, while for home models, 3-3.5 CHP is far more common.

In-Depth Commercial Treadmill Reviews

As well as the three key commercial treadmill elements detailed above, shoppers should also consider inclines and declines, preset workout variety, monitor size and any other features each  machine offers before diving into a purchase. If you want to explore any machine in more detail, check out our individual product reviews.

There’s lots to consider before buying a treadmill, especially if you’re spending in this higher price bracket. By focusing on these key areas to narrow down your search and compare your chosen selection of machines, you’re well on your way to finding your perfect match.

Recent Updates

October 21, 2022: Added all new products incl. the NordicTrack Commercial 1750, Sole TT8, Life Fitness Club Series+ and NordicTrack X22i. Included original images from test run and FAQs.