If you are looking for a low-impact yet challenging workout on your treadmill, then this article is for you.
We will review 3 of the best treadmills with low-impact running capabilities. So if you are looking to get in shape without risking injury or giving up too much floor space, keep reading!
3 Best Low Impact Treadmills You Should Know
1. Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Treadmills
Product Rating 4.5
Get the best of both worlds with an experienced, innovative company that backs its products to suit your needs. Whether you're looking for a low-maintenance treadmill to keep at the office or an elliptical to go along with your home's décor, this line of treadmills is designed for convenient and comfortable workouts.
Sunny Health & Fitness has plenty of options, so no matter what your budget is, you'll find exactly what you need! This high-quality equipment is designed specifically to meet different needs while ensuring safe walking/running sessions without too much impact on joints and limbs.
With variable inclines and shock absorption features, your running will always feel smooth, even during higher intensity levels. What are you waiting for? Go out there and get active today!
2. NordicTrack Commercial Series + 30-Day iFit Membership
Product Rating 4.3
Bring home a NordicTrack Commercial Series + 30-Day iFit Membership and prepare to finally meet your fitness goals! Let this Interactive 10" touchscreen feel like an unlimited circuit of ever-changing environments as it feeds you the latest on-demand workouts from Universal Sports.
Along with seamless stats tracking, motivating prizes, and expert guidance from your personal trainer, you'll never want to stop moving. Innovative SpaceSaver design means storage is a breeze, whereas runners flex cushioning makes for a comfortable stride.
With 3 to 15% increments of OneTouch incline control, 12 MPH SMART OneTouch speed control, and Your iFIT Trainer auto-adjusting intensity up to match real-world terrain—you really can't go wrong with this amazing offer!
3. SereneLife Smart Electric Folding Treadmill
The SereneLife Smart Folding Treadmill is a perfect choice for those looking to get fit and healthy, but don’t have the space.
The sleek, compact design of our treadmill fits into any home regardless of or lack of space. Featuring LCD display w/ touch button controls for easy use, displays run time, distance, speed, calories burned, heart rate w/ running data statistics readout, and handgrip sensors for BPM pulse monitoring you'll be able to keep on track with your fitness goals no matter what the weather outside may bring!
Low Impact Treadmills vs. High Impact Treadmills
There is a difference between low-impact and high-impact treadmills.
Low Impact Treadmills
Low impact treadmills are a great option if you have a physical condition or aren't an advanced athlete.
Low impact treadmills are easier on your joints and won't strain them as much as high-impact workouts can, making these types of machines perfect for those who don’t want to put too much strain on their knees or hips while getting fit.
High Impact Treadmill
If you're looking for more out of your workout routine, a high-impact treadmill could be the best choice.
This type is going to give you a full-body workout that will help you burn fat faster, tone muscles better, and increase cardiovascular endurance at higher intensities than low-intensity running would allow.
Buyers Guide: Checking What Factors To Consider When Buying Low Impact Treadmills
Space
You need to consider the space you have in your house. Take measurements of where you plan to put the treadmill and make sure there's enough room for a machine, along with walking/running paths around them if necessary.
Remember, treadmills can be bulky! If you're buying a folding model, this isn't a big deal though as these types are smaller than regular models when folded down.
Weight Limit
We recommend going with an electric low impact treadmill rather than a manual because they offer more incline levels, better features, and smoother operation overall, so we focus on those styles.
You also want to check what weight capacity each one has for support purposes, while most low-impact machines should be okay with up to 250 lbs, we do recommend going a bit higher if possible.
Incline
Higher inclines on low-impact machines are what make them better than regular treadmills in the first place so it's important that they offer this feature!
You'll want at least several different levels of incline and ideally two-directional for maximum workout effectiveness - models without these features will be less effective and won't deliver as much value overall. Speeds should also go above 12 MPH because anything lower isn't really considered "high intensity" by most people's standards (since high-speed running requires significant physical exertion).
It doesn't matter whether there are manual or electric controls - either one is fine for this purpose.
Workout Programs
Manual models only tend to offer basic workout programs that range from beginner training, fat burning and interval running so if you want something more advanced than these then consider an electronic machine instead because they'll usually have several different ones to choose from (weight loss, cardiovascular exercise & custom workouts).
They typically include pre-set options, but it's still nice having the ability to do your own thing on occasion, which is why we recommend both types of low-impact treadmill equally here.
Reasonable Price Tag
Low impact treadmills can cost quite a bit less than regular machines ($500 vs $1000+) since they aren't nearly as complex - look for a model that offers solid value regardless of the price it's being sold at because you'll get more long term use out of this type than others.
You don't have to spend top dollar on one either but just be cautious about getting something too cheap instead since these are typically cheaply made and won't last very long before having issues.
Sturdy Frame
A sturdy frame is always important with any treadmill regardless of what type or brand it happens to be so make sure low impact models are strong enough to handle your body weight when walking/running on them if they're not already self-powered (since most aren't).
The best way to check overall strength in our opinion taking a look at how much it weighs - the heavier it is the more stable and durable it will be.
Warranty Coverage
All low-impact machines should come with a decent warranty at least covering parts for several years but some higher-end models offer lifetime coverage which allows you to keep them if anything ever goes wrong instead of being forced into buying a new one since they're expensive at this price range!
Look for warranties on both mechanical & electrical components as well because these are most prone to problems when using treadmills on a regular basis.
Low Impact Treadmills FAQ's
What is a low-impact treadmill?
A low impact treadmill is an electric or manual machine that's typically used for walking and light jogging by people who want to burn calories & fat while staying active but don't necessarily enjoy running. Low impact machines are designed specifically to reduce the stress placed on joints, allowing more people of all ages and conditions to use them since they're gentler on your body overall. They tend to be smaller than regular models as well (foldable) so if you have limited space this might be something worth considering when shopping around before making a purchase decision.
Why should I choose one over a regular model?
Regular treadmills can put intense pressure on your knees, back and other parts of your body after long periods of running because it requires significant physical activity to keep up with the speed - this isn't healthy for most people and can even increase your chances of getting injured if you're not careful. Low impact machines are much easier on your body since they only go fast enough for walking or very light jogging (up to 12 MPH) so that's why many consider them better than regular models overall when looking at total workout effectiveness, safety & durability.
Who can use low-impact treadmills?
Low impact treadmills should be appropriate for just about anyone who wants an easy way to stay active while burning calories & fat without experiencing joint pain, afterward because their joints aren't under as much stress due to how slow they move compared to regular models. They're typically used by older people, beginners, and anyone with existing conditions that make physical activity difficult since they provide a gentler workout overall. If you have any health problems be sure to check with your doctor before using one of these machines regularly though because it's not meant for everyone regardless of what type or brand you happen to stumble upon while shopping around online.