Help me find my ideal home gym treadmill!
TLDR; 10-12hr running, 250lb 5'9, Need BT with full FTMS support as well as HR-based auto incline/speed programs, ideally able to do sprint 8/intervals. Doesn't need to last me until I'm 80, but would like to get 4-5yrs out of it before I need to get a new one; my last one ended up being a coat hanger for the past 14-15 years, but I run daily now.
Side note; special power requirements are OK; the breaker box is in same room as the treadmill so I can probably get some new circuit runs for it, as needed; at the very least it will have its own independent circuit/breaker.
These were the ones I was originally looking at, after a lot of research:
- Horizon 7.8AT
- Sole F85
- Bowflex T22
Originally, I was trying to replicate the workouts I do at the gym; zone 2, max incline, long run, interval miles, & sprint 8. The treadmill I tend to use at the gym is a T5xe (or at least I think it is). It can't read my HR and there are other issues it has. It has a touchscreen with quick toggles A/B for speed and incline which come in super handy for interval training. For zone 2 HR, I put a phone on the console and watch my HR; otherwise I use other older matrix machines that seem to be way smaller and I do lock-in speed and auto-incline to keep up HR target.
Main use:
- zone 2 daily runs 3-6 miles - 6 times a week, using HR chest strap to sync with treadmill
- interval runs (once a week)
- long runs (once a week - 10 miles)
- race trial (instead of a long run if doing a 10k or HM, or instead of an interval run if doing a 5k around once every 2 weeks)
- Randomized rolling hills (auto adjusts incline based on an intensity level) for fat burning - from time to time
My family's weight is around 120, 180, 200, 250, 280. I'll be the main user, at 240-250lb. Most of the family will randomly use it for some short walks, if at all.
I'm not fast, so it takes me a while to do my mileage. Daily usage would be 1-2.5 hours in the morning, and 30-60 minutes at lunch time. Speeds usually 4mph for zone 2, 7mph for intervals, 6.6mph for race trials, 5mph for long runs, 7-9mph max for Sprint 8.
After trying for a couple weeks to find the perfect treadmill, I've had a lot of back and forth's. I like the speed acceleration on the Horizon 7.8AT, specially compared to the sluggishness of the Sole F85. The Bowflex T22 doesn't seem to have full receive/transfer FTMS and seems like stopping the JRNY sub causes the treadmill to become pretty dumb and basic, so I eliminated it. I thought I wanted a touchscreen to simulate what I was using at the gym and would be cool to have some entertainment and some more interesting things to look at on the screen. But since I'm building the gym, I'll be putting a TV right in front of the treadmill, so this shouldn't be a problem. I can also use a tablet as needed. The Sole F85 seemed like a slam dunk, at around the same price as the Horizon 7.8AT, including the touchscreen, but worried about the touchscreen going bad or obsolete and then nothing working.
But after all that, I come in here and find that, for my usage, no home use treadmill might work, and that my budget is peanuts vs what I'd need to pay to get something that will last me at least a few years.
I found this questionnaire someone else posted (/uEmbraceNew) a few months ago, so I'm going to use it to sort of provide more information. If you could please provide me some suggestions, my original price range was $2500 or less, and it seemed to be nearing $2000 but lately it seems like even $3000 won't cut it. So trying to find the best bang for buck options that
- have full transfer/receive FTMS to use with apps like Zwift (even if it requires QZ) to control both speed and incline
- Ideally able to change speeds quickly enough to do sprint 8 or short intervals
- Can handle my weight running for those periods of time. I'd say around 10-12 hours weekly or 15-40 miles. (I need the treadmill to not max out the timer at 60 minutes)
Here's the questionnaire responses
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Walking, Jogging, running or sprinting. >> running
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What is your weight so that you can decide on the maximum user weight of the treadmill? >> 250lb
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How much time are you going to use it? Some treadmills cannot be used for more than half an hour, others for up to an hour, and some for 3-4 hours or even more. >> average 2hrs a day
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For the same reason, how many people will use it, even if not for commercial use? You need a different treadmill if a family of four is going to use it instead of a single person. >> 5 people but realistically only me.
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Do you need an incline or decline? >> incline yes, decline not required
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Would you like a folding treadmill? >> not required but fine if it is.
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Does the height of the treadmill matter to you? >> does not matter
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What is your height? If you are above 6' and will run on it, you need a longer running board. Similarly, you will need a more exhaustive treadmill if you are above normal weight. >> 5'9. Max height user is 6'2"
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Would you like a phone or an iPad holder? >> Some type of device holder would be appreciated
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Would you happen to need a cup holder? >> Yes, 2 preferably.
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Do you need longer rails? >> Not required
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Do you need a Bluetooth? >> Yes, 100% required for FTMS and HR reading and incline/speed control.
So do I have to increase my budget to get anything? any good bang-for-buck? or am I better off getting something that will last me for a few years and then check at that time if the treadmill field has changed any instead of spending a fortune now?
I think the treadmills I use at the gym are around 10-20 years old and still kicking. I had a Smooth Fitness 5.65 (2.75 HP motor, a 20" x 55" running surface, a 300 lbs maximum user weight capacity, and a speed range of 0.5 to 10 mph with up to 15% incline...The warranty covers the frame and motor for life, parts and electronics for 5 years, and in-home labor for 2 years - like it matters if the company is gone now), barely used, but most likely more than I used to need. I hear that company doesn't exist anymore.
Please, if you could, let me know your suggestions and why you think they'd fit my needs.
Thank you so much for your help.
Have a great day!
Posted Jul 1, 2025, 4:25 PM UTC