The Best Treadmills for Seniors in 2024
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July 16, 2024
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Having a home treadmill has numerous health benefits, like building muscle, increasing heart health, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. With adjustable incline levels, speeds, and preset programs, treadmills are accessible to both someone who is just starting out on their fitness journey to a seasoned distance runner. But whether it’s your first time buying a treadmill or you’re looking for an upgrade, I’ve got you covered. After testing a wide range of treadmills on the market, I’ve selected the following for their affordability, performance, longevity, and technology.
Pro Tip: Daily exercise can aid in weight management.
The Best Treadmills for Older Adults
- Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill : Best for Heavier Seniors
- XTERRA Fitness Premium Folding Treadmill TR150 : Best Treadmill for Fitness
- Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill : Best Under-Desk Treadmill
Senior Treadmills Compared
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Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill
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XTERRA Fitness Premium Folding Treadmill TR150
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Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill
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| Rating out of 5 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Price | $599.99 |
$389.49 |
$285.99 |
| Warranty |
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| Standout Features |
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1. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill - Best for Heavier Seniors
What We Like Most:
- Three-year structural-frame warranty
- Treadmill cushioning is easy on the joints and knees
- Lightweight, foldable design for easy storage
- Phone connectivity and music streaming
Overview
Price: $599.99
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill is a great foldable treadmill for older adults who enjoy low-impact workouts. This particular design has a large LCD monitor that tracks important health metrics such as time, speed, distance, calories, incline, and heart rate.
Plus, out of the three treadmills on this list, it has the highest weight capacity of 265 pounds, so it’s an option for heavier seniors.
It’s priced on Amazon at $599, the most expensive option on this list. However, it includes a three-year warranty on the structural frame and a 180-day warranty on other parts and components.
Pros
- Three-year structural-frame warranty
- Treadmill cushioning is easy on the joints and knees
- Lightweight, foldable design for easy storage
- Phone connectivity and music streaming
Cons
- Top speed of 8 mph
- Higher priced than the Goplus 2-in-1 and the XTERRA TR150
Pro Tip: You can connect most smartphones via Bluetooth on a treadmill. Read my latest review on Consumer Cellular phones and plans for Seniors.
2. XTERRA Fitness Premium Folding Treadmill TR150 - Best Treadmill for Fitness
What We Like Most:
- Lifetime warranty on frame, one-year warranty on motor
- Accessible remote handlebar controls
- Foldable treadmill with transport wheels
- Detailed health metrics
Overview
Price: $389.49
The XTERRA Fitness Premium Folding Treadmill is suitable for all fitness levels, with speeds up to 10 mph — the highest on this list. If you’re an older adult who enjoys low-impact workouts, this treadmill comes with 12 preset programs. With a 5-inch LCD screen to monitor your health metrics or connect to Bluetooth to stream music, this lightweight, foldable treadmill is a great option for a variety of workouts.
I was pleased to note that this treadmill has three different incline levels, giving me the ability to change up my workout while tracking my heart rate. Other features include handlebar features that let me control speed and incline.
One slight drawback of the TR150 is that, as mentioned above, it only has 12 preset workouts, while the Sunny Health treadmill has over 1,000. This is a fine option if you like to make your own workouts, but if you want more guidance, check out the SF-T7515 below.
I bought the XTERRA for $389.49 from Amazon, and it came with a lifetime warranty on the frame, one year on the motor, and 90 days on power and supply.
Pros
- Lifetime frame and one-year motor warranties
- Accessible remote handlebar controls
- Foldable treadmill with transport wheels
- Detailed health metrics
Cons
- Requires regular track lubrication
- Only 12 preset workouts
FYI: Finding a good mode of transportation can be challenging. Fortunately, there are several affordable mobility scooters to choose from.
3. Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill - Best Under-Desk Treadmill
What We Like Most:
- Running and under-desk jogging two-in-one treadmill
- Quiet, 2.25-hp motor
- Lightweight, foldable design for easy storage
- Remote control for emergencies
Overview
Price: $285.99
The Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill is a compact treadmill for older adults who spend a lot of time at home or at their desks. It’s also a great work-from-home treadmill because it gives users the chance to stay active while doing monotonous or sedentary tasks. I was also impressed by the LED display, which showed some of the main health metrics I cared about, such as distance, speed, and calories. However, I was not able to adjust the incline on this treadmill — a definite drawback compared to the other two treadmills on this list.
Some of the other standout features of this treadmill are its high-quality, non-slip, shock-absorbing running belt, which has five thick layers for extra cushioning; that makes it easy on your back and knees. I especially liked being able to use my smartphone while jogging on the Goplus 2-in-1 through its Bluetooth connectivity.
But one drawback is its low speed capacity. I could only run on it up to 7.5 mph, while competitors like the XTERRA go up to 10 mph. If you’re a faster runner, this may not be the treadmill for you.
I bought this treadmill for only $285.99 on Amazon, by far the lowest price on this list. However, it only came with a three-month warranty, while the XTERRA has a lifetime warranty on its frame.
Pros
- Running and under-desk jogging two-in-one treadmill
- Quiet, 2.25-hp motor
- Lightweight, foldable design for easy storage
- Remote control for emergencies
Cons
- Three-month warranty
- No incline
Honorable Mentions
I ran on a bunch of other treadmills that didn’t quite make the cut. Here’s why.
- Sole F63 Treadmill: While I was impressed by the F63’s 4-hp motor and 12-mph speed capacity, it costs a pretty penny: $2,849.99, to be exact. This makes it more than slightly out of most people’s budgets.
- NordicTrack T Series: All NordicTrack treadmills like the T Series 5 come with 30-day trials of iFIT, which has live and on-demand classes. However, the number of workouts available is very limited without this subscription; if I wanted full access, it would have been pricey: $39 a month for two years — a total of $1,872. Many people won’t want to pay monthly fees for access to workouts.
- Home Folding Treadmill: The Home Folding Treadmill has an amazing five-year warranty, by far the longest on this list. However, the only thing on the screen was speed, distance, calories, and duration, so I couldn’t watch TV or play music without using a separate device.
- ProForm Carbon TL: Similarly, I would have needed a separate tablet to play iFIT workouts from the ProForm Carbon TL, plus a separate (and pricey) subscription when the 30-day trial period ends.
How We Chose the Best Treadmills for Seniors
- Low impact: We focused on smart treadmills that offered different low-impact or cardio workout modes for older adults.
- Price: We looked into affordable treadmills priced between $309 to $1,599.99. We focused on treadmills that offered multiple incline levels, workout modes, and state-of-the-art heart rate and pulse sensors.
- Warranties: Not all brands offer warranties, but we tried to find treadmills that offered lifetime warranties for the frame and parts. We also looked into some brands that offered in-home labor coverage or a 30-day return policy.
- Extra features: Some smart treadmills offer additional features. These include Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone holders, water-resistant decks, multiple incline settings, and workout modes, as well as pulse sensors and remote controls.
Bottom Line
Finding a treadmill that helps you reach your health goals can be a life-changing investment. If you’re looking for ways to incorporate running or jogging into your daily routine, I’d recommend looking into a treadmill. You can use it in the convenience of your home without worrying about weather conditions or feeling self-conscious at a gym. With a portable treadmill, you can have control over your exercise and the speeds and smart features that work best for you.
To learn more tips about exercise and other mobility devices, read my other guides:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which treadmill is best for older adults?
The best treadmill for older adults is the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7857 treadmill. It has a weight capacity of 240 pounds and is great for older adults who are interested in low-impact workouts.
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Should seniors use treadmills?
Yes. Treadmills are a great exercise tool for older adults who want to get daily exercise from the comfort of their own homes.
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How long should a 70-year-old walk on a treadmill?
It’s recommended that seniors exercise for at least 30 minutes daily, but you should consult with your doctor to figure out what works best for your health needs.
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Is a treadmill good for a 60-year-old?
Yes. A treadmill is perfectly safe and good to use once you’ve read up on incline modes and other smart features. For extra safety, be sure to latch on a security key when walking on the treadmill.
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How long should a senior walk on a treadmill?
30 minutes of daily walking is recommended for seniors and adults.
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Is walking on a treadmill as good as walking outside?
Walking on a treadmill might not be the same as walking outside and enjoying nature. However, it is a great option for seniors who have mobility issues or would prefer to stay indoors in one location. A treadmill can also be a great option when environmental conditions may prevent one from going outdoors.