What is the best home treadmill in South Africa?

Treadmills are one of the most popular fitness equipment pieces, if not THE most popular. With so many home treadmill options available, you might find yourself thinking, which home treadmill is the best in 2023?

Before you shop a home treadmill online, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

What are your main running goals?

Are you interested in running or walking. If your goal is to run your fastest 5km this year, then you will need a treadmill with a strong motor to support your running habits. If you are aiming to walk more, look for a treadmill with a large running deck area that will provide you with enough space to comfortably walk on your home treadmill.

What are the main features that you would like to have on a home treadmill?

Enjoy virtual active routes or need additional HIIT programming to keep yourself motivated? then a feature like At Zone should be a key consideration for you. AtZone is a premium app that pairs with the  following Horizon Fitness treadmills: T202 home treadmill , Omega Z treadmill, 7.0AT running machine and the Paragon X.  View our range of treadmills here.

If you enjoy hill sprints or if you are training for a particularly hilly race, make sure that the home treadmill offers incline at a level that you feel comfortable with.

Speakers are a great value add if you enjoy listening to music whilst training and a fan can keep you cool during your run. A device holder is beneficial to place your phone or tablet on whilst running too.

One of the most important features to consider is the cushioning. Make sure to select a treadmill that offers the right amount of support and comfort during the various stages of your run. You need softer support when your foot lands to absorb the impact, followed by a neutral piece where your foot slides back and then the hardest part of the running area should be where your foot pushes off again at the back of the treadmill deck.

How many people will use the home treadmill?

If you are one person and aim to run 2-3 times a week, a treadmill with a 2.5 Continuous HP motor should be sufficient. If you are purchasing a home treadmill for yourself and your partner, we recommend a 2.75 – 3 Continuous HP motor. Be careful not to look at Peak Horse Power, as this is not an accurate representation of the motor when being used for a prolonged period of time. Ask the supplier what the Continuous Horse power is for the best indication.

Questions to ask the home treadmill supplier in South Africa that you are considering to purchase from?

• Who is responsible for delivery and assembly of the treadmill and does this come at an additional cost.  We always recommend that a reputable technician assemble your home running machine, as this provides peace of mind in knowing that the set up was done correctly.
• What is the after-sale support that you will receive? Purchasing a quality treadmill is an investment and should not only be about the purchase, but the longevity of the machine. Does the supplier have technicians available throughout the country/South Africa to assist with a service once a year, does the supplier carry spare parts in case of breakage or fault. There is nothing more frustrating than having to wait for parts to be shipped in, or worse not having spare part available at all and having to replace your home treadmill.

We hope that this treadmill buying guide was helpful, if you are still unsure or would like to discuss your needs with a consultant, then contact us on 0860 888 888