Best Treadmill for Heavier People- Introduction
What is the best treadmill for a heavy person?
When it comes to getting in shape, losing weight, and generally being more active, walking, jogging, and running are pretty hard to beat.
These natural activities are easy to learn, require little or no athletic prowess, and all you really need is some comfortable, supportive shoes and somewhere to work out.
You can walk, jog, and run almost anywhere and anytime, which is part of their appeal.
With fewer barriers to participation, you have fewer valid reasons (or excuses!) for skipping your workouts.
It’s generally advised that most people should accumulate 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week or five 30-minute sessions. (NASM – National Academy of Sports Medicine)
Home Treadmill Benefits
150 minutes per week sounds like a lot until you consider just how easy it is to slot walking, jogging, and running into your day.
On the downside, exercising outdoors is not always practical or safe.
Very hot, cold, or wet weather can make outdoor exercise far from appealing, and uneven footpaths, poorly lit areas, or heavy traffic could make walking, or running outside a risky proposition.
And that’s where home treadmills come in.
Having a treadmill means you can enjoy all the benefits of walking, jogging, and running without leaving the comfort of your home.
You can even watch TV as you work out!
On the downside, home treadmills often have much smaller motors than their commercial counterparts, and that means a) they don’t go as fast and b) they are not suitable for heavy people.
Because of this, some heavier exercisers may find that their treadmill doesn’t work as it should.
The good news is that fitness equipment manufacturers are aware of this problem and have developed treadmills with higher weight capacities that are also designed for home use.
In this article, we reveal the seven best treadmills for heavier exercisers.
The Best Treadmill for a Heavy Person
If you are too heavy for your treadmill, the motor will lack the power necessary to drive the belt around.
At best, this will produce a faltering workout that won’t be as smooth or enjoyable as it should be.
At worst, the belt may not move at all, which will damage the motor, and that’s usually the most expensive component to replace.
The following treadmills are all designed with heavier users in mind, making them ideal for weight loss.
#1. Sole Fitness F80 Folding Treadmill
If treadmills have a downside, it is that they’re usually quite large.
They have a big walking/running deck which, while it gives you plenty of space to stride out, means you’ll need a large area in which to use and store your treadmill.
The Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill folds upright for easy storage.
It’s still got a large, comfortable running deck, but because you can flip it up between workouts, you can still make use of the space around it.
Pros:
- 375lbs weight capacity
- Commercial quality treadmill
- Foldable design with lift assist
- Joint-friendly Cushion Flex deck
- Strong 3.5 CHP motor
- 12mph top speed
- 0-15% incline
- Large running deck
- Built-in cooling fans
- Large 7.5” easy-to-read LCD display
- Built-in tablet holder
- Water bottle holders/storage cubbies
- Built-in heart rate monitor grips
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Wireless heart rate receiver (chest strap not supplied)
Cons:
- Heavy (265lbs)
- Quite expensive
- Maybe too large for small home training areas
#2. Exerpeutic TF1000 Ultra High Capacity (400lbs)
- Electric walking treadmill with 1.5-horsepower high-torque motor
- Adjustable speed up to 4 miles per hour in 0.1 mph increments
- 20-inch-wide treadmill belt; Extra-long 18-inch safety handles
- Dimensions: 51.2" L x 32" W x 63" H; Running Area: 40" x 20"
- Supports up to 400 pounds; folding frame; 5-year motor and 1-year frame warranty
Most treadmills are designed for walking AND running, but not everyone wants or needs to run for fitness or weight loss.
Brisk walking is a very effective exercise, and it’s a lot easier on your joints than jogging and running, especially if you are on the heavy side.
This TF100 High Capacity Treadmill from Exerpeutic is designed solely for walking, making it ideal for those exercisers who prefer a more joint-friendly workout.
Pros:
- 400lbs weight capacity
- Lightweight, foldable design
- LCD monitor shows time, distance, calories, speed, and pulse
- Folding, space-saving design
- Wide treadmill belt/deck with added shock absorption
- Two manual incline positions
- Extra-long safety handrails
- Well-priced
Cons:
- Top speed of just 4mph
- Small 1.5 CHP motor
- Very basic monitor
- No pre-programmed workouts
- No Bluetooth connectivity
#3. ProForm 2000 Treadmill
- Footprint: 39.15” W x 79” D x 71.4” H | Tread Belt: 22” x 60”
- Weight Capacity: 300 lb
- 7 inches backlit over sized LCD with racetrack display, iFit compatible....
- 3.5 CHP Mach Z commercial Pro, 0 to 12 MPH Quick Speed
- -3 – 15% Digital Quick Decline & Incline Control
The ProForm 2000 treadmill is a mid-priced compact treadmill with lots of useful functions and features.
It looks a lot like a commercial treadmill, but it’s smaller and ideal for home use.
With a weight capacity of 300lbs, it’s suitable for heavier users.
If you are looking for a technologically advanced treadmill that won’t break the bank and fits into a small space, this could be the product you are looking for.
Pros:
- 300lbs weight capacity
- 12mph top speed
- -3 to +15% incline
- 3.5 CHP motor
- Large, easy-to-read 7” LCD display
- Built-in tablet holder
- 32 pre-programmed workouts
- 3” auxiliary speakers
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Wireless heart rate receiver (chest strap not supplied)
- Built-in heart rate monitor grips
- Well-priced
Cons:
- Only rated for users up to 300lbs
- Quite a short walking/running deck
#4. Sunny Health & Fitness T7643 Heavy Duty Walking Treadmill
- Burn BIG calories with the SF-T7643 Heavy Duty Folding Walking Treadmill. Big...
- Product dimensions: 60.5" L X 32" W X 52.4" H | Folded dimensions: 39.75" L X...
- High weight capacity of a 350 lbs with a big treadmill walking space (44.5L X...
- Big buttons, so you don’t squint looking for the start or stop. Big easy to...
- Big cup holders for hydration and the biggest integrated tablet holder variety...
When you run, even on a treadmill with a flexible, shock-absorbing belt, your feet hit with a force roughly equal to eight times your body weight.
That’s a lot of stress if you weigh 175lbs but could cause injuries if you are closer to 300lbs.
That’s why walking is generally recommended over running for heavy exercisers.
This budget-friendly T7643 Heavy Duty Walking Treadmill from Sunny Health & Fitness has a top speed of just 6mph which isn’t fast enough for serious running but will provide a great walking workout.
Pros:
- 350lbs weight capacity
- 2.5 CHP motor
- 0-5 to 6.0-speed range
- Easy-to-read LCD display
- Built-in tablet holder
- Foldable design with lift assist and soft drop system
- Shock-absorbing walking deck
- Dual water bottle holders
- Emergency stop clip
- Built-in transportation wheels
- Budget-friendly price tag
Cons:
- Not suitable for running
- Incline not adjustable
- No Bluetooth connectivity
- No built-in heart rate sensors
- Quite a short walking deck
#5. SOLE TT8 Light Commercial Non-Folding Treadmill
- Bring your outside workout indoors with the commercial-grade TT8. The TT8 offers...
- In addition to the incline/decline feature, the extra wide running surface and...
- The TT8 also comes standard with a 2 ply belt that adds even more to the feel of...
- It also includes a 10.1" TFT LCD display, a quiet cushioned flex deck, and a 4.0...
- The TT8 now includes an integrated tablet holder so you can use your smart...
If you are serious about walking and running and have space to spare, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy using this light-commercial treadmill from SOLE.
Light-commercial exercise machines are just one small step down from the equipment you’ll find at a gym.
They have many of the same features but usually cost half as much as a machine meant for commercial gyms.
The SOLE TT8 Treadmill is loaded with great features and functions and should provide many years of enjoyable, effective workouts.
Pros:
- 400lbs weight capacity
- 12mph top speed
- 4 CHP motor
- 15 incline settings
- 6 decline settings
- Large shock-absorbing walking/running deck
- Easy to read 10” LCD screen
- Built-in tablet and water bottle holder
- Bluetooth compatible
- USB port
- Built-in heart rate monitor grips
Cons:
- A large treadmill – may not be suitable for smaller training areas
- Quite heavy (295lbs)
- Premium price tag
#6. NordicTrack T Series Treadmill
- 30-Day Ifit Membership Included; Stream Live & On-Demand Workouts On Your...
- 10% Onetouch Incline Control; 10 Mph Smart Onetouch Speed Control; With Ifit,...
- Smart-Response Motor For Effective Speed, Interval, And Endurance Training; 20"...
- Innovative Spacesaver Design With Easylift Assist Means Your Treadmill Can Fold...
- 300-Pound User Capacity; Protected With A 10-Year Frame Assurance, 2-Year Parts...
NordicTrack has a reputation for making good quality home-use cardio equipment.
The NordicTrack T Series Treadmill is compact and easy to use but still robust and powerful enough for serious workouts.
The folding, space-saving design means it’s ideal for home use, while the shock-absorbing deck will reduce joint stress.
This well-priced machine is ideal for home exercisers who want a high-performance treadmill that won’t break the bank.
Pros:
- Maximum user weight 300lbs
- Top speed 10mph
- 2.3 CHP motor
- 0-10% incline
- Shock-absorbing deck
- Easy-to-read LCD display
- Folding, space-saving design with power assist
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Wireless heart rate monitoring (chest strap not supplied)
- Built-in heart rate monitor grips
- Built-in 2” speakers
- 20 pre-programmed workouts
- Tablet/media shelf and water bottle holder
- Budget-friendly
- 30-day iFIT online training subscription
Cons:
- Quite short/narrow running deck
- Ongoing iFIT membership costs $180 per year
#7. Nautilus T618 Treadmill
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Nautilus is a well-known fitness equipment manufacturer best known for its commercial weight training equipment.
They also make top-quality commercial and home-use cardio machines.
This treadmill is large and powerful but very well priced and has many of the features you’d expect to find on a commercial machine.
If you want to walk and run in comfort on a machine that should provide you with many years of reliable service, this Nautilus T618 Treadmill from Nautilus is a worthy contender.
Pros:
- Maximum user weight 350lbs
- Top speed 12mph
- 0-15% incline
- 26 pre-programmed workouts
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Dual easy to read LCD display
- Built-in heart rate monitor grips
- Cooling fan
- Twin water bottle holders and storage cubbies
- Tablet holder
- Long, flexible running deck
- Speed controls also on handrails
- Wireless heart rate monitoring – chest strap provided
Cons:
- A heavy machine (265lbs)
- Self-assembly is required, which can be quite challenging
Treadmills for Heavy Users FAQ
Got a question about treadmills for heavy people?
We’ve got some answers!
Q1 – Is a treadmill a good workout for an overweight person?
Yes indeed!
Walking is especially good because it’s relatively easy on your joints.
Using a treadmill, like all cardio, burns calories and fat, which will help you lose weight.
It’s also good for your heart and lungs, benefiting your cardiovascular health.
So, providing you have no musculoskeletal problems such as arthritic knees or hips, a treadmill is an excellent workout for overweight people.
Q2 – Are their weight limits on treadmills?
Treadmills are rated according to their maximum user weight capacity.
Exceeding these limits could mean your treadmill won’t work properly, or it may even break down.
You’ll also nullify any warranties/guarantees.
Check you are within the weight limit of your treadmill before using it.
Q3 – What’s the best way to lose weight with a treadmill?
The best way to lose weight with a treadmill is to use the darn thing!
Seriously, just get on it and walk for 30 minutes or so every day.
If you prefer to jog or run can do that instead or as well.
Exercise burns calories, and you need to burn calories to lose weight.
Your body doesn’t know if you are walking on a treadmill or swimming in the ocean; so long as you move your body and burn more calories than you consume, you’ll lose weight.
However, that does mean you’ll need to combine your treadmill use with a sensible diet.
However you use your treadmill, just make sure you do it consistently.
The occasional bout of exercise won’t help you lose weight but working out daily will.
Q4 – Can I just walk for weight loss?
You can, but that doesn’t mean you should.
Studies tell us that you’ll lose weight faster and keep it off more easily if you combine cardio with strength training and a sensible diet.
Even bodyweight exercises like push-ups and lunges will enhance your weight loss efforts by preserving muscle, maximizing your metabolic rate, and increasing insulin sensitivity.
Cardio plus strength training is like 1+1=3!
Q5 – How do I choose the best treadmill?
There are no hard and fast rules for choosing the best treadmill, but make sure you consider the following, listed in approximate order of importance:
- Budget
- Weight capacity
- Size
- Ease of use
- Functions and features
- Reliability/warranty
Decide what you want from your treadmill, and then look for products that meet most of your criteria.
Whatever you select should be the right treadmill for you.
Best Treadmill For Heavy Person – Wrapping Up
Buying a treadmill is a significant undertaking, so it’s important to get the right one for your wants and needs.
That goes double if you need a treadmill with a large weight capacity, as buying one that’s unsuitable could mean that you end up with nothing but an expensive clothes hanger.
However, if you want to lose weight and get fit in the comfort of your own home, a treadmill is hard to beat.
Using a treadmill regularly, even if it’s just for 30 minutes a day, will have a significant impact on your weight loss.
Use this guide to help you buy the best treadmill for a heavy person.
What’s Next
One day, I stumbled upon an exercise that I could do, which changed my body and life.
As good as walking on a treadmill might be, you still need resistance training to maintain and build muscle mass.
While you might think that you will never get your overweight under control, rest assured you can.
Your results will not happen overnight, but if you dedicate a nominal amount of time and follow a system, you will achieve your fitness goals, no matter what your age or weight is today.
However, the best treadmill for a heavy person plus strength training will rocket your body transformation results.
As I noted above – cardio exercise plus resistance training is like 1+1=3!
The Best Exercise for Overweight Beginners will reveal the one exercise that made more of a difference than any other, to my great surprise.
Rich is a NASM-CPT (Certified Personal Trainer),