If your treadmill lacks the must-have treadmill features for your home gym in 2024, you might just be on the wrong track.
But the question is, “What are the must-have treadmill features?”
Lace up those sneakers because we’re about to dash through the treadmill tech that’s hotter than your post-workout glow. Let’s dive into the features that are reshaping the way we walk and run indoors.
For those short on time, consider these key takeaways of must-have treadmill features for your home gym in 2024:
- Incline and Decline: Treadmills now offer real-world terrain simulations for diverse workouts.
- Interactive Screens: Screens provide global adventures and adjust terrain based on virtual settings.
- Compact Designs: Modern treadmills are space-efficient and cater to compact urban homes.
- Connectivity: Treadmills sync with apps and offer virtual workouts, promoting global fitness connectivity.
- Sound Systems: Today’s treadmills feature built-in sound for an immersive auditory experience.
Top Treadmill Feature #1: Incline and Decline: The Peaks and Valleys
Today’s treadmills are nothing short of an adventurer’s dream. With the incline feature, you’re suddenly scaling the Swiss Alps, engaging your glutes, quads, and calves as they work harder to defy gravity.
But it’s not just about the uphill thrill; the decline offers its own set of benefits. Descending engages your muscles differently as they labor to stabilize each step.
Beyond muscle engagement, the variety in terrain may boost calorie burn. The steeper the angle, the harder your body works, making your workouts more fruitful. [1]
Our recommendation: Feel a treadmill’s ultimate “highs and lows” with the NordicTrack Commercial X32i or X22i, boasting a whopping 40% incline. Alternatively, the Commercial 2450 and Commercial 1750 offer up to 12% incline and -3% decline, mimicking downhill runs.
Top Treadmill Feature #2: Screens: Gateway to the World
In this hyper-changing digital age, where the power of technology transforms experiences, treadmill screens have redefined indoor cardio workouts. Instead of staring blankly at a wall or getting lost in your thoughts, you’re offered interactive, global adventures right at your feet.
And it’s not just about the visual appeal; many treadmills integrate real-time data to adjust the terrain based on the virtual environment, making your workout feel more authentic.
Whether it’s the resistance of an uphill climb in the Canadian Rockies or the smooth pathways of Central Park, you’re getting a genuine taste of the world’s iconic destinations, all without leaving the comfort of your home. It’s truly the golden age for fitness enthusiasts with wanderlust in their hearts.
Our recommendation: Experience global adventures from your living room with the NordicTrack Commercial X32i or the Commercial 2450, which both offer our largest, most immersive screen sizes.
Top Treadmill Feature #3: Compact and Sleek: Space-Savvy Superstars
In today’s compact urban homes and multipurpose rooms, must-have treadmill features for your home gym in 2024 include space-saving designs. Treadmills have risen to the challenge, bringing to the market models that are not only effective for your fitness goals but are also ingeniously designed to fit seamlessly into modern homes.
And some are so sleek they could double as minimalist art pieces when not in use. Even so, the priority is clear: to provide a top-notch workout experience without dominating your living space. It’s a balance of function and form, ensuring that while your fitness progresses, your home aesthetics remain on point, too.
The future of home fitness is not just about breaking a sweat; it’s about doing it with style and efficiency.
Our recommendation: Maximize your workouts and minimize space with the NordicTrack EXP 10i or EXP 7i.
Top Treadmill Feature #4: Get Connected: Your Digital Fitness Playground
We live in a connected era, where gadgets communicate seamlessly with each other, and our treadmills are now a part of this conversation. Once simple running machines, they’ve transformed into interactive platforms, merging technology with physical activity in ways we’d only imagined a few years ago.
With streamlined integration capabilities, treadmills can sync effortlessly to various third-party apps and virtual workouts, allowing users to dive into engaging, informative runs or enjoy a virtual landscape while taking a leisurely stroll.
Aside from that, the sense of global connectivity has redefined solo workouts. You can now tap into global challenges, celebrate fitness milestones, and so much more. Today’s treadmill is more than just a machine; it’s the fitness of tomorrow — with a human touch.
Our recommendation: Step into the future of fitness with any one of our latest NordicTrack treadmills powered by iFIT, a paid subscription fitness platform.
Top Treadmill Feature #5: Sound Systems: Creating a Personal Concert Hall
In recent years, treadmills have taken a deep dive into the world of auditory experience. No longer are they just platforms for physical exercise; they’ve evolved into personal concert halls, offering a sonic delight while you sweat it out.
Many treadmills now come with built-in sound, so you can jam to your favorite beats (or, better yet, your favorite iFIT Trainer) without external distractions.
Combining fitness with top-tier sound ensures that each run or walk is not just about physical well-being but also a treat for the senses.
Our recommendation: Elevate your auditory experience with the NordicTrack X32i or X22i, which boasts two 3” speakers.
The Bottom Line
As the world turns (much like a treadmill belt), it’s clear that the must-have treadmill features for your home gym in 2024 showcase that fitness technology isn’t taking a backseat.
Today’s treadmills defy the limitations of yesteryears, incorporating the best of tech and design to cater to every kind of cardio enthusiast, be it the weekend warrior or the dedicated distance runner.
With treadmills now offering immersive experiences, connectivity, personalized audio surroundings, and more, they’ve transformed from mere exercise equipment to comprehensive wellness platforms.
So, the next time you step onto that treadmill, remember, you’re not just running toward better health but also sprinting into an era where fitness and the future go hand in hand.
Want to learn more?
Check out NordicTrack’s 2024 Treadmill Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know Plus Our Top Picks.
FOOTNOTES
- Smith, J. A., & Martin, P. E. (2010). Physiological measures of walking and running in people with and without a history of recurrent low back pain. Physical Therapy, 90(4), 489-495.
Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.
