If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best treadmill for a basement gym, then I’d recommend the LifeSpan TR2000i Folding Treadmill as the best one.
Every gym has a treadmill.
It’s the most popular machine for cardio all over the world.
When you have a basement gym, you need equipment that fits. I decided to find the best treadmill for a basement gym and in my search I came across five great contenders.
Keep reading to learn about my top picks.
Here are the top treadmills we’ll be reviewing:
- Bowflex BXT216 Treadmill
- Nautilus T618 Treadmill
- NordicTrack C Series 1750 Treadmills
- LifeSpan TR2000i Folding Treadmill
- XTERRA Fitness TRX1000 Treadmill
Everything You Need to Know About Treadmills
Before diving into the best treadmills on the market, you need to know some pertinent information about treadmills.
This gives you a point of reference as you read about all that the top five treadmills have to offer.
Here are the most important features you should be familiar with when shopping for a treadmill.
Size and Weight
Treadmills can be compact, massive, and anything in between.
Before you begin browsing, measure the space you’ll be putting your treadmill in. Keep in mind you need clearance space all around the treadmill for safety reasons, especially in the back.
Commercial gyms are required to have a minimum of at least four feet of clearance space behind a treadmill, but if you can do at least six feet that would be better.
Don’t forget to check the deck size. You don’t want a deck that’s too narrow because you may bump into the arm rails as you walk/run.
You also want to make sure the deck is long enough so you can perform full strides. Tall people, say six feet or taller, should aim for a deck that’s at least 48 inches long (at a bare minimum).
If you don’t have a lot of space, you can consider a folding treadmill. These treadmills will have some additional limits.
Examples are a lower weight capacity, a lower maximum speed, and less incline levels. However, if the features meet your needs, a folding treadmill can be perfect for small spaces.
You should also pay attention to the weight.
Some treadmills are lightweight and can easily be set up or moved around by one person.
Others can be hundreds of pounds heavy which means you may need assistance. If possible, get a treadmill with wheels so it’s easy to move.
Programs and Inclines
Having the right preset programs and a decent number of incline levels is important for people with specific fitness goals.
You must pay attention to this because there are treadmills that may not have any programs or incline levels.
Non-athletes may be okay with none or a few. However, if you’re looking to challenge yourself, you’ll probably want a treadmill with plenty of options.
Console
Just like everything else on the treadmill is widely varied, so are consoles.
These can be extremely small, close to the size of a stopwatch or they can be large, full-color, high definition displays that do everything your smart device does.
The console provides you with pertinent information pertaining to your workout, so you probably want something that’s big enough for you to see.
If you have vision problems you probably want to avoid tiny consoles.
The console will contain an LCD display.
For more advanced consoles, the entire console could be a touchscreen LCD display. For smaller LCD displays, having a back light can make it easier to read.
The console will also have your operation buttons, so make sure that they’re in a configuration that is comfortable for you to use.
Speed and Motor
Some treadmills may only be meant for walking while others can help you train for a race.
You’ll want to make sure you get a treadmill that meets your fitness goals. If you just want something that keeps you active, a slower speed may be suitable for you.
However, if you’re looking to increase your fitness level, you should get a treadmill with a higher speed, so you don’t top out the treadmill quickly.
Pay attention to the horsepower of the motor.
Slower treadmills can get away with 2 HP motors. However, if you’re getting a treadmill that goes 10 mph (16.1 km) or faster, get something higher than 2 HP for the best results.
Another consideration is noise level.
Most treadmill motors are now magnetic so they’re very quiet. In most cases you won’t have to worry about this.
Still check to make sure because classic belt drive motors can be loud. If the noise doesn’t bother you, it won’t be as much of a concern.
However, belt drive motors don’t last as long as magnetic motors because of the friction of the belt.
Other Notable Features
Other features may not be necessary for a great work out, but they can make your time on the treadmill enjoyable and comfortable. These features can include:
- Cooling fan
- Radio/music player
- Cup holders
- Media holders
- Bluetooth capability
- Multiple user settings
- Ability to download apps
Of course, the more features the treadmill has, the more money it will cost. Your budget plays a big role in what features you get.
The next section will highlight five treadmills that are great choices for someone looking for the best treadmill for a basement gym.
I’ve given information about each treadmill, plus some pros and cons for you to consider. There is a great chance you’ll find at least one you like.
The Top Five Best Treadmills for a Basement Gym
Bowflex BXT216 Treadmill
If you want to make sure you get the best treadmill for a basement gym, going with a well-known brand is the best choice.
Bowflex has been around for decades.
They’re known for some of the most high-quality exercise machines in the world. Their machines are expensive, but they’re worth every penny.
The Bowflex BXT216 treadmill is great for a basement gym for two reasons. The first one is that it folds.
This makes it great for fitting into tight spaces.
The next reason is the cooling fan.
Basements can be hot, so it makes sense to have a good fan. A lot of treadmills have a cheap fan that blows a negligible amount of air.
The fan on the Bowflex is a high-quality, three-speed fan that will keep you cool.
The treadmill measures 84.5″L x 38.5″W x 54.7″H and weighs 304 pounds. It has a 4 CHP motor and a weight capacity of 400 pounds.
The Bowflex BXT216 Treadmill is a beast!
It’s powerful and has one of the highest weight capacities on the market.
With a max speed of 12 mph and a 15% incline, you can meet all your fitness goals with the Bowflex BXT216 treadmill.
Pros
- 15-year warranty on frame and motor.
- Strong, thick, 3-ply belt.
- 400-pound (181.4 kg) weight capacity.
Cons
- It’s very expensive.
- It’s extremely heavy.
Nautilus T618 Treadmill
Nautilus is the parent company for Bowflex, so you can expect the Nautilus T618 to be a high-quality treadmill.
It’s like a step down from the Bowflex and it cost around $500 less, but it’s still much more advanced than most treadmills on the market.
If you like the Bowflex, but want to save some money, the Nautilus T618 is the next best thing.
The construction of the Nautilus T618 Treadmill is almost the same as the Bowflex and it has the same warranty.
The differences are in the features that it has to offer. It only has a 350-pound weight capacity and only a 3.5 CHP motor.
These numbers are still impressive compared to other treadmills on the market.
It’s a little smaller than the Bowflex (78″L x 37.6″W x 62.8″H) and weighs less (253 lbs.), so that makes it better for a basement gym.
The Nautilus still has the 20″ x 60″ deck, so you don’t have to sacrifice any walking/running space.
The incline and speed are the same as the Bowflex. The Nautilus can reach up to 12 mph and has a 15% incline. It has 26 preset programs (the Bowflex only has 11).
To sum things up, the Nautilus T618 Treadmill is a little smaller than the Bowflex and only slightly less powerful. It’s a money saver and would fit better in a basement gym.
Pros
- Plenty of preset programs (26).
- Dual LCD screens.
- It’s Bluetooth capable.
- Supports up to 350 pounds.
Cons
- It’s heavy.
- No wheels to aid in moving it around.
NordicTrack C Series 1750 Treadmills
NordicTrack has great treadmills. They have several different “lines” and this one, the C Series, stands for commercial series.
However, it’s important to point out that although it’s labelled a commercial series, it’s still along the same lines as the Bowflex and Nautilus.
It’s more suited for home use than commercial use.
With that being said, the quality of the NordicTrack C Series 1750 Treadmills is unsurpassed. It’s built like a tank and has a ten-year warranty on the frame and motor.
I suspect that you won’t have to use that warranty.
It has a 3.75 CHP motor, up to a 12% incline, and a maximum speed of 12 mph. The deck measures 20″ x 60″ and it folds with Lift Assist technology.
The machine dimensions are 78.8″L x 39.2″W x 63″H.
One advantage this treadmill has is that the 10″ LCD display is a full-color, high definition screen.
You can watch videos, especially great training videos.
Besides this, in many ways, the NordicTrack C Series 1750 treadmill is the same as the Bowflex and the Nautilus.
It’s even priced around the same range as the Bowflex. Choosing between the three is really a matter of which brand you like more.
Pros
- Full color, HD display.
- Access to live, interactive training videos
- One-year iFit membership included.
Cons
- It’s extremely heavy (358 lbs.).
- Can be difficult to assemble.
LifeSpan TR2000i Folding Treadmill
LifeSpan manufactures very sturdy and efficient treadmills.
They don’t have the most advanced technology, but they don’t have the worst either.
What impressed me the most is that the LifeSpan TR2000i Folding Treadmill is extremely user friendly, using more graphics on the seven-inch, full color, interactive touchscreen rather than confusing lists and menus.
The treadmill is designed with the end user in mind.
It has one of the strongest steel frames on the market with a lifetime warranty to back it up.
To reduce the impact on your joints, the deck is made with eight independent compression shocks.
The EZ Fold System makes it quite easy to lift and lower the treadmill during storage.
With this treadmill, you do have wheels to move it around. I appreciate the effort that Lifespan went through to make it easy to use their treadmill.
The LifeSpan TR2000i measures 70.7″L x 32.9″W x 55.7″H, weighs 198 pounds, and has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. It has 15 incline levels, 21 preset programs, and a maximum speed of 11 mph.
The 2-ply deck measures 20″ x 56″ and it has a 2.5 HP continuous-duty motor. This treadmill has everything you need and is a great investment.
Pros
- Quite easy to use; simple buttons.
- Lightweight compared to the other treadmills.
- Can hold custom settings for two users.
- Mobility wheels on the front and the back.
- Lifetime warranty on the frame.
Cons
- The deck is short.
- The motor is only 2.5 HP.
XTERRA Fitness TRX1000 Treadmill
The XTERRA Fitness TRX1000 treadmill is a budget treadmill compared to the other four on the list (but it’s not cheap).
It does sacrifice some of the “extras” that make the treadmill fun, but it doesn’t sacrifice quality or efficiency.
This treadmill is for someone who wants to get to work and get it done without distractions.
The XTERRA TRX1000 has three manual-set incline levels and a maximum speed of up to 10 mph. It has 12 preset programs to choose from.
These choices are great for the non-athlete or someone who wants to maintain their fitness at home.
The console is easy to use with just a few buttons to learn. The console measures about 5 inches and has a 1″ x 3″ LCD screen that shows the pertinent information for your workout.
The treadmill measures 64″L x 29.5″W x 51″H and has a 16″ x 50″ deck. It’s very lightweight coming in at only 101 pounds and has a weight capacity of 250 pounds.
It may be a budget treadmill, but it has what you need to keep your fitness in check.
Pros
- Very affordable.
- Lifetime warranty on the frame.
- Lightweight and easy to move around.
Cons
- No cooling fan or Bluetooth capabilities.
- Belt is only one-ply.
- The deck is short.
Final Thoughts on the Best Treadmill for a Basement Gym
If I had to pick one clear winner for the best treadmill for a basement gym, I would pick the LifeSpan TR2000i Folding Treadmill.
It’s a bit on the smaller side, so it’s great for small spaces.
It’s much lighter in weight than most of the others and it’s on wheels, so it’s easy to maneuver around.
You’ll have plenty of features to customize your workout, challenge yourself, and stay entertained. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a lifetime warranty on the frame.
While the LifeSpan TR2000i Folding Treadmill is my top pick, it doesn’t mean the others aren’t solid choices.
It’s a matter of which one meets your personal needs the most.
No matter which one you pick, you can rest assured that you’ll be choosing a great treadmill for your basement gym.
