How Long Does a Treadmill Last? (Leading Brands Explored)

Whether you are considering purchasing a treadmill or are trying to replace an old one, you may have a lot of questions regarding the lifespan of treadmills and the best brands to choose so that yours lasts a long while. Don't worry, because we have done the research on the lifespan of treadmills as well as the leading brands.

A typical middle-grade treadmill will usually last 7-12 years or even longer if you take good care of it. Below are some of the best treadmill brands where you get a good long-lasting treadmill:

  • Nautilus
  • NordicTrack
  • Proform 
  • Peloton
  • Sole
  • Horizon Fitness
  • Sunny Health & Fitness
  • 3G Cardio
  • Precor
  • Landice
  • Spirit
  • LifeSpan
  • Bowflex
  • Schwinn
  • GoPlus
  • Xterra

Now that you've seen a list of some of the top treadmill brands, you may be a bit overwhelmed at the choices. We have broken them down for you and listed some of the things you should look for when buying a treadmill. How often do you need to service a treadmill? When should you replace your treadmill? Do treadmills have warranties? Keep reading to find the answer to these questions and more!

Full length profile shot of a young woman running on a treadmill indoors, How Long Does a Treadmill Last? (Leading Brands Explored)

Do Treadmills Have Warranties?

Most treadmills come with warranties. Top-of-the-line treadmills usually offer a lifetime warranty on the frame and the motor because they are expected to last longer. Most lower-end treadmills will still offer a one-year or ten-year warranty on the motor and five years on the belt and frame.

What Should You Look For In A Treadmill?

First, you'll want to determine your budget. This will limit you when it comes to special features usually found on more expensive models. If you have a small amount of space to work with, you'll want a smaller treadmill that is easy to fold and unfold. For regular exercising and intensive workouts, you'll want to find a treadmill with shock absorption to protect your joints and a strong motor to keep up with your workouts.

How Often Do You Need To Service A Treadmill?

General recommendations say you should service your treadmill for every 40 hours of use, or at least twice a year. If you use your treadmill less than 10 hours per week, you should service it once a year.

As always, carefully read the manual and follow the manufacturer's guidelines. They will provide you both with maintenance guidelines as well as with instructions about when to service the treadmill.

How Do You Know If Your Treadmill Needs A New Belt?

You should check your belt for wear every three months. To do this, run your hand along the underside of the belt and check for rough patches. If you notice the edges of the belt fraying or curling up, you should replace your belt.

To make your belt last longer, you should clean it off every two weeks and lubricate it every three months. This will help reduce the friction of the belt against the motor and prevent any unnecessary wear.

Click here to purchase a treadmill lubricant on Amazon.

When Should You Replace Your Treadmill?

It depends on what parts are getting old and worn, but you should replace your treadmill if there are multiple issues that need to be fixed or the repairs are costly. On older models, it's especially common for the replacement parts to no longer be manufactured. Or your warranty will have expired and the repairs will not be much cheaper than purchasing a new treadmill altogether.

In these instances, it's probably best to say goodbye to your old treadmill and invest in a new one.

Best Treadmill Brands

Let's take a closer look at each of the leading treadmill brands available on the market. These should last you a long while and come with a solid warranty. Do check each type to make sure.

Nautilus

Nautilus is a top-of-the-line treadmill brand. They claim to be the founders of the modern treadmill and they are built for dedicated athletes. Smart technology gives you instant workout statistics and lets you connect to a personal trainer. You can create a user profile and share the treadmill with up to three others. This allows you to keep track of your own workout statistics through their performance-tracking Explore the World™ app.

Nautilus has two top models: the T618 and the T616. Each one costs between $1,000 and $1,400 and have similar features. Both models have USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and digital displays where you can monitor your current statistics against your goal statistics.

In addition to its smart abilities, both models of Nautilus treadmills are foldable using SoftDrop™ technology. They feature a range of 1-12 mph, and the length of their belts is 60" which is great for runners with long strides.

NordicTrack

NordicTrack makes several different models of treadmills, all geared toward personal-training. All NordicTrack treadmills come with iFit, a personalized, interactive training mode with one of five international trainers. They feature up to a 22" Smart HD touchscreen to track your workout statistics and communicate with your trainer. NordicTrack uses Runners FlexCushioning, which softens the impact of your steps.

Treadmills from NordicTrack typically cost anywhere from $1,300 to $3,000, depending on the model. They have an average lifespan of 10 years.

Click here to view a NordicTrack treadmill on Amazon.

Proform

Proform treadmills are bulkier and sturdier than many others. They feature Smart HD Touchscreen displays, EKG Pulse Rate sensors, and Quick Speed® control to make it easy to change the speed up to 12 mph. Like the NordicTrack treadmills, they use iFit and personalize your training experience.

Their ProShox™ cushioning helps absorb the impact of your steps and creates a softer landing to reduce stress on your knees, ankles, and hips. Unlike most other treadmill brands, Proform Pro treadmills can actually be programmed to decline up to 3 degrees.

They run from $1,000-$2,000, depending on the series and model. Certain models come with a free year of iFit.

Click here to view the Proform 905-CST on Amazon. 

Peloton

Peloton treadmills are more technologically advanced than some of their counterparts. The Peloton Tread+ features a shock-absorbing slat-belt, an incline of up to 15 degrees, and an extended belt. Peloton has created its own athletic training program you can access on your 32" display touchscreen. It has wide adjustability, with speeds between 0-12.5 mph, and can store multiple profiles and individual statistics. A Peloton treadmill will cost you anywhere between $2,500-$4,300.

Sole

Sole has a wide range of treadmills to suit every runner and every budget. All Sole treadmill models feature powerful motors, long warranties, and high-quality steel framework. The highest model, the Sole TT8, features impact-softening technology to decrease stress on your ankles and knees every time you step. A Sole treadmill will run from $1,000 to $2,500.

Click here to view the Sole F63 treadmill on Amazon. 

Horizon Fitness

Horizon Fitness has six treadmill models, split into their Go series for quick workouts and their Studio series built for intensive cardio workouts. They feature Bluetooth and integrated speakers so you can connect your device and stream your favorite show while you run. One-touch keys make it easy to change speeds or increase the incline up to 12 degrees on most models. Horizon Fitness treadmills range from $700 to $2,000 and can be paid off in monthly payment plans.

Sunny Health & Fitness

Sunny Health & Fitness builds more affordable treadmills than many other brands. One of their middle-grade models, the SF-T7, features Bluetooth, pulse sensors, and shock absorption to reduce stress on your ankles and knees when you step. It goes up to speeds of 9 mph, can incline up to 15 degrees, and features Soft Drop technology for quick and easy folding. Their models range in price from $200 to $2,000.

Click here to view the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 on Amazon.

3G Cardio

3G Cardio has four treadmill models that range in price from $1,000 to $3,400. Their highest model, the Elite Runner, has a range of speeds from 0.5-12 mph and can incline up to 15 degrees. The long belt provides 62" of running space, and you can track your heart rate and play music through the speakers on the display.

Click here to view the Pro Runner on Amazon. 

Precor

Precor has a wide range of treadmills to fit any need. Higher models feature Touch Screen displays, unlimited access to their personalized workout program Preva®, and Ground Effects Technology® to soften impacts. They have a 0-16 mph range and can decline up to 3 degrees and incline up to 15 degrees. They range from $2,500 to $12,500 with many models to choose from to cater to all your individualized needs.

Click here to view the TRM 835 on Amazon.

Landice

Landice residential treadmills range from $4,300 to $5,700. Their Cardio model can store up to 4 user profiles and contains 3 different fitness tests. With one-touch displays, you can easily adjust speeds between 0 and 12 mph and can increase in incline up to 12 degrees. Landice treadmills feature VFX Suspension Systems that absorb impact shock to reduce stress on your joints when you run.

Spirit

Spirit treadmills range from $1,600 to $3,200. The XT385, one of their middle-grade models, features 10 different workout programs and up to 2 user profiles. The speed can adjust from 0.5-12 mph, and it can incline up to 15 degrees. 6 cushions in the rear help absorb shock impact, and its steel frame is guaranteed to last a lifetime. All of the Spirit treadmill models are compatible with the Spirit Fitness app, where you can track your performance and work-out statistics.

Click here to view Spirit's latest model on Amazon. 

LifeSpan

LifeSpan has a wide range of models to choose from that cost between $1,000 and $2,000. One of their top models, the TR4000i, features speeds between 0.5 and 12 mph, a decline of up to 2 degrees, and an incline of up to 13 degrees. It has 60" of running space and 8 shock cushions to absorb impact and reduce stress on joints. The display is a 7" Color Touch Screen and stores 50 different workouts for you to choose from. Physical buttons allow you to easily change speeds and inclines. 

It has Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port. There are heart-rate monitors on the handles, up to 2 user workout profiles, and 20 pre-set programs for you to choose from.

Click here to view the TR4000i on Amazon.  

Bowflex

Bowflex has two top treadmill models. The BXT216 features a 9" Color display, Bluetooth, and Android and iOS compatibility. It has a max speed of 12 mph, up to 15 degrees in incline, and can store up to 4 user profiles. It has 60" of running space and Soft Drop technology for easy folding and storage. Bowflex treadmills range in price from $1,600 to $3,00.

Click here to view one of the newest models on Amazon. 

Schwinn

Schwinn has two treadmill models from $950 to $1,100. They both feature pre-set workout programs and up to 4 user profiles. They have a range of speeds up to 12 mph and can incline up to 15 degrees for the 870 model and 12 degrees for the 830 model. Softrak™ cushioning helps absorb impacts and reduce stress on joints as you run. The 870 model has Bluetooth, Explore the World™ app compatibility to track performance and workout statistics, and calculates a Schwinn fitness score.

GoPlus

GoPlus treadmills are focused on affordability, with prices between $200 and $700. One of the higher models features a 5" display, 12 pre-set programs, and can incline up to 15 degrees. Comfort cushioning combined with their shock-absorption system helps absorb impacts and reduce stress on your knees when you run.

Click here to view this product on Amazon. 

Xterra

Xterra treadmills range in price from $500 to $1,000 and offer many model types to accommodate different budgets and needs. One of their top models, the TRX4500, comes with Zwift compatibility and over 1,000 workout options. There are 60" of shock-absorbing deck to run on, up to 12 mph speeds, and up to 15 degrees in incline. The handlebars feature speed controls and heart-rate monitoring.

Click here to view this product on Amazon.

In Summary

Full length profile shot of a young woman running on a treadmill indoors, How Long Does a Treadmill Last? (Leading Brands Explored)

Buying a treadmill can seem daunting, but we've provided you with a list of top brand options to choose from and some of the features you should look out for. With so many treadmill brands and so many models, we're sure you'll find the perfect fit for you and your preferences.

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