Folding Treadmill

Not everyone has room for a full-sized treadmill in their home, but a folding treadmill is a neat and space-saving solution.

What is a foldable treadmill?

A foldable treadmill or folding treadmill is a treadmill that can be folded up to save space so you can enjoy the benefits of a treadmill from the comfort of your home. They are ideal if you don’t have a spot to set one up 24/7 or if you want to move it out of the way to do other types of workouts as well.

Foldable treadmills typically maintain the same width but about half the depth once folded for storage; some aren’t as tall when folded as well. A lightweight, compact alternative is a walking pad. These aren’t as feature-rich and sometimes come without handles but are good for slow strolls or low impact jogging to get in your daily steps.

Lightweight foldable treadmills with wheels are easiest to move from room to room, or to pull out from a storage closet when you want to do your daily or weekly workouts.

What types of foldable treadmills are available?

Foldable treadmills come in all shapes and sizes, typically with the same features you’d find in non-foldable treadmills. These can include built-in training programs, adjustable incline, speed, and resistance, and even a trial membership to a service like JRNY or iFit.

Many are even Bluetooth-enabled with built-in speakers so you can track progress, connect to a mobile device, or listen to music. You might also find things like an LCD to track real-time progress and stats, media shelf to hold your phone or tablet, USB port for charging your device, and a water bottle holder.

Portable treadmills are available from top brands like Bowflex, GoPlus, Horizon, Nautilus, NordicTrack, Proform, Schwinn, and SuperFit, ranging in price from entry-level to premium. As noted, walking pads are a form of foldable treadmill for simple cardio and steps at home.

What to consider when choosing a foldable treadmill

Look at the recommended floor space (no carpeting) and measure the room. It should fit easily once completely unfolded, leaving sufficient room on all sides for you to safely mount and dismount. You don’t want it to hit the wall or furniture either. You’ll also need enough room to safely fold it up: check the folded dimensions to ensure it will fit in the intended spot.

Look at the maximum weight: some smaller foldable treadmills, and especially under-desk walking pads, can accommodate less weight. So, if you’re on the heavier side, you’ll want to make sure you can safely use it. Speaking of safety, look for a lanyard or retractable cord to stop it if you go too far back.

If you want to move the foldable treadmill from room to room, find one on wheels, or at least one that is lightweight enough to be carried by one or two people as needed.