The quality of folding treadmills has improved greatly in the past few years, according to expert Fred Waters. A folding treadmill is a great solution for smaller living spaces or multi-purpose rooms. Look for stability, ease of folding, weight capacity, and warranty.
1. Sole F85 Treadmill
Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber
The 3.5 HP continuous duty motor is the biggest in this price range. It is rated for users up to 400 pounds. The Sole F85 has both grip EKG and chest heart readouts. Comes with 6 Standard, 2 User Defined and 2 Heart Rate programs. Rated third runner-up in the $1500-$2000 category by TreadmillDoctor.com for 2005-06, who calls it "one of the best fold-ups on the planet."
2. Smooth 6.45 Foldup Treadmill
This is an update to the top-rated Smooth 6.25. It is a stable folding treadmill with a powerful yet quiet 3.0 HP motor. For folding and unfolding, it has gas shock assist for easy-up and soft-down. It has heart-rate controlled workouts with a handgrip pulse monitor, with an option to use a chest strap monitor. Plus in your iPod, MP3 or CD player and listen through the built-in speakers.3. Bowflex 7-Series Folding Treadmill
A leading consumer magazine ranked this a best buy in 2006. It has a weight capacity up to 300 pounds. It has 15 programs and both grip pulse monitor and wireless heart rate monitor. Readouts: speed, time, distance, incline, calories, heart rate. It has a 3.0 HP motor.4. Pacemaster Gold Foldup Treadmill
It's in the mid to high price range, but TreadmillDoctor.com says this is the best foldup ever made and gives it the top foldup award for 2006-07. It's a serious treadmill for those who need a foldup.5. Smooth 5.45 Folding Treadmill
Photo Courtesy of Smooth Fitness
This model is an update to the top-rated budget buy of the Smooth 5.25. It is very quiet, very solid, and has a powerful 2.5 HP motor. It folds up easily enough, but I love the hydraulic-braked unfolding. You press a lever and it slowly unfolds itself, giving your pet plenty of time to clear the area. It has six workouts and stores nine user profiles. The Smooth warranty is excellent - lifetime on the frame and motor, three years on parts and a year of in-home servicing.
6. Sole F80 Folding Treadmill
© Pricegrabber
A folding treadmill with a 2.5 HP continuous duty motor, for speeds up to 11 mph and inclines up to 15% It has both wireless chest strap heart rate monitor control and pulse grips. Rated as a first runner up for this price category by TreadmillDoctor.com in 2004-05.
7. Smooth 7.1HR Pro Treadmill
Smooth Fitness
This is the update to the Smooth 7.1, top-rated for the budget category by TreadmillDoctor.com, with the price bumping it up into the mid-price category. It is a very stable folding treadmill with a 2.75 HP motor and lifetime warranty. Has a heart rate pulse grip and wireless chest strap. Six pre-set programs, including heart rate control. Nine user profiles - user can store their weight, height, sex and target heart rate.
8. Spirit Z9 Treadmill
Given Second Runner-up in its price category by TreadmillDoctor.com for 2006. This folding treadmill has a big 3.0 HP motor and a 30-year motor warranty. It has heart rate control and multiple programs. Weight capacity is 300 pounds.Come tell us about your experiences with these treadmills and other models in the Walking Forum. Read the reviews from other treadmill users.
