Topic
Incline and running treadmills
Running at home needs a long, wide belt, a stronger motor and, for hill work, a powered incline. These are the heaviest and largest machines on the site.
- Running belt
- From about 45 x 140 cm
- Incline range
- Often 0 to 12 or 15 %
For running, look for a belt of at least about 45 x 140 cm, a top speed of 16 km/h (about 10 mph) or more, and a continuous motor rating of 2.5 HP or more if more than one person will use it.
Incline is usually given in %, sometimes as levels. 10 % is about 5.7 degrees; the incline converter does the maths and shows how many metres you climb over a session.
Check the maximum user weight in kg with a margin, the deck cushioning, and whether the incline motor and the drive motor are separate.
Common mistakes
- Treating console incline levels as if they were %: check the manual.
- Choosing a short belt for running at higher speeds.
Guides on this topic
- Treadmill incline explained: percent, degrees and settingsWhat treadmill incline percent means, how it converts to degrees, the 1 % convention runners use and how console incline levels map to percent.Guide
- Treadmill running vs running outsideWhy treadmill running can feel easier than running outside: no wind, a moving belt, flat footing and the 1% incline convention, explained for UK runners.Comparison
- Treadmill vs exercise bike for homeTreadmill vs exercise bike for home compared on floor space, power use in kWh, noise through floors, storage and what each suits, including walking pads.Comparison
- Treadmill vs cross trainer for homeTreadmill vs cross trainer for home compared on impact, footprint, noise in flats, running specificity, power needs and storage, to help you pick the right machine.Comparison
- Treadmill speed chart: km/h, mph and paceTreadmill speed chart from 1 to 20 km/h with mph, minutes per km and minutes per mile, plus why UK treadmills switch between km/h and mph.Guide
- Treadmill motor HP explained: continuous vs peakWhat treadmill and walking pad motor HP figures mean, the difference between continuous and peak horsepower, and why listing numbers are hard to compare.Guide
- Treadmill incline not working: what to checkTreadmill incline stuck, not moving or stopping at the wrong level? Check power, obstructions, calibration and the lift motor in this order before calling the maker.Fix
- Treadmill belt size guide: length and widthWhat size treadmill belt do you need? Typical lengths and widths in cm and inches for walking pads, folding and running treadmills, and how height changes it.Guide
- Treadmill apps and subscriptions explainediFit, KS Fit, Kinomap, Zwift and Bluetooth FTMS explained: which treadmill apps are free, which need a subscription and what still works without one.Guide
- Manual vs automatic incline treadmillsManual vs automatic incline treadmills: pin-set and lever incline against motorised incline, changing it mid-session, extra parts and what to check on a listing.Comparison
- Incline treadmill vs stair climberIncline treadmill vs stair climber for home: how a 12 to 15% grade compares with stepping machines on ceiling height, footprint, weight, noise and availability.Comparison
Buying guides on this topic
- Best incline treadmills for homeHome incline treadmills compared on incline range, powered or manual adjustment, speed, motor and max user weight, from 12% to 20%.Buying guide
- Best smart treadmills for Zwift and KinomapSmart treadmills and walking pads compared on Zwift, Kinomap and app support, speed, incline and max user weight, as each listing states.Buying guide
- Best treadmills under £1000Home treadmills under £1000 compared on incline, top speed, motor rating, belt size and max user weight, across the main folding designs.Buying guide