Top 7 Best Treadmill for Bad Knees

Best treadmill for bad knees

Running/walking outdoors is a great way to stay fit, improve your cardio endurance, or burn calories for weight loss. However, this is a  problem for those with arthritis or other knee problems due to uneven surfaces and hard asphalt. Most often, the best alternative is to exercise indoors with fitness equipment such as treadmills for those with bad knees. Treadmills provide an even cushioned surface with a controlled incline. This way, you can exercise without having to worry about the impact on your knees. When choosing a treadmill for bad knees, consider factors such as cushioning, shock absorption, running belt material, and weight-bearing capacity. You want a treadmill that will provide maximum impact absorption allowing you to exercise comfortably.  With these factors in mind, here’s a list of the best treadmills for bad knees. These are all high-quality treadmills you can use at home.

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here.

 

If you’re curious or in a hurry:

7 Best Treadmill for Bad Knees

• Sole Fitness F80 Folding Treadmill
• XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill
• Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill
• NordicTrack T Series 6.5 Treadmill
• Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill Series
• Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Treadmill
• NordicTrack Commercial Series
• ANCHEER Treadmill for Home

1. Sole Fitness F80 Folding Treadmill

Promising review; “This thing is a solid beast and so far is working well, my knees are very happy about the cushioned deck and it’s easy to fold up.“

Sole F80 treadmill is smooth, sturdy, and functional. This is the type of treadmill you find in gyms and health clubs. It’s one of the best treadmills for those with bad knees as it comes with a proprietary cushion flex whisper deck. One-of-kind technology that reduces impact to your joints and knees by up to 40% compared to running on asphalt. Besides, as a multi-user treadmill, this is a great addition to any home gym as different family members can use it.

 

Sole F80 treadmill is the type of machine you will use for years without running into any issues. It comes with a high weight-bearing capacity of 375 lbs. In addition, it comes with a powerful 3.5 Hp motor for a smooth and quiet operation. More than enough motor power for professionals looking to train indoors. The running belt on the Sole F80 treadmill is long and wide, the perfect size for users to comfortably walk, jog or run. However, be warned, this treadmill is heavy-duty and solid as a beast.

Specifications;

• 375 lbs max user weight capacity.
• Powerful 3.5 Hp motor.
• 50″L X 16″W walking/running surface.
•  0. 5 -12 MPH speed limit.
• 0 – 15% adjustable incline.
• Preset workout programs.

What we love;

• Proprietary Cushion Flex Whisper Deck.
• Lifetime warranty on frame, deck, and motor.
• Well built and solid.
• High weight-bearing capacity.
• Easy to use.

What we didn’t like;

• Fans could be better.

2. XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill

Promising review; “Nice home-friendly treadmill. I don’t have particularly good knees, but the cushioning on this treadmill seems to do a great job.“

With XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill, what you get is a compact, portable machine well-built for comfort and performance. It’s one of the most popular at-home treadmills with over 11,000 positive reviews on Amazon. For all that it has to offer, you can’t beat its budget price of under $400.  This treadmill comes with XTRASoft cushioned deck for maximum impact absorption. An ideal choice for those with bad knees to exercise comfortably. Take hour-long walks or intermittent jogging without any pain or strain on your knees. Other features include;easy-to-read LCD monitor, fold/unfold knob, and quick-access control buttons. Save on floor space after each workout with its foldable design. Also, use the transport wheels to move it around.

Specifications;

• 250 lbs max user weight capacity.
• 50″L X 16″W walking/running surface.
•  0. 5 -10 MPH speed limit.
• 3-position manual incline.
• Preset workout programs.

What we love;

• XTRASoft cushioned deck.
• Space-saving compact design
• Well built and solid.
• Affordable
• Easy to use.

What we didn’t like;

• Manual incline.

3. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill

Promising review; “I struggle with bad knees and this treadmill is exactly what I wanted, It runs very smoothly, the incline works like a charm.”

Looking for a nice mid-priced treadmill to use at home with bad knees? Consider Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill. Not only is it space-saving with a foldable design but also affordable with a budget price tag of under $400. Its auto-incline is one of its best stand-out features. Users of all fitness levels and those with bad knees can get their heart rate up walking or running at an incline on this treadmill. Besides, the treadmill also comes with a good variety of preset workout programs to build your strength without knee pain. Bluetooth wireless connectivity keeps you connected and engaged. Listen to some motivating music as you exercise. Strategically placed hand sensors monitor your heart rate as you exercise. After your workouts, fold the treadmill and make use of its portable wheels to move the treadmill around.

Specifications;

• 250 lbs max user weight capacity.
• 49.5″L x 16.5″W walking/Running space.
• 1 – 8 MPH speed range.
• 0% to 12% incline levels.
• Preset workout programs.
• Bluetooth connectivity.

What we love;

• Auto-incline.
• Space-saving design.
• Easy to move around.
• Affordable.

What we didn’t like;

• Inaccurate calorie information.
• Poor quality speakers.

4. NordicTrack T Series 6.5 Treadmill

Promising review; “Perfect Physical Therapy Addition to my Gym! It also has a lot of shock absorption, which was one of the things I really looked for as I have trouble with knees/hips.“

NordicTrack is one of the most popular treadmills brands. With its T Series 6.5 Treadmill, you get a professional-quality cardio machine for home use. It comes with all the bells and whistles of a commercial-grade machine, but without the expensive price tag. One of its stand-out features is its impressive FlexSelect Cushioning. Shock-absorbing cushions beneath the running belt that softens and minimize the impact as you exercise. Those with bad knees will notice a significant difference when using this treadmill. With its iFit subscription, you get an interactive workout experience like no other in the comfort of your own home.

 

Exercise with views of the most beautiful sceneries, from open countrysides to stunning beach views that make your workouts more enjoyable. A must-have feature for anyone as you get a personal trainer to guide you. While this requires a monthly payment, the first 30-days are free. In addition, this NordicTrack T Series 6.5 Treadmill comes with an adjustable 10% incline and 10MPH speed range for the ultimate workout experience. The incline goes from flat to up to a 45-degree angle that simulates the outdoor experience.

Specifications;

• Free 30-Day iFIT Family Membership.
• 300 lbs max user weight capacity.
• 20” W x 50” L running deck.
• OneTouch 10 % incline control.
• OneTouch 0 – 10MPH speed range.

Reasons to buy;

• Large running belt.
• 25-year motor warranty.
• Reasonably priced.

Reasons not to buy;

• No Bluetooth connectivity.

5. Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill Series

Promising review; “Sturdy and well-built treadmill it comes with a nice springy deck, easy on my arthritic knees.”

With Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill, you get a sturdy, well-built treadmill for home use. A 2.5 Hp motor powers this treadmill smoothly and quietly. Its running belt is longer than most treadmills at 55-inches. It comes with impressive 3-Zone variable response cushioning so you can exercise comfortably for longer.  This way, the cushioning matches the level of impact. The impact zone at the front comes with soft cushioning. While the behind, aka push-off zone, comes with firmer cushioning providing protection and support with every stride. Make use of the in-built speakers and listen to some music or follow along with your favorite workouts. Don’t worry about running out of charge either, as this treadmill comes with a handy rapid-charge USB port.

Specifications;

• 300 lbs max user weight capacity.
• 20” W x 55” L running deck.
• 10 % incline control.
• 0.5 – 10MPH speed range.

Reasons to buy;

• 3-Zone variable response cushioning
• Large running belt.
• Reasonably priced.

Reasons not to buy;

• The fan could be better.

6. Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Treadmill

Promising review; “I got it because I have damaged knees but this treadmill enables me to do some brisk walking that is kind to my knees It is serving that purpose well.“

While Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Treadmill comes with no extra bells and whistles, it has everything you need for a decent workout. Its compact design makes it an easy fit for most spaces. A 2.2hp motor powers this treadmill smoothly and quietly. Whether your goal is to rehab your bad knees, build strength, or burn calories, this treadmill can help you achieve it. Besides, it comes with shock absorption to minimize impact to your knees and joints. In addition, it comes with an impressive 9MPH speed range perfect for both beginners and seasoned runners. Its 3-levels incline helps simulate outdoor running and walking perfectly. In-built workout programs add variety to your workout programs. The control panel is easy to navigate with quick-access control buttons.

Specifications;

• 220 lbs max user weight capacity.
• 49″ L x 15.5″ W walking surface.
• 0 – 9MPH speed range.
• Adjustable 3-level manual incline.
• In-built workout programs

What we like;

• Compact size.
• Budget price.
• Easy to assemble and use.

What we didn’t like;

• Noisy.

7. NordicTrack Commercial Series

Promising review; “Best Treadmill I Have Ever Used. I was having knee problems before, and since I have been running on this treadmill, they have felt so much better! It has made a huge difference.“

With the NordicTrack Commercial Series, you get a commercial quality treadmill to use at your convenience at home. It’s a multi-user machine with a large interactive screen and a smart responsive motor. Besides, this treadmill comes with adjustable deck stiffness, a feature that ensures those with bad knees can also exercise comfortably.  Just like other NordicTrack models, what sets this treadmill apart from competitors is its impressive interactive training. For most users, this iFit experience is one of their favorite NordicTrac features.

 

Its large 10-inch clear screen transforms a routine workout into a fun exciting experience.  Exercise as you explore locations around the world with a personal trainer. Or better yet, vary your workout intensity with hiking, trail running, or street running. If you prefer to listen to music or podcast, make use of Bluetooth and connect your phone. Besides, with NordicTrack Commercial Series, you have access to thousands of other fitness enthusiasts to compete against.

Specifications;

• 300 lbs max user weight limit.
• 22″ x 60″ training deck.
• 30-Day free iFit subscription.
• -3% – 15% OneTouch incline.
• 0 – 12MPH adjustable speed.

What we like;

• Adjustable deck stiffness
• Interactive training
• Cooling fan.
• Smart-responsive motor.
• Easy lift assist.

What we didn’t like;

• The touchscreen is a bit slow.

Treadmill for bad knees