Treadmills

15 Best Treadmills for Heavy People In 2023 and Buyer’s Guide

If you’re trying to lose weight, finding a treadmill can be surprisingly tricky. Treadmills with a high weight capacity are pretty hard to come by in most situations. Finding one that goes above 350 pounds is difficult. 

For this reason, you typically need to purchase a treadmill that is specifically made for heavy people. These treadmills have a heavier weight limit, including higher shock absorption and a wider belt. Therefore, they can handle more weight. 

Obesity is a severe problem. Obesity levels seem to be increasing over the last few decades. Almost half of Americans are obese. Therefore, these treadmills are becoming more and more common.

With that said, these high-weight capacity treadmills are primarily designed for walking only in many cases. For many people, this isn’t going to be an issue. After all, most people walk on treadmills instead of running, especially if they are new to fitness. 

This article will specifically look at treadmills with higher weight capacity, which should allow obese and overweight people to walk comfortably on them. For the best treadmills for heavy people, keep reading. 

Contents

Overview of the Best Treadmills for Heavy People


1. The Best  Treadmill for Heavy PeopleNordicTrack T Series Treadmills

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Out of all the treadmills on the market, the NordicTrack T Series Treadmills is the best treadmill for heavy people available. This treadmill has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. In many cases, this should be plenty for most users.

This treadmill includes a 30-day iFit membership, which allows you to access premium features. You can stream live workouts and more. You can also have remote trainers adjust your treadmill to your workout needs. 

Plus, this treadmill includes OneTouch incline control, which allows you to incline up to 10%. It also goes up to 10 MPH. The treadmill can also connect through Bluetooth, allowing you to hook up to your phone quickly.

With a SMART-response motor, it is suitable for endurance training and allows you to lose weight effectively.

The tread is long enough for running and walking alike. Plus, it comes with plenty of cushioning to protect your joints while you work out.

After working out, you can easily store away this treadmill thanks to EasyLift Assist.

Pros
  • 300-weight capacity
  • 10% Incline
  • EasyLift Assist
  • iFit subscription included
  • Bluetooth Compatible
Cons
  • Poor customer service

2. Best Premium Option3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill

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If you’re in need of a serious heavy-duty treadmill, then the 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill is a great option. It can hold up to 400-pounds, which is more than most treadmills on the market. It also comes with a variety of other advanced features.

For instance, it includes a lifetime frame warranty and a variety of warranties on specific parts.

Like other genuinely heavy-duty treadmills, this one is commercial-grade. Therefore, it is also quite expensive. However, it also has many features to help you lose weight, depending on your budget.

A powerful torque motor ensures that this treadmill goes and keeps going. It can accelerate the treadmill belt from 0 to 12 MPH in 18 seconds – far faster than most others on the market.

With many pre-programmed workout options, you can get started right away, even if you don’t necessarily have any background knowledge on working out. The one-touch speed controls are straightforward to use, and the treadmill can incline up to 15%.

Pros
  • 400-pound weight capacity
  • 4.0 HP motor
  • Lifetime warranty on frame
  • No subscription necessary
  • Treadmill belt accelerates quickly
Cons
  • Very expensive

3. Best Folding OptionOMA Treadmills for Home 5108EB 1012EB

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This foldable treadmill may be an excellent option for those looking for something that can be stored easily after use. While it can fold, it can still compete with the other heavy-duty treadmills on this list.

It is equipped with a 2.25 HP motor that is ultra-quiet. It allows you to perform long-distance running quite easily or lots of walking.

The running area is spacious enough for significant strides, and the non-slip belt makes it safe to use. It also features elastic cushioning to make your joints and legs easier.

With a 300 weight capacity, this treadmill has a higher weight limit than other treadmills out there.

It also has 36 different preset programs, which can help you start losing weight right away.

Pros
  • 36 preset programs
  • 300-pound weight capacity
  • Commercial-grade steel
  • 2.25 HP motor
  • Spacious treadmill belt
Cons
  • Strictly for walking

4. Best Treadmill for Workout AppsXTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Folding Treadmill

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With a 3.0 HP motor, the XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Folding Treadmill has most of the features you’d expect a treadmill to have. It features a max weight capacity of 350 pounds, which is on the higher end of the spectrum

Overall, it seems to be a rather sturdy treadmill. The handlebars provide mounted speed and incline controls while also allowing more prominent people.

A user-friendly LCD screen shows plenty of metrics, including calories, incline, speed, time, pace, and distance. With 30 pre-set programs, you should be able to burn fat relatively quickly – even if you’re new to working out.

Built-in Bluetooth allows you to use this treadmill alongside various apps, including Zwift, Kinomap, and Tacx. This is a good treadmill for those who enjoy using treadmill apps.

Pros
  • Compatible with many different apps
  • Pre-set programs to burn fat
  • 350-pound weight capacity
  • Easy-to-use LCD screen
Cons
  • Heavy treadmill

5. Best Budget TreadmillSmart Digital Manual Incline Treadmill

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While there are many cheaper treadmills on the market, the Smart Digital Manual Incline Treadmill is the best budget treadmill for a home gym. With a weight capacity of 300-pounds, this treadmill can hold heavier people but costs much less than other options.

Furthermore, this is also a folding treadmill. Therefore, when you’re done, you can easily store it away.

You can connect it to the Sports app, which allows you to access workout programs and similar features.

With a large running surface, an obese person should have no problem using this treadmill.

The LCD screen allows you to quickly control the treadmill speed and see all your metrics at a glance. It has a maximum speed of 7.5 MPH and comes with 16 preset workout programs on top of the app.

Plus, this is one of the few treadmills that features incline options, though these must be set manually.

Pros
  • 7.5 MPH speed
  • Large running surface
  • 16 preset programs
  • Weight capacity of 300 pounds
  • Inexpensive
Cons
  • Low-quality materials
  • Shipping problems

6. Best Treadmill Speed LimitANCHEER Treadmill

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The ANCHEER Treadmill has a pretty powerful motor at 3.25 HP. This motor allows it to reach a maximum speed of 9 MPH, which is faster than most other treadmills on this list. It also features an automatic recline that can reach up to 15%, allowing you to burn more calories.

The treadmill belt is designed to be extremely quiet, along with the motor. Therefore, this treadmill produces minimal sound overall. The belt is even multi-layered, allowing it to absorb lots of shocks. If you’re an overweight person, this feature is vital to the longevity of your treadmill.

With a multi-functional LCD screen, this treadmill allows you to easily see your run time, distance, speed, and other metrics.

Plus, the foldable design allows you to store this treadmill when not in use easily. It features safe drop technology, allowing the treadmill to fold easier and safer. It won’t drop as hard as other treadmills, preventing damage to both the treadmill and your toes.

Pros
  • Easy to fold
  • 12 preset workout programs
  • LCD screen with many metrics
  • Wide running surface
  • Low-noise producing
Cons
  • Assembly is difficult

7. Best Treadmill for IncliningDR.GYMLEE Folding 3.5 HP Treadmill

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The DR.GYMLEE Folding 3.5 HP Treadmill is a heavy-duty treadmill with a weight limit of 300 pounds. It features a 3.5 HP motor that allows you to run at a speed of 9.94 MPH. Despite the high-powered motor, this treadmill is very quiet.

The assembly for this treadmill is extremely easy and can be accomplished in less than ten minutes. It also features multiple treadmill workouts pre-programmed in, allowing you to lose weight right away.

Like many heavy-duty treadmills out there, this one also features a wide running surface, which is perfect for overweight people. The running belt is even cushioned to allow for smoother running and fewer joint problems.

With 15 different incline levels, this treadmill is perfect for those who want to burn calories quickly. You don’t necessarily have to increase your speed to lose weight. Instead, you can just increase your incline.

Like many heavy-duty treadmills out there, this one can also be folded pretty easily. It even features transport wheels to make storing extremely easy.

Pros
  • Transport wheels
  • Lots of incline levels
  • High weight limit
  • 12 treadmill workouts pre-programmed
  • Shock-absorbing
Cons
  • High treadmill weight
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8. Best Treadmill for BeginnersNautilus T618

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The Nautilus T618 is a durable treadmill that will likely work for years. However, you are going to be paying a bit more for it, as it is one of the more expensive heavy-duty treadmills on the market.

With a weight capacity of 350 pounds, you should be about to use this even if you’re an obese person. It features a wide running surface and can reach speeds up to 12 MPH. It also comes with a 15% motorized incline that you can set with only the press of a button.

The belt is cushioned and designed to be extremely comfortable, allowing you to work out even if your joints are on the sensitive side.

With an LCD display, you can easily see the amount of time you’ve run or the number of calories that you’ve burned.

Performance handrails provide integrated speed and incline controls, so you can quickly change the options while you’re working out. If you ever need to adjust the intensity of your workout, these controls make it extremely easy to do.

Plus, this machine also comes with a wireless heart rate chest strap included, allowing you to quickly determine your heart rate without needing to use contact grips.

This heavy-duty treadmill also folds easily and comes with SoftDrop technology, lowering the odds of you damaging the treadmill or your toes.

The main downfall of this treadmill is that it is exceedingly expensive compared to other options. There are many budget treadmills out there, but this is not one of them.

Pros
  • Wide belt
  • 15% incline
  • SoftDrop technology
  • 15-year motor and frame warranty
  • 12 MPH speed limit
  • 350-pound weight limit
Cons
  • Extremely expensive

9. Best Heavy-Duty Walking TreadmillFanny Treadmill for Home

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Compared to other options on the market, the Fannay Treadmill for Home is exceedingly inexpensive. However, it is mostly designed for walking and doesn’t have a super high weight capacity, which explains its lower price. With that said, this treadmill may not work if you’re an obese person, but it may work if you’re just a slightly overweight person. The weight capacity is only 220 pounds, after all.

The screen on this machine carefully monitors your distance, time, speed, and other metrics.

You can utilize this treadmill without the handlebars, which sets the speed to 4 MPH. However, when you add on the handlebars, the speed jumps up to 7.5 MPH. With that said, this treadmill isn’t as sturdy as other options out there, so it is best for walking.

There is a Bluetooth speaker included that allows you to play your music through the treadmill’s speakers. A security lock is also included to prevent the treadmill from turning on accidentally – a great feature if you have children.

This treadmill does not require any assembly. Instead, it arrives fully assembled in the box. You simply have to attach the handlebars as necessary.

Pros
  • 220-pound weight capacity
  • LED display with key metrics
  • Two modes of use
  • Cushioning treadmill belt
  • Security lock
Cons
  • Lower weight capacity
  • Not sturdy enough for serious running

10. Best Treadmill with Wide Running SurfaceSunny Health & Fitness SF-T7718

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The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7718 is another treadmill that has a somewhat lower weight capacity at only 250 pounds, which is only slightly higher than average. However, if you’re just a slightly overweight person, this treadmill may still be a suitable option.

It features a maximum running speed of 9 MPH, which should be suitable for most people looking to lose weight.

This treadmill is specifically designed to have a low profile, making it less bulky than other treadmills on the market. Therefore, it allows you to place this treadmill in places that typically wouldn’t have enough clearance.

The belt on this treadmill is decently wide, allowing it to support heavier people. It also features a decent amount of shock-absorbing. Again, this allows the treadmill to cushion your joints and prevent injuries.

With an LCD display, this treadmill allows you to easily see your time, calories burned, pulse, steps, and speed. It will also let you know when it is time to lubricate your treadmill, and it allows you to access nine different treadmill workouts.

This treadmill is also foldable and can be transported with the included wheels. When you’re done with your treadmill workout out, you can easily store this high-weight capacity treadmill in a corner somewhere.

Pros
  • Foldable with transport wheels
  • LCD screen
  • Nine different treadmill workouts included
  • Cushioning belt
  • Wide running belt
Cons
  • LCD screen metrics are not the most accurate

11. Best Heavy Weight Capacity TreadmillSunny Health & Fitness Asuna Treadmill

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Out of all the treadmills we reviewed, the Sunny Health & Fitness Asuna Treadmill easily has the highest weight capacity at 440 pounds. If you’re an obese person looking for a suitable treadmill, this one will surely fit the bill.

With a dual flywheel, you can control this treadmill’s speed by simply running. The faster you run, the faster it goes. If you slow down, then it slows down as well. You don’t even need to plug this treadmill into an outlet, as it runs solely off of your running speed.

Of course, you can walk on this treadmill too. It just won’t go as fast.

This heavy-duty treadmill features a durable frame and slip-resistant handlebars. A large tablet holder allows you to store your tablet and entertain yourself while you’re working out.

The whole treadmill is foldable and allows you to easily put it away after each use. There aren’t any power cords to deal with or anything of that sort, allowing you to pack up faster after your treadmill workout.

You can incline this treadmill from 6% to 10%, providing for variable exercise intensities. If you’re planning to lose weight, then this treadmill is a solid option.

Pros
  • 440-pound weight capacity
  • Large tablet holder
  • Dual flywheel for controlled performance
  • Incline adjustments possible
  • Foldable
Cons
  • Manual
  • A bit more difficult to use than others

12. Best Treadmill for Small SpacesSereneLife Smart Electric Folding Treadmill

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If you’re in a smaller space, then the SereneLife Smart Electric Folding Treadmill may be a solid option. It features three incline levels, a 6 MPH speed limit, and a 265-pound weight limit. All of these metrics are pretty average. However, this treadmill is extremely compact, so it is a particularly great option for small spaces.

However, as a smaller treadmill, it isn’t always suitable if you’re an obese person. Its smaller size may not be able to accommodate your treadmill workout.

This treadmill also folds up with hydraulics for easy storage when you’re done working out. It is one of the best treadmills for storage, given its smaller size and ability to fold.

It connects to the FitShow app through Bluetooth. This app allows you to collect training data and review it on your phone. However, it does require a subscription.

You can manually set the incline level using the adjusters. It also features a safety key to keep you safe while you work out and includes a built-in cup holder.

Pros
  • Hydraulic folding
  • Compact treadmill
  • Connects to FitShow app
  • Manually adjustable incline level
  • Affordable treadmill
Cons
  • Smaller treadmill weight limit

13.Best Treadmill with Long-Running SurfaceREDLIRO Foldable Treadmill for Home

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With a running surface of 17-inches, this treadmill is great if you’re an overweight person that is also taller. Since your stride will likely be bigger, you will need a longer running surface to accommodate you – just like this one.

The belt also features shock-absorbing technology that can effectively reduce vibrations and lower the joint impact. It features 12 preset programs that help you start getting all the treadmill exercise benefits right away.

This is the perfect treadmill for those who need an easily foldable one, as well. With hydraulics, you can easily fold and unfold this treadmill while you’re using it. After being folded, it can be stored leaning up against a wall to save space.

With three adjustable incline angles, you can easily make this treadmill as difficult or easy as you want. The top speed is 9 MPH, which should be plenty for most workouts. The maximum body weight is 265 pounds, which is on the higher side.

The LCD display keeps up with all the necessary metrics you may be concerned with. For instance, it tracks calories burned and the distance you’ve traveled.

Pros
  • Hydraulic level for folding
  • Manual incline adjustments
  • LCD screen
  • 265-pounds weight capacity
  • 9 MPH maximum
Cons
  • Takes up more space due to longer belt

14. Best Treadmill with LCD ScreenRUNOW Folding Treadmill with Incline for Home

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While most treadmills do have some sort of LCD screen to help you track your workout and adjust the treadmill, the RUNOW Folding Treadmill with Incline for Home features a very advanced LCD screen that is one of the best on the market.

This screen is 18-inches wide and features 40 programs you can select from. Of course, it also helps you keep up with your workout, tracking calories burned, distance, and speed.

This treadmill also features three manual inclines and can support a speed up to 8.1 MPH. Despite this, it is extremely quiet, making it a good choice for apartment and home use. The running surface is quite long and wide, allowing even larger people to lose weight with ease. If you’re a heavy person, this treadmill should support you without a problem, as it has a 300-pound capacity.

Assembling this treadmill is quick and easy. It only takes about 15 minutes to assemble it from start to finish. When you’re done, you can easily fold it and place it in a corner, allowing you to save room in your home.

Plus, you get free replacement parts for one year.

Pros
  • Good customer service
  • Large running belt
  • Advanced LCD screen
  • 8.1 MPH maximum
  • 300-pound capacity
Cons
  • Narrow handrails

15.Best Walking TreadmillUREVO 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill

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With a 16.9-inch running belt, this is the perfect treadmill for those who need a little extra room. It also happens to be a cheap treadmill, which makes it great for those on a budget, as well.

It is mostly designed for walking. In fact, if you remove the handrails, then this treadmill can only be used for walking. In these situations, you would be able to easily put it underneath your desk. The speed is stuck at a maximum of 3.8 MPH without the frame. With the frame attached, it goes up to 7.6 MPH.

The 2.25 HP motor is powerful enough for most uses. It supports a weight of up to 265 MPH – plenty for most overweight people out there.

This treadmill doesn’t require any assembly besides putting the handlebars on it if you would like it to go faster. The design is completely folding to allow for easy storage when not in use.

Pros
  • 2.5 HP motor
  • 16.9-inch running belt
  • LED display
  • Remote control included
  • No assembly required
Cons
  • Lower maximum body weight

Buyer’s Guide Of Best Treadmills for Heavy People

Choosing a treadmill can be challenging as a heavy person. You want to choose one that has a suitable weight limit as well as all the other features you’re looking for.

When it comes to treadmills for heavier people, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

In this section, we’ll take a look at some of the more important treadmill features, allowing you to choose the perfect treadmill for your needs.

Folding vs. Non-Folding Treadmill

One major decision you’ll need to make about your treadmill is whether you need it to fold or not.

Folding treadmills are very easy to store since they fold into smaller sizes. Typically, these fold upwards and can be set easily against a wall to stay out of the way. if you have a smaller space, then this feature may be essential. Many people can not permanently dedicate tons of room to a treadmill.

However, folding treadmills also tend to be less durable and their weight limits are often lower. Therefore, if you don’t need to save the extra space, it may be easier to simply purchase one that doesn’t fold. These treadmills don’t have hinges, so they usually last longer.

Plus, folding can also drive up the cost of a treadmill, as it is an extra feature.

Weight Capacity

As you might imagine, the weight capacity you need is rather important. The term “heavy person” varies a lot in meaning. Therefore, your best bet is to figure out how much you weigh and ensure that you purchase a treadmill that can support you.

You may want to choose one that can support well over your weight, as you don’t want to push a treadmill to its limit all the time. However, this may not be possible. At the very least, ensure that the listed maximum is slightly over your weight.

Remember to count your workout equipment and such as well. You don’t want to end up being over the weight capacity after you put your shoes on (which can be surprisingly expensive).

Speed

In many cases, beginners aren’t going to need anything more than a low treadmill walking speed. However, most people also expect that they will be able to move faster at some point. Therefore, you should choose one that can go a bit faster, even if you never plan on sprinting on it.

Most treadmills with a lower maximum speed are quite a bit cheaper than other options. Therefore, you can save a bit of money if you purchase one that is simply made for walking and jogging – not running.

Realistically consider the speed that you’ll be able to work out at and choose a treadmill that can at least go that fast. Because most treadmills are designed to handle jogging and even running, this often isn’t terribly difficult.

LCD Screen

Most treadmills have some sort of screen that allows you to see your speed and other metrics. For instance, many guess at how many calories you’ve burned and allow you to see your theoretical distance if you had actually been walking or running.

These screens are often important for keeping track of your workout. While some metrics aren’t terribly important, you probably want to work out for a specific amount of time and having a treadmill that simply keeps track of that for you makes the process much easier.

However, not all treadmills keep up with the same metrics. Therefore, if there is something specific you want to keep track of, be sure that you purchase a treadmill with that capability.

Similarly, the size of the LCD screen also matters. You don’t want one that is so small that you can see it. Some LCD screens can also control the speed and incline of the treadmill directly. In these cases, be sure that the screen is easy to use as well.

Durability

Treadmills are not cheap exercise equipment in the least. Therefore, you want to choose one that is going to last for at least a few years. No one wants to continuously pay hundreds of dollars for a treadmill each year, after all!

For this reason, we highly recommend choosing an option that is durable. Usually, the inner parts of a treadmill wear down faster than the outer parts. For instance, a treadmill’s motor or belt often wears out before the frame.

For this reason, choosing an option with a durable motor and replaceable parts is essential.

Many treadmills’ lifespan can be elongated with the proper replacement parts, but not all companies offer these. Therefore, you’ll likely want to choose an option that allows you to replace parts as necessary, which will lower the overall amount of money you’ll need to spend over the years.

Ease of Maintenance

You want to ensure that whatever treadmill you get is easy to maintain. All treadmills need some sort of maintenance (even if they are advertised as low-maintenance). At the very least, you will need to lubricate your treadmill at some point. As you might imagine, this is easier said than done for some machines.

This feature can be difficult to determine for some treadmills, as they often don’t advertise how easy it is to perform maintenance. However, reviews like ours are a good place to start, since they provide a third-party opinion on the subject.

Preferably, you want a treadmill with straightforward maintenance instructions that are relatively easy to accomplish.

Assembly

Assembly for these treadmills can either be fairly straightforward or very difficult.  There are many factors that go into whether assembly can be accomplished quickly or requires a professional.

Length is one vital factor. If an assembly has a lot of steps, you’re automatically going to be spending a lot more time doing it. Alternatively, if there are only a few screws to put in, then the assembly process will go much smoother.

Furthermore, the clarity of the instructions also matters. In some cases, the instructions may be clear to understand and, therefore, pretty easy to follow. However, other instructions can be difficult, requiring a lot of guesswork and figuring out on your part.

Obviously, this isn’t preferable. However, you can’t exactly trust a company on how easy their assembly is. Therefore, we recommend concentrating on reviews like ours. We’ve tried to include information on the assembly where it was important in our reviews.

Noise Level

Of course, you’ll also want to choose a quiet treadmill that won’t bother your neighbors or the others that live within the house. A home treadmill often needs to be quiet if only because of neighbors and those you share the house with. A commercial treadmill doesn’t have to worry about this as much, as they are going to be used in a gym.

Therefore, your first step to purchasing a quiet treadmill is to choose one that was made for exercising at home.

You can then check the reviews for information on the machine’s overall noise level. After all, you don’t want to rely on the description alone, as companies aren’t always truthful in this regard.

Of course, there are other ways you can make a treadmill quiet if you happen to purchase a loud one. For instance, you can use a noise-reduction exercise mat.


FAQs for High Weight Capacity Treadmills

Best Treadmills for Heavy People

Can a Heavy Person Use a Treadmill?

You can utilize a treadmill as a heavy person as long as you get a heavy-duty treadmill. Some cheap treadmill likely isn’t going to cut it. Instead, you’ll need to invest in a durable option that is designed to hold a lot more weight.

You can find treadmills with up to 450-pound weight capacity. If you’re an obese person, this will likely be plenty for you.

Of course, there is more that matters than just a high weight capacity. You also want to select a treadmill that is wider as well.

If you are taller, then be sure to choose an option with a longer running surface, as your stride will be longer overall.

In many cases, you’ll want to purchase a light commercial treadmill, as these tend to be more durable and have a higher weight capacity. However, they are also more expensive, so that is something that you’ll need to keep in mind while you’re shopping.

What Happens If You Put Too Much Weight on a Treadmill?

Even the best treadmill for heavy people will not have an unlimited weight capacity. Instead, you’ll need to be careful to not extend over this maximum body weight.

Most treadmills won’t outright break if you stand on them when you’re over the weight limit. In many cases, they will be just fine if something over the weight capacity stands on them.

However, the problem arises when you actually use the treadmill while over the weight capacity. After a while of bearing too much weight, the motor will begin to give out. Often, the weight capacity is more about what the motor can do than about the frame or belt of the treadmill.

Therefore, the treadmill will break down much faster over time. You’ll likely be able to do a few workouts and be fine. However, even the best treadmill for heavy people will break down if too much weight is put on the motor regularly.

How Strict are Weight Limits on Treadmills?

If you’re 255 pounds, can you use a treadmill with a 250 weight capacity? In all likelihood, you could use one of these treadmills with some success. However, the motor may burn out faster than it would otherwise.

For this reason, you should choose a treadmill that is well over your weight preferably. If you’re 255 pounds, choose a treadmill with a 300+ pound weight capacity.

Of course, if you’re losing weight, you need to consider whether you’ll weigh under the recommended weight by the time you get and start using the treadmill. If you are 255 pounds now but already work out, then you may be below 250 by the time you jump on the treadmill.

While a 250-weight treadmill can obviously handle a 250-pound person, being right at the edge of the weight capacity is not preferable.

Of course, you should always purchase the highest treadmill capacity available, as this will help ensure that the motor lasts as long as possible. However, this isn’t always possible. Even a light commercial treadmill can only hold so much.

What Does Treadmill’s Weight Capacity Mean?

Companies get to their suggested weight capacity in all sorts of different ways. Firstly, the treadmill may have been tested at that capacity for some time, but we often not don’t know how long that testing was done for.

In many cases, the testing may have been done for only one session. Therefore, while a treadmill can handle a 400-pound weight for one session, we don’t know if they can handle it for much longer than that.

Therefore, you should preferably choose one that is higher than your weight. You want the treadmill to be able to easily hold you – not just barely.

On top of this, if a company sets their treadmill’s weight limit at a certain place, it usually means that they are confident their treadmill can handle that much weight. In many cases, the treadmill’s warranty should be upheld as long as you are within the weight capacity. If you go any higher than this, it may void the warranty.

Therefore, you can take a look at the treadmill’s warranty for some idea of how long it will function at its maximum weight. If a treadmill has a 350-pound weight capacity and a two-year warranty, then you can likely guess that the treadmill will likely be able to handle a 350-pound person for at least two years.

(Of course, the hope is that you would have lost weight in those two years, so hopefully, the treadmill won’t have to handle that much weight for that long.)

Does Horsepower Affect How Much a Treadmill Can Hold?

Anytime you’re looking at treadmills, you’re probably going to notice an HP rating. This rating gives you a clue as to how powerful the motor is, though there are other factors at play too.

Just because a treadmill has a high HP motor doesn’t necessarily mean very much.

There are actually many different ways to measure HP, and the company often doesn’t tell you exactly how they’re doing their measurements.

For instance, the company may measure the maximum amount of power a motor can produce, though it won’t be able to produce this much for a long period. Or, the company can find the average HP and provide that information. Continuous horsepower can also be used and is the most accurate. Most of the best treadmills will utilize this measurement.

However, you just don’t know which measurement you’re looking at. Strangely enough, this can make a treadmill listed at 2.5 HP stronger than one listed at 3 HP. It just depends on what measurements were used.

How Much Weight Can a Nordic Track Hold?

Generally, a Nordic Track treadmill can hold between 300 and 35o pounds. It depends on the exact treadmill you’re using. 

However, either of these maximums are typically great for most users. Even if you’re an obese person, you should be able to use one of these treadmills.

You can then select a specific HP motor depending on what you’re looking for. When we’re talking about this company’s treadmills, a 2.5 HP motor is usually great for walking. You can utilize a 3.0 or 3.5 HP motor for running.

Does Treadly Have a Weight Limit?

Tready is a rather popular treadmill. However, the slim design means that it can only handle weights up to 265 pounds. Therefore, we did not include it in our reviews.

While this treadmill is very space-saving and may be a great option for those with small spaces, the weight capacity is just too low for it to be used as a treadmill for heavy people.

There are many better heavy-weight capacity treadmills out there that will last longer under more strain.

Do Under Desk Treadmills Have a Weight Capacity?

Like all treadmills, those designed to be used under your desk also come with a weight capacity. As you might imagine, you still stand on these treadmills. Therefore, they still have to handle your full weight, so they will have a weight capacity of some sort.

Many of these treadmills have a lower weight capacity as they were designed to fit in small spaces. Typically, any time you try to make something thin and slimmer, you’re also going to need to make it less powerful. Size and power often go together.

If you use an under-the-desk treadmill and go over the weight limit, you won’t break it right away. Instead, the treadmill belt motor will stop working faster than it would otherwise since the treadmill will be unable to handle your larger weight for an extended period of time.

Conclusion On Best Treadmills for Heavy People

There are many treadmills for heavy people out there. However, some are better than others. Preferably, you want one with a strong treadmill running surface, since this will take some brunt of the weight. However, the motor is often the first to quit if the weight capacity is exceeded, so you should choose one with a strong motor as well.

Treadmills typically have a suggested weight of upwards of 450 pounds. However, you can find treadmills for as low as 250 pounds. Obviously, this latter option is not the best choice for those that are trying to lose weight. The treadmill often won’t be able to hold you up reliably.

Luckily, there are many great high-weight capacity treadmills as well.  Often, these treadmills simply have a stronger motor, which allows it to reliably pull you around with ease. We recommend choosing a treadmill that can easily hold you and then some. The more weight over you that a treadmill is designed to hold, the less likely it is to die sooner due to the heavier weight.

We highly recommend the NordicTrack T Series Treadmills for those who need a higher weight limit. This is the best treadmill out there for this situation, as it has a weight capacity of 300 pounds alongside a variety of other features. For instance, the incline can reach up to 10%, and it features a reliable LCD display.

You may also want to consider the 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill, which has a higher weight capacity of 400 pounds. This capacity allows it to hold up much more weight than the competition, but it is also extremely expensive. You’re going to pay quite a bit for this commercial-grade machine.

With so many options to choose from, we hope that you find the best treadmill for your needs. Our reviews include many of the best treadmills for heavy people, allowing you to choose the best one for you.

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