Treadmill Buying Guide

Five things decide which treadmill is right for you, and only one of them is budget. Every treadmill named below is one we actually stock. Free UK delivery on all our priced treadmills; the Star Trac motorised range is quote-only and specified per site.

1. What will you use it for?

• Steady running and incline walking — a motorised treadmill. The belt runs at the speed you set and the deck inclines under power. This is the only type that will hold a prescribed pace for you, and the only type that inclines at all.
• Sprints and HIIT — a curved, self-powered treadmill. The belt starts and stops with you, so there is no wind-up and no belt still running at 18 km/h when you step off.
• Conditioning and sled work — a resistance treadmill. A curved slat belt with magnetic braking gives you sprints and sled pushes in one footprint.
• Low-impact cardio — incline walking on a motorised treadmill is one of the most joint-friendly forms of cardio there is. If running is the problem rather than the goal, also look at a cross trainer or rower.
• Functional and full-body — a Jacobs Ladder, which loads arms, legs and trunk together and needs less ceiling height than most machines. Quote-only.

2. Curved or motorised?

	Motorised	Curved (self-powered)
Power	Needs a mains socket	No plug, no motor
Speed control	You set it, the belt holds it	Set by where you stand on the curve
Incline	Yes, powered	No
Effort at the same pace	Lower	Noticeably higher
Servicing	Motor and belt are wear items	Nothing to service
Safety at sprint pace	Belt keeps running if you stop	Belt stops when you stop

3. Space and setup

• Ceiling height. The running surface sits around 20cm off the floor. Add your own height to that before you order — this is what catches people out in garages and converted lofts.
• Access. Treadmills are the heaviest and least forgiving machines to get into a house. Measure doorway widths and any turns in the hallway. A curved treadmill has no motor housing, which makes it easier to manoeuvre but no lighter.
• Floor. If the treadmill is going upstairs, check the floor loading. Rubber flooring underneath cuts the noise dramatically — see Gym & Studio Flooring from £56.50.
• Flats and shared houses. A treadmill is the noisiest, highest-impact cardio machine we sell, at any price. An indoor cycle from £1,060 or a rower from £1,095 is a better fit.

4. Features that actually change the price

On commercial motorised treadmills the variable within a single model is the console, not the running deck. The same machine underneath can be specified with a basic display or a large touchscreen, and the difference is considerable. If your console needs to show speed, incline, distance and heart rate and nothing more, the lower option saves a great deal on identical hardware — tell us which you want when you request a quote.

What is worth paying for: deck cushioning, motor rating, frame weight, warranty terms and belt width.

5. Our treadmills

StairMaster HIITMILL X	£3,550	Self-powered slat belt with magnetic resistance and a push-sled handle. Best for sprints and conditioning.
Attack Fitness Run Attack Curved Treadmill	£4,320	Self-powered curved deck. Best for HIIT and sprint work.
Attack Fitness Run Attack Curved (With Resistance)	£4,470	Adds magnetic braking for sled pushes — £150 more, and the better buy if you train conditioning at all.
Star Trac 4-Series Treadmill	Price on request	Commercial motorised deck with powered incline. Best all-round choice for running and incline walking.
Star Trac 8TRX Treadmill	Price on request	Top-tier commercial motorised treadmill. Best for busy commercial floors.

We also supply the wider Star Trac range — the 6 Series 6TR, 8 Series 8TR and 10TRx FreeRunner™ — specified and priced per installation. Request a quote.

Which one should you buy?

• One treadmill, general home use, you want to run: the Star Trac 4-Series — ask us for a quote.
• No mains socket where the treadmill has to go: a curved treadmill — it needs no power at all.
• Interval and sprint training: Run Attack Curved at £4,320, or the version with resistance at £4,470 if you also want sled pushes.
• Sled work and short hard sessions rather than distance: HIITMILL X at £3,550.
• Commercial floor with continuous daily use: the Star Trac 8TRX — ask us for a quote.

Buying from Pro Gym Essentials

• Free UK delivery on orders of £250 or more — every priced treadmill qualifies. Quote-only machines have delivery confirmed in your quote.
• Dispatch within 5 working days, tracking emailed within 24 hours of dispatch.
• Manufacturer’s warranty on every machine, with terms on the product page.
• Installation available on many items — contact us before ordering to confirm availability and cost for your location.
• We check the fit before you order. Send us your ceiling height, doorway widths and access route and we will confirm it against the specification.

Browse all treadmills or call 0333 880 3211 for a recommendation.