When someone had the bright idea to remove all the sidewalks and greenspace it can be difficult to reach your step count. No one can blame you for not feeling comfortable running outside with people judging you and covid lurking behind every corner. Let’s face it – not everyone wants to run in the rain.
Treadmills can provide you with the safety, convenience, and comfort that you would lack outside of your home. There are a couple of things to watch out for when selecting a treadmill if you are 500lbs or over. Not every treadmill is going to have a high enough weight capacity. Plus, when you are a heavier weight, you want to make sure that there’s a level of shock absorption because it will allow you to go further without feeling so much stress on your joints.
Treadmills that are up to spec can be costly, so it is important to get them right so that you don’t have to replace your treadmill regularly. Here we will compare treadmills so you can get the levels of dependability, safety, and convenience you deserve.
What is the Best Treadmill For 500 Pounds?
To find the Best Treadmill For 500 Pounds for you we have used several of treadmills priced under 500 pounds and selected the absolute top 4 treadmills for 500 pounds.
This is based on our first-hand experiences, years of practice as well as individual research on what others have to say, so that we can give you a more well-rounded review.
Feel free to scroll to the end of this article for a short buying guide and some frequently asked questions.
1. Folding 3 Manual Incline 500LB Weight-Capacity Smart Treadmill
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 77 pounds (34.93 kg) Size: 50 x 49 x 27 inches (127 x 124.5 x 68.6 cm) Speed: 12 miles per hour Max Horsepower: 2.5 hp Max weight: 330 lbs Display type: LED Monitor |
The Liju Folding Smart Treadmill is a light-duty motorized running machine for home applications. It features a folding design for easy installation and a load capacity of 330 pounds. However, some users note it has a lightweight build quality that does not support tall and heavy users. The treadmill features a 2.5 HP motor for light running and walking activities and provides a top speed of 12Km/h. It has an easy assembly design with a compact footprint and weighs 77 pounds for convenient transport and storage. On the downside, this treadmill is significantly compact for the average-sized adult to use comfortably. It has a smaller belt size than manual treadmills measuring 41.33″L x 15.75″ W, which is tight for most users. However, the belt is of remarkable quality featuring five layers for durability, traction, and noise reduction. Another plus is that the machine comes with Bluetooth-enabled speakers and a media rack to connect your smartphone for entertainment while exercising. It also features 12 pre-set training programs to challenge your workout routine and three manually adjusted incline levels to tone your leg muscles.
Pros
- Light-duty motorized treadmill to fit small spaces,
- Decent quality construction with a multi-layered running belt,
- Provides flexible exercise routines with pre-set programs and incline levels,
- Bluetooth connectivity and media rack to enhance your workout experience
Cons
- Misleading weight capacity specifications,
- Significantly small running deck for average-sized adults
2. HCI Fitness PhysioMill Rehabilitation Walking Treadmill
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 345 pounds (156.49 kg) Size: 80 x 40 x 30 inches (203.2 x 101.6 x 76.2 cm) Speed: 15 miles per hour Max Horsepower: 4 hp Max Incline: 15 ° Max weight: 500 lbs Display type: 9″ LCD Monitor Heart rate monitor: Contact Pulse Sensors |
The HCI Fitness PhysioMill Rehabilitation Walking Treadmill is a heavy-duty unit designed for rehab, physical therapy, active aging, and general fitness. The PhysioMill is one of the few models in the market that offer a 500-pound weight limit, making it ideal for obese people trying to lose weight. Plus, it has a low 6.25 inches step-up height to make it safe for people with joint pain and limited mobility to get on and off the deck.
The PhysioMill features full-length handrails for stability and a generous walking deck to support users of all sizes. Additionally, it features a 0-15% incline with a reversible belt to simulate walking downhill to build leg muscles. While it is a pretty heavy machine, I like that it comes pre-assembled out of the box with just the handrails to attach. It has a 4.0 HP motor to power it and supports up to 15 MPH running speed. The PhysioMill is a high-quality and durable machine that delivers excellent performance and is quite expensive. However, it has a large footprint and a non-foldable design, and you need to have plenty of space to accommodate it.
Pros
- Solid high-quality construction for heavy-duty applications,
- Low profile design to support easy access on the deck,
- Full-length handrails provide stability during reverse walking,
- Features a hand-held remote control for convenient operation,
- The user-friendly console displays all user metrics for feedback,
- Dual emergency buttons provide safety for users in recovery,
- The powerful motor handles obese users and prolonged exercise sessions
Cons
- The bulky and non-foldable design requires lots of storage space,
- More expensive than conventional treadmills
3. Nautilus Treadmill Series
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 253 pounds (114.76 kg) Size: 78 x 62.8 x 37.6 inches (198.1 x 159.5 x 95.5 cm) Speed: 12 miles per hour Max Horsepower: 3.5 hp Max Incline: 15 ° Max weight: 350 lbs Display type: 3.75″ & 5.5″ Backlit LCD Windows Heart rate monitor: Hand Pulse Sensors & Telemetry |
The Nautilus Treadmill Series T618 model is one of several treadmills and recumbent bikes from the Nautilus Performance Series. It is a light commercial-grade treadmill affordably priced for home applications and comes with several exciting features to keep you motivated. The T618 has a high capacity 3.5 HP motor that provides smooth and quiet power for intense training without overheating. However, several users report that the electronic parts are of cheap quality and may need frequent replacing. Additionally, the motor may not handle obese people and prolonged training sessions even though the product specifications indicate a 350-pound weight capacity. On the other hand, Nautilus provides a 5-year warranty on parts and a 2-year warranty on labor for product issues and comes with excellent after-sales service. The T618 features a 60″L x 20″W 3-ply running belt that is comfortably spaced for most runners, and it comes with Rebound Cushioning to reduce impact and fatigue on your joints. The treadmill provides a 15% maximum incline function and a 12 MPH top running speed to simulate outdoor running conditions while training with Explore the World App. Additionally, the machine comes with 26 built-in workout programs that add variety to your regimen while building cardiovascular endurance. The console displays your workout metrics on two backlit LCD panels and is Bluetooth enabled to synchronize with fitness apps on your phone. It also features stereo speakers and a 3-speed cooling fan as extras. It also supports telemetry heart rate monitoring with a chest strap that is included in the box and a media tray to hold your smartphone.
Pros
- High-quality and robust treadmill for performance training,
- Offers a variety of training programs and compatibility with training apps,
- Easy to assemble and the company provides excellent product support services,
- Sturdy construction with a spacious running deck,
- Comes with integrated speakers and a cooling fan to improve the running experience,
- Chest strap for heart rate monitoring is included in the package,
- Features quick-select speed and incline adjustments on the handlebars
Cons
- Mechanical parts may have a short service life,
- Speakers are not Bluetooth supported to play music from your device,
- Does not feature a cool down option
4. XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Folding Treadmill
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 213.9 pounds (97.02 kg) Size: 77.2 x 56.1 x 35.5 inches (196.1 x 142.5 x 90.2 cm) Speed: 12 miles per hour Max Horsepower: 3 hp Max Incline: 12 ° Max weight: 350 lbs Display type: 6.5″ Backlit LCD Display Heart rate monitor: Hand Pulse Sensors & Telemetry |
If you are looking for a high-performance treadmill for home use, the XTERRA Fitness TRX3500 Folding Treadmill may be a good choice. Although it is expensive for a home workout machine, it offers several training advantages that you would get from a commercial treadmill. It is also solid and well built for intense cardio workouts, endurance training, and weight loss. The TRX3500 features a heavy-duty steel frame that supports a maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds. The frame is foldable and uses a hydraulic mechanism to fold and drop safely, while its integrated transport wheels assist in moving it to storage. While it is a significantly heavy machine, its weight helps keep it stable while running at high speed, plus it comes with front and rear adjustable stabilizers to keep it level. I also like its extra long running deck that accommodates people with a long stride and features multiple cushioning points for impact absorption and a robust 2-ply Duraweave belt with excellent traction. Furthermore, the 3.0 HP motor delivers smooth and quiet performance for extended training and has a top speed of 12 MPH. The console offers a 6.5-inch backlit display with 30 pre-set workout programs and quick selection buttons for 0-12° incline adjustments and speed. The console also enables telemetric heart rate monitoring with chest straps alongside the EKG pulse sensors on the handlebars. It also features a fan, two cup holders, a media rack, integrated stereo speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity that allows you to sync your workout data with third-party apps such as MyFitnessPal.
Pros
- Pre-assembled out of the box making set up a quick and effortless task,
- Heavy-duty construction provides stability for intense training, Convenient speed and incline adjustments on console and handlebars,
- Offers a variety of pre-programmed workouts for any fitness level,
- A spacious running surface that accommodates people with long strides,
- Quick selection speed and incline adjustments on the console and handlebars,
- Bluetooth enabled to synchronize with various fitness apps
Cons
- It has only provided two user profiles,
- Significantly heavy to move and install on upper floors,
- Does not come with accessories such as the HR chest strap
Verdict
To sum up, out of the top 4 Best Treadmill For 500 Pounds, our absolute top pick is Folding 3 Manual Incline 500LB Weight-Capacity Smart Treadmill.
If you have the money, you can go for HCI Fitness PhysioMill Rehabilitation Walking Treadmill which is our premium pick.
However, there’s nothing wrong with going for the budget option, which we found to be the Nautilus Treadmill Series.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying treadmills for 500 pounds
Weight Capacity
Each treadmill has a graded weight capacity provided by the manufacturer. It’s one of the most important specifications and you need to make sure it meets your criteria. Failing to match the right capacity, might result in injuries or mechanical failure of the equipment.
Not all treadmills are designed to be able to carry plus-sized users. Sometimes they are built to be lightweight and sacrifice weight. Consequently, they sacrifice some of the support that would otherwise be given by the treadmill.
Medical treadmills are your best bet when it comes to weight capacity. This is because they are designed to rehabilitate people with larger weights as well as the elderly and people who suffer from knee problems. This means that the treadmills tend to not only have a large weight capacity but also high shock absorbance.
Treadmill Benefits
Some of the most significant from treadmills benefits include: efficient weight loss tool, high availability due to being weather independent, a great tool to build muscles and bone density, improvement of blood circulation in the body, great cardio workout due to easily adjustable workout insensitivity, ability to track your activity with build-in heart monitors and displays showing you your progress.
Fat Loss
Treadmills can be a great help in losing weight because of their high availability and adaptability. Exercising at your fat-burning heart rate promotes weight loss. This is the range where you burn the most calories per minute. Most modern treadmills have a built-in heart rate monitor and make this process easier for you.
Safety
In general, treadmills are considered very safe, and if the manufacturer’s instructions are followed, accidents are rare. Among the most dangerous home treadmill accidents is losing your footing and becoming trapped between the machine and a wall. If you fall, the still-spinning treadmill can cause severe skin burns. To prevent this, treadmill manufacturers have developed a clip-on safety key that shuts off the internal circuit to stop the treadmill. Typically, there’s also an emergency stop button you can press.
All Weather Workout
Weather independence is one of the most attractive benefits of a treadmill. If you are one of those people who find it difficult to get a workout in bad weather, an indoor treadmill is a great addition to your routine. Depending on where you are in the world, running on a train can be affected by weather conditions and become unsafe, such as muddy or icy – a treadmill eliminates this risk.
Convenience
Convenience is one of the main selling points of treadmills. Aspects making treadmills so convenient include: Weather and time independence, meaning you can exercise at any time and in any weather. You can also do other things on the treadmill, such as watch TV or read, to keep the workout interesting.
Programs
Programs are simply workouts that are pre-programmed on the treadmill. Any activity on the treadmill can technically be a workout but those that are programmed are often targeting specific aspects of fitness such as cardio or fat burning. Preprogrammed workouts are useful because it is disruptive to change the inclines or speed as you run. Also when you’re already tired, the last thing you desire to do is make it more difficult by increasing the speed or incline. However, a pre set program will increase the speed and incline for you. Programs also give you something to work towards such as the completion of a milestone. These programs can be fitness tests that both challenge your speed and endurance and give you an idea of how to fit you are. There are also popular workouts like 5k training or High-Intensity Interval Training. When buying treadmills, generally the more programs there are the better, but the main thing you should look out for is ‘user-defined or ‘custom’ workouts so you can set your workout. Usually, a treadmill might come with preset workouts. Having more preset workouts is good if you like variety and so that you can choose harder/easier workouts based on how you feel that day.
Storage and Portability
While treadmills aren’t known for being either portable or easy to store, some can be (just have a look at the list above). Consider a foldable treadmill for easy storage and portability. Most producers will list the dimensions of the folded machine so you can see if it will fit within your home gym storage.
Track Size
Standard treadmills measure between 55 and 65 inches in length for you to walk and run comfortably. If you have shorter legs you could be fine with a shorter track while tall people should try to get a treadmill with a longer running area.
When it comes to width, you should aim for a track that is around 22 inches wide.
Questions and Answers About treadmills for 500 pounds
What is a good size treadmill?
Treadmill size should match your needs. If you are putting it in a small space, go for something collapsible and possibly smaller than the usual large treadmill sizes. For bigger spaces, ensure that it will fit your stride length so that you can get the full benefits of exercising on it while not having to limit yourself to a smaller stride.
Limiting yourself to a smaller stride isn’t in itself detrimental to your run and could lead to you spending less effort going the same distance and even avoiding overstretching. But the faster you go the larger your stride. This means that limiting your stride might mean that you need to limit your speed. Also if you are a heavier individual then you may need a wider treadmill so that you can run will the full range of motion. Not doing so could be uncomfortable for you or even lead to injury.
Are treadmills really worth the cost?
Treadmills are only worth the cost if you use them enough to make it worth it. These exercise devices can be a hefty investment, which makes their value questionable for some people. However, if they last for years after frequent use then that is something worth considering.
Another thing that determines how much a treadmill is worth the cost is extra features like safety measures or convenience options, such as charging your phone while running on one. Investing slightly more into a treadmill with added safety features might be worth it in this case. Simple features like charging your phone to keep the music goiing is simple touches that could vastly improve the running experience.
Are treadmills bad for your knees?
Running can be bad for your knees if you do not practise proper warm up techniques. First, there’s the impact on them every time you land with each stride when you run outside or indoors on a treadmill. The shock of that repeated pounding can damage the cartilage in your knee joint which could lead to arthritis down the track if not managed correctly by getting medical advice about how often to run, and what can be done for extra support (more supportive shoes). A lot of the time, the terrain, speed, and incline will have a big effect on how much strain is put on your knees. Running down a steep hill is one of the worse things to do to your knees as the momentum of your body from both gravity and forwards force is considerable. In this way, a treadmill is considerably better for your knees than outdoor running. You can control your incline, plus most treadmills will not go up to an incline steep enough to cause considerable harm to your knee joints. You can also control the speed so you can control how hard you’re running. Running on concrete means that there is considerable impact on your knees because the ground does nothing to cushion your landing. A running belt is considerably less impactful than running on a road. Treadmills sometimes come with extra shock absorbance, so if you are concerned about your knees that might be a feature to look out for.
