There are several differences between residential treadmills and commercial treadmills. A residential treadmill is only going to have you and maybe a roommate or family member or two on it per day. Commercial treadmills are built to handle constant foot traffic from several people throughout the day.
Commercial treadmills have heavier-duty builds and more powerful motors. They’re typically larger and heavier, don’t fold up, and often cost much more than home treadmills. You probably know this, and if you’ve hopped on a treadmill at your local gym, you’ve noticed the elevated construction.
Instead of giving you a list of “heavy-duty” home treadmills, we’ve included actual commercial-grade treadmills. So, keep reading to find the best commercial treadmill for your home, small studio, or public gym.
Best Commercial Treadmills of 2024 – Our Experts’ Top Picks
We’ve included a description of each treadmill below to help you search.
Sole TT8 Treadmill
Best Commercial Treadmill Overall
- Handles home and light gym use
- It has a 4.0 HP DC motor
- Inclines and declines
- It comes with 12 preloaded streaming apps and trainer-led workout videos
- Rated for light commercial use
- Lower in price than other commercial treadmills
- It comes with a lifetime warranty
- Not as heavy-duty as others on this list
- Touchscreen doesn’t adjust
The Sole TT8 has a great 22” wide and 60” long deck with firm cushioning to help lessen the impact on your joints while still feeling like the road outside. The deck also has 15 levels of incline and six levels of decline paired with a 12 mph max speed.
This treadmill is great for most people because of the 400-lb weight limit. However, since it weighs 319 lbs and doesn’t fold up, we recommend a designated space. There are transportation wheels for when you need to move it, though.
The TT8 has a sleek design with a 15.6” touch screen to offer onboard workout programs and streaming from apps like Netflix. You can also pair your phone and mirror content from it and charge your phone on the pad built into the console. These features are all available without an additional subscription fee, so the Sole TT8 Treadmill is cost-effective, too.
Click here to read our detailed review of the Sole TT8.
Interested in the Sole TT8?
AssaultRunner Elite
Best Curved Manual Commerical Treadmill
- Durable, low-maintenance design
- User-controlled belt
- No electricity required
- Easier to move than other commercial treadmills
- Helps promote proper running mechanics
- Bluetooth-supported console
- The belt can take some getting used to at first
- Less cushioned than many motorized treadmills
Good luck out-running it. Assault Fitness includes a lifetime belt warranty with the Elite to cover your runs. I’ve seen AssaultFitness in homes, garages, public gyms, and CrossFit gyms. It’s a conditioning staple.
Whether you’re a distance runner, looking for a realistic and low-maintenance treadmill, or wanting to incorporate cardio intervals into your strength training routine, you should consider the AssaultRunner Elite.
Many other commercial treadmills require regular lubrication and motor maintenance. They also require electricity. You can use the Elite just about anywhere because it doesn’t require being plugged in. You’re the electricity, and if you can do it, the Elite will handle it.
Click here to read our detailed review of the AssaultRunner Elite.
Interested in the Assault Runner Elite?
Life Fitness Club Series+ Treadmill
Best Commercial Treadmill Runner-Up
- 4.0 HP AC peak performance motor
- Two console options
- FlexDeck shock absorption
- Connects to training apps through Bluetooth and NFC connection
- Open console design for uninhibited arm movement
- Reinforced upright construction
- 15% incline
- Very heavy and difficult to move
- No subscription training content
The SL and SE4 consoles are very different from one another. The SL is your typical standard display with 22 onboard workouts, a device rack, and heart rate monitor connectivity. If you want to feel like you’re at the gym on this gym-quality treadmill, this is your console.
The SE4, on the other hand, has a large 24” touchscreen, app streaming from Netflix and Spotify, phone charging, Life Fitness On Demand+ workout classes, and interactive Lifescape courses. Thanks to the touchscreen, it has more tech training features.
The treadmill itself is what we expect from Life Fitness. It has a 4.0 HP AC motor with an 8.0 HP peak. So, if you want to incorporate intense training, the motor will adapt its horsepower to run more efficiently. A lifetime warranty covers it, and handles up to 400 lbs.
It weighs 434 lbs, so it’s heavy-duty. Consider this treadmill if you want a gym treadmill from a familiar brand.
Interested in the Life Fitness Club Series+?
Landice L7 Treadmill
Best Commercial Treadmill For Home
- Choose between three different consoles
- Built-in workout options
- 4.0 HP motor is powerful for indoor running
- Lifetime warranty
- Shock absorption to lessen the impact that comes with running
- Very heavy
- Slightly smaller running surface than others
The Elite console is a 15.6” touchscreen with 42 workout programs, virtual runs, Bluetooth connectivity, and app integration with Netflix and more. The Achieve console is a 9” color LCD display with 28 onboard workout programs and Bluetooth connectivity. The Pro Sports console is the least expensive, with fewer features. It has a 9” color LCD with 13 onboard programs.
Landice claims that the 20” x 58” deck is five times softer than running on grass. It should be well-cushioned, although remember that most commercial-grade treadmills are pretty firm to run on.
The 4.0 HP DC motor is great for home and light commercial use. This probably isn’t a treadmill for a busy public gym, but it should work well for a few hours per day.
If you’re looking for a treadmill that comes with different console options that are a little more compact for your home than other commercial treadmills, check out the Landice L7.
Interested in the Landice L7 Treadmill?
Vision T600 Treadmill
Best Commercial Treadmill For Running
- 4.2 HP AC motor
- Simple LED console
- Onboard workout programs
- Cushioned, industrial-grade deck
- Lifetime frame, motor, and cushioning warranty
- Made for serious running
- Extremely heavy
- No subscription training content
There are nine onboard workout programs and a wireless heart rate receiver to connect to a compatible tracker. There are also pulse grips if you want to check your heart rate occasionally without constantly monitoring the screen.
The 4.2 HP AC motor and heavy-gauge steel frame will handle all the running your heart desires. It also supports runners of all sizes with its 400-lb weight limit. The 15% incline and 12 mph max speed provide all the training variables you need. A 12 mph max speed is a 5-minute mile running pace, so fast enough for most people.
When you use this in your home, the Vision T600 is covered by a lifetime frame, motor, and cushioning warranty. For commercial use, the motor is covered for five years. If you’re a runner who wants to keep your indoor runs simple and structured, check out the T600.
Interested in the Vision T600 Treadmill?
What To Consider When Buying A Commercial Treadmill
There are some factors to keep in mind when purchasing a commercial treadmill, or any treadmill for that matter. Below are some tips to help you pick the best commercial treadmill for you.
Training Goals
If you’re in the market for a commercial treadmill, then you probably want one that’s durable and capable of handling a lot of use. But what exactly is the type of training you’re looking to do, and what kind of features do you prefer? Considering the motor size and type, deck cushioning, speed, and incline range can help you narrow your search.
Most commercially rated treadmills have AC motors, which makes them better for all-day use. DC motors are more commonly found in home treadmills, but they vary in size for what types of activity they can handle. We recommend looking into 3-4 HP DC motors in home treadmills. These are the most comparable to AC motors. They’re not quite as durable, but they’re quieter and suitable for most homes.
The shock absorption in the deck is also an important factor. If you have joint issues or discomfort, you’ll probably want to look into a well-cushioned deck versus an outdoor runner, who might want a more firmly cushioned deck to run on. Treadmills also vary in speed and incline. Some even decline, so check out the training capabilities to make sure the treadmill aligns with what you’re looking for.
Home Space
Commercial treadmills are large machines that often are heavy and hard to move. Most are only appropriate to use on ground floors because of their weight. Most are non-folding, too. You want to ensure you have enough floor space and ceiling clearance to use your treadmill safely.
We’ve included some home treadmills on this list of best commercial treadmills because some of them fold up, so if you need a treadmill that has a folding deck, we’ve included some worthy options that are great to consider.
Another factor to keep in mind is the type of outlet the treadmill requires to use. Most home treadmills plug into standard outlets, but many commercial treadmills have AC motors that require specific types of outlets, so you’ll want to be sure you check the manual of whichever treadmill you decide to buy to make sure you have the proper outlet and space for it.
Budget
Commercial treadmills can run upwards of $10,000 or more, depending on the model and manufacturer. There are some options for less than that, as well as home treadmills that are priced for a fraction of this cost, so considering your budget can help determine which treadmill is appropriate for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Buy A Commercial Treadmill For Home Use?
A commercial treadmill is certainly an investment and an expensive piece of fitness equipment. Although it might be overkill for some, a commercial treadmill is a good idea if you’re looking for an extremely durable treadmill that you have a large space and budget.
What’s The Difference Between A Commercial Treadmill And A Regular Treadmill?
A commercial treadmill is rated for use in public gyms that see foot traffic all the time. A home treadmill is rated for home use where only one person or maybe a small household will use the treadmill. Commercial treadmills come with AC motors, which are more powerful but often not as quiet as DC motors in home treadmills.
Commercial treadmills are also very heavy and non-foldable, so they require a designed space to use them. Home treadmills can also be heavy and non-folding, but there are a lot more options that are smaller and foldable to choose from to fit in more homes.
How Long Should A Commercial Treadmill Last?
A commercial treadmill can last upwards of 10 years or more. The construction and how well it’s maintained can help impact its longevity.
What Is The Top Speed Of A Commercial Treadmill?
Commercial treadmills can have max speeds of 12 and even 15 mph if they’re motorized. Manual treadmills, in comparison, don’t have a maximum speed since the pace of the belt is controlled by your pace rather than a motor.
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