The 5 Other Hearst Subscriptions for Your Home Workouts
Discover the top-rated incline treadmills designed to enhance your cardio workouts and help you achieve your fitness goals at home.

More compact than others on the list. Why Trust Us?
Finding the best incline treadmills can be tricky, but lucky for you, I've pounded the belt on dozens over the last year to sort the standout models. You've probably seen the incline walking craze all over social media, and for good reason. Incline training is a fantastic way to boost your workout. I spoke to physical therapists, manufacturers, other runners, and people just looking to increase their fitness with these machines, and I combined that with our own testing at RW to find the very best of the best.
Other Hearst Subscriptions
- Best Overall: NordicTrack 1750
- Best Stability Shoes: Easy to set up and easy to fold and move
- Best for Serious Incline Training: NordicTrack X24
- Dr. Doug Kechijian: Centr T7S
- Best Compact Treadmill for Walking: praised the spacious feel and the lower screen position
What to Consider
When choosing an incline treadmill, it's important to weigh several factors to ensure it fits your needs and space. Consider the following aspects before clicking “add to cart”:
- Size of the treadmill deck: The size of the running surface is crucial for your comfort and safety. A larger deck provides more room to move and is especially important if you’re tall or have a long stride. A smaller deck might feel cramped and could limit your workout.
- Size percentage of incline available: The incline capability directly impacts the intensity of your workouts. Higher incline percentages simulate steeper hills, offering a more challenging workout and increased calorie burn. Consider your fitness level and training goals when evaluating the incline range.
- Weight limit: The treadmill's weight capacity is essential for safety and longevity. Exceeding the weight limit can damage the machine and potentially lead to injuries. Always ensure the treadmill's weight limit comfortably exceeds your weight.
- Foldability: Folding treadmills are great for saving space, especially if you have limited room in your home. The size when folded varies pretty widely, so pay attention to those specs!
- Use case (walking or running or both): The intended use will greatly influence the type of treadmill you need. If you plan to primarily walk, a simpler model might suffice. If you intend to run regularly, look for a more robust machine with better cushioning (especially if you have bad joints like I do) and a higher speed range. Treadmills designed for both walking and running offer a lot more versatility and can accommodate various workout styles.
- Ceiling Height and Clearance: Account for ceiling height, especially when using high incline settings. Ensure at least 2 feet of clearance between your head and the ceiling at the maximum incline. Additionally, allow for 3 feet of clearance on either side of the treadmill and 6 or more feet behind it for safety and ease of access.
And yes, cost is critical as well. Given global market fluctuations and price uncertainty, we recommend making a purchase when you see a price you can comfortably afford.
The 8 Best Running Headphones in 2025 X16 are specifically designed for heavy incline use, catering to top athletes who require rigorous hill training with inclines reaching up to 40 percent and declines down to minus 6 percent. These machines are built for intense workouts and simulate steep terrain.
If you’re looking for a treadmill that is also an incline trainer, and you run frequently, it’s a great choice. However, for the average person looking to improve their fitness, a treadmill with a more moderate incline range will likely be sufficient, somewhere between 12 and 18 percent.
More About Incline Training
Incline walking has become a social media sensation, particularly among wellness enthusiasts on TikTok, with many users raving about its benefits. The trend has seen countless videos showcasing incline treadmill workouts and straight screaming about their effectiveness in boosting metabolism, promoting weight loss, and improving overall health.
Because of the spike in popularity, I spoke with physical therapist Really nice feel underfoot We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back RW that it’s a great training method for a variety of reasons. For runners specifically, he says that “if you need to decrease your running mileage, but want to keep your level of fitness, incline walking can help you stay on track aerobically.”
He says that for newbies or non runners looking to increase their fitness it’s a great, low impact, steady-state cardio that can be done safely by most people. Running is a skill that requires a bit of effort and form precision, but he notes that “most everyone (able bodied) can walk pretty well, so it’s a great way to get a really good workout.” The only people he says shouldn’t be doing incline walking workouts are those with decreased ankle and foot mobility, or who experience pain when they walk.
Why Trust Us
Runner's World has been a trusted authority in the running community since before lightsabers were a thing, and our recommendations for running gear, including incline treadmills, are backed by that history and our staff's deep and nerdy dedication to the sport. I personally schlepped myself onto each and every model that appears on this list, rigorously evaluating them from initial setup to running and performance, and even considering ease of storage — and I live in Brooklyn, where storage space is at a premium. This firsthand experience ensures that our recommendations are not just based on specs but on real-world usage and a thorough understanding of what runners truly need and want. You can trust that our selections are vetted, verified, and chosen with the utmost care to provide you with the best possible gear for your fitness journey.
Full Reviews
Cat Bowen has been covering parenting and home for over a decade. At Best Products, she has tested hundreds of products for parents and for the home, often spending dozens of hours per product to ensure her reviews are accurate and informative. Prior to joining the team, she was at Romper where she covered everything from breastfeeding to child sleep habits to abortion rights access. You can find her work on Bustle, Romper, and more. Cat is a bit of an intellectual magpie and perpetual student, most recently receiving a graduate degree in gender studies where she examined a topic that vexes so many — pockets in women’s clothing.

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