Introduction to Treadmill Buyers Guide

We thought it would be worthwhile to share our Staff Picks for the Best Australian Treadmills in 2025 before we get into our full Treadmill Buyers Guide, which goes through everything you need to know about the terminology and features of treadmills. This list only includes running machines that are supported locally, right here in Australia, as the majority of "best treadmills" lists we find online were created by foreign websites.

Best Budget Treadmill: Endurance Superstar

For the price, the features on this jogger's treadmill are surprisingly good. The majority of general users will be satisfied with 14 kph speeds, and the blue-backlit screen is easy to read with plenty of feedback, including time, speed, distance, and your heart rate. Since so many treadmills in this sub-$1000 range are purchased from online and discount vendors, whose backup service is appalling when things go wrong, Endurance is a brand supported by a strong warranty across Australia.

Best Premium Treadmill: Endurance Spirit (SPT) Treadmill

This treadmill is built to last, with cutting-edge technology, a large mat, and a powerful motor. This Treadmill has over 500 five star reviews on Google, Amazon and on Endurance Retailer Websites.
It is also rated the best value treadmill in Australia by news.com.au
You can read why its so popular here where it is voted the No 1 best value in Australia and the Editors no1 treadmill choice

Best Family Treadmill: Endurance Attack Treadmill

Many customers purchase a treadmill for their home, where it will be used by mum, dad, and sometimes the kids, so look for a treadmill that is strong enough and has a diverse enough feature set to meet all of their needs. Enter the Endurance Attack: a suitable 22kph means everyone can go at a good running pace (and even include sprint training), and a powerful 4.0HP motor provides enough grunt to handle a user weighing up to 180kg. It even has a tablet ledge for those in your family who are addicted to soap operas or Instagram to use while working out! This treadmill also includes Bluetooth speakers for listening to music while running. Read more reviews below on Endurance Attack Treadmill where it rates 4.5 out of 5 stars.

TREADMILL BUYER'S GUIDES

WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM A TREADMILL?

✔ What will you do with it? run? walk?

✔ How many people will use it? whole family? Single user?

✔ Take into account your height and weight.

✔ Are you on a budget?

Before you even begin looking, ask these questions so that you have a good idea of the qualities that will appeal to you the most.

KEY TREADMILL ATTRIBUTES

These are the essential characteristics of any treadmill. Finding the best treadmill for you requires an understanding of these factors.

Speed (The speed range for treadmills is roughly 10 to 22 kph)

In general, 10k is a light jog, 12 is a jog, 14 is a light run, 16 is a fast run, and 18-20 is a very fast run.

However, don't judge your needs based on what you want to average - it's your top speed that matters.

Most personal trainers, for example, recommend a mix of hard and easy sessions, and even within sessions, they recommend a lot of "interval training" (hard for a minute, slow for a minute, uphill for a minute, and so on). So, within this framework, and considering where your fitness is likely to progress (rather than where it is now! ), what speed will you require?

In general, I advise customers to travel at least 16kph, preferably 18kph. While this may appear to be fast to most people, they will most likely use it in short bursts. And getting that extra speed doesn't cost much more.

Horsepower

Treadmill motors are typically rated in terms of horsepower (HP). The horsepower rating of a treadmill motor indicates the amount of power the motor can produce. A higher horsepower rating generally means the motor can produce more power and can handle a heavier load.

For light to medium weight individuals, a motor with a horsepower rating of 1.5 to 2.5 HP should be sufficient. For heavier individuals or those who plan to use the treadmill for running, a motor with a horsepower rating of 3.0 HP or higher is recommended.

However, it's important to note that horsepower ratings can be misleading as they are often peak ratings and not continuous ratings. Treadmills with continuous duty ratings are better to compare than peak ratings.

Also, other factors such as the quality of the components and the design of the treadmill can also affect its performance and durability. It is important to choose a treadmill with a good quality motor and other components to ensure that it can handle the weight and usage of the person who will be using it.

What is the difference between peak and continuous motor rating? 

The difference between peak and continuous motor rating on a treadmill motor refers to the amount of power that the motor can produce over a given period of time.

A peak motor rating refers to the maximum amount of power that the motor can produce for a very short period of time. This rating is often used to advertise the power of the motor, but it is not representative of the amount of power that the motor can produce over a long period of time.

On the other hand, a continuous motor rating refers to the amount of power that the motor can produce over an extended period of time without overheating or losing power. This rating is a better indicator of the motor's true capabilities and is more representative of the power that a treadmill user will experience during regular use.

When looking for a treadmill, it is important to pay attention to the continuous motor rating, as this will give you a more accurate idea of the motor's capabilities. Be aware of peak motor rating as it can be misleading, it's not the same as continuous rating.

Incline (ie. from being flat to being uphill)

The 'manual incline' features of the extremely affordable models require you to get off the treadmill and move a lever in order to adjust the incline. Ignore them. They may be inexpensive, but you won't really do that while running.

Auto-incline models are the best (also known as "electric incline"). This means they have a small motor to lift it up and down as you run.

First, determine how many ways you can adjust the incline. On the console, there will be at least one "up and down" button. However, there may be a button on the handlebars (to make it easier to access them while running). There may also be "quick incline" keys, which means that instead of tapping "up" ten times, you simply hit the "12" button to get to 12kph.

Second, incline adjustment may be built into the programs.

Finally, don't be concerned about how steep the incline is. Some say "10%," others say "12 levels," but really, you'll know when you're running!

Programs

All treadmills allow you to manually adjust the settings (sometimes jokingly referred to as 1 "manual program"). They also come with other programs that allow the treadmill's computer to automatically adjust the speed (and sometimes also the incline) without your intervention.

This is fantastic news. If you've done a lot of treadmill running, you'll know two things: it's more difficult than it appears to hit those little sucker buttons while you're in full flight, and as you get tired, you become more distracted and less interested in changing things yourself.

Enter the program domain. So keep an eye out for a few things with the programs:

✔ How many do you get? (However, don't put too much stock in this - the most useful and popular programs are usually found in the first 3-4)

✔ Are they just speed programs or speed-and-incline programs?

✔ Do you have "user programs"? (ones you can make up and save for yourself, rather than stick with what they preset at the factory)

✔ Do you get "heart-rate control" programs?

Mat size

The mat is the flexible rotating surface that your feet actually contact when you run. And size matters.

When considering a treadmill, one crucial factor to pay attention to is the size of the mat, which is the surface your feet come into contact with while running. Mat size plays a significant role in providing a comfortable and safe running experience.

The length of the mat is particularly important and should be chosen based on your height and stride length. Generally, a longer mat is preferable, as it allows for a more natural and unrestricted running motion. This is especially beneficial during longer treadmill runs when fatigue can cause your body to sway. If the mat is too short or narrow, there is a risk of stepping off the edges or even falling off the back, which can be both embarrassing and hazardous.

For the width of the mat, a minimum of 45cm is recommended. However, wider mats can offer added stability and give you more room to move comfortably during your workout.

In addition to length and width, some treadmill models provide information about the mat thickness, typically ranging from 1mm to 3mm. Thicker mats are often referred to as "orthopedic" mats and offer a couple of potential advantages.

Firstly, thicker mats are believed to provide extra cushioning for your joints. However, it's important to note that the majority of shock absorption during running comes from the treadmill deck itself, as well as the quality of your running shoes.

Secondly, a thicker mat can help prolong its lifespan. With regular use, the constant impact from running can wear down the mat over time. Opting for a thicker mat may help delay the need for mat replacement, saving you both time and money.

When choosing a treadmill, consider the size of the mat carefully. A longer and wider mat can provide added safety and comfort, especially during extended running sessions. Additionally, while mat thickness can offer minor benefits, such as extra cushioning and increased durability, it's not the sole determining factor for a quality treadmill.

Heart-Rate Control

As I've previously stated, this is my absolute favorite feature.

HRC is an abbreviation for "heart-rate control," which means that the treadmill changes speed (and sometimes incline) to keep your heart rate within a predetermined range.

We all exercise to keep our hearts healthy, and there's a lot of science behind the optimal heart rate to lose weight, so having the machine do this for you in real-time is a fantastic feature.

But be careful, it's useless without a wireless chest strap. Because the cheaper treadmills lack a receiver, you must rely on hand-pulse units, which are less accurate and obviously do not work unless you have your hands on them.

Cushioning

One significant advantage of running on a treadmill is that it reduces the impact on your knees and joints, and cushioning technology varies between treadmills.

There are many more features to a treadmill, but they become more specific and gimmicky after this, so you can decide what is best for you.

Online Stores

There are numerous online fitness retailers. But one thing is certain: you should stick to a site run by a genuine Australian company with a phone number and address listed on the website.

First off, you'll have somewhere to go or call if you really need to. Or, if things get really bad, a door for Fair Trading to knock on. What happens if you buy from an auction site, a dedicated online store, or an overseas site and need support or parts?

Second, it provides them with strength. Buying power with the big brands to get you a good deal up front, as well as the financial strength to ensure they last into next year to assist you when you need it.

Conclusion of Treadmill Buyers Guide

In conclusion, it's important to consider several factors such as your fitness goals, available space, budget, and the features you need to achieve those goals. By doing your research and taking these factors into account, you can find the perfect treadmill that will help you achieve your fitness goals and keep you motivated to stay active.

Remember to prioritize quality over price and invest in a durable and reliable treadmill that will last for years to come. With the right treadmill, you can enjoy the convenience of working out from home and take control of your health and fitness journey.