Purchasing your first treadmill can be a huge deal, they are one of the most expensive items that you can buy for your home, but they can also be one of the best. If you have bad knees, just going outside isn’t always the easiest option, particularly if the area around you doesn’t have the best walking areas, or the weather prevents you from hitting your 10,000 steps.
But not all treadmills can actually improve your knees, and some can actively harm them. Luckily there is now a growing line of treadmills that have been cushioned to improve shock absorption. This will help take a lot of the pressure off your joints while walking or running. Not only are these cushioned treadmills good for bad knees but they can also help reduce the effects of shin splints or hip problems.
Finding a treadmill that you can safely walk or run on will make a huge difference to your life. It will improve your lower body strength, which is a great way to strengthen your knees and reduce the risk of injury. It will also improve your cardiovascular fitness which will improve your life, strengthen your heart, and reduce the risk of CVD, strokes, or metabolic diseases such as Diabetes.
A treadmill can also help you to lose body fat, studies have shown that walking 10,000 steps per day is one of the most effective ways to reduce body fat and keep it off long term. It increases your calories burned per day and therefore will lead to a calorie deficit. Losing excess body fat will also improve your health, and reduce the pressure on your joints. This will help to improve your knee health as well.
We will now take a look at five of the best treadmills for bad knees that are currently available to purchase. We will review them on their durability (how long they will last you), how comfortable they are to walk or run on, the programs that they offer, the value for money (price), and the quality of the materials used. We will use these factors to give you an idea of what makes each treadmill so good for bad knees.
5 Best Treadmills For Bad Knees
| Name | Durability | Comfort | Programs | Price | Quality | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cybex 530T Pro Plus Treadmill | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 21 |
| True Performance 300 Treadmill | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 1/5 | 5/5 | 20 |
| Nordic Track 6.5 Treadmill | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 22 |
| True M50 Treadmill | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 21 |
| Precor TRM 835 Treadmill | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 | 19 |
Best Treadmills For Bad Knees #1: Cybex 530T Pro Plus Treadmill
Our first treadmill is the Cybex 530T Pro Plus Treadmill, this is an excellent treadmill to start off with for a number of reasons. The programming on the treadmill is superb, there are several different programs to choose from; Quick start, manual, 5k run, and 9 holes, you can also set your program by calorie goal and for weight loss (using the fat burning zone). You can adjust the treadmill for speed, elevation, incline/decline, and there is also a safety setting to turn it off if required.
There are heart rate monitors in the hand grips which means that you can check your pulse as you walk or run, this also helps to tailor the programs to your needs. Calories burned will be better estimated, and you will know when you are in the right zone for fat burning.
The treadmill uses a Stableflex Suspension system which is incredible at absorbing shock while you run which will really help to keep your knees in excellent condition – even if you decided to sprint! The treadmill is very well made and will last for years. The treadmill is rated to run 8-10 hours constant per day, and can manage weights of 400lbs. Now that’s durable!
Best Treadmills For Bad Knees #2: True Performance 300 Treadmill
The True Performance 300 Treadmill is probably one of the best treadmills for knee injury sufferers there is. It is made with commercially graded materials and the components it uses are top of the range. This makes it incredibly durable, this treadmill could last you 20 years with constant use, provided it is given some care and attention.
The treadmill offers 9 preset workouts for you to follow, and it also has the ability to save 2 of your customised workouts. This treadmill is built like a tank, it could withstand you falling heavily onto it, something that almost no home treadmill can withstand. Not that you should have to worry about that! It has the largest running surface in the industry.
The True Performance is consistently ranked as the best in the world, particularly when it comes to knee injury sufferers. The True Performance 300 treadmill uses an orthopaedic belt, this is the ultimate comforter, and massively reduces the impact on all of your joints, but particularly your knees.
The treadmill may be quite expensive, but for durability it will end up working out cheaper than most cheap treadmills over the years. It also comes with free delivery. Once you’ve got it set up, you’ve got a treadmill for life.
Best Treadmills For Bad Knees #3: Nordic Track 6.5 S Treadmill
This treadmill by Nordic Track is the cheapest on our list by quite some way, but interestingly it does not suffer from that at all. It may be a little more light weight than the others, and may not be quite as durable, but it is still going to last you a long time, and it excels in certain aspects.
The first thing that you’ll notice about the Nordic Track 6.5 S Treadmill is the programming. They have an amazing terrain and map simulator which you can use to travel the globe. They also have an integrated sound system, with acoustic sound that you can attach your iPod to. Nordic track are obviously proud of their treadmill because they have attached a 25 year warranty to the motor, and a lifetime frame warranty.
The best part of this treadmill is the FlexSelect Cushioning system that they have used, it’s perfect for people who are sharing a treadmill between a serious runner and someone who is suffering from bad knees. The cushioning system can be changed, from zero cushioning (which recreates the feel of running fast on the roads) to full cushioning which will cause zero pain to someone with joint problems.
Overall this is a really well thought out, and high quality treadmill that ticks every box. Definitely one to consider whether you have bad knees or not!
Best Treadmills For Bad Knees #4: True M50 Treadmill
Most of the treadmills on this list are high-quality treadmills that happen to be really good for your knees. The True M50 treadmill is more than that, it is a treadmill that was specifically designed for bad knees! It uses an orthopaedic belt which is specifically designed to be kind to your knees while you walk or run.
The M50 treadmill also utilises a softer deck cushion, which is ideal for absorbing impact as you walk or run. Protecting the knees from further damage. The cushioning for this treadmill really is gym-quality, but with the added bonus that it isn’t getting worn down by 50+ people running on it every day!
The rest of the treadmill features are good, it has a simple to use display system. It is quite compact in size, making it ideal for home use, and there are heart rate monitors attached to the handles. There are also 9 pre-programmed workouts for you to try. It is not the most powerful treadmill out there (not that you’d need that with bad knees) nor is it the most aesthetically pleasing.
You have the option of paying extra for someone to assemble it for you, this could well be a good idea as that way you can guarantee that it is ready to use. True Fitness Technology (the company behind the True M50) really have thought of everything!
Best Treadmills For Bad Knees #5: Precor TRM 835 Series Treadmill
The final treadmill that we have on our list is the Precor TRM 835 Series treadmill. Again, this is a little let down by the price. That’s not to say that it is overpriced, in fact for a Precor this is an absolute steal. But it’s hard to compare it to the Nordic Track which is such a good price in comparison.
Precor gym equipment, and particularly treadmills are right at the top of the market. What makes it so good for runners with bad knees is the Ground Effects System Control, which is this amazing shock absorbing system that takes away all of the stress on joints. You’ll barely feel your knees at all while running on this.
They also utilise Integrated Foot Plant technology which is designed to help improve your running gait. Considering that bad running technique is one of the most common causes of knee pain and knee injuries, this technology could completely change your life. Precor have a lifetime warranty on the frame, and a 10 year warranty on all parts.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the best treadmill on this list then the Precor TRM 835 is probably the one, it’s a thing of beauty. If you are looking for the best treadmill for people who suffer from knee injuries then it’s got to be the Landice L8 treadmill. But the best treadmill on this list, once you have considered everything is probably the Nordic Track model. It’s just so very good and it is a fraction of the price of the others. But whichever treadmill you choose, you’ll be amazed at the results.
