Where to position your treadmill?

No one buys a treadmill for a clothing rack, but in too many homes that’s exactly what they become largely because of poor location selection. If you’re shopping for new exercise equipment, be sure to check out our 5-Point Buying Guide for great advice in terms of the machines themselves. But when it comes to placing, assembling, or moving the units, there’s a little more to it.

Choosing the right location in your home for a treadmill will determine how frequently you actually use it. Having tested treadmills in my own home over the years there’s a reason I place them where I do. The three top spots for treadmills include the garage, basement, and spare bedroom. After reading through comments and reviews by customers along the way, I’m willing to say that the two big reasons for dissatisfaction with treadmills comes from improper maintenance…and yes, poor location.

Since we don’t all have the luxury of a full-blown home gym, below are some tips and thoughts on where to put your new machine. I happen to have a full gym built into a small barn on my own property, but for some of the reasons outlined below, I choose to put mine in my living room. Read below to see why, and perhaps come up with the perfect place of your own. A little forethought means you won’t wind up having to sell the machine later on and waste the money you’ve spent on mats and other accessories.

When shopping for a treadmill, be sure to consider where in the home you will place it. Photo by: Oleksandr Kosheliev / TreadmillReviews.net

The Garage Escape

There’s pro’s and con’s to every dream, and the garage gym certainly has its share of both. About 11 years ago I converted a pole barn on my farm into a full-blown gym, which qualifies as a garage gym of sorts in terms of size and materials. Over the years I’ve stocked it with barbells and other strength equipment, but when it comes to treadmills I’ve always opted away from that. If you’re going to build out your garage or barn into a gym, keep some things in mind when it comes to electronic equipment.

• Keep It Clean: Moisture and dirt are mortal foes of the treadmill. You’ll want to keep this in mind when performing regular maintenance and lubrication on your belt. If you’re going to convert a garage into a gym, remember your treadmill shouldn’t be allowed to get dusty, dirty, or suffer extreme temperature swings. Now if your garage is climate-controlled or you live in a temperate zone, that might work. But if you’re like the rest of us and suffer frigid February nights and sweltering July days, keep in mind those swings will hurt the unit. Treadmill decks are typically made of manufactured board and the frames are metal. Moisture and temperature swings can warp both.
• Internet Connectivity: Even your lower-priced treadmills these days are Bluetooth-enabled and come with workout apps. Some of these machines’ screens will only work with that company’s programming. If you’re going to use a garage gym, make sure your WiFi will reach.
• Electrical Outlets: Most treadmills require electricity. You’ll have to check with the make and model to determine what kind of outlet you’ll need. But figure if you’re getting a treadmill with a 4.0 Continuous Horsepower motor, you won’t want it hooked up to an old-school knob-and-tube breaker box.
• Sufficient Room: If this is a real garage and you’ll be parking your car inside, make sure you have enough room. Without enough space, the treadmill can very easily become a storage rack for containers of WD-40 and motor oil. Ideally you’ll have enough space for a Pilates mat and perhaps some kettlebells for accessory lifts.

Now for the big benefits to a garage gym. Let’s face it, done right it’s a wonderland for workout fans. The biggest reason I don’t use mine for a treadmill is the temperature swings and humidity issues, internet connection, electrical outlets, and frankly the dusty nature of my own gym. But if you have a good garage and want to hang up a smart television set and make a go of it, the plusses include:

• Perfect Flooring: These treadmills are heavy and a concrete pad is ideal as opposed to carpet inside. You’ll definitely want a treadmill mat and cover if in any kind of garage.
• Easy Access: There’s no easier way to roll a treadmill into your home than through the wide doors of a garage. Also, if you ever want to get rid of it, there’s less hassle than carrying it up a flight of steps.
• Isolation: No distractions. Just you and your treadmill if you want it that way. Crank up the stereo and let the foot pounding commence without bothering anyone else.

Basements are a great idea for workout rooms, but be sure to consider the ceiling height. Oleksandr Kosheliev / TreadmillReviews.net

The Basement Getaway

In talking with friends, the basement seems to be the next prime location for most treadmills. Unfortunately this often means it quickly feels like something you’ve stored away with the Christmas decorations, only to be seen a few times a year. However, the basement can be a fantastic location with just a few considerations.

• What Kind of Basement: Just like the garage, remember that moisture, temperature swings, and dust are enemies. You’ll want a clean space and probably a mat and cover as well. You’ll also want to measure for space and make sure you have plenty of room for the unit.
• What Kind of Entrance: Carrying a 300-pound treadmill deck down a flight of winding basement stairs is simply a no-go. Now, if you have a walk-out basement with external entrance and hopefully concrete pad that’s a different story. But if your basement is one of those places of no return, do reconsider.
• Internet Connectivity: As with the garage, make sure you have proper WiFi and electricity down in the basement.

There are of course big benefits IF you have the right kind of basement. With the right lighting, access, and space, the basement gym could be a great location multiple workout tools.

• Great Flooring: Like a garage, chances are your basement has concrete floors. You’ll want a mat beneath the machine to prevent moisture and dust from becoming a problem, but you shouldn’t have any problem with the unit’s weight, nor will you have issues with the folks in the floors below.
• Solitude: Like the garage, a good basement provides the kind of peace and quiet that helps make a treadmill workout fun.
• Hopefully Lots of Room: Unlike a garage, you might be able to dedicate the entire basement to a workout space and make room for dumbbells, yoga mats, and maybe another machine or two.

Spare bedrooms and dens are often a go-to for treadmills. Be sure to consider the size of the unit when fully inclined when measuring.

Spare Bedroom or Den

The big upside to a spare bedroom is it’s typically designed just right for a workout space. The lighting will be comparable to your other rooms. It’s also probably the right size for a treadmill, which is about the size of a bed, plus some workout tools like kettlebells. Just some things to consider.

• First Floor, Please: If all of your bedrooms are on an upper-level floor, reconsider the den. This is the biggest reason I test treadmills in my own living room, which is on the ground floor. Read below to see our sizing information for measurement, but rest assured you’ll not want to carry a treadmill deck up a flight of stairs and try to twist it around the banister. A first-floor den is also an option as most house plans size a den similar to a bedroom.
• Flooring Is Key: You can place a treadmill on carpet of course, but you’ll want to make sure it’s level. Also, if you have a folding treadmill that rolls, carpet is trickier for those little wheels than hardwood. You’ll want to make sure the flooring is solid enough to hold a 300-plus pound machine plus your own bodyweight without shaking the ceiling loose in a basement as well.
• Noise: Each treadmill varies in terms of noise. If a treadmill’s noise is going to be a problem for neighbors or other family members, be sure to check what kind of decibels the unit you’re considering kicks out.
• Access: Be sure to measure the doorways and length of the hall before attempting to bring a treadmill into your home. The measurements of the treadmill itself will be on the unit and keep in mind the deck itself does not bend.

Upsides to the bedroom or den though are pretty numerous, but overall one can assume:

• Internet Connectivity: Chances are your internet connectivity will be perfect here.
• Electrical Outlets: Again, chances are the outlets will all be good.
• Proximity to Bathroom: Bedrooms are close enough to the bathroom for quick breaks, post-workout shower, and there might even be a closet for your gear. If the kitchen is nearby, your workout shake is all ready.

Measurements are Crucial

Be sure to measure, measure, and measure again. Choosing the perfect spot for your treadmill will largely hinge on whether it fits and you can use it comfortably. the NordicTrack Commercial X22i measures 70″ x 39″ x 72.5″ and has a 22-inch screen, plus it inclines up to 40%. The in-box weight is also more than 400 pounds when delivered. This machine will require significantly more room, and ceiling height, than a smaller model. Meanwhile, the Horizon T101 measures 70″ x 34″ x 55″ and weighs only 165 pounds as a machine. Huge difference when you consider the X22i is not only 5″ wider but nearly 8″ taller. The 235-pound difference in weight will make all the difference when trying to move this about your room of choice also. Measurements to take into account:

• Ceiling Height: The NordicTrack X22i offers a 40% incline, meaning when you consider the machine’s measurements, a 6-foot user will need about 12-feet of ceiling height to use it adequately. This is definitely not a basement model. With a Horizon T101 however, you’ll simply need about 20″ plus your own height to use comfortable. For a 6-foot user that would be about 92″ or about 7.5 feet. An 8-foot ceiling will suffice for most models.
• Doorway Width: When figuring doorway width, don’t stop at the front door, but consider the room in question. At some point you might want to relocate this machine. Taking it into the room in a box is one thing but coming back out another. If the treadmill is 70″ long, also figure you’ll need enough room once inside the room to clear the doorway. That’s about the length of a couch or bed, which would serve as good reference points.
• Workout Space: Your comfort is up to you but be sure to have at least a foot or so surrounding the treadmill so you can move about. If this is a folding treadmill, then consider it will stand upright and be rolled on small wheels, which means you’ll need room to turn around.