Updated on January 12th, 2023 at 06:31 pm
If you are looking for ways to become more active, and want a piece of equipment that will motivate you to shed some extra pounds, purchasing a heavy duty treadmill might just be one of the best decisions you make!
Heavy duty treadmills are regular treadmills that you can place in your home, but with higher weight capacity support. Most of them come with built-in work out programs and entertainment systems that will get you ready to move in no time. But with so many options, which one to choose?
When buying a treadmill, us bigger people need to think about some additional features. We have reviewed the 5 best heavy duty treadmills currently available on the market to make sure you find the right one that will fit your needs.
Best heavy duty treadmills
Bowflex BXT116
One of the biggest benefits of choosing the Bowflex Treadmill is definitely its built-in coaching technology that can be personalized according to your needs.
I usually lack the motivation to exercise, and sometimes, I doubt myself, and I am not even sure if I am exercising correctly. With Bowflex BXT116 I didn’t have to think about this anymore! It was like I had the help of a personal trainer. Apart from this, I really liked the calorie burn rate software that displays how many calories you have burnt per minute. It helped me to stay focused.
The Bowflex is very spacious and has shock-absorbent tech that will ensure your walk, jog, or run without putting a strain on your knees and joints. It has one-touch buttons for every operation, which always ensures your running or walking activities comfortable.
Pros
- Easy to use, assemble and maintain
- Customizable in-built workout program
- 60-days free trial
- Soft cushion padding and shock-absorbent deck to protect the joints and knees
- One-touch button for every operation
- Built-in radio
Cons
- Incline system randomly goes out of calibration
- Poor customer service
ProForm Pro 2000
The ProForm Pro 2000 treadmill makes you feel a lot like you are training with a personal trainer. It has 24 built-in workout programs, 6 inclines, 6 calorie-burn modes, 6 speeds, and 6 intensities.
However, the biggest thing I liked about this treadmill was its built-in air-cooler system. It really helps when you are walking or jogging for quite some time and start feeling hot. It helped me to exercise longer and take shorter breaks in between.
Also, if you are irritated by loud treadmills, the ProForm Pro 2000 has a noise-proof motor system – it basically purrs like a cat! This treadmill is a good choice for people who tend to quickly sweat when working out and for people who don’t like noisy treadmills.
Pros
- Easy to fold, install and operate
- Noise-proof motor system
- Shock-absorbent cushions to reduce the burden on joints and knees
- Cool air fan to absorb sweat
- Doesn’t take a lot of space
Cons
- Poor customer support
- Incline system may go out of calibration
3G Cardio Pro Runner Treadmill
The 3G Pro Runner Folding treadmill has a built-in heart rate monitor and a wireless HR chest belt that allows you to check your pulse whenever you want. The treadmill has 8 exercise programs, and 2 of those are customizable. It also comes with a cool-down program that benefits everyone.
The biggest thing I liked about this machine was its Ortho Flex Shock absorbent system. It really made my walking, jogging, and running activities comfortable and pain-free. The design is also very user-friendly – it’s easy to fold and store. This treadmill is highly recommended to people who have sensitive knees and joints and want to protect their muscles from any kind of wear and tear.
Pros
- High-quality shock-absorbent belt
- 8 built-in workout programs
- Sturdy and compact design
- Great customer service
- Built-in heart-rate monitor
- Easy to store
Cons
- Small display touchscreen.
Sunny Health & Fitness Heavy Duty Walking Treadmill
The Sunny Health & Fitness T7643 treadmill is very spacious, and a really good choice if you are taller or simply have a longer stride. The handrails are also large, and very comfortable to grip when you need to. Even though the machine is a bit large, surprisingly, it’s easy to fold and store when you are not using it.
The biggest benefit of this treadmill is definitely its storage-friendly design. Once you fold the running pad, there are wheels to move it around where you need to, and you can easily move it yourself. Also, it’s super comfortable for exercising, just spacious and ultra-soft on your joints and knees.
Pros
- Easy to fold and store
- Built-in shock absorption system that takes pressure off the knees and hips
- Very comfortable for taller people
- Soft-drop system that prevents treadmill damage during set up
Cons
- May not be suitable for smaller rooms
- No pulse rate indicator
- Specifically designed for walkers or light jogging
3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill
3G Cardio Elite Runner is a high-performance machine that can support up to 400lbs. It has 8 built-in workouts, including customizable programs and 3 fitness test programs. Although the treadmill is super powerful with a 4.0 CHP motor (seems like a runner’s dream), it takes up a lot of space and may be more suitable for gyms than to be used at home.
This is a good choice if you are looking for a comfortable and reliable work out experience. However, it’s a bit pricey considering there aren’t a lot of built-in features, and customizable options. The entertainment system could also be better.
Pros
- 400lbs weight limit
- 8 built-in exercise programs
- Lifetime warranty on the frame and motor.
- Built-in speakers and MP3 compatibility
- Ortho flex shock suspension system for comfortable exercising
- One-touch controls
Cons
- A bit pricy for what is offered
- The display screen is very small
And the best heavy-duty treadmill is…
ProForm Pro 2000
We have chosen ProForm Pro 2000 because it definitely offers the most for its price. The built-in workout programs make you feel like you are training with a personal trainer. It’s spacious and super comfortable for walking, jogging, and running.
It’s quiet, doesn’t take a lot of space, is easy to use and assemble, and even helps you to cool down with its built-in air cooler system.
None of its competitors come with all of these benefits and features. Simply put, it checks out all the boxes, and it’s a perfect option for heavier individuals looking to get the most out of the bought product.
What is the best treadmill for a heavy person?
What is considered the best usually comes down to personal preference. When buying a heavy-duty treadmill, as a heavier individual, you need to consider certain things to ensure the machine provides you a good workout and helps you to get fit at home.
You need to think about tread width, weight limit, maximum speed, and suitability. When it comes to tread width, the best treadmill for heavy people will need to have tread that is wider and thicker than 18 inches.
When it comes to weight, look for heavier weight capacity treadmills that could support 300 pounds or more.
Although speed may not be a necessary feature of your choice, you should consider this option if you have ambitious goals.
The ProForm Pro 2000 offers all of the mentioned above and much more. It’s easy to use, easy to store and comes with numerous useful features that will make your exercise comfortable and fun.
What is the maximum weight for most treadmills?
There is more than one factor that goes into true weight-bearing capacity of a heavy-duty treadmill. Most treadmills come with a weight limit 200 and 300 lbs. However, higher-end models come with a weight limit between 300, 400, and even 500 lbs.
What is the weight limit on a Bowflex bxt116 treadmill?
The Bowflex BXT116 treadmill has a weight limit of 375 lbs. The maximum specified user weight of 375lbs is suitable to be used by heavier individuals. This folding treadmill has a shipping weight of 309 pounds.
We hope you enjoyed our review and we were able to help you find the perfect treadmill. We invite you to check out our other on www.extralargeliving.com. We have recently reviewed and picked our top Adirondack chair, chose an Oversized Air mattress mattress, some really comfortable Wide bike seat seats, and our top choice for Oversized recliners.