Best Treadmill for Bad Knees in 2023

Best treadmills for bad knees | Things to consider | Treadmill features for knee pain | Chose the best treadmill for you | Final word | FAQs

Although many people complain about knee pain after working out on the treadmill, you should know that not all treadmills are created equal when it comes to maintaining your joint and knee health.

In this article, we’ve picked and reviewed the five best treadmills for bad knees, including my top three choices, buying guide, and a comparison table so that you can pick the perfect treadmill for your needs and budget.

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What are the Best Treadmills for Bad Knees?

Here’re the 5 of the best low-impact treadmill for bad knees:

1. Overall Best Treadmill for Bad Knees: NordicTrack 1750
2. Best Interactive Treadmill for Bad Knees: Bowflex Treadmill 10
3. Best Manual Treadmill for Bad Knees: AssaultRunner Pro
4. Best Value for Money Low Impact Treadmill: Sole F63
5. Best Seniors Treadmill for Bad Knees: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7857

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1. NordicTrack Commercial 1750

Our Top Pick Best Treadmill for Bad Knees

The NordicTrack 1750 is one of the best folding treadmills for bad knees. It features a Runners Flex Cushioned deck, one of the best shock absorption technology that softens the impact on your joints and makes your workout more comfortable.e

The folding treadmill provides a -3% decline to a 15% incline. The spacious 22″ x 60″ running deck and 3.5 CHP motor are ideal for hardcore running.

Buy Peloton Bike.

This NordicTrack treadmill offers a 14-inch HD touchscreen and a 30-day iFit family membership, where you can experience interactive trainer-led workouts in your home.

2. Bowflex Treadmill 10

The Best Low-Impact Treadmill with Streaming Capability

The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is another great option for individuals with bad knees. It features Comfort Tech deck cushioning on its 22″ x 60″ running deck, ensuring a comfortable and safe run for years.

Here you’ll get a 5% decline (slightly higher than the top one) to a 15% incline, a powerful motor with a speed range of 0-12 mph to make your low-impact exercises impactful.

This T10 treadmill offers a 10″ HD touchscreen and a 1-year JRNY subscription, allowing you to get personalized workout programs to crush your fitness goals.

3. AssaultRunner Pro

The Best Manual Treadmill for Bad Knees

Let’s check out a low-impact manual treadmill, the AssaultRunner Pro manual treadmill. It’s designed to soften the impact and reduce the risk of injury.

Instead of a normal treadmill belt, this manual treadmill is equipped with a curved belt and no motor, which allows speed controls and intensity of your workout without putting stress on your knees and joints.

The AssaultRunner Pro has a durable steel frame and a compact design that makes it easy to store when not in use.

4. Sole F63

The Best Value for Money Treadmill for Bad Knees

The Sole F63 is a great value option for individuals with joint pain. It features Cushion Flex Whisper Deck technology, and Sole Fitness claims that it can reduce impact by 40%. Although we’re not able to test the percentage, but when running on it, it feels more cushioned than average treadmills.

Here you’ll get a 3.0 HP motor that provides 12 mph of max speed, and its 15% automatic incline helps you challenge your workout and burn more calories in less time. It has many built-in workout programs; surprisingly, no subscription is required.

5. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7857

The Best Affordable Treadmill for Bad Knees

The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7857 is a great option for seniors, providing long multi-grip handles and a great cushioned deck at an affordable price.

Here in its 19.5″ x 44″ running deck, you’ll get an integrated shock absorption technology that helps you reduce the impact on joints when walking or jogging on the treadmill. And its low step-up height makes it easy for seniors to climb on it.

This Sunny, low-impact walking treadmill provides a 3.5% incline and a 2.5 HP motor that runs at a max speed of 5 mph, which is suitable for walking. Its digital monitor helps you track your workout data.

What to Consider When Buying a Treadmill for Bad Knees

You want to consider several key factors when buying a low-impact treadmill. These include:

Cushioning Technology

The first and one of the most important factors you need to consider is the treadmill’s cushioning technology. A good shock absorption treadmill helps soften the impact of your stride and reduce the risk of injury.

Look for a treadmill with a shock-absorbing deck and a thick belt to get adequate support and cushion during your workout.

Incline Settings

Treadmills with adjustable incline settings can help to reduce the stress on your knees by allowing you to vary the intensity of your workout, which is especially beneficial for people with knee pain or arthritis.

Choose a treadmill with a motorized incline feature (instead of a manual incline), allowing you to quickly adjust the incline level with one-touch keys.

Related: Manual vs. Electric Treadmill: What is Best for You?

Motor Capacity

The horsepower and speed of the treadmill are important factors to consider when selecting a treadmill. Here’re the general motor recommendations:

• Walkers: At least 2 HP and 8 mph speed
• Joggers: 2.5 HP and 10 mph Speed
• Runners: 3.0 HP and 12 mph speed

It’s wiser to look for a treadmill with a higher motor capacity and speed range so that you can start off at a slow pace and gradually increase your speed as your fitness improves.

Size and Weight Capacity

Make sure to consider the size and weight capacity of the treadmill, especially if you are a larger individual or have a small space in your home.

A treadmill with a higher weight capacity than your current body weight, and make sure that the treadmill is large enough to accommodate your stride length and walking style, which will help you get a safer and more comfortable experience.

Easy-to-Control Features

Whether you’re a beginner or advanced athlete, it’s always better to have user-friendly features in the indoor running machine, such as its console, workout programs, compatibility with fitness apps, heart rate monitor, and quick speed and incline adjustment buttons.

Choose a treadmill with easy-to-reach control keys and straightforward features that help you quickly stop or start the machine and change your workout mode without interrupting your rhythm.

Understanding Knee Pain and Treadmill Features

When choosing a treadmill for bad knees, it’s important to understand the causes of knee pain and how certain treadmill features can help you alleviate that pain.

Generally, knee pain can be caused by various factors, including arthritis (i.e., swelling and tenderness of one or more joints), overuse or overtraining, and injury.

If you have bad knees, high-impact exercise can exacerbate the pain and lead to further damage. That’s where treadmills come in.

A treadmill with great deck cushioning, a thick belt, incline adjustments, and variable speed can help absorb the impact on your knees and make exercise more comfortable and less painful.

Also, some special technologies and design elements can further enhance the running experience, such as shock absorption and suspension systems.

So, choose your treadmill wisely. We are happy to tell you that the treadmills we selected in this article provide superior cushioning and thicker belts, so you can easily pick the one according to your needs and budget.

Related: Are Treadmills Bad For Your Knees?

Compared: Best Low-Impact Treadmills

We’ve created a handy comparison chart to help you compare and contrast the top treadmills for bad knees. Let’s take a look and make a sensible decision.

Model	Cushioning	Incline	Special Features	Price
NordicTrack 1750	Excellent	-3% to 15%	iFit coach, RunnersFlex Cushioning, 14-inch touchscreen	$$$
Bowflex T10	Excellent	-5% to 15%	JRNY coaching, Comfort Tech Cushioning, 10-inch touchscreen	$$$
AssaultRunner Pro	Low-Impact Design	None	Curved belt, no motor, low impact	$$$$
Sole F63	Excellent	0-15%	Bluetooth connectivity, Cushion Flex Whisper deck, Easy Assist folding	$$
Sunny SF-T7857	Good	0-3.5%	Adjustable handlebars, low step-up height, pulse sensors, USB charging port	$

Final Word

Finding the right treadmill for bad knees is crucial for maintaining a healthy exercise routine without causing pain or injury.

All the treadmills we’ve picked here offer excellent cushioning, thicker belts, adjustable inclines, and the right balance of features — making them some of the best low-impact treadmills on the market.

Remember, each treadmill serves different needs very well and has unique specialities, so choose the one that best meets your needs.

FAQs About Best Treadmill for Bad Knees