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12 Best Treadmills for Walking for Seniors in 2022

Run to these new year treadmill sales

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Walking is one of the best, low-impact exercises for older people looking to get fit and lose weight. Treadmills allow you to take a “walk” anytime from the comfort of your own home. Below, we’ve reviewed the best treadmills for walking for seniors that fit in any space, are easy to move, and won’t put pressure on your joints.

Regularly walking on a treadmill has many health benefits for seniors, like boosting memory, improving cardiovascular health, reducing arthritis pain, strengthening the immune system, and aiding in weight loss. It can also lower the elderly’s risk of developing injuries or physical disabilities up to 41 percent, which allows for more independence and quality of life.

Best Treadmills for Walking Seniors Deals:

What is the best treadmill for walking for seniors? 

Many of the best treadmills for walking for seniors are surprisingly affordable and packed with features. Here are our top picks, and you can keep scrolling to find reviews of each. (Want even more options? Check out our reviews of treadmills under $500 for top-rated picks on a budget.)

Should seniors use treadmills? 

Treadmills are great for seniors who want to start a regular workout routine without leaving home. They’re easy to use, don’t take up much space (especially compact and folding treadmills like the Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill), and can be used quietly while others are in the room. Like elliptical machines, recumbent exercise bikes, and exercise bikes for seniors, they are low-impact and can help beginners to develop an exercise plan that can lead to weight loss, getting fit, and adapting an overall healthier lifestyle.

What To Look for in a Treadmill

Now more than ever, treadmills are outfitted with features that fit your lifestyle and fitness level. Here are five things you should keep in mind when shopping for a treadmill:

  1. Shock absorbency. Treadmill belts that are equipped with shocks help take the pressure off of joints, allowing for cushy walking.
  2. Safety features. Emergency stop clips attach to your waistband and automatically stop the belt to prevent injuries and falls. Seniors should also look for treadmills with non-slip grips to assist in balance (like the Sunny Health & Fitness Walking Treadmill).
  3. Easy collapse. Foldable treadmills are great space-savers, but they’re even better with a hydraulic lift-assist feature that allows for effortless, one-touch opening and closing. Most collapsible treadmills also have wheels for easy portability.
  4. Digital displays. Seniors can easily keep track of all their progress with backlit screens that measure distance walked, calories burned, heart rate, speed, and more. Some advanced models can connect to workout apps that stream live workouts and let you connect with a personal trainer (like the NordicTrack T Series Treadmill).
  5. Easy access buttons. Many treadmills have incline, speed, and heart rate buttons built into the handlebars, so the elderly can manage their workout without losing their grip.

How far should a 70-year-old walk every day? 

According to physical activity guidelines recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, seniors and those with disabilities should moderately exercise around 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) to 300 minutes (5 hours) a week. Seniors who can walk between 2,000 and 9,000 steps — or 1-4 miles daily will reap the most health benefits from their walking workout.

More treadmills we love:

The Best Treadmills for Walking Seniors

OMA Treadmill for Home

Best treadmill for obese seniors who want to start exercising
Best Treadmills For Walking Seniors
Amazon
14% off!

Buy from Amazon, $1,899 (was $2,199)

Why we like it:

  • 350-pound weight limit
  • Extra-long 18-inch safety handles
  • Multi-grip handrails along the top, middle, and sides

This OMA Treadmill can support up to 350 pounds, making it one of the more sturdy treadmills on the market. Its adjustable speed goes up to to 12 MPH, and is ideal for those who are easing into exercise with low-intensity workouts. The digital display keeps track of your time, distance, calories burned, speed, and pulse. It has shock absorbing cushions in the belt, a large screen, and pockets for your water, phone – whatever you like to have handy.

Promising review: “I’ve Had this treadmill about two months now and I really do like it I get a good workout on it and I am a bigger woman. I find it to be very sturdy, and I love the Bluetooth function to listen to my music.

Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill

Best folding treadmill for walking for seniors
best treadmills for walking seniors
14% off!

Buy from Amazon, $299.99 (originally $499.99)

Why we like it:

  • Easily foldable
  • Arrives completely installed
  • 5-layer non-slip texture running belt

This foldable treadmill is a winner for so many reasons. Beyond its ease and portability, the treadmill comes completely installed right out of the box, (so no tools, loose screws, and multi-step instructions!). The sturdy, durable steel frame has a quiet, built-in motor with a non-slip belt with shock absorption for ease on joints. Use it with the handles for stability, or fold the riser for use with a standing desk. There’s a holder for your phone on the center riser for entertainment, and you can easily link your phone to the treadmill’s built-in bluetooth speaker for better sounds.

Promising review: So far I am extremely happy with this product. I wanted something that would be easy to move around in case I wasn’t sure which room I wanted it in and something small enough that it wouldn’t take up the majority of any room. This is somewhat compact but still has the strength to work with me and my other half (who is well over 200lbs). This machine compared to the last one I had at home is extremely quiet which was another huge plus for me since my workout room is upstairs above an office room. Even at a higher speed no one knew I was working out.”

Mobvoi Home Treadmill

Best compact treadmill for walking seniors
Best Treadmills Under $1000
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, $599.99

Why we like it:

  • Compact design
  • Up to 15 percent incline
  • Easy to read display

If you’re looking for a treadmill to enjoy on rainy days, snowy days or any day you can’t stroll around the block, look no further than the Mobvoi Home Treadmill. It’s perfect for small spaces — thanks to its compact design — and folds away for easy storage. It has incline, and more than 20 pre-set workouts to try. The display is a touchscreen, and tracks all the important stats, like miles, time, speed, and calories. The arm-style handles are great for keeping posture in tiptop shape — it’s easy to hunch over when there’s a front bar — and you’re sure to meet your step goals with this handy machine in your home.

Editor review: “I’ve had one treadmill or another since my twenties. They are one, if not my favorite type of exercise equipment. The ones I’ve owned in the past have been huge and a pain to put together, so I was excited to try a smaller model. This one from Mobvoi was simple to set up, and light enough for me to move on my own.

The directions were straightforward, and I had it complete in a an hour. I like the touchscreen dashboard and its large numbers. It’s nice for walking at a moderate pace (3.5 miles per hour) but I felt it a bit shaky when I tried to go faster. It’s narrow with no handrails, so I’d use caution if you have issues with balance. The maker’s say it can hold more than 200 pounds but I’m about half that and don’t see someone much heavier feeling secure on it. If you’re on the leaner side and want something to get extra steps in, it’s great. It doesn’t take up much space, which is a huge bonus. However, if you want the option of walking and jogging comfortably, it may not be for you. I do like the incline.”

ProForm City L6 Self-Cooling Treadmill With Tablet Holder

Best folding treadmill for small spaces
Best Treadmills Under $1000
QVC

Buy from QVC $599

Why we like it:

  • Folding
  • Self-cooling motor
  • Rebound deck cushioning

This one is for all my power walkers! I love to swing my hips and arms while walking. Naturally, this can be an issue when treadmills are concerned. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve whacked my hands on the side bars — major ouch! Fortunately, that’s a non-issue with the ProForm City treadmill. It’s single bar in the front is great for when you need extra support, and when you want to pump your arms, there’s no worry about slamming into anything. The treadmill has a large LCD display to track milage, time, and calorie burns, plus the belt is shock-absorbing. The deck is on the smaller side to save space, and the machine has a self-cooling motor to prevent overheating.

REDLIRO Electric Foldable Treadmill

Best Treadmills for seniors with joint pain
Best treadmills for walking.
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, $359.99 (was $399.99)

Why we like it:

  • 5 layers of skid resistance
  • Adjustable dash
  • Preset programs

This treadmill is the bee’s knees if you have joint issues. The Electric Foldable Treadmill from REDLIRO has a shock absorbing belt, and five layers of skid resistance material. Its cross handle bar creates additional stability for the machine when on, and the 12 preset programs means you’ll never be at a loss for what to do during a session. The treadmill includes rubber pads, and its wheels allow you to move it with ease. Fold away when not in use to save room.

Happy Customer: “This is a great walking treadmill. I enjoy having an alternative to walking outside during inclement weather. It has a start and stop buttons, as well as speed controls on the arms and the display. It’s very convenient to own, and it’s nice that there are preprogrammed workouts. My favorite part is how compact it folds up for when I am not using it.”

SereneLife Smart Electric Folding Treadmill

Best treadmill for seniors with training modes
treadmills under 500
SereneLife

Buy from Amazon, $365.62

Why we like it:

  • 16 preset training modes
  • Soft drop system for easier set up
  • Bluetooth capable

For an easy set up, this treadmill comes with equipped with a soft drop system to avoid any heavy lifting and a safer set up. Whether you’re a new runner or looking to challenge yourself, this model comes with the 16 pre-set training modes to choose from. Keep yourself entertained with music or your favorite podcast using the bluetooth settings. The safety handrails also have speed settings so that you can conveniently adjust the speed to fit your needs.

Promising review: “It’s light, has a small footprint and is very quiet… I love that the program’s speeds and patterns are visible on the dashboard. The two holders are perfect for my phone and TV remote.”

XTERRA Fitness TRX4500 Treadmill

Best splurge treadmill for walking for seniors
best treadmills for walking seniors

Buy from Amazon, $1,029.37

Why we like it:

  • Oversized 7. 5” blue backlit LCD display
  • 30 Pre-set programs
  • Sturdy, foldable aluminum frame with cushioned deck

This treadmill is definitely a splurge, but all the bells and whistles it comes with — and the lifetime motor warranty — make it a worthy investment for walkers and runners alike. The large, backlit LCD display keeps track of all your progress and vital stats, and comes pre-programmed with 30 motivating workouts (you can download the XTERRA fitness app for even more!). Easily adjust the speed and incline with a remote control that is built-into the handle. A wireless chest strap transmitter and pulse grips keep track of your heart rate with accuracy and efficiency. A magnetic safety tether attaches to your waistband, automatically stopping the belt to provide a safeguard from falls. There’s even a built-in fan to keep you cool! When you’re done with your workout, wheels and a Lift Assist help you easily fold the treadmill for storage.

Promising review: “This is an incredibly solid treadmill which replaced the my last treadmill of 15 years. I walk four days and run three days a week, around three miles daily. This perfectly fit my needs. It has all the settings and accessories… It’s very high quality for its price. My hubby says he can’t hear me running in the next room. It’s much quieter than my previous treadmill.”

Weslo Crosswalk 5.2t Total Body Treadmill 

Best treadmill with arm resistance for seniors
treadmills under 500
Weslo

Buy from Walmart, $949.99

Why we like it:

  • Upper arm resistance settings give you a dual workout
  • Foldable to save space
  • CHP Impulse Motor for smooth operation

With its CHP Impulse Motor, this treadmill was made for smooth operation every workout. If you’re tight on space, the model comes in a foldable design so that you can store it away after each use. You can target various muscles with the adjustable incline settings, and even give your arms an extra workout with the upper arm resistance feature that gives you a cardio and arm workout at the same time. Whether you’re going for a light jog or a morning walk, this treadmill will provide you with a personalized workout each time.

Promising review: “It allows you to start at a slow speed and work your way up … I can adjust height of tread for more rigorous walking or running.”

BiFanuo 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill

Cheapest treadmill for walking seniors
best treadmills for walking seniors
Great deal!

Buy from Amazon, $269.99

Why we like it:

  • Easily foldable
  • Powerful but quiet powerful 2.25 HP motor
  • Multi-functional LED display
  • This 2-in-1 treadmill arrives fully assembled

At under $400, this compact folding treadmill is the best deal for walking workouts at home. It comes completely installed with a 5-layer shock-absorbing base that is cushy on your joints, and an anti-skid, noise-reduction belt that is whisper-quiet. The LED screen tracks your workout time, calories burned, and other vitals, while an easy-to-reach safety key lets you quickly stop the treadmill to prevent falls.

Promising review: “I bought this to get our family a little bit more active during Covid and to use it as a walking treadmill under my stand up desk. It functions great! We put it in the family room. My preteens frequently walk on it while we watch a family movie, and when we’re done with it, we slide it under the couch. I walk on it for exercise, about three miles a day, and then I can log another 2-to-4 miles during the workday at my desk.”

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill

Best overall treadmill for walking seniors
Sunny Health Treadmill
Sunny Health

Buy from Amazon, $499.99 (was $529)

Why we like it:

  • 12 levels of one-touch incline
  • Pulse grip heart rate monitoring
  • Bluetooth speakers

A true all-in-one product, the Sunny Health SF-T7515 is one of the best treadmills for seniors. Safety features include non-slip handlebars, an emergency stop clip, and a hands-free, soft-drop hydraulic system that makes it easy to open and collapse without straining. Control the incline and speed from either your handlebars or the digital screen, which also provides you with 12 pre-set workouts and the ability to measure speed, time, distance, calories burned, and pulse. Simply sync your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth to stream music, podcasts, or even video workouts from your device.

Promising review: “If you need a treadmill to fit in a small space and still have cool features, this is it! Speeds are great, inclines, bottom folds up… perfect for our use.”

NordicTrack T Series Treadmill

Best NordicTrack treadmill for walking for seniors
best treadmills for walking seniors
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, $799

Why we like it:

  • Touch screen and incline
  • 1-month individual membership include with personal trainer workouts
  • Easy lift assist space saver design
  • FlexSelect cushioning

With all the fancy features packed into this NordicTrack treadmill, it’s almost unbelievable that it’s less under $1,000. The sturdy frame supports up to 300 pounds, and FlexSelect cushioning sits beneath a commercial belt for extra shock absorbency. The backlit LED touchscreen measures all your stats, from workout time and distance to calories burned, and provides access to on-demand, live workouts and personal trainers via the iFit app. Incline and adjust your speed easily with the touch of a button, and check your heart rate with built-in EKG grips. When you’re finished exercising, easy lift assist makes it a cinch to collapse to store out of the way.

Promising review: “I bought this treadmill in place of a gym membership because I find it extra hard to leave the house in the winter to make it to the gym. This has been a great solution for our family- even my husband likes to get on and go for a walk before work which makes it all worth it. The ifit program is awesome. You can work with a trainer in a gym doing high impact cardio or go for a hike through alps; love the versatility and variety of programs. Much more motivating to have an instructor guiding you through a workout than a traditional walk/run on a treadmill. The touch screen is great, sound is ample and I love the Bluetooth function to stream my own music. Easy to use and has everything you need to keep your work out comfortable. It is like having a nice gym caliber treadmill at home. The machine is not too loud and belt runs smooth. Cannot say enough about the quality. I will say this – setting it up was a workout in itself – have a good set of pliers as the bolts are a bit tricky. So worth the investment.”

Sunny Health & Fitness Walking Treadmill

Best treadmill for walking seniors with limited mobility
best treadmills for walking seniors

Buy from Amazon, $599.98

Why we like it:

  • Low treadmill deck with shock absorption
  • Front-mounted wheels for portability
  • Multi-grip handrails along the top, middle, and sides

Seniors and those with limited mobility will feel safe exercising on this Sunny Health treadmill and its extra long, multi-grip handrails along the front and sides. This model is perfect for walkers who want to pace themselves and easily adjust their speed between 0.6 MPH and 5 MPH. Shock absorption is embedded on the low-deck treadmill, creating a low-impact cushion for joints. Wheels make this model portable and easy to move when not in use or if you want a better view of the TV!

Promising review: “This treadmill was chosen to accommodate our need for stability, ease of use, and to allow walking on a flat service. As a retired couple who have had a number of issues which limit mobility, it meets our needs. The surrounding handle on the frame, the low flat platform, and no frills controls are perfect. We were able to set this up in no time. A great purchase so far.”

More treadmills for walking seniors we love >

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