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Using a treadmill at an incline has tremendous benefits. You will activate more muscles than using the treadmill at a flat grade and improve your overall fitness in the process. Walking on an incline can elevate your heart rate and aid in fat loss. With all kinds of treadmills on the market that offer a range of features and different incline levels, it can take time to choose the right one.
Finding the right one is entirely up to you, your goals, and your home space. That’s where we can provide guidance and narrow down your search. We’ve compiled this list of the best incline treadmills to help you find a model that fits you and your home.
The competition among these incline treadmills was steep. Our review process had many ups and downs, but we rose to the occasion and completed the run. We have our favorites, but we leveled the playing field where we could. So, without further ado, check out how we graded these treadmills.
NordicTrack X22i Incline Treadmill
What We Like:
- -6% to 40% incline range
- 22” touchscreen
- 4.0 CHP motor
- Supportive incline handles
- Soft cushioning
- Premium iFIT content
Areas For Improvement:
- Non-folding frame
- Bouncy at high speeds
Starting with the incline, which is why you’re here, the X22i inclines to a maximum of 40% and declines to -6%. To say that this range packs a punch, or rather a booty burn, is an understatement. I struggle to walk at the 40% incline, and if you see me walking on this incline treadmill, know that my legs are screaming at me.
The NordicTrack X22i doesn’t stop being impressive here. The 4.0 CHP motor is responsive, powerful, and quiet. Plus, it goes up to 12 mph, so you can walk, run, and sprint. The deck is 22” wide and 60” long and remarkably soft underfoot. NordicTrack has some of the softest cushioning on treadmills, with the Incline Trainers, X22i and X32i, being the softest.
The NordicTrack X22i Incline Treadmill has many tech features. The 22” touchscreen is clear and enabled with iFIT to offer thousands of guided workouts for a monthly subscription. You don’t have to subscribe, but we recommend it. The high-quality classes are filmed in studios and worldwide. We enjoy exploring new locations with the fun (and torturous) hiking classes.
When taking an iFIT class, the X22i will adjust automatically to match the instructor’s cues and terrain (if it’s outside). You don’t have to push buttons; just keep up with your coach! The numbered buttons on either side of the touchscreen allow you to make quick adjustments when you need to, too, and iFIT will adjust to your fitness level over time.
We’ve had a lot of fun on the NordicTrack X22i, and we can’t think of a better treadmill to take home for incline training. If you have the space, go for it!
Click here to read our detailed review of the NordicTrack X22i.
Interested in the NordicTrack X22i?
NordicTrack X32i Incline Treadmill
What We Like:
- -6% to 40% incline range
- 4.25 CHP motor
- 22” x 65” running surface
- 32” touchscreen with iFIT
- Soft cushioning
Areas For Improvement:
- High ceilings required
- Heavy and non-folding frame
The console contains a massive 32” touchscreen—it’s like having a flat-screen TV on your treadmill. iFIT is free for 30 days with the X32i. iFIT is worth it on this screen, not only because of its clear graphics and film quality but also because of the countless training options. You can choose from classes on and off the treadmill for a well-rounded training experience.
You’ll have plenty of room and power for whatever training you want to perform on the X32i. It has a 22” x 65” long deck and a 4.25 CHP motor. If you’re looking for a large and powerful treadmill, you’ve found it! The X32i requires its own designated space, and you’ll want to be sure you have a high enough ceiling to utilize the 40% incline.
The 0.5-12 mph speed range is standard for most home treadmills, and it should provide plenty of speed for most. The speed limit is reduced to 6 mph at the maximum incline and the -6% decline. Still, this is plenty of speed to take your training to the next level.
Kaleigh uses the X32i to recover from hard outdoor runs and prepare for steep trail runs. The soft and bouncy cushioning helps prepare you for more strenuous training outdoors so you can go farther and faster.
The 400-lb weight limit is consistent with other NordicTrack treadmills, which means the X32i should handle users up to that weight. Plus, at around 460 lbs, the X32i is a beefy machine. Even though it is heavy, it’s durable and functional, which is what you want in a treadmill. That is why it is at the top of our best treadmills list.
Click here to read our detailed review of the NordicTrack X32i.
Interested in the NordicTrack X32i?
Sole TT8 Treadmill
What We Like:
- 15 incline levels, 6 decline levels
- 4.0 HP motor
- Onboard workouts and streaming apps
- 15.6” touchscreen
- Lifetime frame and motor warranty
- Light commercial-grade build
Areas For Improvement:
- Non-folding frame
- Too few quick-adjust buttons
The Sole TT8 Treadmill has six levels of decline or about -5%. That’s not to say that the TT8 doesn’t incline. It does, up to fifteen levels or a little over 12%. Uphill running will help you build your glute, quad, and calf strength without as much risk of soreness as downhill running.
In addition to the incline and decline range, the Sole TT8 is a solid treadmill made for light commercial use. With the 4.0 HP motor, users should be able to do all types of training, from light to heavy. The running surface is large enough to handle stride lengths of all sizes, too. Overall, we’re impressed by the construction, which has a lifetime frame and motor warranty.
The 15.6” display is a touchscreen with onboard workout programs and 12 streaming apps (Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, etc.). You can log into your membership and stream from the treadmill. The Sole TT8 doesn’t require an additional subscription fee to access the workout content and apps, making it a straightforward treadmill that doesn’t require a subscription.
If you’re looking for a powerful inclining and declining treadmill with excellent content options, check out the Sole TT8.
Click here to read our detailed review of the Sole TT8.
Interested in the Sole TT8?
NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill
What We Like:
- -3% to 12% incline range
- Folding frame
- Tilt and pivot screen
- 3.5 CHP motor
- Hands-free training
- Cushioned running surface
Areas For Improvement:
- No device rack
- Limited onboard training options
The 1750 offers a 12% incline and a -3% decline. The decline range might seem negligible, but (trust us) it’s not. The 20” x 60” deck is the perfect amount of space for your stride. The 3.5 CHP motor is quiet and supports multiple users and long-distance running. We love the streamlined, all-black design. Plus, the soft deck cushioning is good if you have sensitive joints.
The 14” touchscreen console is easy to navigate and adjusts to view off-treadmill iFIT workouts. The 1750 has iFit, which is free for 30 days. The 14” screen is optimal for streaming all of iFIT’s indoor and outdoor classes and viewing your metrics.
The 1750 adjusts automatically during every class, so you don’t have to worry about that. The AutoAdjust matches the terrain of outdoor classes and remembers your performance in previous workouts, so it adjusts to keep up with you and push you to become fitter.
If you’re looking for a versatile, all-around treadmill that checks all the boxes, consider the NordicTrack 1750 for your home. It’s a staple in our training, even outside of testing procedures.
Click here to read our detailed review of the NordicTrack Commercial 1750.
Interested in the NordicTrack Commercial 1750?
Sole F80 Treadmill
What We Like:
- 15 incline levels
- 3.5 HP motor
- 10.1” touchscreen
- 350-lb weight capacity
- Onboard workouts
- Streaming apps
- Free Sole+ app included
Areas For Improvement:
- No decline
- Firm running surface
Are you looking for a solid treadmill that doesn’t require a subscription to access all the features? The Sole F80 is the way to go. It offers 15 levels of incline, folds up, comes with free onboard workouts, and has a 3.5 HP motor. It is powerful, solid, and quiet—just a few of its standout features.
We love that Sole backs up the frame and motor with a lifetime warranty. In our testing, we’ve found that Sole creates durable, hearty, and stable machines. They also have high weight capacities, and the F80 is no exception. This treadmill will hold up to 350 lbs of user weight.
The Sole F80 is a good option if your home gym has a lower ceiling because the deck has a step-up height of only 8” at a flat grade from the floor to the height of the side rails. This height also helps when getting on and off the treadmill since you don’t have to step up or down very far.
The console’s 10.1” touchscreen is easy to use and offers onboard workout programs, fitness tests, and streaming from apps like Amazon Prime and Netflix. What’s unique about Sole is that it doesn’t require an additional monthly subscription to access the content on the screen. All you need to do is log into your respective account for each of the 12 apps and start watching.
The screen mirroring and built-in apps are features we enjoy on the Sole F80. The Kinomap app (preloaded) or the Zwift app (accessed by phone or tablet) is a great way to follow workouts and receive guidance on setting the incline levels.
Click here to read our detailed review of the Sole F80.
Interested in the Sole F80?
Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill
What We Like:
- Fast speed and incline changes
- No subscription required
- Affordable price
- 0 to 15% incline
- Lifetime frame and motor warranty
- FTMS compatible
- 325-lb weight capacity
Areas For Improvement:
- Dated appearance
- No touchscreen; limited tech features
You don’t need a subscription to work out on the 7.0 AT. It has basic built-in programs and Bluetooth connectivity to pair apps with the console. The 7.0 AT’s FTMS compatibility allows it to connect to Zwift and other apps. Our expert, Kaleigh, likes using it with Peloton because the adjustment dials accurately replicate the experience of running on a Peloton treadmill.
The deck cushioning complements running biomechanics. It uses 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning. The front of the deck is soft to cushion your landing, the middle is a moderate transition zone, and the rear is a firm and stable push-off zone. It feels fantastic underfoot.
Despite its low price, the Horizon exceeds our expectations. The incline range is 0 to 15%, which is better than most home treadmills’ standard 0 to 12%. It does not decline, but we can’t hold that against the 7.0 AT, considering its price; however, you may want to consider another treadmill if a decline is essential for your training. Budget shoppers should jump at this deal!
Click here to read our detailed review of the Horizon 7.0 AT.
Interested in the Horizon 7.0 AT?
ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill
What We Like
- Folding frame
- -3% to 12% incline range
- 22” touchscreen
- Quick-adjust buttons
- Moderately cushioned deck
Areas For Improvement:
- Console shakes at high speeds
- The incline mechanism could be better.
The incline range is adequate, but we had one issue with how it functioned. The treadmill deck does not move as smoothly or quietly across all surfaces, and the motor makes more noise than other iFIT treadmills when inclining. We wish the Pro 9000 used pivoting feet like the Sole treadmills to keep the rear feet from skidding on the floor during large incline adjustments.
We love that the deck has a hydraulic assist to help you lift and fold it. When unlocked, the deck will slowly lower to the floor, so you don’t have to worry about supporting it. We also love that the deck is 60” long and will work for most running strides. This compact treadmill has moderate cushioning to help protect your joints while running.
So, if you’re looking for a smaller but still powerful treadmill, this one is it. The Pro 9000 has a lovely 22” touch screen enabled with iFit for plenty of training options. You can use the screen or the console to adjust this treadmill or enjoy iFit’s AutoAdjust feature, which adjusts the treadmill automatically based on the format of the workout.
The 3.6 CHP motor is suitable for walking, hiking, jogging, and running. It is best for all kinds of use and activity levels.
Click here to read our detailed review of the ProForm Pro 9000.
Interested in the ProForm Pro 9000?
Horizon T101 Treadmill
What We Like:
- Excellent price
- 0 to 10% incline
- 2.5 CHP motor
- Folding frame
- Compact and lightweight
- Onboard training programs
Areas For Improvement:
- Not for heavy use
- Relatively low-tech
Regarding training options, the T101 inclines up to 10% and has a 10 mph max speed. While this is the lowest incline treadmill on this list, it still offers a good amount of range for its price. The Horizon T101 has a 2.5 CHP motor that supports walking and jogging primarily. The deck is 20” x 55”, which is best for lighter activities.
Horizon consistently had the fastest speed and incline adjustments in our testing. We were amazed, considering how affordable their treadmills are. The T101 has EasyDial controls that let you conveniently adjust your settings while you walk. We enjoyed how seamless and intuitive they were to use.
The Horizon T101 comes with a simple console complete with a device rack and pockets to place your water bottle on either side of the console. The console has enough adjustment buttons and workout tracking information to give you everything you need. We love the dial controls that increase/decrease the speed and incline with a quick turn.
With everything the T101 offers, you’re sure to enjoy this best-budget incline treadmill.
Click here to read our detailed review of the Horizon T101.
Interested in the Horizon T101?
Xebex Trekker 4000 Treadmill
What We Like:
- Very compact design
- Intense, low-impact workout
- Supportive handles
- 22% and 27% incline
- Three training modes
- Built-in training programs
Areas For Improvement:
- Doesn’t support all training types
- Low-tech
Ten speed levels regulate the resistance applied to the Trekker 4000’s manual treadmill belt. The lower levels have more resistance and require more effort on your part to accelerate the belt. The highest level (level 9) moves the fastest and has little resistance. Holding a jog is difficult, but you’ll certainly have to walk briskly.
We struggled to conquer long workouts on the Trekker 4000. Its built-in programs are only 5 minutes long, which feels adequate for a machine of this difficulty. You have more options than walking. The looped handles allow you to sled push, walk sideways, and more.
The Trekker 4000’s console is battery-powered and rather simple. It does not work very well with third-party training apps like iFIT or Peloton, but the Trekker’s console design complements its short and intense format, so I didn’t miss these options.
The Xebex Trekker 4000 is best for exercisers who want a challenging, non-traditional incline workout. There are no breaks (flat grades) here!
Interested in the Xebex Trekker 4000?
Freemotion i22.9 Incline Trainer
What We Like:
- Commercial-grade build
- -3% to 30% incline
- 15 mph maximum speed
- 5.0 HP AC motor
- 22” touchscreen
- iFIT compatible
Areas For Improvement:
- 750-lb weight
- Very expensive
Rounding out our list is the Freemotion i22.9 Incline Trainer. If you’re looking for the top-of-the-line, then you’ve arrived! The i22.9 inclines up to 30% and declines to -3% and has a 5.0 CHP AC motor. AC motors are typically found on treadmills in public gyms, so yeah, this bad boy is commercial-grade and capable of handling all kinds of use.
If you’re looking for gym quality, you found it with the i22.9 Incline Trainer. This treadmill has a 400-lb weight capacity, too. The deck is 21.5” wide and 60” long to accommodate all users, and it goes up to a max speed of 15 mph. Good luck keeping up with the workout range on this treadmill!
The Freemotion i22.9 Incline Trainer has a 22” touchscreen with iFit training content. We highly recommend checking out the hiking classes with this high-end incline treadmill. All the adjustment buttons you could need are below the screen on the console, so this treadmill should be great for all kinds of interval training and steady-state cardio.
If you want a high-end treadmill with an impressive incline and other features, check out the Freemotion i22.9 Incline Trainer.
Click here to read more about Freemotion Treadmills.
Interested in the Freemotion i22.9 Incline?
What to Consider When Buying an Incline Treadmill
We know that shopping for a treadmill of any kind is hard. If you are looking at incline treadmills, you probably have specific goals in mind. The following is essential information to consider when searching for the best incline treadmill.
Ceiling Height
Treadmills can incline anywhere from a few degrees up to 40%. Many models also decline. When searching for an inclining treadmill, you want to focus on your goals and where you’ll be using the treadmill. If you don’t factor in both of these, you could end up with a high-inclining treadmill that you can’t use in your house without the risk of hitting your head on the ceiling.
To avoid this, check out our guide on proper ceiling heights for treadmills.
Incline Range
Obviously, treadmills with high inclines of 30%+ are the most challenging, but even just a 5-10% grade can set your posterior chain on fire within minutes. Heck, even just a couple of degrees of incline can take your workout to the next level.
If your home space allows for a high-inclining treadmill, great! However, it is important to pick a treadmill that will work for you. If you know that a 15% incline is the most that you want to incline your treadmill, then buying one with that max level of incline is probably the best bet.
Construction
Considering your training goals is important when considering other treadmill components, like the construction. Motor and deck sizes are enormous factors that can enhance or inhibit your training depending on what you want to use the treadmill for.
For example, if you pick a treadmill for running with a deck shorter than 60” and a motor under 3.0 horsepower, you will most likely either not have enough space to run, have a treadmill that won’t last, or both. It’s important to consider the motor and deck to ensure they are appropriate for your use of the treadmill.
Folding
Consider the folding capabilities, especially if you are short on space. If you’re short on space, a folding treadmill can be very helpful. Non-folding treadmills tend to be heavier than folding ones and are often better suited for use on a ground floor in your home because of their weight.
Training Content
Training content might not seem like a huge deal, but many treadmills have subscription content that can leave the console and treadmill feeling limited if you don’t subscribe. The type of training content available on the treadmill should align with your training goals. So, if you’re looking for a treadmill that offers trainer-led content, choose one with a compatible touchscreen.
Some of our favorite training platforms for incline training include iFIT, Peloton, Zwift, and Kinomap. iFIT automatically adjusts NordicTrack, ProForm, and Freemotion treadmills to match real-world terrain. Peloton offers incline-oriented classes. Zwift and Kinomap offer outdoor and structured workouts that incorporate incline.
Budget
Finally, your budget is a huge driving factor for the type of treadmill you’ll buy. The top incline treadmills can cost several thousand dollars, but there are also great options under $1500 and $1000. Of course, you want to find one that fits into your budget, which is why we’ve included an array of treadmills above that are all available at different price points.
Incline Treadmill Types
Did you know there is more than one type of incline treadmill? We’ve tested all of the varieties, and we’ll give you a rundown of each of them below.
Electric or Automatic Incline Treadmills
Electric or automatic incline treadmills are the most common types and probably what most people are looking for. These machines have multiple incline levels and typically start at a flat grade (0%). They may also decline. A motor powers their adjustment from 0 to a different grade.
Fixed-Incline Treadmills
A fixed-incline treadmill has a set incline grade that cannot change. These treadmills are typically manual, meaning they do not have a motor. Instead, you power the treadmill belt to turn it in your walking or running motion.
Curved manual treadmills and flat belt manual treadmills both fall into this category. Flat belt manual treadmills are great for walking, and many support sled pushing. These treadmills are very challenging and effective, but they may not be as versatile as some users want.
The Xebex Trekker 4000 is a modified version of the fixed-incline treadmill. It has two manually adjustable incline levels. We classify a treadmill like this as a fixed-incline treadmill because it never reaches a flat grade and has minimal incline levels.
Fixed-incline treadmills have gained popularity as more and more exercisers look for alternatives to traditional cardio that help them train intensely with lower impact. They also promote more muscle growth over treadmills that are not inclined.
Manual Incline Treadmills
Manual incline treadmills may or may not be motorized. They require the user to get off the treadmill and manually adjust its incline level. This type of incline is common on budget treadmills. The incline is usually minimal, but it can be a good way to replicate outdoor training more accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best incline on treadmills?
Many treadmills offer an incline. Some incline by a few degrees, while others can incline up to 30-40%. 10-15% is standard on most models that we test. Determining the best incline on a treadmill depends on your training capability. Also, consider your ceiling height to ensure you have proper headroom to use the treadmill at its maximum grade.
What is the best incline to walk on?
The best incline to walk on is one that works for you. If you can walk at a 40% incline, that’s great. There are treadmills out there that offer this high of an incline. If a 3% incline is ideal, then there are many more suitable options.
When it comes to using a treadmill for incline work, it ultimately boils down to what you can safely do. Of course, a higher incline will incorporate more energy and muscles, but there isn’t one appropriate level for all fitness levels and training goals.
What is the highest incline on treadmills?
NordicTrack offers the highest inclines that we’ve seen on home running treadmills. The Commercial X32i, X22i, and Elite Treadmills offer 40% max inclines. Some walking and lab-grade treadmills may offer higher incline levels.
Does the 12/3/30 workout actually work?
The 12/3/30 workout is a great way to up the intensity without increasing your pace. It involves setting the treadmill to a 12% incline and a speed of 3 mph while walking for 30 minutes. Check out our full review of the 12/3/30 workout.