There’s no ignoring the discomfort of running with sore joints. The best treadmills for bad knees, however, help alleviate the pain. Features like the auto-adjustability in our top pick, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750, remove the hassle of fiddling with controls throughout your run so you can focus on maintaining strong technique.
According to recent research on knee cartilage conditioning, running might actually improve joint health. Smooth motors and well-cushioned decks go a long way towards absorbing the forces of impact and evening out a runner’s stride. No matter your priorities, from cushion to customizability to cost, the best treadmills for bad knees can help restore your faith in running with joint pain.
Best Treadmill For Bad Knees Overall: NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill
Best Budget Treadmill For Bad Knees: Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill
Best Running Treadmill For Bad Knees: Sole TT8 Treadmill
Best Walking Treadmill For Bad Knees: Walking Pad P1 Foldable Walking Treadmill
Best Cushioned Treadmill For Bad Knees: Echelon Stride-8S Treadmill
Best Manual Treadmill For Bad Knees: Woodway Curve LTG Manual Treadmill
Best Treadmill For Bad Knees Overall
A Top-Of-The-Line, Well-Cushioned Treadmill
Speed range: 0 to 12 mph| Incline range: -3% to 12% | Deck size: 20 x 60 inches | Cushioning: Adjustable “Runner’s Flex”
Pros:
- Wide and well-cushioned deck
- Automatically adjustable speed and incline
- Powerful motor
- Extensive workout library
Cons:
- Confined to the iFIT universe ($15/month subscription)
- Large and unwieldy
It’s hard to beat the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 treadmill no matter what state your knees are in. This treadmill’s capacity for personalization is what gives it such clout, meaning that any runner in any body can appreciate what NordicTrack has to offer in the 1750. Runners with joint pain in particular benefit from the “Runner’s Flex” cushioning technology integrated into the belt as well as the option to automate mid-run adjustments to both speed and incline. This “SmartAdjust” feature learns your habits over time too. It takes data from your workout history and applies your preferred speed and incline ranges to future training sessions so you’re appropriately challenged. The wide deck, as well as a large screen that tilts and pivots, further ensures that nothing interrupts your natural stride. More than 16,000 guided workouts on the iFIT platform make it possible to build up to running from ground zero.
Best Budget Treadmill For Bad Knees
An Affordable Treadmill With Adaptable Bluetooth Connectivity
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Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill
Speed range: 0.5 to 12 mph | Incline range: 0 to 15% | Deck size: 20 x 60 inches | Cushioning: 3-Zone Variable Response Cushion
Pros:
- Open platform connectivity
- Comprehensive cushioning
- Smooth, accessible controls
Cons:
- No decline capability
- No integrated screen
The only way you’d know this treadmill qualified for “budget” status is by looking at the price tag. The surface-level simplicity of the 7.0 AT is somewhat deceiving. In exchange for a lackluster exterior, you get “Variable Response Cushion” underfoot across three zones: the push zone toward the back of the deck, the transition zone in the middle and the impact zone up front. These different levels of cushion match how your running stride changes over the course of those zones. You get more flex in the back, neutral amounts in the middle and more firmness in the front. The result? Optimal impact absorption from take-off to landing and back again.
Best Running Treadmill For Bad Knees
A Highly Customizable Treadmill With A Wide Incline Range
Speed range: 0.5 to 12 mph | Incline range: -6% to 15% | Deck size: 22 x 60 inches | Cushioning: 2-Ply cushioned flex suspension
Pros:
- Wide range of decline and incline capability
- Extra wide deck
- Sleek, slim design
- Free Sole+ workout library
Cons:
- Tough to make fine speed and incline adjustments on the go
The Sole TT8 gives users two extra inches of width compared to most treadmills that boast large decks, which might not seem like much until you think about how jarring it feels to step just slightly off the side of the belt. A couple extra inches could very well prevent you from face-planting into console after catching an edge.
The TT8 also goes down to a -6% decline and up to a 15% incline. Sergio Florian, DPT, advises runners with bad knees to not only take weight off of their legs at higher inclines, but also to challenge—and ultimately strengthen—their leg muscles by running on a decline. On the TT8, runners can push themselves in both directions.
Best Walking Treadmill For Bad Knees
A Low-Profile Treadmill With Smart Speed Control
Speed range: 0.5 to 3.75 mph | Incline range: N/A | Deck size: 16.5 x 47.3 inches | Cushioning: 4-layer cushion
Pros:
- Portable and low-profile
- Quiet and discreet
- Automatic speed control mode
Cons:
- Narrow speed range
- No incline adjustability
The Walking Pad P1 makes walking while you work a possibility no matter your living situation. This foldable walking pad fits under your desk, between the couch and the TV, against the wall, tucked away in the closet—wherever you happen to have half a square meter to spare. It’s light enough at 62 pounds to be appropriate for upstairs spaces, too.
The risk with low-profile treadmills like the P1 for those with bad knees is a lack of padding to cushion the landing. It’s true that you shouldn’t engage in any high-impact exercise on this, even if you could coax it faster than the maximum 3.75 miles per hour. But for the intended purpose, the P1 provides an unexpected amount of support underfoot. Four slim layers of cushioning bolster your knees with each step. Smart speed controls also allow users to pick up or slow down the pace just by adjusting where they step on the pad. Walk toward the front to speed up, the back to slow down and the middle to maintain your pace.
Best Cushioned Treadmill For Bad Knees
A Technologically Advanced Treadmill
Speed range: 0 to 12 mph | Incline range: 0 to 12% | Deck size: 20 x 60 inches | Cushioning: Quad-cushioned deck
Pros:
- Four layers of cushion
- Immersive interface
- Smooth speed and incline adjustments
Cons:
- No decline capability
This one’s for the runners out there who detest the “dreadmill” even more than the weight room (and that’s saying a lot). The Echelon Stride-8S feels more like playing a video game than going on a run. Trackballs on the control panel allow for adjustments to speed and incline with a quick brush of the hand. The 22-inch HD touchscreen gives home theater vibes so you can tune out external distractions. LED lights running along the sides of the belt change colors depending on your pace. It’s hard not to feel like a kid in an arcade while also packing in one heck of a workout.
Not only that, but the “Quad Cushion” design absorbs just enough impact to take the weight off your joints but not so much as to deaden your momentum.
Best Manual Treadmill For Bad Knees
An Ergonomically Designed Treadmill
Speed range: Unlimited | Incline range: N/A | Deck size: 17 x 62 inches | Cushioning: Slat belt
Pros:
- Slatted design offers natural cushioning properties
- Curved design encourages strong running form
- Highly durable
Cons:
- Narrow running surface
Manual treadmills don’t appeal to everyone. There’s no way to zone out and let the motor keep you chugging along. It’s up to you to control the pace. For runners with bad knees, though, the extra effort is worth the work. You can’t get away with sloppy form without losing steam or landing flat on your face. Florian says that strong legs and smart technique can lead to a marked decrease in joint pain.
The arced platform on the Woodway Curve LTG adds even more incentive to run with intention. It teaches you to find the perfect stride pattern, neither too long nor too short, which encourages proper loading of your muscles and soft tissues while you run. While the Woodway doesn’t offer incline adjustability, the arc creates a similar effect depending on where you land. The slat belt deck also does a better job of absorbing the impact than uniform belts atop firm, unforgiving decks. Running coach Lindsey Herman swears by Woodway treadmills for the way they provide a low-impact setting for athletes: “My legs cry every time I have to use anything else!”
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- When she’s not writing about the best treadmills and fitness equipment, author Lucie Hanes is also a professional ultrarunner from Colorado. It goes without saying that she’s logged enough time on the treadmill during winter blizzards and summer heat waves to have her favorites.
- Hanes referenced studies on cartilage adaptation for knee strength in runners and the effects of treadmill training on knee joint integrity to better understand the relationship between running and joint health.
- Also, Gear editor Cam Vigliotta, who oversees this story, has a background in kinesiology and uses his education in biomechanics when reviewing fitness product recommendations.
- Hanes consulted fellow professional runner and running coach Lindsey Herman about how treadmills have supported her roster of athletes as powerful tools for daily training, injury recovery and chronic pain management.
- Physical therapist Sergio Florian also weighed in on how treadmills can alleviate knee pain by facilitating fluid movement, and enlightened us on ways that certain treadmills can strengthen weak knees so that joint pain doesn’t have to dictate your gear choices forever.
How We Chose The Best Treadmills For Bad Knees
In order to put together our selection of recommendations, we relied on our own expertise as well as that of the experts we consulted. We also made sure to check online reviews from real users to ensure their experience aligned with ours.
- Hanes, who struggles with knee pain from chronic iliotibial band syndrome, personally tested many of the options listed in this roundup.
- Outside experts, including running coach Lindsey Herman and physical therapist Sergio Florian, contributed their thoughts on the most important features in treadmills where weak knees are concerned.
- Research on the most highly rated and reputable treadmills based on user experience and reviews fleshed out the remainder of this list.
What To Look For In The Best Treadmills For Bad Knees
Joint pain makes shopping for a treadmill more complicated. Not just any treadmill will do, because certain features differentiate a treadmill that supports and strengthens your knees from one that might just make matters worse. These are the most important factors to consider when shopping for a treadmill for bad knees.
Speed And Incline Ranges
The nature of joint pain means that you can’t always predict how you’ll feel from day to day, or even step to step. You need a treadmill with a wide range of speed and incline options so you can give your knees exactly what they need in the moment. Inclines help reduce the forces of impact to mitigate discomfort, while declines actually help strengthen the knees in the long-term. Florian recommends choosing a treadmill with the widest range possible in both directions to get the most out of the machine.
Deck Size
Don’t add insult to injury by running right off the edge of your treadmill. Long, wide treadmill decks are the best for running with bad knees because they don’t inhibit your natural stride or risk a fall. Smaller decks make for more compact treadmills, but even those concerned about tight quarters should aim for the largest deck possible for their space.
Cushion
Cushion control softens the blow of each impact with the deck to protect your joints. Each of these treadmills features some sort of cushioning technology in the deck construction for the sake of shock absorption. Look for suspension systems, flex decks, certain belt designs and high weight capacities in the best treadmills for bad knees.
Ease of Use
Running itself might not be bad for your knees, but sudden changes in speed or direction are bound to ignite joint pain. That’s the main benefit of running on a treadmill: a consistent, controlled platform. The only thing that might trip you up on a treadmill is an inconvenient control panel. The best treadmills for bad knees feature easily accessible dashboards, or even automatic adjustments, so that you can modify your run on the fly without throwing off your stride.
Cost
You can’t put a price on pain-free exercise, but cost is still a factor. The best treadmills for bad knees tend to come at higher costs compared to the most basic options out there. The features that make treadmills more accessible for those with joint pain, like wide incline ranges and large deck sizes, come at a premium. Even so, we’ve made sure to include options that are lighter on the wallet without neglecting joint-friendly features.
Are Treadmills Good To Use If You Have “Bad Knees”?
Treadmills can actually be one of the best tools for maintaining fitness despite joint pain. “For athletes dealing with limiting factors related to impact,” Herman explains, “I love to prescribe an uphill treadmill workout to really take the impact off while still providing huge running benefits.” The treadmill works well in this capacity because runners can set it to a consistent, steep incline without worrying about undulating terrain. Even without the incline, uniformity is what makes treadmill training so suitable for anyone concerned with knee instability. You can always trust the terrain underfoot.
Florian also supports treadmill training for the simple reason that any kind of movement is beneficial. “If a treadmill allows someone with ‘bad knees’ to move more fluidly and consistently, I’m all for it,” he exclaims, since movement in general promotes circulation and lubricates the joints with synovial fluid. But Florian also makes the argument that sometimes “bad knees” are actually just weak knees. Strength training often leads to improved joint functionality. Certain types of treadmills can play a role in the process of building leg strength and knee stability. “To strengthen the knees, I would recommend a treadmill that simulates downhills as well as uphills,” suggests Florian. “The eccentric load involved in downhill running and walking strengthens your knees most.” He cautions that runners should introduce eccentric loading “incrementally and carefully to avoid injury,” which is where a treadmill with downhill capabilities comes in handy thanks to the controllability of the terrain.
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