On The RUN

Welcome to the WH Lab, where we put fit kit through a rigorous testing process to determine which pieces of equipment deserve a place in your workout arsenal. This month, our team of expert testers made a run for it to find the treadmill du jour

BOWFLEX TREADMILL 56

£3,099, fitness-superstore.co.uk | 92.3/100

Yes, it’s a hefty investment, but the folding belt, abundance of classes (available with a JRNY app subscription) and absence of wobbling more than validates this treadmill’s price. And that’s not all – it pushes you to your limits with personalised workouts, too.

The WH Lab

verdict: With a spacious belt, cushioned surface and tons of workout options, it’s a class act.

Key specs Screen: Yes Max speed: (mph): 12.4 Max incline: 20% Foldable: Yes Requires self-assembly: No

PELOTON TREAD

£2,295, onepeloton.co.uk | 91.6/100

In need of some extra motivation? Us too. Luckily, the Peloton Tread has live classes and real-time leaderboards, adding a sense of competition that kept our testers all fired up. The belt is roomy and smooth, and we really liked the easy-to-use rolling knobs.

The WH Lab

verdict: With an enormous library of classes (via the brand’s app) you’ll never be short of workout options.

Key specs Screen: Yes Max speed (mph): 12.4 Max incline: 12.5% Foldable: No Requires self-assembly: No NORDICTRACK X32I

£3,499, nordictrack.co.uk | 88.8/100

Good things supposedly come in small packages, but when this monster turned up at the WH Lab, we realised it was the exception that proves the rule. With an unrivalled incline, global routes and training via the IFIT app, it soon had our testers sweating.

The WH Lab

verdict: This is a big bit of kit, but the spacious belt makes for a comfortable running surface.

Key specs: Screen: Yes Max speed (mph): 13.6 Max incline: 40% Foldable: No Requires self-assembly: No

£1,599, echelonfit.uk | 77.4/100

No space for a treadmill? This machine could be the solution – we loved its ability to fold flat. There’s no touch screen (a big miss), but you can easily connect an ipad. The stats display could have been larger, but the varied class library will keep your sessions feeling fresh.

The WH Lab

verdict: The Echelon Fit app is jam-packed with challenges, and its compact design is ideal for smaller homes.

Key specs: Screen: No Max speed (mph): 12 Max incline: 10% Foldable: Yes Requires self-assembly: No DECATHLON DOMYOS COMPACT TREADMILL RUN 100

£499.99, decathlon.co.uk | 76.3/100

Saying running machines aren’t cheap is a major understatement. But, out of all the ones we tried, this is by far the kindest on your bank balance. There are no incline settings or interactive workouts, but as a simple runner, we found that it performed admirably.

The WH Lab

verdict: If it’s simplicity and value for money you want, look no further.

Key specs: Screen: No Max speed (mph): 8.7 Max incline: 3%

(manual) Foldable: Yes Requires self-assembly:

Yes