Best Shock-Absorbing Treadmill (2024): Running Shouldn’t Have To Feel So Hard

I might not be an avid runner, but with my intermittent knee pain, I can relate to you if you’re on the hunt for a shock-absorbing treadmill. The idea of my feet and knees bracing the impact of my entire body weight on a hard surface makes me want to cringe. However, once I got my feet on a shock-absorbing treadmill for the first time, I realized it was a game changer.

Whether you’re a runner or a walker, if you experience joint pain—from the ankle to the hip—it’s worth looking into a treadmill with a shock absorption. Luckily for you, we’ve got you covered in this roundup of the five best shock-absorbing treadmills.

Our expert product testers—which include certified personal trainers, CrossFit coaches, Olympic athletes, and triathletes— have hands-on experience with nearly all of the products listed in this roundup, and have used and tested more than 50 other treadmills. If we haven’t tested one of these treadmills, we’ve tried one of the brand’s closest models to the one we featured. 

Collectively, we have over 100 years worth of experience. Our goal is to use our knowledge to help you decide on the best piece of fitness equipment for your home gym based on your needs and fitness level. We do this by rating treadmills 1 to 5 on certain criteria, including:

• Cushioning: Does it offer a cushioned running deck or shock absorption? Did you testers feel like their joints were protected?
• Durability: It should have a strong motor (ideally 2.5 horsepowers, but the higher the better), feel stable while in use, and have a weight capacity of at least 300 pounds.
• Speed and Incline Range: How fast can it go and how high can you set the incline?
• Programming: Are they entertaining and motivating workout classes available?

6 Best Shock-Absorbing Treadmills

• Best Shock-Absorbing Treadmill Overall: NordicTrack Commercial 1750
• Best Shock-Absorbing Treadmill for Walkers: ProForm Carbon TLX
• Best Durable Shock-Absorbing Treadmill: Sole Fitness F80
• Best Shock-Absorbing Treadmill With Classes: Peloton Tread
• Best Budget Shock-Absorbing Treadmill: Sunny Health and Fitness SF-T7603
• Best High-End Shock-Absorbing Treadmill: NordicTrack X32i

Best Shock-Absorbing Treadmill Overall: NordicTrack Commercial 1750

Good for: Those who want a cushioning system to keep up with high-intensity interval training

NordicTrack Commercial 1750

NordicTrack Commercial 1750

GGR Score: 4.5

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Product Highlights

• Spacious running deck
• Compatible with iFIT
• 14-inch touchscreen
• Incline and decline training
• Financing available

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Compatible with iFIT
• 3.5 CHP motor
• Free trial of iFIT subscription with purchase
• Treadmill with incline and decline training
• Foldable to save space (EasyLift Assist)
• Run that feels similar to road running
• Financing options available through NordicTrack
• Generous speed range
• Wide running deck
• Cooling fan

Cons

• Big footprint
• Heavy and not the easiest to move
• Price is around $2,000
• Warranty is voided if the treadmill is used/stored in a garage

Bottom Line

If you’re looking to add a workhorse of a treadmill to your home gym, we recommend the NordicTrack Commercial 1750.

The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is our top pick for the best shock-absorbing treadmill because of its Runners Flex cushioning system, where you can adjust the cushioning on this treadmill to your liking with a lever on the deck. This can help accommodate preferences for the whole family, allowing people to choose from a softer landing or replicating the feeling of on-road running.

All of three of our testers rated the cushioning a 5 out of 5. “It’s very noticeable and was helpful during decline runs, since those can put so much stress on your joints,” says certified personal trainer and GGR Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele.

Certified personal trainer and GGR Head of Content Kate Meier awarded it a 5 out of 5 for durability. “There isn’t any play at all on this machine, even when I took it to top speeds,” she says. Lindsay agrees with Kate’s rating. “This is a pretty heavy machine and even when i moved it side to side as hard as I could there wasn’t a lot of wobble,” she says.

This machine not only offers a softer belt experience for anyone with joint pain, it also has all the tech features you would want to see in a NordicTrack treadmill. What exactly are those tech features we’re talking about? Well, the display boasts a 14-inch smart HD touchscreen where you’ll have access to a vast library of iFIT on-demand workouts for an additional monthly subscription.

Additionally, the Commercial 1750 is a folding treadmill with an EasyLift assist folding mechanism, which means a gas shock makes folding and unfolding a breeze. This model also has a powerful motor designed with runners in mind and can accommodate tall users with the 60-inch running deck. You’ll also be able to utilize both incline and decline training with peace of mind knowing your joints won’t get too beat up in the process with shock-absorbing deck cushioning. 

We’ve had our hands (and feet) on this treadmill—you can read our full NordicTrack Commercial 1750 review if you’re interested in finding out more details about this model. 

Best Shock-Absorbing Treadmill for Walkers: ProForm Carbon TLX

Good for: Walkers who want cushioning and with an ultra-compact treadmill

ProForm Carbon TLX

ProForm Carbon TLX

GGR Score: 3.72

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Product Highlights

• Affordable folding treadmill
• 3.0 CHP motor
• 60″ belt
• 0-12 mph speed range
• 12% incline
• 7-inch display
• iFIT-enabled

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Durable with a 3.0 CHP motor
• 300-lb weight capacity
• 60-inch belt length
• 12% incline
• Cushioned running deck
• iFIT-enabled
• Foldable

Cons

• Only a 1-year parts warranty
• No touchscreen display

Bottom Line

The ProForm Carbon TLX is an affordable folding treadmill that would be suitable for a small space. It's durable, with a 300-pound weight capacity and 3.0 CHP motor, plus it offers up to 12% incline. Also take advantage of iFIT for virtual classes on this machine.

The ProForm Carbon TLX is a walking machine that offers ProShox cushioning to ensure your joints land softly as you get your steps in. Certified personal trainer and GGR Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele says it’s best for walkers and light joggers because the cushioning, while good, isn’t the best.

“I think for a budget-friendly treadmill it was fine,” she says. She rated the cushioning a 3.5 out of 5, again adding that it will do the job so long as you’re not running too hard.

The Carbon TLX has all the features you’d want in a walking of running treadmill — a top speed of 12 miles per hour, a 60-inch defck, and a maximum user weight capacity of 300 pounds.

All that in a well-cushioned treadmill to help you achieve your daily steps (and one that is compact and easy to move), on top of the fact that it’s under $1,000—now that’s a bargain. “Feels super stable and there wasn’t any sort of wobbling or play in the structure while in use,” says Lindsay says. She rated the durability a 4.5 out of 5 in our ProForm Carbon TLX review.

This ProForm machine does not offer a touchscreen display, but it does have a tablet holder so you can use your own device to connect to interactive programming with an iFIT membership. You’ll even be able to take advantage of auto-adjust technology through iFIT where the treadmill speed is controlled by the coaching cues of your trainer. 

Our product testers have used this machine and boast about the easy assembly and the ultra-compact folding mechanism. “One person could easily build this in about an hour, and the instructions were super easy to follow along with,” says Lindsay, who rated the assembly a 5 out of 5.

Best Durable Shock-Absorbing Treadmill: Sole Fitness F80

Good for: Folks looking for a solid value in a treadmill with a shock-absorbing running surface  

Sole F63

Sole F80 Treadmill

GGR Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• Foldable design
• 3.5 HP motor
• 12 mph max speed
• Incline training up to 15%
• 60″ L x 22″ W running deck
• 350 lb weight capacity
• Lifetime frame and motor warranty

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3.5 HP motor supports heavy running
• Extended running surface measuring 60 inches by 22 inches
• Incline ranging 0% to 15%
• Weight capacity of 350 lbs
• 4 transport wheels (most folding treadmills have 2)
• Integrated Bluetooth speakers
• USB port
• Tablet holder
• Armrest controls
• Lifetime warranty on frame and motor
• Low step-up height

Cons

• Users report cushioning not as shock absorbing as others
• Small and basic display

Bottom Line

What the Sole F80 lacks in technology, it more than makes up for in durability and performance. With a 3.5 horsepower motor and a 60 inch long running deck, the Sole F80 is a great option for dedicated endurance athletes.

The Sole Fitness F80 is a solid treadmill with specs that provide a lot of value for a wide range of people. I personally like the fact that this machine offers a Cushion Flex Whisper Deck, which Sole Fitness claims reduces the impact of running up to 40 percent as compared to running on asphalt. Lindsay Scheele, avid CrossFitter and a certified personal trainer, says it’s definitely softer than the road.

“It didn’t feel really jarring while running on it,” she says. “I’d say it’s somewhere in the middle between a really-cushioned treadmill and a non-cushioned treadmill.” For that reason, we’ll give it a 3.5 out of 5 on cushioning.

In addition to happy joints it’s also nice to see a powerful 3.5 horsepower motor and user weight capacity of 375 pounds. The running deck is designed to accommodate taller folks with a running surface that measures 60 inches long and 22 inches wide. All of these features add up to a well-built machine that will withstand a lot of miles (and a lot of impact). You will also be happy to know that Sole Fitness offers a lifetime warranty on both the frame and the motor.

Although this treadmill does not offer a high-tech touchscreen for interactive programming, the Sole F80 does have 10 preset workouts you can use in addition to manual mode. Other conveniences for this home-use treadmill include a built-in cooling fan and built-in speakers with Bluetooth connectivity. 

Our team of experts tested this treadmill to write an in-depth Sole F80 review.

Best Shock-Absorbing Treadmill With Classes: Peloton Tread

Good for: Those who want a cushioned treadmill that has top-notch workout classes

Best With Classes

Peloton Tread+

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Product Highlights

• Soft, cushioned treadmill
• Tilting touchscreen
• Can be powered via electric motor or manually
• Incline up to 15%
• 67-inch running deck

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Cushioned slat belt
• 67-inch running space is well above the industry standard
• 32-inch tilting touchscreen
• Can be used as a manual treadmill in "Free Mode"
• Adjustable incline up to 15%

Cons

• Expensive
• Weighs 455 pounds

Bottom Line

The Peloton Tread+ is a luxury cardio machine that features a cushioned slat belt, tilting touchscreen, and the high-quality interactive that made Peloton a household name. The downside: A very steep price tag.

Peloton is known for its exercise bike programming, and the same enthusiasm and motivation can be found on the lesser-known Peloton Tread. To be honest, it doesn’t have a cushioned deck like many of the other options on this list (you’d have to upgrade to the Peloton Tread+ for that), but there is shock absorption to soften any impact to your joints.

Lindsay Scheele, a certified personal trainer and cardio equipment expert, and longtime Peloton Tread user Dawn Chapman said their knees feel good while using the machine.

Dawn took more than 1,500 Peloton classes and was a major source for our Peloton Tread review.

In terms of durability, we’re giving it a 4 out of 5 because while we haven’t had any issues with it there are numerous customer reviews that state it’s wobbly when put on carpet. Dawn has had the treadmill since December 2018 and says it works just as well today as it did on her first run.

“This surpasses other treadmills on every level,” the Peloton enthusiast says. “This is the best piece of cardio equipment I’ve ever owned.

So how do the treadmill classes compare to the world-famous Peloton Bike programs? Dawn prefers taking on-demand classes because it works better for her schedule, though she says the live ones are just as fast-paced and effective as those on the OG Peloton. With the app, you also get access to outdoor running classes, meditation lessons, and more. We rate Peloton’s programming a 5 out of 5 because we believe it’s worth the hype.

The only callout is that the Peloton Tread’s running deck is one inch shorter than the industry standard, which should only be noticed by super tall people.

RELATED: Best Treadmill for Tall Runners

Best Budget Shock-Absorbing Treadmill: Sunny Health and Fitness SF-T7603

Good for: Anyone looking for budget-friendly treadmill with a cushioning system 

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7603

Sunny Health And Fitness SF – T7603 Treadmill

GGR Score: 3.57

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Product Highlights

• Compact and foldable
• Simple to build solo
• Foldable with a gas shock for gentle release
• Handles have speed adjustments
• 2.2 CHP motor

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Compact
• Easy to fold
• Lightweight
• Sturdy, all-steel frame
• Shock absorption
• Reviewers report easy assembly

Cons

• Weaker motor will not support sustained or intense runs
• Small running deck not suited for taller individuals
• Some users report the lifespan is very short

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a seriously affordable, compact, portable and simple treadmill, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7603 folding treadmill may be for you. While this machine won’t support sustained or intense running, it’s a value purchase for walkers, joggers and casual runners.

If you’re on a budget but still want to get the benefits of a treadmill with shock absorption, this might be your answer. The Sunny Health and Fitness SF-T7603 is a model that won’t run you more than $500 and comes equipped with a shock absorption deck. 

Our expert product testers have tried two models from Sunny Health and Fitness that are remarkably similar: the SF-T7603 and the SF-T4440. Both models surprised our team with just how much the treadmill deck lessened the impact of walking compared to asphalt. 

In addition to keeping your joints healthy, the SF-T7603 also offers some budget-friendly features like manual incline levels, a small LCD screen for basic metrics, and nine preset programs to choose from—because sometimes less is more.  

On the contrary, with this budget price you will notice some drawbacks like the fact the weight capacity caps out at 220 pounds and the machine’s top speed is 9 mph. If these factors aren’t dealbreakers for you, it’s worth checking out our in-depth review on the Sunny Health and Fitness SF-T7603 treadmill. 

Best High-End Shock-Absorbing Treadmill: NordicTrack X32i

Good for: Anyone who plans to go hard on incline training and needs maximum shock absorption 

NordicTrack X32i

NordicTrack Commercial X32i Treadmill

GGR Score: 4.25

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Product Highlights

• Decline and larger incline than most other treadmills
• 32” touchscreen
• Powerful motor 
• Commercial-grade machine
• Oversized running surface

Pros & Cons

Pros

• ‘-32” HD touchscreen
• -Heart rate chest strap included
• -6% Decline to 40% Incline
• -Quiet when in use
• -Extremely powerful 4.25 CHP motor

Cons

• ‘-Doesn’t fold
• -Expensive
• -Heavy and hard to move

Bottom Line

While this treadmill is definitely on the expensive side, the many added features makes for a high-quality piece of equipment.

The NordicTrack X32i not only has shock-absorption qualities with top-notch deck cushioning, it’s also a treadmill that can incline up to 40-percent grade and decline down to -6-percent grade. For that reason, this cardio machine is one of the best treadmills for anyone interested in hill training, but it comes with a hefty price tag. 

Back to the cushioning for a second. I had ankle reconstruction surgery due to being a former collegiate and semi-professional soccer player, so I’m looking for the best cushioning on my treadmills, and the NordicTrack X32i is one of the most-cushioned treadmills. It’s a bit aggressive for people who prefer more moderate levels of cushioning, like certified personal trainer and GGR Head of Content Nicole Davis.

“There’s a lot of bounce on the belt, so much so that it shook the screen a little,” Nicole says. “That might be because the screen is so large.”

With the ability to incline and decline to such extremes, I appreciate the fact this machine is equipped with a well-cushioned running belt. Some of our expert product testers put it to the test and report it’s practically cloud-like. If you want the full deets, you can read our in-depth review of the NordicTrack X32i. 

Oddly enough, the NordicTrack website doesn’t explicitly state the X32i is cushioned or offers shock absorption for joints and the impact of running. However, from our hands-on experience with the X32i, we know it will definitely reduce shock to your joints. Plus, I hopped on a live chat with customer support to confirm. Ryan from NordicTrack (shout out to Ryan!) confirmed that both the X22i and the X32i have cushioned decks and he even says “It’s the best cushioning you can find on the market.” He also let me know it’s not an adjustable situation, it’s a set level of cushioning.  

The NordicTrack X32i also offers an extremely powerful 4.25 horsepower motor and a massive 32-inch touchscreen enabled for iFIT interactive programming. This machine is not foldable, it weighs over 400 pounds, and it will need its own dedicated space in your home gym. All these things aside, if you’re looking for high-quality experience and low-impact to the joints (plus all the bells and whistles), this is the machine for you. 

Other Shock-Absorbing Treadmills We Researched

Sunny Health and Fitness (SF-T4400) Treadmill: This treadmill did not make it to this list because the specs are nearly identical to the SF-7603 but the SF-7603 is a quality budget treadmill with cushioning that pleasantly surprised our product testers. 

XTERRA Fitness TR150: This budget treadmill almost made it to the list but it turns out the cushioning is pretty minimal and otherwise undetectable. 

Horizon 7.4 AT: This Horizon Fitness treadmill was a contender for the most durable treadmill, but we thought the Sole F80 had more to offer with a higher weight capacity. 

How We Picked and Tested The Best Shock-Absorbing Treadmills

There are many factors we considered before rounding up the best treadmills for shock absorption. Here are the things we considered:

• Shock absorption: We wanted to make sure that every treadmill on this list offers cushioning and shock absorption to lessen impact to your joints if you decide to buy. 
• Price: We choose a variety of machines from budget to high-end to show the landscape of what features you can get at every price range in addition to shock absorption. 
• Our experience: We wanted to choose treadmills that we’ve assembled and put to the test. The exception to this list is the Sole F80 (but we’ve personally tested the F63, which is a base model from Sole with a lot of similar features). 
• Assembly: We considered how difficult each product is to assemble based on our personal knowledge and research. 
• Warranty: Length of the warranty for the frame, motor, parts, and labor was considered for this roundup. 
• Weight capacity: We looked at the weight capacity and how it lines up with industry standards in that price range. 
• Deck size: For this roundup, we looked at a variety of deck lengths, but ultimately tried to include several options that will work for taller people. 
• Speed options: We considered speed ranges and only had a few models on this list that don’t reach 10 MPH. 
• Portability: We considered how easy it is to move each treadmill and if it is foldable. 
• Display: The size of the display and whether or not it’s a touchscreen were factors considered for this list and we included treadmills with and without touchscreens. 
• Motor: We included a mix of treadmills with powerful motors and others that are best suited for walking. 
• Technology: We included a mix of treadmills with preset workout programs that are hardwired into the machine and a few with interactive programming capabilities (like iFIT). 

Benefits of Shock Absorption on a Treadmill

A treadmill that can offer shock-absorbing components can help reduce the stress repeated running and walking adds to your body. 

“Shock absorption is one of the most integral features on modern treadmills, and it’s often one of the first features potential buyers look for,” says GGR editor Amanda Capritto. Based on that, here are the main benefits we see to owning a shock absorbing treadmill:

Muscle and Bone Stimulation

Both running and walking creates impact to your joints—enough so that both activities stimulate bone density formation, much like strength training does. If you’re someone who wants to stay active and continue to stimulate muscle and bone activity without the pain of hard surfaces, a softer landing can help keep you active. 

“Some runners, especially those with prior injuries or those who are middle-age or older, switch from outdoor running to treadmill running to keep fit while avoiding undue stress on the joints but with all the same benefits” says Amanda. 

Keep Injuries at Bay

If you suffer from joint pain or an injury, the impact of walking or running for long durations can be painful—sometimes during the workout and sometimes not until after the workout is complete. 

“Running on a tread belt with shock absorption reduces joint impact compared to running on hard-packed terrain,” says Amanda. This can help injured ankles, knees, and hips receive less irritation while still staying active. 

Buying Guide for Shock-Absorbing Treadmills

Buying a treadmill is a tough process. There are a lot of quality treadmills out there, but not every machine has everything you need. If you’re looking for shock-absorbing capabilities in the next treadmill you purchase, take a look at this list of things to consider: 

Price

We recommend going into your treadmill buying experience with a price point you feel comfortable with (either paid in full or a monthly payment). It’s easy to get lost in all the features each treadmill offers, but if you set your budget first, you can prioritize what you need over what you think is a nice-to-have. 

Warranty

The warranty provides extra peace of mind on any piece of large home gym equipment. The best warranties on treadmills range from 10 to 15 years on the frame. Quality warranties will also give you at least two years on parts and one year on labor. 

Size of the Running Area

Depending on your height, weight, and fitness goals you’ll want to consider the size of the surface you plan to run or walk on. For tall runners, we suggest 60-inch running decks to accommodate for your full and natural gait. However, if you’re on the shorter side or plan to use a treadmill for walking, the 60-inch deck is not as important. In addition to stride length, it’s also important to consider the weight capacity on treadmills. 

Shock Absorption System

When you’re shopping for treadmills, make sure you read through the specs for mentions of deck cushioning or shock absorption. Because a suspension system for shock absorption is important to a lot of buyers, the brand will likely mention it. 

FAQs: Best Shock-Absorbing Treadmill

Lauren Strong, CPT

Lauren is an NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer working with clients of all ages and skill levels. She specializes in coaching the squat, bench, and deadlift and enjoys introducing beginners to barbell training. Before becoming certified, she worked in marketing roles after graduating from the University of Maine with a BA in Journalism. Writing for Garage Gym Reviews blends her two passions: writing and lifting. Lauren spends her leisure time in the kitchen, reading fiction, and taking nature walks. She's also an avid downhill skier, learning how to ski when she was just two years old. She lives in Maine with her husband and two cats.

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