I Want a Treadmill But How High Should My Ceiling Be?

A common question we get here is that someone wants to buy a treadmill but they only have space in a bonus room with a slanted ceiling or in a basement with a low ceiling. The answer depends upon the height of the treadmill deck and how you plan to use it.

If a machine has decline or a treadmill motor under the deck design, it is going to have a higher deck height than a comparable treadmill with the motor in the front or without decline.

The best way to figure out how much room you need is to add the height of the tallest user and then add the deck height and then add at least 3” of clearance if you are a walker and 4-5” if you are a runner. This is only if you plan on not using incline.

If you plan on using incline, put the unit in the store at the incline height that you wish to use and then measure from the floor to the highest point of the deck that you can walk upon. This is going to be your new deck height to add to the tallest person’s height and then the clearance height.

Keep in mind if you put the machine on carpet, typically a machine will sink into the padding if your carpet has padding. If you are putting it on concrete or on a treadmill mat, then you will need to make sure to add any additional height of the accessory.

The important thing that people need to remember is that if you have limited space, you may need to alter the way that you workout in order to accommodate your space and if you have limited height, go ahead and rule out one of the incline trainer models. It starts at a high step-up height and then really increases the deck height from there.

Calculate a Safe Ceiling Height for Some Popular Treadmill Models

NordicTrack T 6.5 S: The T 6.5 S is one of NordicTrack’s best rated, low-profile treadmills. With a deck height of only 7.5 inches, the T 6.5 S is an ideal candidate for those seeking an affordable, lower profile machine with tons of great features. This treadmill has been equipped with a 5-inch Backlit Display, Space Saver Design, Dual Cardio Grips, Flex Select, and One Touch Controls. The T 6.5 S has a sturdy build, 2.6 horsepower, 22 x 55-inch running surface, and a standard warranty that helps to place it above other machines in this price range. For NordicTrack Treadmill replacement parts, you can visit the NordicTrack Treadmill Replacement Parts page.

Sole F80: The Sole F80 is a well-built treadmill that can withstand the rigors of everyday use. The Sole brand is known for their high-quality build materials as well as long life spans! The Sole F80 features a 3.5 HP motor, 60-inch running surface with 15 incline levels and speeds that range from 0.5 to 12 miles per hour! The large, vibrant 9-inch display has a myriad of options to track distance, burned calories, and more. The F80 offers a lifetime warranty on the frame, motor, and deck, 5 years on electronics and parts, and 2 years on labor. For Sole treadmill parts, you can visit the Sole Treadmill Parts page.

Xterra TR150: The lightweight Xterra TR150 is perfect for those looking to start a walking fitness journey. It carries most of the standard features of treadmills in this price range but comes up short in the incline department as it only features 3 incline levels that must be manually adjusted. It weighs less than 100 lbs. yet can hold users up to 250 lbs. The TR150 features a 2.25 HP motor to keep you going at speeds from 0.5 mph – 10 mph for an efficient and smooth workout. The 16” x 50” walking area is perfect for shorter strides although this may seem cramped for many users. The TR150 has a limited 90-day parts and labor warranty which is rather short compared to other models in the same category, and a 1-year motor warranty. For Xterra Fitness treadmill repair parts, you can visit the Xterra Fitness Treadmill Repair Parts page.