Hi everyone,
I am looking for some advice on choosing a treadmill to use with Zwift and hoping this community can help point me in the right direction.
A bit about me: I am 6’1" and 100kg, and I am looking to get back into running after some time away from it. I have decided a treadmill is the way to go, and after discovering Zwift I am looking to use it to make the experience more enjoyable and keep me motivated.
My plan is to start with Couch to 5K and build from there. I was never a fast runner. My top speed previously was only around 11 km/h. So I am not looking for anything performance-focused, just something solid and reliable that will support my journey.
My budget is up to £800, and I am also open to picking up a used treadmill on eBay if the right one comes up.
From reading through posts here — particularly from @Stuart.Middlecoate , whose contributions I have found really valuable — I understand that the general advice is to buy the best treadmill you can afford and then use the QZ app to connect it to Zwift if there is no native support. I am very comfortable on the tech side so that is no problem at all.
I have also noted that a continuous horsepower (CHP) rating of at least 3.0 seems to be the minimum worth targeting for a runner of my size.
Given all of the above, I would love any specific model recommendations — new or used — that the community thinks would be a good fit. Brands, models to avoid, things to watch out for when buying second-hand, all gratefully received!
Thank you very much in advance.
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the positive review of my contributions, makes it worthwhile writing them if somebody benefits.
Lets try and get you sorted.
The good news is that most modern treadmills are Zwift enable so the need to use a 3rd party app has diminished in recent times. However if you want to use features like auto incline then you’ll still need to use an app but we can sort that later.
You are right about the CHP, 3 is a minimum for a smooth experience. At 100kg you are a ahem…clears throat…solid runner so running on a treadmill with smaller torque will give you a judder under foot.
Again with your solid build you’ll need something robust in terms of a running deck. All decks are MDF with a thin lamiate board glued to it. It’s the thickness of the MDF that’s key but most manufacturers don’t give this in the specs.
You ideally need to be looking a semi commercial treadmills as these are generally more solid. If you have the space for a non folding model great as these tend to be more solid.
At £800 your budget is low. You’ll get an Adidas or Reebok new for this but not one that’ll last. If you’re thinking running is going to be a long term thing then buy cheap buy twice is a fitting phrase.
If you’ve the means to transport a treadmill then 2nd hand can offer great value. They haemorrhage money from new as they’re not easy to sell on because of moving them. Also is interest free an option. Sure you might spend 2k but at 60 quid a month for a few years you’ll not feel the pain.
I’m an ambassador for NoblePro so feel free to browse the range. They have options that suit your needs with interest free available.
If you need any more advice I’m here. You can drop me a DM if you like and I’ll pop you my Whatsapp if that’s easier.
Hi Stuart, many thanks for taking the time to respond. Your insights are very appreciated.
I have been scouring eBay to find something that meet the requirements you recommended. I used AnyVan in the past to get heavy items delivered and I intend to use them again if I find a suitable treadmill on eBay.
I have come across this treadmill that meets the requirements - Branx Fitness Elite Runner Pro . It’s listed for £515 and is two years old.
I have reviewed the NoblePro machines and they look very impressive. And the interest free option, along with your solid recommendation, makes them an attractive option.
I wouldn’t mind spending more, but it’s just that injuries have prevented me from following through on running training before, and had to give away my old treadmill. Hence am a bit reluctant to commit to an expensive machine at the moment.
Given all of the above, I would love any specific model recommendations - new or used - that the you think would be a good fit. Brands, models to avoid, things to watch out for when buying second-hand, all gratefully received!
Thank you
Hi Joe,
That Branx has no Zwift connectivity. The Bluetooth capability is for audio only. You’d need a separate speed and cadence sensor and then you’re into calibration nightmares.
Let me have a look around what’s out there 2nd hand.
You might not be a facebook kind of guy but there’s half a dozen noble pro on there starting from £550 to £800.
I am not on Facebook, I am afraid.
Do you recommend any other brands please?
Don’t let the lack of Zwift connectivity stop you from selecting a treadmill you find acceptable.
The NPE Runn device is a great option for getting a non-Zwift treadmill to work with Zwift.
Spot on @Dan_Kothlow! I believe even @Stephen_Metcalfe recommends that we should get the best treadmill one can afford and deal with connecting to Zwift later on.
I have, so far, identified the below lightly-used treadmills on eBay that meet my requirements (>3CHP, >135KGS supported weight)-
-
Branx Fitness Elite Runner Pro (£515)
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ProForm Pro 5000 (£513)
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XTerra TRX5500 (£618)
I would appreciate your thoughts on the above please.
Thank you.
Pretty sure I didn’t recommend anything of the sort. Never used a treadmill in my life!
I’m afraid I can’t recommend a treadmill, I still use a junky old Gold’s Gym Maxx Crosswalk 650 with the NPE Runn to broadcast into Zwift.
If I was in the market for a newer treadmill, I would do some research, and may have other opinions.
I would love to have a Wahoo KICKR RUN, but that’s way out of my budget, especially being 61 years old. Maybe if I were younger and could get more years out of it.
The Proform is the best treadmill of the 3. However it’s locked to IFit so no Zwift compatibility.
The Branx again has no FTMS.
The Xterra is Zwift compatible and will give the the last hassle experience but it isn’t the best treadmill in terms of running experience.
Good afternoon @Stuart.Middlecoate, please correct me if I am wrong, but I should be able to use the QZ app, as a bridge, with the Proform to connect with Zwift, correct?
@Dan_Kothlow many thanks for your insights Sir!
@Stephen_Metcalfe sincere apologies for unintentionally pulling you into this thread.
@Joe_Frazer No problem. Hope you find the information you need.
I can’t guarantee that. It’s mixed amongst the iFit models about connectivity. Generally speaking yes you should be able to connect QZ.
Ifit have become more proprietary in recent years and that model might be locked. I know the developer of QZ very well and he’ll do everything he can to get it to work.
Hi @Stuart.Middlecoate ,
During my research on connecting a Proform Pro 5000 to Zwift, I discovered a GitHub issue confirming that the brilliant developer of the QZ app has already addressed this:
qdomyos-zwift/issues/1448
PS: To explore all available options, I plan to create a Facebook account and investigate NoblePro alternatives. Would you be able to share the links to your search results, please?
PPS: I am unable to locate the option to DM you. Could you please provide assistance with this?
Click @Stuart.Middlecoate name in one of his posts, a pop-up will show, click “Message” in the top right corner of that.
I’ve already messaged him.
Thanks Dan