Maybe you’re not too mobile and want a treadmill that’s easy to get on or maybe you have low ceilings and you need the lowest treadmill you can find. Here are the best home treadmills with a low step-up height.
A normal treadmill has a step-up height of about 7” to 9”. The lowest step-up height for any treadmill is about 3″ but there aren’t many treadmills with that height. 5″-6″ is a low enough step-up height for most people and there are also a lot of different choices for different treadmills.
All the treadmills you can find below have a step-up height of 6” or less. That can mean the difference between being able to step on it easily and not. It could also mean you can use it under a low ceiling or not.
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What Does “Low Step-Up Treadmill” Mean?
A “low step-up treadmill” refers to a specific type of treadmill designed with a low or minimal step-up height, which is the height you need to lift your foot to step onto the treadmill deck. The step-up height, in other words, is the height from the floor to the top of the treadmill’s running surface.
Most treadmills have a step-up height of 7″-9″ (17.8-22.86 cm). So any treadmill with a deck height under 7″ can be considered ‘low’. The lowest deck height you’re going to find on a (motorized) treadmill is 3″/7.6 cm.
Benefits of Low Step-Up Height Treadmills
There are two main purposes for mills with a low deck height.
The first benefit of a low step-up treadmill is that it can provide extra vertical clearance. This is a big benefit in rooms with low ceilings. Those few inches can mean the difference between bumping your head and being able to run without problems. This only helps if the extra headroom you need is just a few inches.
The second benefit is that lower deck heights make the treadmill more accessible to more people. Seniors or people with mobility issues could in some cases use a treadmill with a low step-up height but not a normal one.
Do You Need a Treadmill With Low Deck Height?
Whether you need a treadmill with a low deck height depends on your specific circumstances and requirements. Here are some factors to consider when deciding if a treadmill with a low deck height is necessary for you:
The First reason is if our ceilings are ‘just’ too low. For a normal treadmill, the minimum recommended ceiling height is 8′. If you’re shorter than average you can get away with a little less but it’s important to figure out how much ceiling clearance you really have and need.
Read this article to find out how to figure it out exactly. If it turns out your ceiling is just a few inches short, then a low treadmill can be the solution.
The second reason is if you have trouble with getting on or off the deck of a normal treadmill. Not sure what kind of deck height you can handle? The typical step height of a staircase in the USA is 7.5”. That’s close to the average step-up height of a treadmill.
Can you go up the stairs without problems? A normal treadmill shouldn’t be an issue either. Remember, a treadmill is only one step, a flight of stairs is 24 steps so if a flight of stairs is OK you’ll be fine with a normal-height treadmill. If stairs are difficult, definitely look into treadmills with a lower deck height.
Great Treadmills For Low Ceilings
1. Lowest Step-Up: Xterra TR150
The Xterra TR150 is a great choice for people looking for a treadmill with a super low step-up height. The Xterra TR150 is an entry-level treadmill that excels in offering an exceptionally low step-up height, measuring only 3.3 inches—the lowest you’ll find.
Key TR150 Specifications:
The TR150’s affordability and compact design make it an attractive option for many households. However, it’s important to note that this treadmill is most suitable for walking and light jogging. If you have running aspirations or are a bigger person, you may find its belt size limiting, both in width and length.
All Xterra models offer deck heights of less than 6 inches, ranging from a mere 3.3 inches to 5.8 inches. So if the TR150 isn’t to your liking, check out the rest of their line-up. Xterra has a diverse lineup of treadmills, most of which are quite affordable, especially for the specs they have.
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Given that all Xterra treadmills feature a step-up height below 6 inches, we won’t delve into the intricate details of each model in this overview. Choosing the right treadmill involves considering multiple factors, with deck height being just one of them. For an in-depth guide on selecting the ideal treadmill for your specific needs, click here.
All Xterra treadmills in the current lineup adhere to the less than 6-inch step-up height standard. Here, we’ll provide a closer look at some of these models, with a particular focus on the TR150.
2. Xterra TR6.6
Now, let’s take a closer look at the Xterra TR6.6, a treadmill that not only offers an exceptionally low deck height of 5.2 inches but also features a generous 20-inch by 60-inch belt. What sets the TR6.6 apart from its competitors with similar step-up heights is its larger running surface. Many treadmills in its class may compromise on belt size, which can be problematic, especially for taller individuals.
TR6.6 Specifications:
- External Dimensions: 35” (width) x 78.9” (length) x 57.1” (height)
- Belt Dimensions: 20” x 60”
- Step-Up Height: 5.2 inches
- Automatic Incline, Adjustable from 0% to 15%
- Motor: 3.00 HP
- Folding Deck for Space-Saving Storage
The Xterra TR6.6 proves to be an excellent choice for those seeking an affordable home treadmill that combines a spacious belt with a low step-up height. The treadmill’s automatic incline feature, ranging from 0% to 15%, allows users to vary the intensity of their workouts with the push of a button. While the motor is not excessively powerful, it provides adequate performance for a wide range of workout routines.
In summary, the Xterra TR6.6 is a cost-effective solution for individuals looking for a treadmill with a roomy running surface and a low step-up height, offering a balanced mix of features that suit the needs of many fitness enthusiasts.
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3. Xterra TRX4500
The TR6.6, TRX3500, TRX4500, and TRX5500 have the biggest belts of the low deck height treadmills. The belts on all of those are 20” by 60” which is pretty much the standard for a commercial treadmill. This size belt is good even for tall people over 6’ to run on. They also all have decks that fold up for smaller storage. Combined with the other features we’ll dive into below, that means it’s a great range of treadmills for a consistent home runner.
TRX4500 Specs;
- Outside dimensions; 35.5” (w) x 77.2” (l) x 56.1” (h)
- Belt dimensions: 20” x 60”
- 5.8” step up height
- Automatic incline 0-15%
- 3.25 HP motor
- Folding deck for smaller storage
There are some differences between the three models but the belt size and step up height are all the same.
The TRX4500 is going to be in a sweet spot for many people. It has the same motor and frame as the more expensive TRX5500. The motor and frame are a bit better than the TRX3500 but it doesn’t cost too much more. The TRX5500 is quite a bit more expensive but you get a lot more features.
The TRX4500 gets a 7.5” LCD display on the console. The TRX5500 gets a 10.1” touchscreen and can connect to most popular fitness apps through Bluetooth.
So, if you need a big screen and connectivity, the TRX5500 is a good choice. If you just want to run, you can do that just as well on the TRX4500.
The TRX4500 is also great for High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with its strong motor. HIIT is a great way to burn more calories in a short period of time and also improve your cardiovascular health. A good interval timer is going to make HIIT workouts much more enjoyable. Check out the GymNext Flex timer. It’s super easy to set up and control contrary to most other interval timers making the setup for any workout a breeze.
Want to know the best spots to put your treadmill? Click here for the best places.
4. Landice L7
Landice only focuses on high-end treadmills. They are expensive but also very good. The Landice l7 is very quiet, has great customer support, and will last for a long time. They might look relatively simple but there’s a lot going on under the hood.
Landice L7 specs;
- Outside dimensions; 35” (w) x 76” (l) x 59” (h)
- Belt dimensions: 20” x 58”
- 5.5” step up height
- Automatic incline 0-15%
- 4 HP motor
- Very quiet
- Made in USA
- Different control panels are available
On the surface, it seems like you’re paying a lot for not that many features. However, the quality of construction, the care that goes into them, and the fact that they’ve been building treadmills for 40 years means that you are getting a very premium treadmill.
All the parts used are commercial quality so you’re getting the same experience as in your local health club. They use four-ply belts which are low friction and last a long time.
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If you’re looking for a very good treadmill with a low step-up height, that lasts a long time, can handle everything you throw at it, and comes with excellent customer service, this is the one to get. Yes it’s expensive but if you can afford it and will use your treadmill often, it’s a great option.
The user weight limit is enough for most people with 400 lbs. The deck is on the short side but if you’re less than 6’2 tall it won’t be a problem.
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5. True Fitness Z5.0/Z5.4
True Fitness is another premium gym equipment brand. The Z5.0 is a treadmill that’s perfect for walking, light jogging, and recovery.
True Fitness Z5.0 specs;
- Outside dimensions; 28” (w) x 68” (l) x 55” (h)
- Belt dimensions: 20” x 54”
- 5.5” step up height
- Automatic incline 0-15%
- 3 HP motor
- 400 lbs. user weight limit
- 12 mph top speed
It has a small footprint but also quite a short belt. So for taller people to run on, it’s not the best choice. This model really focuses on low joint impact through damping in the deck. These treadmills are really for bigger people who want to walk or maybe lightly jog to lose weight or recover from injuries.
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It looks pretty sleek for a treadmill and is built very well so if this combination of factors is something that suits you, it’s a good option with low step-up height although I think you can do better for the money, especially if you are taller and want to run.
The Z5.4 is very similar except it has a 2” wider belt so it’s even better suited for bigger people. The other specs are the same.
