Best Incline/Decline Treadmill

Incline/decline treadmills simulate real-world terrain

Most motorized treadmills costing $1,000 and more adjust up to a 15 percent incline, or at least a bare minimum of 12 percent. Very few, however, adjust to a decline. Owners and experts alike praise these incline/decline treadmills for better simulating real-world terrain and for making workouts more entertaining.

The Precor 9.35 (*Est. $5,000) and NordicTrack Commercial 1750 (*Est. $1,300) are about as different as you can get in terms of price, but both offer an impressive range of incline/decline positions. The Precor adjusts between 2 percent decline and 15 percent incline, while the NordicTrack adjusts between 3 percent decline and 15 percent incline.

Precor treadmills have an unbeatable reputation for rock-solid, gym-quality construction. Although the NordicTrack doesn't live up to quite the same standard, owners and experts agree that it also offers a solid, well-cushioned ride. Even so, the 1750's 4.5 continuous horsepower (chp) motor can't maintain regular speed at a 15 percent incline while the 3 chp Precor 9.35 holds steady.

If it's an entertaining workout you're after, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is a clear favorite for its iFit Live programming. Provide a wireless Internet connection and pay the yearly membership fee (*Est. $149), and iFit allows you to race against other users online or follow a simulated course from Google Maps. The treadmill will automatically adjust the incline or decline to match the terrain. The 1750's Android-powered touchscreen controls and built-in browser are also big hits, all for about a quarter of the price of the Precor 9.35. The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is named our Best Reviewed Incline/Decline Treadmill for its impressive value.