When you think of cardio fitness equipment, there may not be a machine that is as popular as the treadmill. 

Treadmills provide users with a long list of benefits and purposes to help people reach their fitness needs and goals. While adjusting speed and incline levels, and the ability to monitor your heart rate, people with varying levels of fitness can find good use out of a treadmill. 

Many treadmills also include the feature to fold up. This feature can become handy if you have a home gym but with limited space. A folding treadmill provides the opportunity to workout at home but also can be easily stored away to maximize floor space. 

Since 1989, Akfit has been operating as a specialty fitness store in Sudbury, Ontario. We’ve been serving our clients in northern Ontario, the rest of Canada, and beyond with fitness equipment and sharing our fitness expertise. 

At Akfit, we house a large inventory of folding treadmills and we often get asked about our best selection of folding treadmills. Take a look at our 5 best-selling folding treadmills to get a better sense of which model meets your fitness needs.

In this article:

1. What Is a Folding Treadmill?
2. Benefits of Using a Folding Treadmill
3. Top 5 Selling Folding Treadmills at Akfit
4. Purchasing Your Treadmill

What Is a Folding Treadmill?

A folding treadmill is an exercise machine that allows users to walk, jog, or run in place on a belt. But unlike some treadmills on the market, these machines provide the feature to fold up vertically, making them more ideal for workout areas with limited space.

The walking belt, which is usually driven by an electric motor, rotates from the front to the rear. This provides the user the experience to move at a speed in unison with the belt’s motion.

The majority of treadmills feature the ability to change the speed of the belt, and may also feature incline level adjustments, and a console to track your workout data such as distance, time, heart rate, and calories burned. 

Benefits Of Using a Folding Treadmill

Whether you decide to run, jog, or walk on a flat surface or on an incline, folding treadmills can help provide these benefits for you:

• They are more portable compared to non-foldable treadmills
• Many foldable treadmills feature wheels so you can safely transport them in your workout area
• Burning lots of calories during your workout
• Strengthen your leg muscles
• Improved mental health and brain chemistry from endorphin release
• Increased joint flexibility
• Stronger heart and improved blood circulation
• Easier on your body compared to running on some outdoor terrain
• Potential reduced anxiety and stress
• Increases muscle tone, including the abdominal region
• Less belly fat
• Improved blood sugar levels
• Boosted immunity

5 Best-Selling Folding Treadmills at Akfit

At Akfit, we sell a variety of foldable treadmills from reputable fitness brands. However, here are our Top 5 best selling foldable treadmills: 

Spirit XT185

The Spirit XT185 is a great choice for walkers who enjoy a casual cardio workout. The XT185 is referred to as an entry-level treadmill, and is very dependable. 

While the Spirit XT185 doesn’t provide the wider variety of additional programs and features that higher-end models have, it does provide the basic experience for a good workout. 

At Akfit we currently sell this foldable treadmill for $1698. See akfit.com for up-to-date pricing. 

This treadmill provides users with speeds starting at 0.5 mph up to 10 mph. The machine also features 10 different incline levels. The ability to change speed and incline levels is simple. 

The belt measures out at 20” x 55” and has a weight capacity of 275 lbs. 

The Spirit XT185 will keep track of nine pieces of data simultaneously on its 7.5 inch blue backlit LCD screen as you workout. This treadmill also provides a swivel cooling fan (as do all of our treadmills).  

Moreover, this treadmill comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame, motor, and deck, while providing a 5 year warranty on parts, and a 1 year warranty on labor. 

The XT185 foldable treadmill from Spirit will also provide you with a comfortable experience thanks to six cushions that are evenly distributed throughout the treadmill deck.

The Spirit XT185 is great for people who:

• Prefer a machine that is simple to use
• Enjoy minimal programming
• Want to engage in walking or hiking.
• Benefit from controls and commands that are easy to understand
• Want to simply press “Start” and begin working out.

Spirit XT285

The Spirit XT285 folding treadmill is a more durable treadmill when compared to the XT185. Light to moderate users can enjoy a high level of longevity from this model if it is maintained properly. 

While many of the features in comparison to the XT185 are the same, this specific model is compatible with the Zwift fitness app and bluetooth compatible with the SpiritFIT app. 

At Akfit, we currently sell this treadmill for $2,198. See akfit.com for up-to-date pricing.

This spirit treadmill provides users with speeds from 0.5 mph up to 12 mph. The XT285 also features 12 different incline levels. The belt measures out at 20” x 60” and can handle a weight capacity of 350 lbs. 

The Spirit XT285 also features a 7.5 inch LCD console that keeps track of 9 different types of data to inform you about the progress of your workout.

However, unlike the XT185, this model does feature an mp3 audio jack if you wish to plug in headphones. 

The manufacturer’s warranty with this Spirit treadmill provides a lifetime protection on the deck, motor, and frame, while also providing a 10-year warranty on parts, and a 1-year warranty on labor. 

Similar to the XT185, the XT285 also features six cushions distributed across the deck to provide the user with a more comfortable experience for their high-impact workouts. 

The Spirit XT285 is a great treadmill for users who:

• Enjoy virtual training software
• Want a durable treadmill that is built to last
• Want to engage in waking, jogging, or running
• Enjoy a few more added features while still being simple to use

Spirit XT385

The Spirit XT385 is another folding treadmill from Spirit Fitness that is durable and is a good fit for moderate runners who are looking for longevity from their treadmill.  

This treadmill is a well-built machine with its high-quality parts, durable design, and strong performance. The XT385 also provides users with the same programs as the XT285 but with an additional two more programs. 

At Akfit we currently sell this treadmill for $2,798. See akfit.com for up-to-date pricing.

The XT385 includes speed adjustments from 0.5 mph up to 12 mph and includes 15 different incline levels. Additionally, this treadmill features a 20” x 60” belt and the machine can handle a weight capacity up to 375 lbs. 

Just like the other Spirit treadmills mentioned above, the XT385 features a 7.5 inch LCD console that displays 9 different types of data to help you navigate your workout. 

This treadmill also provides a mp3 audio jack and is compatible with the Zwift and SpiritFit apps. 

It is also important to note that the Spirit XT385 features a 3.5 HP drive motor allowing runners of all levels to be able to workout on this treadmill. 

The manufacturer’s warranty on this treadmill includes a lifetime protection on the motor, frame, and deck. It also provides a 10-year coverage on parts and 1-year protection on labor. 

Similar to the XT185, and XT285, this treadmill also features six cushions distributed across the deck to provide the user with a more comfortable experience. 

The Spirit XT385 is a great option for those who:

• Enjoy virtual training software
• Want to utilize their treadmill for moderate running use
• Are runners at any level
• Want a treadmill that is durable and built to last
• Enjoy a larger library of workout programs
• Want a treadmill built with high-quality parts.

Matrix TF30

With home gyms growing in popularity, people have expressed the interest to replicate the commercial gym experience at home. The Matrix TF30 provides the user with a club-quality feeling when working out.

This machine is great for a wide range of cardio exercises and users who want a commercial quality experience. Whether you’re interested in walking, jogging, or light running, this model will serve you well. 

With Matrix treadmills, the price is determined by the frame the customer purchases paired with the console they also desire to add on. This way you can have a more customizable experience to help build a treadmill you are comfortable with. 

At Akfit, this treadmill’s current price before adding on a console is $3,048. See akfit.com for up-to-date pricing. 

Depending on your console, 5-13 programs are available for you to vary up your routines. The consoles compatible with the Matrix TF30 treadmill are the XR LCD console, as well as the 10-inch XER and 16-inch XIR HD touchscreen consoles. 

Featuring bluetooth compatibility, the Matrix TF30 can be paired with a wide range of exercise apps and third-party streaming. With speakers, a USB port, and console apps available, this unit provides you with plenty of options to exercise however you feel most comfortable. 

Further, this treadmill provides users with speed levels from 0.5 mph up to 12 mph and features an incline range of 0%-15%.The Matrix TF30 folding treadmill also features a 20” x 55” belt and can handle a weight capacity of up to 350 lbs. 

The manufacturer’s warranty on this model covers a lifetime protection on the frame and motor, while also providing a 5-year warranty on parts, and a 2-year warranty on labor. 

The Matrix TF30 treadmill is perfect for fitness enthusiasts who:

• Like to stay engaged and entertained during workouts, which is achievable thanks to the XIR and XER console that features Netflix and all the Matrix training apps.
• Want to experience a natural, powerful run.
• Demand a high-quality, Ultimate Deck system with a heavy-duty frame and industrial-grade cushions.
• Seek a quiet experience and a high level of responsiveness, which this model achieves thanks to its Johnson drive system.
• Want access to many programs and popular apps.

Matrix TF50

The Matrix TF50 is a club-quality, legacy treadmill and is built for serious runners. It can handle the volume of households with multiple users. 

At Akfit, we currently sell this treadmill for $3,548 before the addition of a console. See akfit.com for up-to-date pricing.

The Matrix TF50 is not only compatible with the same three consoles as the TF30 treadmill, but is also compatible with the XUR console.

The XUR console is a 22-inch HD smart touchscreen that features 13 workout programs and is compatible with the same third-party streaming apps as the XIR, and XER consoles.

Just like the TF30, this treadmill features bluetooth compatibility for fitness apps and third-party streaming and also includes a USB port and speakers. 

The TF50 also features speed adjustments of 0.5 mph up to 12.5 mph and includes an incline range of 0%-15%. Further, this Matrix treadmill provides users with a belt that measures out to 20” x 60” and handles a weight capacity of up to 400 lbs, which is much higher than average. 

The manufacturer's warranty on the Matrix TF50 includes a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, while also providing 2-years protection on labor, 5-years protection on the console, and 7-years protection on parts.

The Matrix TF50 folding treadmill is ideal for both light and heavy running, as well as for speed walking.

People may choose the Matrix TF50 XR if they:

• Want a natural, satisfying run and an advanced frame and deck combination
• Seek a space-saving folding design
• Benefit from access to a range of programs
• Need a cost-effective yet powerful model
• Are looking for a good balance of features and durability

Purchasing Your Treadmill at Akfit

It’s no secret now that Akfit houses a large inventory of folding treadmills for sale from a variety of reputable fitness brands. Each treadmill has their own differences from belt length, to console features, and different weight capacities. They’re all slightly different.

However, many treadmills can seem similar, especially if you’re not as familiar with these popular types of cardiovascular fitness equipment. That’s why our fitness professionals are here to help.

Our fitness experts will provide you with all the knowledge you need when it comes to making your treadmill investment decisions. They can not only provide detail on the specifications of each treadmill, but they can also provide you with the key information about which product is best for your fitness goals and your budget.

We highly recommend that you reach out to us with any fitness related questions you may have. We also offer virtual meetings that you can book with us to discuss anything fitness related. Or, if meeting online isn’t for you, then you can always visit us at our Sudbury location. 

If you have already decided on the equipment that is right for you, and are ready to go ahead with your purchase, you should consider requesting a delivery here. Through our delivery from, you can set a desired delivery date, and request an installation. 

It doesn’t stop there either, because our fitness experts will not only install your products, but will also show you how to safely use them as well.