A home treadmill can be a healthy investment for anyone, whether it’s a $649 Horizon T101 or a $3,999 NordicTrack Commercial X32i. But in my experience over the years, treadmill purchases can be packaged with other fitness equipment for a savings. Whether it’s NordicTrack, ProForm, Sole, Horizon, Bowflex, or another manufacturer, you’ll find they also provide floor mats, dumbbells, benches, and fitness apps. With so many 0% financing specials available for these treadmills, it just makes sense to pick up a few extras along the way. I must admit, as the owner of a home gym I’ve built into my barn, exercise equipment can be a bit addictive. Since I’m not paying a monthly gym membership and I get to work out whenever I want, impulse buys do occur.
Below are some ideas for items that tend to go well with home treadmills. Whether you’re using a fitness app like iFit, or just bopping along to a playlist, adding some yoga or strength movements into the cardio workout can go a long way to helping you achieve your health goals.
Great Fitness Accessories
Horizon Fitness Accessories
NordicTrack Fitness Accessories
ProForm Fitness Accessories
Sole Fitness Accessories
Bowflex Fitness Accessories
Home Dumbbells
The Sole Adjustable 155 dumbbells offer up to 55 lbs each. Photo by Brian Boyce
Incorporating a few strength movements into the cardio workout can make a lot of sense. Whether you want to go light or heavy, there are plenty of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) routines in which you can incorporate them. I have a pair of Sole SW155 adjustable dumbbells which go up to 55 lbs a piece. Prices vary largely depending on the number of pounds offered, but these are $349 per pair online. If you want to go heavier, the Sole SW180 is priced at $569 and goes up to 80 lbs. Sole also offers smaller, rubber-coated hexagon dumbbells, the SW101.
One of the reasons I plug dumbbells as a great treadmill accessory is I see them available for bundle discounts all the time. If you’re shopping for a new home treadmill, you might well be able to pick a pair of dumbbells for much less than you would in a store or purchased separately.
Workout Bench
Having a workout bench in your home gym can help with a number of treadmill-related exercises. Photo by NordicTrack
If you have a special room in your house for exercise, or perhaps a garage gym of sorts, then having a workout bench nearby is helpful. I’ll be honest, I’ve used the workout bench as a seat in between sets of HIIT training on the treadmill before. But obviously you can incorporate the bench into any number of workouts, including yoga. The NordicTrack Adjustable Bench is relatively low-cost at $299 and can also be found in bundle deals. One of the best manufacturers I’ve seen when it comes to bundle pricing is Bowflex, and it also features both the SelectTech 5.15 and the 4.1S model.
One example of mixing a bench into your treadmill workouts is with sprints. You can perform 30- to 60-second sprints on the treadmill while adding a set of bench push-ups in between. There’s no question incorporating your upper body into the cardio workout helps tax your system to the max.
Heart Rate Monitor
The NordicTrack and ProForm treadmills sync with iFit’s SmartBeat armband monitor for heartrate monitoring. Photo by Brian Boyce
Simply put, heart rate training is da bomb. Whether you’re looking to stave off cancer, diabetes, or just obesity in general, there’s no question using a heart rate monitor makes sense. You’ll want to be sure your treadmill is Bluetooth if you’re looking to mix and match here, as several treadmills these days have built-in sensors on the handlebars. Accuracy is always a question here, but in my experience, consistency rules the day, meaning so long as the unit gives you a consistent reading you’ll be able to maximize your benefits. One of the best heart rate monitors I’ve used is the SmartBeat armband unit from NordicTrack and ProForm. It works with their iFit package by way of ActivePulse technology, and this allows the program to automatically control your treadmill’s incline/decline as well as speed to keep you in a cardio zone. You’ll get a constant visual reading as well as voice alerts with that program. Typically priced at $99, this is one of those extras you can usually get thrown in with the purchase of a new treadmill.
Bowflex also makes a great heart rate monitor and is priced about $59 when sold separately. One thing you’ll want to make sure of is app compatibility if that’s your goal. There’s no use in buying a Bluetooth heart rate monitor that doesn’t sync with your machine. Again, that’s a good reason to see if you can get one added into the purchase of your treadmill.
Yoga Mats
Yoga is a great compliment to treadmill work. Photo by Horizon
Granted, you can buy these anywhere, but the same thing is true of most treadmill accessories. I notice Horizon quite often will add a yoga mat into the purchase of a new treadmill, such as this mat here normally for under $30. Most workout apps contain both treadmill and yoga workouts and they do go together like strawberries in protein shakes. Horizon also offers a great studio bundle which includes a yoga mat, barbell, 35 pounds worth of plates, and medicine ball for just $200. If you’re planning to put your new treadmill inside a garage or basement gym, then this would be an ideal way to fully dress it out.
If you’re new to home fitness, you may think that simply laying on the floor will suffice while doing yoga. Having tried this a few times, the answer is, uh, no. The mat definitely helps, particularly if you’re sweating. Depending on the size of the treadmill these also double as great treadmill floor mats to go underneath the machine and prevent dust build up.
Resistance Bands
A set of power resistance bands is a great add-on to a treadmill. Photo by Horizon
And while you’re doing yoga, don’t forget to use some resistance bands, like these from Horizon. With this 10-piece band set ranging in 10-, 20-, 26-, 40-pound increments, you also get ankle straps and door-and-ankle systems. If dumbbells aren’t your thing, then resistance bands are another great way to add some anaerobic conditioning into the mix.
As with all the other devices, you’ll find numerous great resistance band workouts on apps like iFit, Echelon, STUDIO, and Sole+.
Why Buy Treadmill Accessories?
A treadmill is indeed a great exercise machine. But if you’re concerned that you might get bored just jogging, accessories can definitely help. One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that people who succeed in fitness work it into their lifestyle. People who wind up using their treadmill for a clothes rack are those who think they’ll only use it once in a while. Having a yoga mat and some resistance bands will help give you options if you don’t feel up for a run. Staying active is key and if you can bundle a purchse while buying a treadmill, it only makes sense.