How does a treadmill compare to an elliptical?

A treadmill and an elliptical are both popular pieces of cardio equipment that can help you get fit and burn calories. However, you'll find differences, such as: Impact on the body : With an elliptical, your feet never leave the pedals, creating less impact on the bones and joints. This can be important if you have any joint pain. Total body workout : Many ellipticals include arm handles that move, allowing for upper- and lower-body workouts. Stability : The elliptical keeps your feet and hands in the same position, which is helpful for anyone prone to falling. Variety : You can go backward and forward on an elliptical, valuable for those who get bored by cardio. Price : If you want a cardio machine for your home, an elliptical is typically less of an investment than a treadmill.

What are the benefits of treadmills?

A treadmill offers many benefits, whether you use one at home or at the gym. First, treadmills keep you on pace. You might actually be running slower than you think when running outside. On a treadmill, you can set the pace and you have to keep up in order to stay on your feet. You can also customize the incline on a treadmill, allowing you to mimic the elevation changes of a race course, for example). Treadmills also allow you to practice your running form. Because you don't have to deal with any outside elements (weather, uneven terrain, crowded paths), you can concentrate on your form. Of course, using a treadmill alleviates other outdoor issues too. Raining? Snow? Triple digit temperatures? With a treadmill, you don't need to worry about running in inclement weather or having to stop at crosswalks and disturbing your running high. Finally, treadmills provide a safer running experience. If you're a nighttime or early morning runner, a treadmill keeps you safe indoors, and not running in the dark.

How do you stay safe on a treadmill?

To stay safe on a treadmill, keep the incline at less than 7% to avoid strain on your hips and back. You should also avoid using the handrails; use them only when you get on and off the machine. Keeping your hands on the rails can put you in an improper running form, which can lead to injury. Stand up straight and don't hunch over, and keep your head up. If the treadmill data screen is down low, only glance at it on occasion so you don't strain your neck.

The 12 Best Treadmill Accessories of 2023

Treadmills are an exercise staple—and for good reason. They’re consistent, convenient, a reliable workout, and adjust to your respective fitness level. And while they’re great on their own, a few accessories can make them even better.

If you’re worried about damaging your floors, not having a water bottle holder, or wish you could enhance a treadmill’s entertainment options, you’ve come to the right place. We scoured the internet to find the best-in-class accessories—including floor mats, device mounts, reading racks, fans, and cleaning kits—to complement your workout experience. Our selection criteria anchors on elements like effectiveness, price, and functionality.

Based on our reviews, here are the best treadmill accessories on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Mat:

TRANR Active Noise Reduction Equipment Mat at Amazon

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Best Device Mount:

Macally Adjustable Gooseneck Tablet Holder at Amazon

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Best Reading Rack:

SourceOne Compact Reading Rack at Amazon

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Best Desk Attachment:

DigitalArts Treadmill Desk Attachment at Amazon

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Best Cup Holder:

Accmor Stroller Cup Holder with Phone Holder at Amazon

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Best Fan:

Sky Genius Battery-operated Clip-on Mini Desk Fan at Amazon

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Best Safety Key:

JEDEW Treadmill Safety Key at Amazon

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Best Cleaning Kit:

Spot On Silicone Treadmill Belt Lubricant at Walmart

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Best Cooling Towel:

Your Choice Cooling Towel at Amazon

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Best Heart Rate Monitor:

Garmin HRM-Pro at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look for in a Treadmill Accessory
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Fit

Courtesy of Amazon

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Looking to cut down on noise or protect your floors? TRANR’s Active Noise Reduction Equipment Mat makes it easy to do both at once—ideal for those who workout on a treadmill desk in a shared office space. The mat is crafted from dense commercial-grade rubber. And it promises to durably hold its shape over time, meaning you won’t have to worry about it tearing, compressing, or curling.

At 78x36x0.25 inches, the mat is the perfect size for most cardio machines. Simply unroll the shock-absorbing mat, place your treadmill on top, and you should be good to go.

Price at time of publication: $73

Courtesy of Amazon

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Macally’s Adjustable Gooseneck Tablet Holder is a great way to add some multitasking to your fitness routine. The clip-on mount fits all smartphones—and it’s suitable for many tablets and e-readers, too—so you can easily attach your favorite device to your treadmill to read books, watch TV, or listen to music while you work out.

The device mount comes with an 11-inch gooseneck, which you can easily move around to customize your angle. And since the mount’s clip can clamp onto surfaces up to 1.75 inches thick, you can use it outside your workouts—on desks, nightstands, and more.

Macally’s Adjustable Gooseneck Tablet Holder is backed by a one-year warranty.

Price at time of publication: $30

Courtesy of Amazon

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If your treadmill doesn’t come with an easy-to-use reading rack, you can add one of your own, and SourceOne’s Compact Reading rack is a great option. The rack is compact enough to toss in your gym bag, and at 8 ounces, it’s lightweight enough to take anywhere. Plus, since the rack is crafted from durable, high-impact plastic, you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged on the go.

Hang the rack over the console on your favorite treadmill, and place your go-to books, magazines, and devices inside it. What’s nice? It's actually designed to fit a range of cardio machines, so you may be able to use it with ellipticals, rowing machines, and exercise bikes, too.

Price at time of publication: $20

Courtesy of Amazon

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Turn any treadmill into a treadmill desk with DigitalArts’ Treadmill Desk Attachment. At 34x14 inches, the desk attachment is wide enough to stretch across many treadmills—and deep enough to accommodate many laptops, tablets, phones, and books.

Simply lay the attachment over your treadmill’s arms, and use the adjustable velcro straps to firmly fasten it into place. The desk attachment is lined with anti-slip padding to give you peace of mind. And it even comes complete with two thoughtfully placed ventilation slots, which are designed to keep your devices from overheating.

Courtesy of Amazon

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If you’re running with a water bottle, you need a place to put it, and Accmor’s Universal Cup Holder ensures you’ll always have one. The cup holder comes with an adjustable, rubber-lined clamp, which can easily clip onto an array of surfaces without damaging them.

The cup holder itself boasts a deep cage—one that’s lined with slip-resistant rubber to cut down on tipping and spilling. And since it can rotate a full 360 degrees, you can easily adjust its position until it perfectly meets your needs.

Price at time of publication: $12

Amazon

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There’s nothing wrong with a mid-workout cool-off, and SkyGenius’s Battery-Operated Clip Fan makes it easy to get one. The portable fan can clip onto surfaces up to 2.5 inches thick—so you can also cool yourself off while working out from your standing desk in the office. If you’d rather use it like a more traditional fan, it can always sit up straight on its flat base. The fan is battery-operated and can last up to 6 hours on a full charge, so you won’t have to worry about it dying mid-workout.

Since it’s high-speed and low-noise, you can get the powerful breeze you crave—without disrupting the people around you at the gym (or anywhere else you could use a refreshing gust of air).

Price at time of publication: $20

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Safety keys are magnetic locks that turn off your treadmill if you get too far away from it. Most consist of three parts: a magnet that attaches to your treadmill, a cord, and a clip that clamps onto your clothing. Unfortunately, safety keys aren’t designed to work with all machines, so you’ll have to find one that’s compatible with yours. But some options—like JEDEW’s Treadmill Safety Key—promise to be pretty universal. (This one is suitable for treadmills from Boxflew, Sunny, Xterra, and more).

To use the safety key, attach the magnet to your machine and the clip to your clothing. The 3-foot cord should give you plenty of room to move around, while still being short enough to be effective. (Since most treadmill belts are about 4 feet long, this safety key should turn off your machine if you end up on the back edge of your treadmill belt).

Courtesy of Walmart

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Cleaning and lubricating your treadmill belt can be a great way to maintain your machine, making it last as long as possible. And Spot On’s Silicone Treadmill Belt Lubricant offers a particularly easy way to do it. While many treadmill cleaning kits require you to remove your belt to clean it, this one is designed to slide right under your belt—allowing you to lubricate it in no time at all.

The cleaning kit comes with two applicators, giving you more control over the flow of the lubricant. And the bottle comes with enough silicone lubricant to get you through four applications, which should last you an entire year, according to Spot On.

Spot On’s Silicone Treadmill Belt Lubricant is backed by a full refund guarantee (though no timeframe is specified on the guarantee).

Price at time of publication: $14

Courtesy of Amazon

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Cooling off with a towel is a great way to wind down from a workout. But cooling off with Your Choice’s Cooling Towel is an even better one. The high-density mesh towel will quickly dry you off, efficiently absorbing the sweat from your workout. But if you wring it out and snap it, it will start to feel cold, giving you a chilling sensation that feels oh-so-wonderful after a tough workout, whether you've been running on a treadmill or putting in miles on a rowing machine.

The lightweight towel promises to stay cool for hours at a time. And if it starts warming up, all you have to do is wring it out and snap it again to get it to cool back down.

Each Your Choice Cooling Towel set comes with four colorful towels. And the set is backed by a 12-month full refund guarantee.

Price at time of publication: $15

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You want to precisely track your heart rate while working out, Garmin’s HRM-Pro Heart Rate Strap is a great way to do it. The strap wraps around your chest to give you real-time heart rate data for all types of exercises, whether you're walking on a treadmill or pedaling on an under desk bike. And it will also track classic running metrics, like ground contact time, stride length, vertical ratio, and more.

Because convenience matters, you can easily sync this strap with a Garmin watch (if you have one), so all your data is in the same place. The strap promises to be soft, comfortable, and portable, so it’s easy to take on the go. And it should get you through a full year of workouts.

Price at time of publication: $130

Courtesy of Walmart

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Earbuds are a classic addition to any workout. And LETSCOM’s Bluetooth Headphones are a budget-friendly option that will get the job done. The noise-canceling headphones promise high-quality audio, so you won’t have to worry about a noisy gym disrupting your favorite podcast. And since the headphones boast an IPX7 rating—which makes them genuinely waterproof—they can easily withstand your sweatiest workouts.

The headphones are lined with buttons that make it easy to control your listening experience without grabbing your phone. And a two-hour charge will give you eight hours of battery life—more than enough to get you through your workout.

Price at time of publication: $22

Final Verdict

There are lots of treadmill accessories worth stocking up on. But two that will make a big difference are Macally’s Adjustable Gooseneck Tablet Holder and DigitalArts’ Treadmill Desk Attachment. If you need a place to put your phone or tablet while you work out, Macally’s Adjustable Gooseneck Tablet Holder is a great pick. Its long, adjustable gooseneck makes it easy to find an angle that works for you—which is key when watching movies or TV while working out.

DigitalArts’ Treadmill Desk Attachment is another great option. The desk will stretch across the arms of your treadmill, giving you plenty of multitasking space.

What to Look for in a Treadmill Accessory

Functionality

Look for treadmill accessories that either fulfill a particular need (like a desk attachment or fan) or are multi-functional. You can find gear that measures your heart rate on the treadmill along with what you do outside of treadmill activity, such as sleep quality, stress levels, and steps taken, for example. Or you can take your reading rack from your home treadmill to the gym's elliptical or stair-climber.

Effectiveness

Read up on the ratings for any gear you're considering, especially if it's pricey. You will find that many treadmill accessories on the market don't live up to their hype and promises. Follow the motto, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

Budget

Everyone is on a budget. If the accessory sounds like something that can make a big difference in your treadmill workouts, but it's out of your price range, it may be worth saving up for or setting an alert to see if it goes on sale. Or, you may decide it's ultimately not worth it. You can still get a good workout using accessories that don't cost a lot of money.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a treadmill compare to an elliptical?
A treadmill and an elliptical are both popular pieces of cardio equipment that can help you get fit and burn calories. However, you'll find differences, such as:
- Impact on the body: With an elliptical, your feet never leave the pedals, creating less impact on the bones and joints. This can be important if you have any joint pain.
- Total body workout: Many ellipticals include arm handles that move, allowing for upper- and lower-body workouts.
- Stability: The elliptical keeps your feet and hands in the same position, which is helpful for anyone prone to falling.
- Variety: You can go backward and forward on an elliptical, valuable for those who get bored by cardio.
- Price: If you want a cardio machine for your home, an elliptical is typically less of an investment than a treadmill.
What are the benefits of treadmills?

A treadmill offers many benefits, whether you use one at home or at the gym. First, treadmills keep you on pace. You might actually be running slower than you think when running outside. On a treadmill, you can set the pace and you have to keep up in order to stay on your feet. You can also customize the incline on a treadmill, allowing you to mimic the elevation changes of a race course, for example).
Treadmills also allow you to practice your running form. Because you don't have to deal with any outside elements (weather, uneven terrain, crowded paths), you can concentrate on your form.
Of course, using a treadmill alleviates other outdoor issues too. Raining? Snow? Triple digit temperatures? With a treadmill, you don't need to worry about running in inclement weather or having to stop at crosswalks and disturbing your running high.
Finally, treadmills provide a safer running experience. If you're a nighttime or early morning runner, a treadmill keeps you safe indoors, and not running in the dark.
How do you stay safe on a treadmill?

To stay safe on a treadmill, keep the incline at less than 7% to avoid strain on your hips and back. You should also avoid using the handrails; use them only when you get on and off the machine. Keeping your hands on the rails can put you in an improper running form, which can lead to injury.
Stand up straight and don't hunch over, and keep your head up. If the treadmill data screen is down low, only glance at it on occasion so you don't strain your neck.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

As a health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.