Is Costco the Best Place to Purchase a Treadmill in 2024? Our Experience and Advice
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Costco is often hailed for its bulk toilet paper and fresh rotisserie chicken, but the company also sells exercise equipment, including several top rated treadmills from well-known brands like NordicTrack and ProForm (and a lesser known brand called Exerpeutic). Many of the Costco treadmills are a bit different than what you’d find on the manufacturer’s website, but if you’re looking for a good deal, they could be a decent option for you.
Several of the models at Costco are budget treadmills, but there are also a couple upgraded picks that allow you to get an immersive treadmill workout via iFit—the fitness platform of NordicTrack and ProForm.
In this guide, we’ll go over the treadmill brands you can find at Costco and dig into each model available on the site. We’ll also highlight the pros and cons of buying exercise equipment from this bulk warehouse and answer some commonly asked questions about Costco treadmills.
Pros of Buying a Treadmill From Costco
- Delivery and assembly are included
- Ships (and arrives) quickly
- May include a discount
- Generous return policy
Cons of Buying a Treadmill From Costco
- Limited options
- Don’t have the newest models
- Limited delivery coverage (within 50 miles of a warehouse)
- Frequent stock fluctuations
Who Should Buy a Treadmill From Costco
Those looking to save some money on a high-quality treadmill may want to consider buying from Costco. Because Costco purchases items in bulk, the company often gets a better price from manufacturers, and then passes on those savings to you. While some treadmills require a Costco membership to purchase, you can buy others without one (but you’ll have to pay a five percent non-member surcharge).
The treadmills also include free delivery and setup, which you often have to pay extra for when you buy directly from the manufacturer. Delivery is pretty quick, too. While the delivery radius is limited—Costco will only deliver within 50 miles of its stores—you can have your treadmill at your house and set up in less than a week.
Costco also has a really generous return policy. If at any time you decide you don’t like your new treadmill, you can return it to the store. There’s no time limit on the policy, and it’s okay if the treadmill has been used. To compare, NordicTrack gives you 30 days and charges a $250 return fee. ProForm has a similar return policy, but adds a 10 percent restocking fee in addition to the $250 surcharge.
Who Should Not Buy a Treadmill From Costco
If you want the latest and greatest treadmill, Costco is probably not the place to go. While Costco carries well-known brands like NordicTrack and ProForm, you’ll typically find older models that are no longer available on the manufacturer’s site.
There are also frequent stock changes, so you might see a treadmill in-stock one day and out of stock the next. This is because the company relies on what’s in stock at their actual warehouses, so if the one close to you doesn’t have what you’re looking for at the time, you’ll have to wait until it does.
And while you can get no-interest financing when purchasing from the NordicTrack and ProForm sites, Costco doesn’t have that option, so you’ll have to pay in full on a credit card.
Treadmill Brands Available at Costco
Costco currently sells three treadmill brands: NordicTrack, ProForm and Exerpeutic. There are six models total; one each from NordicTrack and Exerpeutic and four from ProForm.
NordicTrack
Costco
Nordictrack is one of the most well-known names in exercise equipment. While Costco doesn’t have a huge selection from the brand, there’s one model—the NordicTrack S45i—available at the time of publication.
This treadmill is a mid-range model that has a three continuous horsepower (CHP) motor, a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour and a zero to 12 percent incline range. There’s a 10-inch HD touchscreen display that allows you to go through manual workouts or connect to iFit, NordicTrack’s interactive fitness platform.
It also has NordicTrack’s SpaceSaver design, so when you’re not using it, you can fold the belt for more compact storage. If you want to see how this stacks up to the brand’s other treadmills, check out our NordicTrack treadmill guide.
ProForm
Costco
There are four ProForm treadmill models available at Costco: the ProForm Trainer 8.5, ProForm Trainer 9.0, ProForm Trainer 14.0 and ProForm Pro 9000.
The Trainer 8.5 and 9.0 are very similar. They both have a 2.75-CHP motor, a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour and an incline range of zero to 10 percent. The only major difference between them is the size and functionality of the screen. The 8.5 has a basic, five-inch display that shows metrics like time, speed and distance, while the 9.0 has a seven-inch HD touchscreen that’s compatible with iFit. When purchasing the ProForm Trainer 9.0 from Costco, you’ll also get a one-year iFit membership for free.
The ProForm Trainer 14.0 is an upgraded version of the other Trainer models. It has a 3.0-CHP motor, a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour and an incline range of zero to 12 percent. It also has a 14-inch, iFit-compatible touchscreen.
The ProForm Pro 9000 is the most advanced model in the lineup. It has a 22-inch HD touchscreen display, a 3.6-CHP motor and a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour. Unlike the other ProForm models, it also has the ability to decline, so it can simulate the real-world feel of running on hills. If you’re planning on getting iFit (this model comes with a 30-day membership) and you want a fully immersive running experience, this is the option for you.
For more in-depth information about this treadmill, check out our ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill review.
All four of these models have a SpaceSaver design so you can fold up the belt when not in use.
Related Post: Horizon Treadmill Review
Exerpeutic
Costco
Exerpeutic is not as well-known as NordicTrack and ProForm, but the fitness company sells exercise bikes, inversion tables and treadmills. There’s currently one model, the Exerpeutic Recovery Fitness Walking Treadmill, available at Costco.
This walking treadmill has a less powerful motor than others—it caps out at 1.5 horsepower—but that’s intentional since the treadmill only goes up to five miles per hour and is not built for higher speeds. The less powerful motor puts this cardio machine at a more budget-friendly price of about $800.
The Exerpeutic treadmill doesn’t have any fancy tech, but there’s a backlight LCD display where you can adjust your speed and measure time, distance and calories burned. There are also handrails on each side of the tread belt to help you steady yourself as you walk.
Related Post: The Best Under-Desk Treadmills
Costco Treadmills FAQs
How much do treadmills cost at Costco?
The treadmills at Costco range from about $800 to $1,400. If you time it right, you may be able to take advantage of additional discounts and promo codes.
Does Costco have a warranty on treadmills?
Costco doesn’t have a separate warranty on treadmills, but you’re covered by the standard warranty from the brand. If anything goes wrong with your treadmill, you can either reach out to the manufacturer directly or contact Costco, and they'll work with the company to get the new parts or treadmill shipped out to you.
Does Costco run sales on treadmills?
Yes, Costco runs sales on treadmills. You can also find general promo codes that apply to your entire order. For example, at the time of publication, Costco was offering an additional $75 off when you spend $500 or more.
Final Verdict
If you want to save some money on a treadmill and don’t mind getting an older model, Costco is an excellent place to purchase fitness equipment from highly rated brands like NordicTrack and ProForm. Plus, you’ll get free delivery and setup and are covered by a generous return policy. However, if you want the newest treadmill or need zero percent financing options, then you may want to consider purchasing directly from the manufacturer’s site.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
