How much does it cost to run a treadmill?
We've pre-filled a typical treadmill below. Set your electricity rate and adjust the hours to match how you use yours — the cost updates instantly.
Typical power 900W
Usual range 600–1,800W
Category Outdoor & big-ticket
A treadmill's motor works harder than people expect — several hundred to over a thousand watts, depending on speed, incline and how much it's pushing. A daily workout is still fairly cheap, but it's heavier than most gym equipment and adds up with frequent, longer sessions.
Watts climb with speed and incline, so a brisk hill workout costs more than a flat walk, and the console/screen sips a little extra.
What drives the cost of running a treadmill
- Speed, incline and user weight all raise the motor's load.
- Session length and how many days a week you run.
- A built-in touchscreen and any standby draw add a little on top.
How to cut it
- Unplug it (or use a switched strip) when not in use to kill standby draw.
- Walk-and-incline workouts are gentler on the motor than all-out sprints if cost matters.
- Keep the belt lubricated and aligned so the motor isn't fighting friction.