The top 3 best treadmills for marathon training

Optimize your training routine.

Whether you love running inside while watching your favorite TV show or refer to your exercise equipment as the “dreadmill,” treadmills are a fact of life for many runners. Maybe you live somewhere with treacherous ice, or you work on a ship, or your schedule allows no daylight hours for running. These are all cases where a treadmill can make the difference between training for your next racing event or skipping so many sessions that race day is disappointing. 

If you’re looking for the best treadmill for marathon training, look no further. We asked a few experts for their treadmill training tips and to get their top picks in treadmills.

Treadmill training tips

One of the biggest drawbacks to treadmill training is monotony. “To avoid treadmill burnout, I’m diligent about programming speed intervals, hill repeats, tempo runs – anything to mix it up,” says Alanna Kate Derrick, running coach and personal trainer. “Upbeat playlists and streaming races help pass the time, too.”

Remember, running on a treadmill in your basement is only sort of like running a marathon. Derrick tries to make the conditions as similar as possible. 

“On long run days, I’ll gear up with the same shoes, socks, fuel belt, and hydration pack I plan to use come race day,” she said. “The more I can replicate race conditions, the less anxiety I feel. At the end of the day, pounding pavement still brings me the most joy. But the convenience of a treadmill can’t be overstated. Having the ability to fit in miles regardless of my schedule or thunderstorms gives me confidence I’ll make it to the start line healthy and prepared.”

Cleveland Launcher Halo XL fairway woods

These are built for consistency and distance.

Gear: Cleveland Launcher Halo XL fairway woods
Price: $249.99 each with Mitsubishi Tensei AV Blue shaft and Lamkin Crossline 360 grip
Spec: Stainless steel head and face. Available as 3- (15 degrees), 5- (18 degrees), 7- (21 degrees) and 9-wood (24 degrees)

Who It’s For: Mid- and high-handicap golfers who want a forgiving fairway wood that also helps to provide more distance.

The Skinny: The Launcher Halo XL fairway woods are bigger than most fairway woods and have a lower profile to make them easy to hit, while the railed sole helps golfers increase consistency and avoid digging.

The Deep Dive: The Cleveland Launcher XL2 drivers are designed to be forgiving and help golfers generate more ball speed and distance off the tee, and the players who like that type of club are precisely who Cleveland is targeting with the Launcher Halo XL fairway woods.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cleveland Launcher Halo XL fairway wood” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/baJE5x”]

Cleveland Halo XL fairway woods
The Halo XL fairways have a large, reassuring look. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Golfers who routinely shoot in the high 80s, 90s or low 100s tend to lack consistency with their long clubs, which is a problem because they often need fairway woods on long par 4s and nearly all par 5s. So, Cleveland made the Launcher Halo XL fairway woods bigger, with larger hitting areas from heel to toe while maintaining a lower profile. Standing over the ball, it’s a confidence-inspiring look.

Like the Launcher XL2 drivers, the Launcher Halo XL fairway woods have been designed with Rebound Frame, which adds a flexible region behind the rigid topline and seam where the face meets the chassis. The result is the whole hitting area flexes back at the moment of impact, broadening the sweet spot on the variable-thickness face and helping to protect ball speed on off-center hits.

Cleveland Halo XL fairway woods
Rails on the sole of the Halo XL fairways help them glide through and over the turf more easily. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

Cleveland designers added a pair of rails on the bottom of each Launcher Halo XL fairway wood. They help the club slide through the turf more efficiently and maintain speed through the hitting zone, reducing the effects of ground-first contact and helping players get more distance.

The Launcher Halo XL fairway woods do not have an adjustable hosel system, but they are offered in four lofts ranging from a 15-degree 3-wood up to a 24-degree 9-wood, so players and fitters should be able to find the combination of clubs that logically fills distance gaps.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Cleveland Launcher Halo XL fairway wood” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/baJE5x”]

Here’s what runners can expect from NORTIV 8’s Cloud Walk sneakers

It’s time for a test run.

NORTIV 8 advertises the Cloud Walk as an athleisure sneaker suitable for road running, dog walking, gym going, bike commuting, or just wearing around town. I tried out a pair, and here’s what I found.

First, the basics. The Cloud Walk comes in three colors for men and six for women. Most are in the black/white/gray family, except for the women’s choices of pink and mint green-pink. I requested a pair in the striking and unusual mint green-pink color option. The shoes are pink in the front and ombre their way to mint green in the back, with matching green laces.

A pair of pink and mint green running shoes.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

At the gym, my trainer said it looked like I’d stepped in bubble gum. I interpreted this as a good thing; I’m not a fan of boring workout shoes. The sneakers also feature toes and heels reinforced with metallic thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film for added durability. It adds an aesthetically pleasing touch, making the toes glow like rose gold. People who avoid products with animal ingredients will be happy to know that the Cloud Walk sneakers are made from synthetic materials.

So, how do the Cloud Walk sneakers perform? The shoes manage to be pretty lightweight while remaining cushy and supportive. The midsole has more than an inch of shock absorption. They also have breathable mesh uppers and well-padded heels for those of us prone to heel striking. I took them running in the park on a rainy day, and they performed well as far as traction.

A pair of Nortiv8 Cloud Walk sneakers in black and blue.
Cloud Walk sneakers in the more restrained but still attractive black/blue combination. / Photo courtesy of Nortiv 8

NORTIV 8 describes itself as an outdoorsy brand making quality gear at a low price point. The U.S.-based company offers hiking boots, sneakers, military tactical boots, sandals, and water shoes, all at reasonable prices. At $45.99, the Cloud Walk is a lower-priced running shoe than many leading brands. For runners on a budget, NORTIV 8 is a brand to keep in mind. Plus, the company offers a student discount, making vegan-friendly running shoes even more accessible.

Nortiv 8 provided Outdoors Wire with a product sample for review.

Winner’s Bag: Scottie Scheffler, 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational

The list of the golf equipment Scottie Scheffler used to win for the seventh time on the PGA Tour.

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A complete list of the golf equipment Scottie Scheffler used to win the PGA Tour’s 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational:

DRIVER: TaylorMade Qi10 (8 degrees), with Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Scottie Scheffler’s driver” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/R5q9k7″]

FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees), with Fujikura Ventus Black 8X shaft

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Scottie Scheffler’s fairway wood” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/3eWNGv”]

IRONS: Srixon ZU85 (3-4), with Nippon Pro Modus3 Hybrid Tour X shaft, TaylorMade P-7TW (5-PW), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts.

WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM8 (50, 56, 60 degrees), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shafts.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Scottie Scheffler’s wedges” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/21zNAD”]

PUTTER: TaylorMade Spider Tour X L-Neck prototype

BALL: Titleist Pro V1

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Scottie Scheffler’s golf ball” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/vNka7A”]

GRIPS: Golf Pride Tour Velvet (full swing) / Golf Pride Pistol (putter)

TaylorMade SpeedSoft golf balls

A option for budget-minded golfers who want more distance off the tee.

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Gear: TaylorMade SpeedSoft golf balls
Price: $24.99 per dozen
Specs: Two-piece, ionomer-covered ball available in white, yellow and Ink pattern (green, blue, orange, pink and red)

Who It’s For: Budget-minded golfers who want more distance off the tee.

The Skinny: TaylorMade designed a new, ultra-soft core for the SpeedSoft for more distance, then developed a new visual pattern to make it stand out.

The Deep Dive: TaylorMade is trying to make significant inroads in the golf ball category in 2024, and the balls that you will hear the most about are the TP5 and TP5x, along with their TP5 and TP5x Pix counterparts. Those are the balls that Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, Nelly Korda and Rickie Fowler are playing, and those are the balls that will put the most considerable dent in your wallet. For many players, $54.99 for a dozen balls is just not going to happen, and the $42.99 per dozen Tour Response may be out of reach, too.

For budget-minded golfers who still want a ball that delivers solid performance and doesn’t feel like a rock when you hit it, TaylorMade is releasing the SpeedSoft. This two-piece, ionomer-covered ball was designed to provide soft feel, more distance and possibly add some pizazz to your game.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop TM SpeedSoft golf balls” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/5gErRL”]

TaylorMade SpeedSoft golf balls
The Ink version of the SpeedSoft ball is eye-catching. (TaylorMade)

At the heart of the SpeedSoft is the newly developed PWRCore. It is an exceptionally soft core, so every golfer should be able to activate it off the tee for more distance. However, because the SpeedSoft has a 50 compression, it holds the distinction of being the softest-feeling ball in the TaylorMade lineup.

The SpeedSoft does not create the same level of greenside spin that the urethane-covered TP5 and TP5x can. Still, its ionomer cover is designed to generate a mid- to high-launch trajectory with wedges, so golfers should be able to create stopping power by bringing shots in more vertically.

In addition to traditional white and yellow color options, TaylorMade is offering the SpeedSoft in a new Ink pattern that features splashes of green, blue, red or pink, along with a complimenting black. The pattern, which looks like splattered paint, is eye-catching, but there is still an arrowed side stamp for golfers who like to use a line on their ball when they putt.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop TM SpeedSoft golf balls” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/5gErRL”]

7 new golf equipment products to check out at Golf Galaxy

Check out these 7 new golf equipment products at Golf Galaxy.

Once the calendar flipped to 2024, brands across golf began to release their newest gear. Whether it was drivers, irons sets, wedges, balls or something in between, it seemed like every equipment manufacturer had new offerings.

Well, thanks to our friends at Golf Galaxy, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite recent releases including drivers, irons and golf balls.

Some of the brands on the list below include Callaway, Cobra, Ping and more.

Most of the equipment below can be found on David Dusek’s best golf equipment lists for 2024 including best drivers, best irons, best golf balls and more.

Ping i530 irons

Ping i530 irons are better-player distance clubs made to enhanced distance and forgiveness.

Gear: Ping i530 irons
Price: $205 each with True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 steel shafts and Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet grips. $220 each with Ping Alta CB Black graphite shafts
Specs: Forged C300 maraging steel face with 17-4 stainless steel chassis

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Who It’s For: Golfers who want the look of a better-player’s iron combined with the distance of a game-improvement club.

The Skinny: These hollow-bodied, better-player distance irons look like blades but were made to generate more ball speed and distance while also offering enhanced forgiveness and feel.

The Deep Dive: Ping recently released the Blueprint T and Blueprint S, the new irons that comprise the “precision” offerings in Ping’s stable designed for pros and accomplished players. With its machined back and classic looks, the just-released i530 appears like it fits into that category too. However, several hidden design features and technologies set it apart and position it as a better-player’s distance iron.

The i530 replaces the i525 iron that was released in 2022, and it has a hollow-body design that is similar to the design of Ping’s metalwoods. The thin, forged C300 maraging steel face is welded to the 17-7 stainless steel body, which creates a hollow chamber inside the head. This hollow-body design allows the hitting area to flex more efficiently at the moment of impact, so golfers can generate more ball speed and distance.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Ping i530 irons” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/Or0vWZ”]

Ping i530 irons
A toe screw and heel weight create more stability without making the i530 bigger. (David Dusek/Golfweek)

To improve the sound and feel of impact, engineers added a polymer to the back of the face. It soaks up excessive vibrations without restricting the bending of the hitting area at impact, so it does not reduce ball speed.

When golfers see the back of the i530, they might think the milled area is there for show, but each machined line represents an area where steel was removed from a high location in the head. Machining the back and making it thinner created discretionary weight that designers were able to reposition in the form of an internal mass pad that is 10 grams heavier than the pad found in the i525. Consequently, the i530 has a lower the center of gravity (CG) location, which should help golfers create a higher launch angle and more stopping power on the greens. A bonus of positioning extra mass low in the head is it puts more steel directly behind the area where golfers tend to hit the ball, which results in extra ball speed.

To make the i530 more forgiving without making the clubs larger, Ping designed each head to house a high-density toe weight that compliments a weight added to the hosel area. The added mass increases the perimeter weighting of the heads, making them more stable on off-center hits.

In addition to a Hydropearl 2.0 finish that improves performance in wet conditions, Ping gave the i530 MicroMax grooves. Introduced on the i59 and the i230 irons, MicroMax grooves are packed more tightly together in the hitting area to enhance performance in all types of moisture conditions and reduce the effect of flier lies.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Ping i530 irons” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/Or0vWZ”]

Below are several close-up images of the i530 irons.

Best golf gloves for 2024

Check out the best golf gloves on the market in 2024.

Golf season is right around the corner and you need to make sure you have everything you need to have a great year on the course.

Amateur golfers underestimate how often you need to switch to a new glove to make sure the feel and grip stay fresh.

We’ve searched the internet for some of the best golf gloves on the market from brands like FootJoy, Titleist, TaylorMade, Callaway, TravisMathew and G/FORE.

If you’re interested in our other apparel, equipment and accessories lists, these are worth a look: Best apparel items for 2024 | Modern apparel items including hoodies, quarter zips | RSVLTS’ new Happy Gilmore collection

Winner’s Bag: Austin Eckroat, 2024 Cognizant Classic

A complete list of the golf equipment that Austin Eckroat used to win the PGA Tour’s 2024 Cognizant Classic.

A complete list of the golf equipment that Austin Eckroat used to win the PGA Tour’s 2024 Cognizant Classic:

DRIVER: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees adjusted to 9.25), with Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 6.5 70 X shaft

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Austin Eckroat’s driver” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/xka5gR”]

FAIRWAY WOOD: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees), with Graphite Design DI-8 X shaft

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Austin Eckroat’s fairway wood” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/jr0y96″]

IRONS: Ping Blueprint S (3), Blueprint T (4-PW), with Project X 6.5 shafts

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Austin Eckroat’s irons” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/5gEZv3″]

WEDGES: Ping Glide Forged Pro (50, 54, 60 degrees), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Austin Eckroat’s wedges” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/GmJVM9″]

PUTTER: Ping Redwood D66

BALL: Titleist Pro V1

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Austin Eckroat’s golf ball” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/Vm9YMM”]

Best golf wedges you can buy in 2024

Check out Golfweek’s list of the best golf wedges available to purchase in 2024.

Wedges are the most confusing and intimidating golf club category because there are so many options to choose from and many players don’t really understand how to properly use wedges to hit chip shots, bunker shots, flop shops and pitch shots. They hear terms like bounce, sole grind, heel and toe relief and camber and nod, but in the back of their minds they are thinking, “What the hell does that mean?”

To make matters worse, iron lofts have become stronger over the last decade, with many game-improvement sets coming with a 9-iron that has a loft of around 38 degrees and a pitching wedge at 42 degrees. If a recreational golfer has a 56-degree sand wedge, which is typical, that’s a 14-degree gap between wedges, which can put you in between clubs on lots of short game shots.

To reduce the intimidation factor and help golfers find the right wedges more easily, many manufacturers have developed online fitting tools. With just a few clicks to tell these systems about your game and the conditions you encounter on the course, they can provide you with club, loft and sole grind recommendations.

Of course, the best way to discover your ideal wedges is to work in-person with a custom fitter who can evaluate your performance with several different wedges.

The list below is intended to act as an educational starting point and help you get familiar with the most popular wedges and the clubs you will likely see in pro shops and golf specialty stores right now.

Best golf wedges you can buy in 2024: