5 Best Treadmill Book Holders for Avid Readers

The treadmill book holder is an add-on to a treadmill that allows the person to read while exercising. For many runners, a treadmill book holder (or desk) is a motivational tool to help them through workouts on this exercise machine.

Many runners who are beginners start off on a treadmill, and experienced runners use treadmills on busy days or recovering from an injury. Boredom is the number 1 killer of desire to use a treadmill.

People tend to be more successful on a treadmill if they had something else to do, such as read or watch TV. Since reading is a common past time, here are some top treadmill book holders with positive and negative comments from customers. 

The Best Overall Treadmill Book Holders

#1
SurfShelf Treadmill Desk: Laptop and iPad Holder

Make exercise fun and get things done! Use your laptop, iPad or portable DVD player while you work out. Easy to install and use (1-minute installation) and folds up to fit in your gym bag.

4.6 of 5 Stars

Source One LLC Compact Reading Rack Treadmill Book Holder (TBH-C)

The Source One LLC Compact Reading Rack is made with clear, acrylic plexiglass. The top hook size is approximately 2.5 inches, where the bottom hook is 1.5 inches. The size is 9”X8”, but the company does have multiple sizes for this particular book holder.

SourceOne Compact Reading Rack Book Holder ,Treadmills ,Rowers,elipticals,Stationary Bikes,Climbers Etc. with Flat Display,
426 Reviews
SourceOne Compact Reading Rack Book Holder ,Treadmills ,Rowers,elipticals,Stationary Bikes,Climbers Etc. with Flat Display,
  • Source One Reading Rack: great compact size to throw in your gym bag.
  • Fits Treadmills, Ellipticals, Rowers, Bikes
  • Fits Most Exercise Machines with a flat Console

Customers love this treadmill book holder for number of reasons:

  • It fits over stationary bike and treadmill panels perfectly.
  • A must have item if one gets bored on exercise machines.
  • The price is reasonable through Amazon.
  • The control panel can be seen the the clear holder when there is not a book on it.
  • Regardless if there is a book in the holder, it is easy to lift to adjust the controls.
  • The construction seems durable.
  • It fits tablets to large, fat books.

           

Although this holder seems ideal, there are some cons customers have. Here are the cons:

  • It’s a bit slippery and could get knocked off a machine easily.
  • There are some machines it won’t fit over.
  • Turning pages of a book is cumbersome due to the lip.
  • Have to hold down the book in order for it to stay open.
  • Vibration from certain machines cause the holder to move or slip.

Reading Rack for Treadmills, Stair Climbers, Stationary Bikes, Elliptical Trainers and Rowers 9 x 11

The company who made this holder said it fits on the panel on a variety of exercise machines. The holder is made of clear, acrylic, shatterproof plastic, and it comes with a 1-year warranty to ensure a quality product. It’s lightweight, but thicker than other similar products sold on Amazon. The holder allows for the individual to still view the electronic panel. It has smoothed corners also. The dimensions of the product are 9”x11”.

Magazine Reading Rack for Treadmills, Stair Climbers, Stationary Bikes, Elliptical Trainers and Rowers 9x11
26 Reviews
Magazine Reading Rack for Treadmills, Stair Climbers, Stationary Bikes, Elliptical Trainers and Rowers 9x11
  • Perfect for holding books, magazines, newspapers, iPad and other portables.
  • Dimensions. Height: 9 inches; Width: 11 inches; Upper Hook width: 1.5 inches; Upper Lip height: 1.25 inches; Lower Hook width: 2.5 inches; Lower Lip height: 0.75 inches; Thickness: 0.13 inches.
  • Top and bottom lips designed to keep rack and material securely in place.

There are many benefits to this product. Customers states this can hold a variety of reading materials, such as tablets, magazines, and large books. Customers who have machines with thick consoles state it fits perfectly on it.  For some machines, the holder leaves room for operator to access main controls. The bottom lip does a good job holding books open.

Like any other treadmill book holders, it will not fit all machines. The only other complaint customers have it will not hold heavy books, like law books.


SurfShelf Treadmill Desk: Laptop and iPad Holder

The Surfshelf is perfect for treadmills and other exercise machines, yet the company recommends checking the buyer’s guide or contact them directly to see if it will fit a specific machine.

This treadmill desk helps busy individuals lose weight, get exercise for a happy life, and tend to any task that needs to be done on a laptop or tablet. It has a built-in strap to hold down the laptop. It is easy to install and takes no more than a minute.

Although the idea of this treadmill desk is for laptops and iPads, books can be used on it too. Many customers state this desk is great for books. The books lay flat on it and are easy to turn pages, unlike the holders that have a lip.

SurfShelf Treadmill Desk: Laptop and iPad Holder
1,484 Reviews
SurfShelf Treadmill Desk: Laptop and iPad Holder
  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU ARE NOT SURE IF THE SURFSHELF WILL FIT YOUR MACHINE AND I WILL LOOK IT UP FOR YOU. Please TEXT ME at (310) 844-2912 and send me pictures of your machine. My name is Randy and I invented and am the only legal maker of the SurfShelf.
  • This is the ORIGINAL SurfShelf... after 15 years my competitor HumanCentric is now copying my exact design and selling it here on Amazon. So if you see their product that looks just like mine, don't be fooled and know that they are not cool!
  • Use your laptop, tablet computer, or portable DVD player while you work out. The SurfShelf fits most treadmills, bikes and ellipticals. Works great with iPads & any other tablet too! A Velcro strap holds your laptop secure so it can never fall. Made of 100% super strong Polycarbonate and is fully adjustable.

The Surfshelf is perfect for treadmills and other exercise machines, yet the company recommends checking the buyer’s guide or contact them directly to see if it will fit a specific machine.

This treadmill desk helps busy individuals lose weight, get exercise for a happy life, and tend to any task that needs to be done on a laptop or tablet. It has a built-in strap to hold down the laptop. It is easy to install and takes no more than a minute.

Although the idea of this treadmill desk is for laptops and iPads, books can be used on it too. Many customers state this desk is great for books. The books lay flat on it and are easy to turn pages, unlike the holders that have a lip.


FlipKlip Treadmill Book Holder

The FlipKlip Treadmill Book Holder is made by the Blue Zap company. The company claims that this book holder will make everyone in the gym envious. This simple holder is made to keep books open as the person exercises on the treadmill.

The proper way to use this holder is to make sure the spring is facing down towards the spine.

There are many reasons to consider this holder. Customers state this treadmill book holder is simple and holds pages neatly in place. Turning pages is a breeze, and one just have to lift one of the arms of the holder.

The holder is durable enough for wide sizes of books, especially large books. It is an inexpensive option for something that is high-quality and durable. It not only can be used on a treadmill; it can be used while eating, on the bus, or in bed.

Lastly, putting it in the book is straightforward.

Sale
FlipKlip Treadmill Book Holder 1-Pak
584 Reviews
FlipKlip Treadmill Book Holder 1-Pak
  • Hold your book or magzine open whole you exercise
  • Works on paperbacks, hard cover books & magazines
  • Small, lightweight, portable

There is some cons customer report on this product. When it comes to using it on a treadmill, it depends on if the treadmill has a shelf to hold a book according to its size.

Flipping pages by opening one of the arms are annoying to some people, so this function is difficult to do on an exercise machine. While others state that this product is durable, some say the spring needs to be tighter to hold books open.


BestBookStand Actto BST-09

The first tagline company, BestBookStand, mentioned is maximum comfort with eye level reading. Eye-level reading also facilitates proper posture and spine health, and they do this by providing multi-angle set-up. It is portable, light, and durable, which can hold up to 10 pounds. The bottom has non-slip rubber, and no assembly required.

Actto BST-09 Green Portable Reading Stand/Book Stand Document Holder (180 Angle Adjustable)
6,352 Reviews
Actto BST-09 Green Portable Reading Stand/Book Stand Document Holder (180 Angle Adjustable)
  • EYE -LEVEL READING PROVIDES MAXIMUM COMFORT
  • Promotes proper posture for better spinal health
  • Supports books, catalogs, planners and more at comfortable reading angle

Pros:

  • It makes the time on a treadmill fly by.
  • It is durable and great quality product.
  • It helps prevent strain on neck with multiple angle settings.
  • It can hold 700+ page books.

Cons:

  • Only can use on a treadmill with large enough shelf.
  • Arms that hold the pages are weak.
  • Some people say the arms do not make sense.
  • The size of it is bulky.
  • There is a decent majority who say it does not hold large books well.
  • It is not as durable as people claim it to be.

5 Best Treadmill Book Holders - Wrap Up

There you go, some best treadmill book holders. Each holder has its own unique design and features to fit a wide variety of needs. Happy Reading & Running! 


Hi, Jeremy Here, 

I am the the guy behind Train for a 5K. On this site, I share everything that learned along my running journey. The content I create is the running training I wish I had before we started this journeyAbout Me.

Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API