Treadmill is one of the best ways to incorporate fitness into your daily life without worrying about going to gym or weather conditions. If you want to invest in a treadmill, this guide helps you find the perfect match to your needs.
Before going into it, we recommend to gather your objectives like:
– Are you going to use it for just walking or to run and cross-train as well?
– Who will use the treadmill – the whole family or just you?
– Is it for your home or commercial purposes?
Once you have gathered your requirements, based on them you can analyze each factor mentioned below and pick out the best treadmill within your budget.
5 factors to keep in mind before you buy
Factor 1. Choose the best Treadmill type for your home
Based on their functionalities, treadmills are divided into 3 categories – manual, motorized, and semi-commercial. A detailed information on them is mentioned below. Have a look at them and decide which suits your requirements.
Manual, motorized and semi commercial treadmills are suitable for home usage. You have to choose the ideal type based on your budget, workout intensity and other preferences.
Factor 2. Choosing the right motor power & speed
The efficiency of a treadmill can be determined by the motor power. If the motor power is less, then it will start shaking on high-speed levels or while you are running on it. So, it is important to consider motor power before making the purchase.
When it comes to treadmills, motor power is measured in terms of HP (horsepower) and it is represented in two different rating systems.
1. Peak Duty – It represents the highest or peak horsepower the treadmill can reach and no more than that.
2. Continuous Duty – It represents the motor power maintained continuously throughout the workout session.
“higher Hp Motor = More Power = More Speed”
Factor 3. Choosing right Weight capacity for best stability
It represents how much capacity a treadmill can hold. Usually, weight capacity ranges from 110 to 180 Kg. We recommend choosing a treadmill that can handle at least 20kg more than their body weight. This ensures the motor doesn’t get strained or heated up. If you weigh more than 180kg, then it is better to choose a high-end treadmill.
Factor 4. Workout Space And Treadmill Size
It represents how much capacity a treadmill can hold. Usually, weight capacity ranges from 110 to 180 Kg. We recommend choosing a treadmill that can handle at least 20kg more than their body weight. This ensures the motor doesn’t get strained or heated up. If you weigh more than 180kg, then it is better to choose a high-end treadmill.
First let’s determine how much space you can offer to place a treadmill. For that, measure the area you are going to place the treadmill and make a note of the L x W x H.
Along with these measurements, you have to consider the clearance space around the treadmill as well. Usually, treadmills measure around 7 inches in length and 3 inches in width. You have to add 6 to 8 inches in length and 2 to 3 inches in width for clearance.
Most of the treadmills come with foldable options for easy storage. However, they still take space while you are using it. So, consider these important measurements before making the purchase.
An ideal treadmill belt ensures you have a comfortable walking/running session.
The track size is usually measured in terms of Length and width (L x W). In terms of width, 20 inches is suitable for walkers and 22 inches is suitable for running. Though 20 inches is also sufficient for running, it leaves less room for error.
When it comes to length, we recommend 50 inches for walking, 55 inches for runners. And if you are over 6 feet tall, then 60 inches is suitable.
Factor 5. Must Have features to look for
Apart from the-above mentioned factors, you have to consider certain features that help you operate or use the treadmill to its maximum. We have provided them clearly below for your reference.
1. Control panel
We recommend choosing a treadmill that comes with quick one-touch speed, easy to read displays, up/down buttons for speed, heart rate, time, incline and others. It is better to avoid any model with poorly designed displays and controls.
2. Cushioning
Cushioning is an important aspect to consider as it protects the joints from impacts of exercise. Compared to running on roads, a cushioned treadmill will reduce the impact by 15 to 40%. This will reduce any injury risks and also helps to maintain the stamina. Some treadmills come with adjustable cushioning features which help you choose the preferred level according to the support you need.
3. Incline Option
If you are looking for high-intensity workouts or focused on your fitness, then incline can be a great option. It reduces the stress on joints and focuses more on certain muscle groups. Usually, treadmills come with 10, 25 or 20% inclination. Some treadmills even come with a decline option as well.
Cheaper treadmills usually come with manual incline options while expensive ones come with motorized inclination. Some latest models come with automatic inclination which detects the speed and decides the inclination required. Though it is automatic, you can still control the adjustment as per your preference.
Heart Rate Monitor
intensity and progress of the exercise
Heart-rate is the confirmed way of indicating intensity and progress of the exercise. Too high can be a risk for your health. And too less can be not enough to reach the goals. So, having a heart-rate monitor in a treadmill is a must-have feature.
Most of the budget-friendly options come with hand-grip heart monitors while expensive models come with chest-strap monitors. A chest-step monitor is more convenient, consistent and accurate. It also allows you to continuously monitor heart-rate without waiting for handgrip sensors.
Speed Tracking
Usually, speed of treadmill depends majorly on the fitness requirements of an individual. Treadmills come with a minimum speed of 10 miles per hour. This speed range is suitable for runners. Some modern treadmills come with speeds of up to 12 miles per hour. This is suitable for runners who train for marathon or running competitions.
Other Purchase Considerations
Latest treadmills are equipped with several new features and technologies. Having them can add more fun to using a treadmill. However, it may surely add some more bucks to the pricing. Some of these features are mentioned below.
