Treadmills
Treadmills can range from standard to more complex ones to the latest types decked out with state of the art features. If it’s your first time to get a treadmill, it can be confusing and treadmills don’t exactly come cheap. To make shopping for your ideal treadmill easier, we’re giving you all the information you need on what to look for.
There are, in general, two main kinds of treadmills. Manual treadmills are operated using rollers that move only when the user moves. They’re lighter and more affordable but don’t produce a workout as effective as motorized treadmills. Some manual treadmills can also be folded up for easy storage. However, if you want a more energetic workout and a longer-lasting machine, you’d do better with motorized treadmills which have rotating belts plus other features like consoles and heart-rate monitors, all powered by electricity.
Why get a treadmill?
Treadmills serve several purposes and your particular reason for purchasing a treadmill will influence which treadmill model you select:
- The top reason for getting a treadmill is for aerobic exercise and cardio workouts. Walking, jogging or running on a treadmill is an excellent way to burn calories and improve your overall health.
- Having a treadmill at home is very convenient. You can exercise any time of the day without worrying about the weather, the distance of the gym or heavy traffic.
- Treadmills are essential for serious runners who use controlled programs to set their pace, increase their workout intensity and monitor their progress.
- While most people would complain that treadmills can get boring over time, they can add variety to your workout if you alternate it with other routines such as swimming or boxing.
What to consider when choosing a treadmill:
1. What should be the size of your treadmill?
Be sure you have enough space for your treadmill including storage space. If you don’t have a lot of room at home, you might be limited to a manual treadmill or a folding treadmill that you can just put away after use. You will also want to check the length and width of the running track. Those planning to use the treadmill for jogging or walking will be satisfied with standard length tracks. Runners, however, will require longer tracks.
2. How much motor power should your treadmill have?
When checking a treadmill’s motor power, it is recommended to look at the continuous horsepower (CHP) measurement instead of just horsepower (HP). This is to check how the motor consistently fares and how much power it can continuously produce at a given time. How much CHP you’ll need will depend on your type of exercise and how often you intend to work out. In general, jogging and running exercises will require greater CHP compared to brisk walking.
3. How much track speed will you need?
For walkers and joggers, a maximum speed of 12kph is usually adequate. Runners will likely prefer up to 16kph for a more intense workout. You can also vary your workouts by customizing your program’s track speed, for example, a slow setting first, then a quick spurt, and then slow again.
4. How easy is the treadmill to use?
More features should not necessarily mean more complicated operation. A useful treadmill will still be easy to understand and use despite having many features and accessories. You would not want to spend too much time figuring out or setting up the treadmill instead of actually exercising.
5. What kind of incline do you want?
Inclines also give you a more challenging and effective work out. Treadmills with an incline option will either have a manual incline or automatic incline. Manual inclines need to be set before you use the treadmill while automatic inclines can raise the track as you’re running. The automatic incline is more beneficial and simulates a natural environment better. Inclines can be up to 20 percent and you can adjust these to your comfort level.
6. What are the treadmill’s safety features?
It’s important to have safety features not just for yourself but especially if you have children. An emergency off button should be present and for greater security, a safety key. The safety key ensures that the treadmill will switch on only when the key is inserted. This key is attached to the user via a lanyard so that if he’s having trouble with the machine and the key is pulled out, the treadmill automatically stops. Additionally, some treadmills also have handrails or grips beside the console for more stability. If you’re choosing a treadmill with these features, make sure that it has a long or wide enough track so that you won’t bump against them while running.
7. What is the treadmill’s cushioning and weight capacity?
Don’t forget to check the maximum weight that the treadmill can hold. This is usually between 250 to 400 lbs. The best treadmill for you should be one that can handle more than your current weight.
Another factor you might want to consider is the treadmill’s cushioning or shock absorption capability. This helps lessen the impact on your body, especially your joints, every time your feet land or hit the mat.
8. What kind of electric console does it have and what programs does it offer?
Treadmills offer many kinds of programs to suit any user. You can choose pre-set programs to increase your endurance or vary your routine. You may also opt to manually choose your speed, incline, and distance. Some more advanced treadmills even offer additional features like heart-rate monitoring, and accessories such as bottle holders or speakers.
Lastly, always check if your desired treadmill has a warranty.
£: £0 – £500
££: £500 – £1000
£££: £1000 – £2000
££££: £2000 – £3000
£££££: £3000+
| Product Name (click link for full review article) | Product Features | Foldable | Product Weight (kg) | Max. User Weight (kg) | Price Range(£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Matrix T3X Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | No | 143 | 182 | £££££ |
Sole Fitness F65 Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | Yes | 126 | 147 | £££ |
JTX Sprint-9 Commercial Foldable Club Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | Yes | - | 180 | £££ |
Maxima Fitness MF-2000 ProFX Folding Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | Yes | 76 | 120 | ££ |
Horizon Tempo T904 Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | Yes | 95 | 125 | ££ |
JTX Sprint-7 Folding Motorised Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | Yes | - | - | ££ |
Body Sculpture BT5700 Motorised Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | Yes | 73 | 100 | ££ |
Hammer Walkrunner RPE Folding Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | Yes | 59 | 120 | £ |
Fuel Fitness 3.0 Folding Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | Yes | 60 | 100 | £ |
Body Sculpture BT3152 Motorised Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | Yes | 52 | 110 | £ |
JTX Sprint5 Foldable Motorised Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | Yes | 88 | 160 | ££ |
Maxima Fitness MF-2000 Speedster XT Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | Yes | 87 | 150 | ££ |
JTX Sprint-3 Motorised Folding Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | Yes | 58 | 120 | £ |
Tunturi Pure Run 10.0 Motorised Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | No | 140 | 150 | £££££ |
Tunturi Pure Run 6.0 Motorised Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | No | 130 | 150 | ££££ |
Tunturi Pure Run 4.0 Motorised Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | No | 125 | 135 | ££££ |
Tunturi Platinum Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | No | 155 | 150 | £££££ |
Tunturi Classic Run 3.0 Motorised Folding Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | Yes | 101 | 135 | £££ |
Tunturi Classic Run 1.0 Motorised Folding Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | Yes | 101 | 135 | £££ |
Matrix T7xe Treadmill incl Virtual Active | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | No | 181 | 182 | £££££ |
Sole Fitness TT8 Commercial Treadmill | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | No | - | 180 | £££ |