What To Look For When Buying A Treadmill For Home Use? Everything you need to know to choose the fitness treadmill that suits your needs and goals.
The treadmill is the ideal training tool, especially if you don’t have time to go to the gym and want to train from the comfort of your own home. In this guide, we will examine what to look for when buying a treadmill for home use.
We will also look at the different types of treadmills, their advantages and disadvantages, we will look at the price categories and how they relate to the type of use, we will look at their technical characteristics and the individual functions they offer as well as what maintenance needs they have.
This will help you to choose the best possible treadmill, which will fit your needs perfectly.
Magnetic (Manual) or Electric Treadmill
The way the running belt is moving is the most important technical feature that you should watch out for when buying a treadmill.
Electric treadmills have a motor that moves the running belt at the desired speed, while magnetic treadmills harness the strength of the trainee’s feet and may have small computing units that work with the generated energy.
Electric treadmills have a wider speed range, which serves both experienced runners, who develop faster speeds, and beginners because the running belt moves more easily than magnetic.
Also, the fact that they have a monitor and various fitness programs makes them an ideal choice for workouts with complex features and high-intensity intervals.
Because their function is automatic, you don’t have to worry about your speed and you can also monitor other parameters such as heart rate, distance, duration, and calories.
Essentially, the only drawback of electric treadmills – which can disturb those who stay at home and perhaps scare pets – is the operating noise. This, of course, also depends on the quality of the treadmills construction. Generally speaking, more expensive models are usually quieter.
Recommended Electric Treadmills
Magnetic treadmills do not need electricity to move the belt, which is done by the force of your feet.
The energy from the movement is transferred to the film which is usually flat. In this respect, they better simulate the physical movement of running, which is why they are aimed at more experienced trainees.
As they are not connected to the electricity grid, they don’t have any computing units and present basic data such as speed, distance, and calories.
Unlike electric treadmills, the movement of the running belt does not start automatically. You should start walking fast at the beginning in order to develop and gradually start running.
To adjust speed and inclination there are special buttons that increase resistance to the movement of the running belt and control the treadmills inclination.
Recommended Magnetic Treadmills
How Much does A Good treadmill cost?
As in any market as in the fitness treadmill the price is the most determining factor in choosing the right fit for you because it is something relatively expensive.
Most treadmill models start at just over 300 dollars and go up to 1000 dollars. Some more advanced treadmill models – usually electric treadmills – can have their price go up to 5000 euros or even up to 10000 dollars.
The most economical models are aimed at beginner runners or ordinary trainees who will not make intensive use. In contrast, the most expensive models have superior quality standards, more advanced features, quiet operation, and longer life.
Some good, value for money treadmills with great features and reviews are the NordicTrack T Series 6.5S Electric Treadmill, the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Treadmill, and the MaxKare Folding Electric Treadmill.
What Treadmill is Right For Me?
Each person has different training needs and characteristics and will have to choose a treadmill based on its needs and the amount of money is willing to spend.
The higher the cost of buying the runway, the more advanced it is and is aimed at more experienced athletes who will make intensive use and take advantage of the specialized characteristics.
Up to 500 dollars
The treadmills of this category are aimed at beginner trainees and are mainly for walking. They’re also called walking pads. The engine power is up to 1.5 hp while their warranty is about one year, as they are made of lower-quality materials.
Between 500 and 800 dollars
This is the price category with the most treadmill models and aims the majority of consumers. This cost is the lowest possible in order to obtain a quality runway with a maximum speed (indicatively) of 12 km/h and incline of up to 10%. These treadmills are for keen walking and jogging, but the best models can be used for running workouts as well.
From 800 to 1200 dollars
This category is recommended for jogging and occasional running at speeds of up to 16 km/h and of inclination of up to 10%. If used for intensive and frequent running they may not last the same amount of time or may need more frequent maintenance.
Between 1200 and 1600 dollars
This category is aimed at consumers with different levels of experience, but who want to exercise systematically and with a program. By choosing a model of this scale, runners will enjoy a plethora of running programs and quality material of their treadmill.
Over 1600 dollars
On this economic scale, we have the professional treadmills which exceed 15% inclination and 16 km/h in speed. They are aimed at very experienced or professional athletes who will take advantage of every available feature and require a durable and high-quality treadmill.
Over 2500 dollars
They are the corridors we see in the gyms and have heavy usage specifications with specialized programs, high belt quality, quiet operation, and the widest possible range of speed and inclination.
What To Look For When Buying A Treadmill For Home Use
The features that you should definitely watch out for and will be analyzed below are:
- treadmill length
- belt width
- maximum speed
- maximum inclination
- vibration absorption
- maximum weight
- motor power
- folding treadmill
- warranty
Treadmill Length
The average length of treadmills ranges from 110 to 160 cm. Short-length treadmills are best suited for walking or leisurely running with short strides. The wider your feet open while running, the longer the runway length is needed.
Belt Width
The width of the belt ranges between 40 to 60 cm. A more muscular or heavier user will prefer a treadmill with a wider belt, hence a wider treadmill.
Read Also: Best Selfie Drone Under 100 Dollars For 2020
Maximum speed
Most treadmills reach between 12 – 16 kilometers per hour (7 – 10 miles) in speed. If you intend to use your treadmill mainly for walking or light exercise, you can settle for a model that reaches up to 12 km/h. If you’re a more experienced runner, you’ll need speeds of close to 16 km/h to be able to do workouts with high-speed intervals.
Inclination
The treadmill’s inclination is something that concerns beginners and experienced runners alike. Choose a model that reaches at least 10% inclination or more in order to simulate the natural slope of the ground. If your goal is to burn calories or train at maximum intensity, then choose a treadmill with an inclination preferable at 15% or more.
Vibration Absorption
Another factor you should take into consideration regarding the treadmill’s belt is how thick the belt is. The thicker the belt, the better vibration absorption it provides, thus offering greater comfort during exercise. Serving this purpose, some belts have an interior lining, while some treadmills have special vibration-absorbing floors and chassis.
Maximum weight
Each treadmill can support up to a certain weight. Usually, 100-120 kg is more than enough for the vast majority of runners.
Read Also: Evatac PRO-XML Tactical Flashlight Review (2020)
Motor power
The power of the motor is crucial to the quality of the belt’s rolling and the feel of an electric treadmill. Choose one with a minimum of 1.5 hp if you intend to use it occasionally and especially for walking or light jogging. If you are an experienced runner and will use it regularly and for long periods of time, choose one of 3 hp or more.
Folding Treadmill
Measuring your space and the treadmill’s dimension is necessary to ensure that the treadmill fits in your space. Some treadmills can be folded thus lifted and stored in a cabinet much more easily than those that can be folded.
Warranty
Treadmills are complex machinery with electronic and mechanical parts that will break at some point in their lives.
The average warranty period of a runway is 5 years (although most will exceed this time). The warranty years given by the manufacturer are usually indicative of the quality of manufacture. Choose a model with at least a 5-year warranty for motor and frame, 5 years for electronics, and 2 years for moving mechanical parts.
It is also very likely that it will be delivered to you in parts and assembled on the spot, so you may need to apply for a warranty for the assembly.
Read Also: TC1200 PRO Tactical Flashlight Review (Updated 2020)
Running treadmill technologies
Fitness treadmills are available with a variety of technologies that serve different purposes during exercise, from monitoring various parameters to entertaining the trainee.
- Wireless technology via app: With modern fitness treadmills you can transfer workout data to your mobile phone for more analysis and processing.
- Built-in sound system: Most electric treadmills have some kind of entertainment system built-in, usually a sound system that plays music. In recent years, more and more people have been equipped with screens to watch series and TV shows.
- Exercise programs: Almost all electric treadmills have built-in programs that increase the speed and inclination of the runway. These are suitable for beginner runners who wish to improve, but also for experienced people who want to follow a specific workout.
- Heart rate sensor: As you may have noticed in the gym, most electric treadmills have sensors that give you heart rate indication. If you do specialized programs and do not have a fitness tracker, the heart rate meter is necessary to monitor the parameters of the exercise. The heart rate indicator is an important function of a treadmill beyond the basic functions.
Related: Xiaomi Mi Band 4 Review – Value For Money Fitness Tracker
What maintenance do treadmills need?
Even the best runways need regular maintenance. You must clean the belt once a month with a damp cloth or sponge and the motor at least three times a year. Treadmills need lubrication every 40 hours of use or about once every quarter.
Should You Buy a Treadmill?
Since running is one of the best exercises, if not the best, a home treadmill is a very good investment. You have to sit down and think. Am I determined to become the best version of me? If your answer is yes, then go grab that treadmill. If you are not sure yet you might want to avoid spending a thousand bucks on an item that will most probably rust in the basement after 2 – 3-month usage.
What’s the lifespan of a treadmill?
A good treadmill should have a lifespan of 10-12 years. Choose a model with as much guarantee of good operation as possible.
Read Also: 10 BEST Military Grade Tactical Flashlights | Reviewed For 2020
Conclusion
So the choice of fitness treadmill is mainly based on the price and use you want to make. The most economical models are aimed at beginners and have the basic functions.
On the other hand, the most expensive are aimed at very experienced runners or gyms. Most, however, will be covered by a mechanical runway with a horsepower of 3 hp, a maximum speed of 16 km/h and a maximum gradient of 15%.
These models also feature all the advanced functions such as exercise programs and route profiles. Based on the above choose the treadmill that suits your needs and budget and enjoy running and walking without having to leave the house.
We hope you enjoyed reading our article on what to look for when buying a treadmill for home use. If it gave value to you, consider sharing it with your fitness communities and help them make the right decision when buying a treadmill for their homes.
Featured Image by ArthurHidden – www.freepik.com
Related Products
read Next
Techodom's mission is to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy in the vast e-commerce landscape. We try to update the links as often as possible, but please note that deals may expire and all prices may change. Each editorial product is independently selected and reviewed. Techodom may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links.
