Guide To Buying A Treadmill
Running, jogging, and walking are all great ways to stay in shape. However, it is not always possible to run outside, especially on hard pavements, which can damage your knees. Treadmills are a convenient solution to your running needs since they don’t hurt your knees, and you can use them whenever you want. Deciding which treadmill to buy doesn’t have to be an overwhelming analysis. As long as you know your budget, what you want to use the treadmill for, and a few other essential factors, you can make an informed choice.
Product Comparison Table
What To Look for
30/03/2020
Set a budget.
- Treadmills can range anywhere between $1000- $5000, with a good one ordinarily costing upwards of $2000.
- A used treadmill is generally a safer bet than a new, cheaper treadmill of questionable quality.
- Buying a treadmill can be a significant investment, so the budget is one of the first things you have to consider before moving any further.
Determine how much space you can spare for the treadmill.
- Check the length and width of the treadmill to ensure you can carve out enough space to use it.
- Look into buying a foldable treadmill if you are short on space and cannot leave a treadmill lying around your home. A foldable treadmill lets you position the deck vertically when the treadmill is not in use.
Higher intensity workouts require a more powerful motor.
- The kind of motor you need depends on how you plan to use the treadmill. For walking, anything under 2.0 HP continuous duty is adequate, while 2.0- 3.0 HP continuous duty is better for running.
- Keep in mind that continuous duty and peak power are not the same. Peak power is relatively meaningless, so always check the HP rating for continuous duty, not peak power.
There should be generous amounts of walking space on the belt.
- The part of the treadmill you step on is known as the belt. It must be long enough to accommodate large strides and broad enough to make sure you don’t trip.
- A belt that is 55 – 60 inches in length and 18-22 inches in width will usually be sufficient.
- The deck mustn’t feel too hard or soft when running as that can lead to knee damage.
Additional features.
Some additional features that can be useful are:
- Stability– It is important that the deck does not shake when you’re running on it because a shaky treadmill can make you feel anxious or unsure at high speeds.
- Incline/decline setting– An incline, and if available, decline setting will strengthen the muscles in your legs.
- High speed– Speed is crucial, especially if you’re a runner. Select a treadmill that has a speed setting of 10 mph (16kmph) or higher.
Top Picks
Best Compact Treadmill
NordicTrack T 6.5 S Treadmill
For $599.00
- Adequate incline level
- Very reasonable pricing
- Doesn’t compromise on features
- Belt can be a bit short for tall runners
Best Treadmill For Walking
ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill 2016
For $3,499.00
- Great for knee and joint health
- Quick speed adjustment
- Works for occasional running too
Best Treadmill For Commercial Gyms
WoodWay 4front Treadmill
For $11,395.00
- Extra wide deck to prevent falls
- Slated belt to prevent bouncing and absorb impact
- Large variety of consoles
- Super expensive
- Limited availability
Best Budget-friendly Treadmill For Commercial Gyms
LIFE FITNESS PLATINUM CLUB SERIES
For $8,999.00
- Powerful yet quiet motor
- HD console with streaming and TV
- Different color choices
Best Treadmill For Walking
Sole F80
For $1,988.38
- Great for knee and joint health
- Quick speed adjustment
- Quiet motor
- May last a decade but doesn’t seem durable enough for a lifetime
Common Questions
Q:What’s the difference between manual and motorized treadmills?
A manual treadmill doesn’t run on a motor; the belt moves only if you move your feet against the deck. Thus, it is a muscle-powered machine and is more suitable for high-intensity workouts. Manual treadmills are cheaper than motorized treadmills.
A motorized treadmill runs with the assistance of a motor that moves the belt. You need not apply any strain to move the belt; just powering on the machine and pressing the start button will move the belt. Motorized treadmills have more workout features and they can be programmed as per your requirements.
Q:What workouts can I try on a treadmill?
You can add variations to your normal running routine on a treadmill to get an effective workout:
- Sprint training: Alternate between fast running and slow running (recovery).
- Sidestepping: At a walking pace, side shuffle your feet. This targets your quads and glutes.
- Hill climbing: Replicate the action of climbing a hill by increasing the incline incrementally and then decreasing it.
- Pyramid workout: Start with a 1-minute running and 1-minute walking, then keep increasing these durations to 5 minutes. Then gradually start reducing the duration until you reach 1-minute durations.
Q:How do I lubricate my treadmill?
You should ideally lubricate the treadmill after every 40 hours of use, or after 3 months, whichever comes first. Here’s how you do it:
- Power down your treadmill and unplug it.
- Pull the treadmill belt away from the deck with one hand.
- Use the other hand to insert the nozzle of the lubricant close to the treadmill deck.
Move the nozzle slowly from the center of the deck towards the edge of the belt.
Q:Which one should I buy- treadmill or elliptical?
A treadmill is a versatile machine that lets you choose the type of workout you wish to do- from low intensity walking to a high-intensity hill climb. A treadmill is an excellent piece of equipment to build leg strength.
An elliptical is a low-impact machine that puts less stress on your joints. Working out on an elliptical helps build both your upper and lower body.
Choosing one over the other is a matter of preference- if you’re an avid runner who wishes to run in peace, undisturbed by natural elements like dust and rain, and wants to burn some calories in the process, the treadmill is for you. If you look for an overall, low-impact total body workout, you can get an elliptical.
Q:How long should I run on a treadmill?
There isn’t any fixed prescribed time that you should spend on a treadmill. If you’re just starting, keep the durations low, between 20 to 30 minutes. So, in one week, you can use the treadmill between 2.5 to 5 hours.
You can increase the duration as per your preference.
Q:How does walking backward on a treadmill help me?
Walking backward on a treadmill at a low pace will take the stress from your anterior portion and put it on your hamstrings and glutes. You can even add a bit of a challenge by increasing the incline to target your hamstrings more.
Q:How does walking on an inclined treadmill help me?
Walking on an inclined treadmill replicates a hill climb. Walking at a slower speed on an incline is an excellent workout to build your strength and power. If your focus is more towards building stamina and endurance, you should do a fast workout on a flat treadmill. The higher the incline, the more your glutes, and hamstrings have to work, so walking on an incline is excellent for your posterior chain.
Furthermore, you also can use a stairmaster, in case you want to build more leg strength.
Q:Should I buy a treadmill with high motor power?
If you intend to do more vigorous running on the treadmill, get one with higher power output. Your weight also determines the ideal power output of the treadmill you buy. For trainees weighing around 200 lbs, walking will consume 2 CHPs (Continuous Horsepower), jogging will consume 2.5 CHP, while running will consume 3 CHP.
Q:How do I repair/maintain my treadmill?
Before repairing your treadmill, unplug it from the power outlet and remove the emergency safety key for extra precaution.
- If the belt is too loose, use a wrench to tighten the bolts.
- If the belt is misaligned, use a wrench and turn it left or right to realign it.
- If you smell burning rubber, it could be because of the belt becoming too tight and causing friction. Lubrication may fix the issue.
- To clean the treadmill, apply a non-abrasive cleaner on a sponge, and wipe the machine.
- Check the nuts and bolts regularly and fasten any bolt that you feel is loose.
Q:Do I need a treadmill mat?
Yes. A treadmill mat is helpful in the following ways:
- Mats lessen the vibrations that transfer to the ground when a treadmill is running. By dampening the vibrations, the treadmill mat may even prolong your treadmill’s life.
- It cancels out a lot of noise of the treadmill. If you do not want the noise getting out and disturbing your neighbors, definitely get a mat.
- A treadmill mat protects the flooring and carpet from scratches.
- Treadmill mats also help prevent excess dust from accumulating under your treadmill.
Online Sources:
- https://www.treadmillreviews.net/treadmill-buyers-guide/
- https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/treadmills/buying-guide/index.htm
- https://www.treadmillreviews.com/treadmill-buying-guide/
- https://protips.dickssportinggoods.com/sports-and-activities/exercise-and-fitness/how-to-choose-the-right-treadmill
- https://fitnessadvisor101.com/ultimate-treadmill-buying-guide/
- https://www.topfitnessmag.com/treadmill-reviews/