Buying a Folding Treadmill
You can save money and time by working out at home with an adjustable treadmill. However, before you start shopping decide the goals you want to achieve and choose a treadmill that is compatible with your goals.
"Be sure to measure the space you'll use and store the machine. You should prioritize those with the longest warranty," Sydney Bueckert, NASM-CPT, tells SELF.
Deck Size
A folding treadmill is a good option for a variety of fitness enthusiasts. A treadmill that folds up is an ideal option for anyone looking to do some exercise during a meeting at work or even after dinner. With the American Heart Association recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week, it's tough to resist an exercise machine that allows you to get on to do your daily cardio.
While earlier treadmills that fold were often regarded as low quality modern models are more competitive than ever before. The latest folding treadmills offer the same features and functionality as non-folding options. When choosing a folding treadmill, the dimension of the deck is most important. You'll need an area that is large and wide enough to allow you to run at full speed. A deck that is at 55 inches in length and 20 inches wide will allow even the biggest runners space to run comfortably.
The capacity to carry weight is also crucial. If you intend to run on your treadmill ensure that it can support both your weight and any extra gear like shoes. A treadmill that folds in good quality will have a weight capacity of at least 350 pounds.
It is also important to ensure that your folding treadmill is easy to fold. Some folding treadmills have an "fold on pin" design which raises the console mast over the running surface when the treadmill isn't in use. Other treadmills have hydraulics to allow you to fold the deck quickly and easily.
It's time to move! You can monitor your progress using an inbuilt performance monitor that displays information such as speed distance, distance, heart rate, and calories burned. You can also connect your phone to the treadmill to listen to music or watch a video during your workout. You can also join a virtual race against family or friends using the Facebook and Twitter apps. If you're ready to up your game You can try one of the 15 pre-loaded workouts with adjustable speeds and inclines.
Capacity to Line Incline
Incline settings can increase the intensity of your workout, and also target different muscle groups throughout the body. For instance, walking on an angle of about a quarter to target the calves and glutes and strengthens your lower back, while running on an incline will burn more calories than flat running. You can spice up your workout by changing the angle. This keeps it interesting and prevent boredom.
When you are looking for a treadmill with an incline take note that the steeper the slope, more challenging it will be for those who are new to the sport. Therefore, it's important to start out with a low slope and gradually work your way up to more challenging slopes as you become more comfortable with your treadmill workout routine. By reducing the impact on your joints, incorporating an incline will help you avoid injury.
Apart from ensuring the treadmill's incline capabilities match your objectives, you'll want to pay attention to the deck size and motor's horsepower. If you plan to primarily power walk and throw in some jogging, then a treadmill with an 2.0-2.5 chp motor should suffice. If you're an avid runner, then you'll need to choose a model that has a more powerful 2.5 chp or more motor.
Take note of whether the incline settings on your treadmill are controlled by hand or automatically. This will affect the experience you get from the treadmill because the controls on some models require you to press a button in order to alter the incline of the deck, while other models offer an automatic incline setting that can reach up to 10 percent gradient.
Also, ensure that the incline feature is able to fold and unfold. This is particularly crucial if you're purchasing a foldable treadmill and live in a small space or have a shared home or office space with limited storage space. Some treadmills can be difficult to fold and unfold and require more than one person and frequently requiring someone to hold them up when you fold them. Many of our choices come with an automated folding system that makes the process easy and quick. This will help you save time and hassle when it comes to storage of your treadmill.
Speed Capabilities
The top folding treadmills reach speeds up to 12 miles per hour, which is enough for the majority of runners. If you are not an athlete or prefer walking to work out, you should look for one with a lower maximum speed, like 8 mph. If you plan to use your treadmill for Peloton classes or Zwift, choose one that connects to your smartphone so you can keep on top of your training. We also recommend models with thumb dials that are mounted on handgrips, allowing you to quickly change speed or anincline. It's a lot easier than hitting buttons on the console.
Another feature to be aware of is whether the treadmill comes with safety features built-in, such as an emergency stop button that shuts down the treadmill when you fall or slip. These are crucial not only for safety reasons, but also to prevent damage to the motor and belt. A few of our choices have this feature, which we suggest checking prior to making an purchase.
Finally, you should take note of the treadmill's capacity for weight when you're comparing. The more expensive folding treadmills are generally stronger and have a higher maximum weight capacity which can help stop the treadmill from becoming warped over time. If you're concerned about the longevity of the treadmill you're considering, check out the warranty and testimonials from previous customers to determine how it has held up over time.
Also, keep in mind that the majority of treadmills don't get used all the time and foldable models may experience more wear and tear than nonfolding counterparts. Mody states that this could lead to problems in the future due to the fact that it puts more stress on the hinge. That's why we suggest choosing a treadmill from a legacy fitness brand with a long history of manufacturing high-quality equipment.
The newer models are catching up to older models that were tagged with fewer features. Many of them have similar features and capabilities to those found on more expensive treadmills.
Additional Features
As with most things, the old saying "you get what you pay for" applies in the case of folding treadmills. The treadmills that fold require more components and materials than treadmills that don't fold like tubing made of heavier metal and safety features like gas shocks. These added costs can make the price tag higher but result in a treadmill that is robust and stable being used.
As a top-notch trainer and fitness journalist, Christine Luff has a keen eye for high-quality products which can improve performance. While she is a fan of running outside, she loves to incorporate treadmill incline workouts into her fitness routine. If you're looking to increase your heart rate or replicate the feeling of running on real pavement, an incline can make all the difference in your treadmill exercise.
Luff recommends choosing a treadmill foldable with a frame and motor that are strong enough to support the weight of your body, as well as an expansive workout deck with built-in speakers to blast your favorite tunes. She also suggests evaluating the warranty to choose those that have a longer-term warranty particularly for the most important parts like the motor and frame.
In our evaluation of folding treadmills The JRNY model from Bowflex stood out for its commercial-grade quality and intuitive design. The treadmill is quiet, so it is able to be used without disturbing other users. It's also simple to switch between profiles by pressing a button. It also comes with 26 integrated programs, coaching via the JRNY App and a convenient fan that cools your body to the perfect temperature.
The TF50 by Matrix is another option worth looking into. The treadmill uses a fold-on-base (FOB) design which makes it easier to fold and unfold when not in use. It also gives the unit more stability. The built-in speaker system plays your preferred workout music and it can connect to third-party applications to provide virtual training. It doesn't include an incline, however, and its tiny fan might not be enough for many users to feel at ease during a sweaty workout.