Buyer’s Guide: How to Buy the Right Treadmill for Your Home Gym

The treadmill is a type of home workout equipment that will help you healthily lose weight, incorporate fitness into your daily life, and help you enjoy exercising from the comfort of your home regardless of the weather. But, finding a new treadmill can be both an exciting and frustrating experience since it’s challenging to sort through the thousands of options available on the market. Here’s some help on the matter.

Consider Your Workout Space & Treadmill Size

Before you start shopping for a durable running machine to get your cardio on, you might want to consider how much space you have in your home for a treadmill and where you will put it? Measure the floor space you intend to put your treadmill on before you go shopping to save time. If you’re thinking about getting a folding treadmill, make sure you have enough storage space (L x W x H).

Treadmill dimensions are typically published, and having this information on hand allows you to be a more efficient shopper. Remember that the required running space, which you can calculate using the treadmill belt size, can also impact the overall footprint of the treadmill. We recommend a 22-inch-wide belt for runners and a 20-inch-wide belt for walkers.

Once you’ve determined how much space you’ll need in your home to fit a treadmill, you should choose the size of your running machine. Home treadmills are typically 7′ long and 3′ wide. Even though folding treadmills are significantly shorter, they still take up a lot of space when in use.

On the other hand, if you spend too much time sitting at work, opt for a desk treadmill. They function similarly to standard treadmills while also providing desk space for increasing workplace productivity. Depending on your weight, walking at a moderate pace can burn between 80 and 180 calories per hour; that’s up to 1,440 calories in a single workday!

Know the Types of Workouts You’ll Do

Do you envision strolls, strenuous running, or something in between? Considering this will help you narrow down your treadmill options based on motor power. The more intense the exercise, the more powerful the motor will need to be. Your workout requirements will also assist you in determining the appropriate track size. As a result, walkers can save money by selecting shorter treadmill tracks, whereas runners, particularly tall runners, will require more space to stretch out.

Choose the Right Features

Automated Incline

Treadmills with inclines add variety to your workout by varying your ride. They also provide three convenient advantages: they make treadmill exercise easier on your joints, allow for faster calorie burn, and help with muscle definition.

Workout Programs

Most home treadmills now come with built-in workout programs that allow you to control the speed and incline. Remember that the cheapest treadmills only operate in manual mode and that treadmill workout menus vary in size and variety. This programming frequently justifies a price increase, so make sure you would benefit from the additional workout guidance before spending some extra dollars. In addition, many treadmill brands now allow you to add extra workout technology to your purchase in addition to the preloaded workout options.

Accessories

Most treadmill manufacturers allow you to customize your purchase. While looking for the best treadmill, keep in mind that there are a variety of unique accessories available to assist you in reaching your specific fitness goals. The options include treadmill mats, cleaning materials and entertainment accessories.

Take a Test Run & Read Reviews

It’s good to test out a treadmill before bringing it home permanently. Sporting goods stores and some department stores allow you to test various brands. What’s more, you can test in-store and find your perfect match online as the manufacturer’s website usually offers the best deal regarding online discounts, sales tax, treadmill delivery, and consumer protections. On the other hand, if testing a treadmill isn’t an option, it’s critical to read honest reviews that include feedback from real customers.

Keep in Mind Treadmill’s Warranty

The running machine warranty is an excellent indicator of the treadmill’s durability. A typical treadmill warranty covers four components: the frame, motor, parts, and labour. The frames of many treadmills, including some low-cost treadmills, are covered by a lifetime warranty. Most treadmill motors come with a lifetime warranty. However, cheaper models typically have shorter motor warranties, ranging from 2 to 25 years, so consult with a sales representative before purchasing your machine.

Parts and electronics are the most variables in treadmill warranties. Typically, a low-cost treadmill comes with no guarantee or only a 90-day warranty. Reliable treadmills come with a one-year parts warranty. The best home treadmills usually come with at least a five-year parts warranty. The cheapest treadmills do not include labour. Others typically provide one or two years of free labour. The quality of labour warranties also varies.

Check Out the Weight Capacity

The weight capacities of treadmill users typically range from 250 to 400 pounds. To avoid straining the motor, you should select a treadmill that can handle at least 50 pounds more than your body weight. If you weigh more than this, you may reconsider the more expensive options as they handle up to 500 pounds.

Consider the Treadmill’s Storage & Portability

Foldable treadmills allow you to fold the treadmill deck upwards to free up some floor space. Regardless of your physical strength, power-assist technology, which comes in some foldable treadmills, makes this process simple. The smallest treadmills are the easiest to transport as they are light and have transport wheels.

Opt for Auto-Stop Safety

Many elderly treadmill shoppers and those who have pets or small children value the auto-stop feature. Auto-stop is activated with a key. The key is attached to your body with a lanyard while you exercise, and if you slip, the key will disengage, and the treadmill will turn off. After each workout session, the key can be removed to prevent treadmill activation by accident.