Buying a Folding Treadmill
You can cut costs and time by working out at home with an adjustable treadmill. But before you go shopping, establish your goals for exercise and choose a treadmill that is compatible with your goals.
"Be sure to take measurements of the space you intend to use and store the machine and prioritize those with the longest warranty," Sydney Bueckert, NASM-CPT, informs SELF.
Deck Size
A treadmill that folds can be a great option for many exercisers. If you're an avid athlete looking to add an extra mile or two of your runs or a newbie who wants to get in a bit of cardio during a work meeting or after dinner, a folding treadmill will make it easier to fit in those much-needed workouts. With the American Heart Association recommending at minimum 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week, it's tough to resist a treadmill that lets you get on to do your daily cardio.
While older treadmills that could fold were typically associated with poor quality modern models are more competitive than ever. The latest treadmills that fold have the same features and features as nonfolding treadmills. When selecting a treadmill that folds the dimension of the deck is most important. It is essential to have a deck sufficient to allow full strides. A deck that is at least 55 inches long and 20 inch wide will allow even the biggest runners space to run comfortably.
The weight capacity of a treadmill is also crucial. If you intend to use your treadmill for running, you'll need to make sure it's able to support your weight and any other equipment, such as shoes. A high-quality treadmill that folds up should have a capacity of at least 300 pounds.
Also, you should check if your chosen folding treadmill can fold easily. Some treadmills with folding capabilities have the "fold-on-pin" design that lifts the console mast up over the running surface when in use, while other models include hydraulics to help you quickly and effortlessly fold down the deck.
Once you've found your ideal treadmill that folds, it's time to get started working out! The built-in display for performance displays data such as the speed, distance, heartrate and calories burned. You can also connect your phone with the treadmill to listen to music or watch a video during your workouts. You can also participate in an online race against your friends or family via the Facebook and Twitter apps. If you want to step up your game, consider one of 15 pre-loaded workouts with adjustable speeds and incline.
Capacity to Line Incline
Inclination settings can boost the intensity of your workout, and also target different muscle groups throughout the body. For instance, walking on a slight incline targets the glutes and calves and strengthens your lower back, while running on an inclined path burns more calories than running flat. You can add variety to your workout by changing the incline. This will keep the workout interesting and avoid boredom.
When shopping for a treadmill with an incline, keep in mind that the higher the slope, the more difficult it will be for beginners. It is essential to start with a low incline and gradually move upwards as you become comfortable with your routine on the treadmill. By reducing the strain on your joints, using an incline can help avoid injury.
You should consider the dimensions of the deck, motor horsepower and incline capability of the treadmill. If you intend to primarily run on power and do the occasional jog, then the treadmill with an 2.0-2.5 chp motor will likely suffice. If treadmills that incline are a serious runner then you'll need an item with a motor that is at minimum 2.5 chp.
Check if the slope settings on your treadmill are controlled by hand or automatically. This can affect the experience you get from the treadmill as the controls on certain models require you to press an option to adjust the slope of the deck while others offer an automatic incline setting which can go as high as 10 percent gradient.
In the end, you'll need to ensure that the incline feature is able to fold and unfold. This is essential if you are buying a treadmill that folds and has small storage space at your office or home. Some treadmills are a pain to fold and unfold and require more than one person, and often needing to be held up as you do so. Fortunately, a lot of our picks have an automated folding mechanism that can make the process easy and quick which will save you time and stress when it comes to storing your new treadmill.
Speed Capabilities
The most efficient folding treadmills can reach speeds of up to 12 mph. This is fast enough for the majority of runners. If you're not an avid runner or prefer to walk to work out, you should look for a treadmill with a lower maximum speed, like 8 mph. If you intend to use your treadmill for Peloton classes or Zwift, choose one that connects to your smartphone so you can keep up with your training. We also recommend models with thumb dials mounted on the handgrips, allowing users to swiftly change the speed or anincline. It's a lot easier than hitting buttons on consoles.
Another feature to be aware of is whether the treadmill comes with safety features built-in, such as an emergency stop-clip that shuts down the treadmill when you fall or slip. These features are important to ensure safety and prevent damage to motors and belts. A few of our picks have this feature, which we recommend checking before making a purchase.
When shopping take note of the capacity of the treadmill's weight. The ones that cost more tend to be more durable, and have a larger maximum weight capacity. This helps them not warp over time. If you're concerned about the durability of a particular model, check the warranty and reviews from previous customers to determine how it performs over time.
Be aware that treadmills aren't used every day, and folding models could be more prone to wear and tear. Mody states that this could cause problems in the future because it puts more pressure on the hinge. We suggest choosing a treadmill made by a brand that has a history of producing quality equipment.
While older treadmills with foldable features were often associated with lesser features than standard treadmills, the newer offerings are moving up. They have similar features and capabilities as the more expensive treadmills.
Additional Features
Folding treadmills are no different. Like most things in life, you'll get what you pay. Folding treadmills require more components and materials than treadmills that do not fold like tubing made of heavier metal and safety features like gas shocks. These extra expenses can push the price tag higher but they create a treadmill that is durable and stable when in use.
Christine Luff, a fitness expert and ace trainer, has a keen sense for top-quality products that can increase performance. While she would rather run outdoors, she is a fan of incorporate treadmill incline workouts into her workout routine. Whether you're looking to increase your heart rate or replicate the feeling of running on the real pavement, an incline could make the world of difference to your treadmill workout.
Luff suggests selecting a treadmill that folds with a frame and motor that are durable enough to withstand the weight of your body, as well as a large workout area with built-in speakers to blast your favorite tunes. She also encourages assessing the warranty to prioritize those that offer a longer warranty, especially for key components such as the frame and motor.
The JRNY model of Bowflex was the most notable in our tests of treadmills that fold up due to its commercial quality and intuitive design. The machine is quiet so it can be used in a group space without disrupting or distracting anyone else. It's easy to switch between different user profiles with the press of a button. It also comes with 26 integrated programs as well as coaching via the JRNY App and a convenient fan that cools your body just right.
The TF50 by Matrix is another option worth considering. The treadmill is designed with a fold-on base (FOB), which makes it easy to fold or unfold when not in use and provides it with more stability. It comes with an integrated speaker that plays your favourite workout songs and can be connected to third-party programs for virtual training. It doesn't come with an incline, and its tiny fan may not be adequate to keep users cool during a sweaty workout.