How to choose a treadmill for the home: fitness instructor’s tips and tricks

Many people lead sedentary lifestyles. To remedy this, some people set up an exercise space at home. A treadmill is one of the most favorite exercise machines. After all, the benefits of running or brisk walking are known to many.

Sports physiologist, gym trainer at Fitness Family

My favorite for setting up a home gym are the so-called Incliners – tracks with an increased ability to change the angle. Such a track is suitable for every member of the family. It is the Incliners that I buy for the home gyms that I happen to set up. What other options are there and how do you choose the right one for you?

Both running and walking have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, develop stamina, strengthen the immune system and help fight excess weight. However, it is important to remember that if you choose the wrong treadmill there is a risk of injury. What is important to consider when buying one?

Type

There are two types of treadmills:

1. Mechanical. Works without an electric drive. Functions by the person’s own efforts.
2. Electronic. Works due to an electric motor.

For home, it is better to choose the second option. Such a treadmill has a number of advantages over the mechanical and only a couple of disadvantages: cost and dependence on the mains supply.

The pros are much more: the track gives you the opportunity to control the speed and angle of the treadmill, selecting the necessary parameters on the scoreboard. This is convenient when you can choose a training program. It gives you the opportunity to monitor your heart rate, which is an important criterion. The effectiveness of cardio load depends on it.

You can also track the distance traveled and calories spent in real time. Often an electric treadmill has a shock mitigation function. This is important for people with musculoskeletal problems, diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Canvas

The longer and wider the canvas of the treadmill, the less chance of traumatization, as well as the comfort of using such a treadmill is higher. A wide canvas is considered an important characteristic of a good treadmill. Up to 45 cm – suitable for walking.

From 45 cm to 50 cm – suitable for light jogging. From 50 cm – for workouts of any intensity. Remember that it’s not the convenience of storing the fitness equipment that matters, but your health.

Power

Treadmills are equipped with motors of different power. The higher the power, the longer the working life of the trainer. With high power there will be more restrictions on the weight of a person. If the weight is high, then the track should be with a powerful motor. Therefore, it is better to buy a track with a “reserve”. As a rule, this is “+20 kg” for running and “+40 kg” for walking.

Incline angle

The angle of inclination is one of the main factors when buying a track. It is better to reject options without the ability to change the angle. Marketing is against this approach. Of course, tracks without an angle are compact, they can be stowed under the bed or in the closet. Undoubtedly, this is convenient. However, you will have to sacrifice not only the ability to change the angle, but also the shock absorption system. Also, the speed limit of the track will be reduced.

The standard angle of inclination of the home treadmill should be 12-15 degrees. It’s even better if there is a negative angle (when the front of the treadmill is lowered).

The best way to equip the home gym is to choose incliners – tracks with a large angle of inclination. Such a track is suitable for every member of the family.