Buying a Folding Treadmill
You can save time and money by working out at home with an adjustable treadmill. However, before you start shopping, establish what your workout goals are and choose a treadmill that will meet your needs.
"Be sure to take measurements of the space you'll use and store the machine, and prioritize those with the longest warranty," Sydney Bueckert, NASM-CPT, informs SELF.
Deck Size
A treadmill that folds up is a great option for many exercisers. A treadmill that folds up is a great option for anyone looking to do some exercise during a meeting at work or even after dinner. And with the American Heart Association recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week, it's hard to argue against a treadmill that lets you take a spin for your daily cardio.
While older treadmills that could fold were often regarded as low quality, today's models are more competitive than ever before. The latest treadmills that fold offer the same features and functions as non-folding models. The most important thing to consider when choosing a treadmill that folds is the size of the deck. You'll need the deck to be long and wide enough to let you run at full speed. A deck that is at least 55 inches long and 20 inch wide will give even the tallest runners enough room to run comfortably.
The capacity to support the weight of a treadmill is also important. If you plan to run on your treadmill, make sure it can support both your weight and any extra gear like shoes. A high-quality folding treadmill should have a capacity of at 300 pounds at a minimum.
It is also important to verify that the folding treadmill has easy-to-fold technology. Some folding treadmills feature an "fold-on-pin" design that lifts the console mast up above the running surface when it's not in use, while other models include hydraulics to help you fold the deck quickly and easily. the deck.
It's time to move! You can monitor your progress using an inbuilt performance monitor that displays information such as speed, distance, heart rate and calories burned. You can also connect your phone to the treadmill to listen to music or watch a film during your workouts. You can also join an online race against your friends or family via the Facebook and Twitter apps. If you're ready to up your game, you can try out one of the 15 pre-loaded workouts with a variety of speeds and inclines that can be adjusted.
Incline Capabilities
Inclination settings boost the intensity of your workout and target different muscles. For instance, walking on an angle of about a quarter to target the glutes and calves and strengthens your lower back, while running on an incline burns more calories than flat running. Having the ability to change your incline level can also provide a variety to your workout making it more exciting and avoiding boredom.
When you are looking for a treadmill with incline be aware that the steeper the slope, more challenging it will be for beginners. For this reason, it's crucial to start with a low slope and gradually progress to more challenging slopes as you become more comfortable with your workout routine. Incorporating an incline into your routine can also aid in avoiding injuries by reducing the stress on your joints.
Apart from ensuring the treadmill's incline capabilities match your objectives, you'll be paying attention to the size of the deck and motor's horsepower. If you plan to power walk with occasional jogs, the treadmill that has a motor of 2.0-2.5 chp should suffice. However, if you're a serious runner then you'll need to choose a model with a more robust 2.5 chp or greater motor.
Consider whether the slope settings on your treadmill are controlled by hand or automatically. This can impact your experience on the treadmill since the controls on certain models require you to press the button to adjust the incline of the deck. Other models have an automatic incline setting which can go as high as 10 percent gradient.
You'll also want to make sure that the incline feature can be folded and unfolded easily. This is especially important if you're buying a treadmill that folds up and you live in a cramped space or have a shared house or office that has limited storage space. Some treadmills are a pain to fold and unfold with the help of more than one person and often requiring a person to hold up while you do it. Luckily, many of our selections come with an automated folding mechanism that can make the process simple and quick which will save your time and stress when you need to store your new treadmill.
Speed Capabilities
The top folding treadmills reach speeds up to 12 mph, which is fast enough for the majority of runners. If you're not an experienced and/or prefer to walk the majority of your exercise, opt for a treadmill with a maximum speed that's lower that 8 mph. Pick a treadmill that is able to be connected to your device should you decide to use it for Zwift or Peloton classes. We also prefer models with thumb dials mounted high on the hand grips to let you quickly make big jumps in speed or incline--it's more fluid than hitting buttons on a console.
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 in the event of a fall or slip. These features are essential to ensure safety and prevent damage to belts and motors. A few of our picks have this feature, which we suggest checking prior to making the purchase.
Finally, you should take note of the treadmill's capacity for weight when you're comparing. The higher-end folding machines tend to be stronger and have a larger capacity for weight. This helps them not to swell over time. If you're worried about the longevity of a particular model, make sure to check out its warranty and reviews from past buyers to see how well it holds up over time.
Finally, remember that the majority of treadmills aren't used every day and that models that fold might experience more wear and tear than their nonfolding counterparts. Mody states that this could lead to problems in the future because it puts more stress on the hinge. That's why we advise selecting a treadmill from a legacy fitness brand with an extensive history of producing quality equipment.
The latest models are catching up to older models, which were characterized with less features. They have similar features and capabilities you'll find on more expensive treadmills, such as incline capabilities.
Additional Features
As with most things, the old adage "you get what you pay for" applies with regard to folding treadmills. Folding treadmills require more components and materials than treadmills that do not fold like heavier metal tubing and safety features such as gas shocks. These costs can increase the cost but also make the treadmill more durable and stable.
Christine Luff, a fitness expert and top trainer is a shrewd choice for high-quality products to increase performance. While she prefers to run outdoors, she is a fan of incorporate treadmill incline workouts into her workout routine. An inclined treadmill can make a massive difference to your treadmill workout, whether you want to increase your heart rate or simulate the outdoors experience.
Luff suggests a foldable, robust treadmill that has an engine that is able to withstand your weight and a frame that is robust. It should also come with a large deck for workouts with speakers built in to blast your favorite music. She also suggests evaluating the warranty and prioritizing those with a long-term guarantee particularly for crucial parts like the frame and motor.
In our testing of treadmills that fold up, the JRNY model from Bowflex stood out due to its commercial-grade performance and simple design. The machine is quiet so it can be used in a shared space without disturbing or distracting others. It's easy to switch between different user profiles at the click of a button. It also includes 26 integrated programs as well as coaching through the JRNY app, and a handy cooling fan that hits the right spot.
Another option worth considering is the TF50 from Matrix. The treadmill is a fold-on-base (FOB) design, which makes it much easier to fold and unfold when not in use. It also gives the treadmill more stability. It comes with a built-in speaker that plays your favourite songs for workouts and can be connected to third-party programs for virtual training. It does not include an incline, however and its small integrated fan might not be sufficient for most users to be at ease during a sweaty workout.