How to Find the Perfect Treadmill for Your Fitness Goals
Captivating your attention, isn’t it? The thought of being able to run or walk at your pace, on your schedule, without leaving the comfort of your home. Our ultimate guide to buying your perfect treadmill will help you decide the best course to buy a treadmill. We have covered everything you need to know and consider when buying a treadmill.
Whether you’re just starting out on a new exercise program, or you’re a dedicated runner, a treadmill can be a great way to stay in shape at your home gym or office. No need to drive to the gym every day. A quick change and a minimum of 20 minutes of sweat and you’ll get a great workout.
Deciding on the right treadmill for you means taking into account your needs and goals. There are many treadmill gym equipment models, from the most basic to Cadillac versions with all the bells and whistles.
Understand Your Needs & Goals Before You Buy a Treadmill
Before diving into the pool of treadmill options, it’s crucial to have a clear vision of your fitness goals.
Determining Your Specific Fitness Goals
Are you planning to use your treadmill for running? Or do you plan to use it for leisurely walking or running, and light jogging? Are you training for a marathon, aiming to lose weight? Or perhaps seeking low-impact cardio exercise to supplement your existing workout routine?
The answers to these questions will provide you with a clear picture of what you want to achieve. And guide you toward the right treadmill.
Your Fitness Goals and Your Treadmill Choice
Once you’ve defined your fitness goals, you can start narrowing down the treadmill options. For instance, if you’re aiming for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or marathon training, you’ll need a treadmill with a powerful motor and a high-speed limit. In contrast, if you’re looking for a treadmill for walking exercises, a lower-spec treadmill may suffice.
The Reeplex RT1935 Apollo treadmill is an excellent starter model for light use. Up to 16kph with a 12° incline.
Matching Treadmill Capabilities with Your Fitness Level
Another essential factor is your current fitness level. A beginner might not need a high-end treadmill with advanced features. However, if you’re a seasoned runner, you’ll benefit from running on a treadmill treadmill with a range of programs and inclination adjustments.
Setting Your Budget for Purchasing a Treadmill
The purchase of a treadmill is an investment in your health and well-being. It’s essential to understand the costs involved. The costs not only include the initial purchase price, but also long-term costs.
Average Cost of Treadmills Based on Types and Features
On average, the best home walking treadmill can cost anywhere from $500 to $1000.
For avid runners or those who want a treadmill with more advanced features, expect to spend between $1000 and $3000 on a new treadmill.
Commercial-grade treadmills, designed for heavy use and loaded with features, may cost up to $5000 or more.
The prices of treadmills on the market vary depending on key features like motor power, belt size of the treadmill, speed range, manual incline settings and added perks like heart rate monitoring, Bluetooth connectivity, and pre-set workout programs.
Long-Term Cost Considerations for This Gym Equipment
Beyond the initial investment, consider ongoing costs like maintenance and electricity. Regular maintenance – including treadmill belt lubrication, alignment, and cleaning – can extend your treadmill’s lifespan but may incur additional costs if you’re using professional services.
Electricity consumption is another factor. A treadmill uses more energy as you increase speed or incline. While not a significant cost, it’s worth factoring into your budget planning.
Tips for Finding The Best Treadmills Gym Equipment Within Your Budget
- Prioritize your needs: Instead of going for the top-tier model with features you’ll rarely use, focus on what is the best treadmill for your needs. A powerful motor and a sturdy frame are often more important than a touchscreen display.
- Look for deals: Retailers often offer discounts during sales events. You can also consider buying a slightly used model from a reliable source.
- Read treadmill reviews: Read reviews for different treadmill brands and treadmill companies. User reviews can give you a sense of a treadmill’s quality and durability. It’s better to invest a little more upfront for a machine that lasts. Rather than saving money initially on a treadmill that quickly needs repair or replacement.
Important Features to Consider When You Consider to Buy Your Treadmill
Horsepower
Motor power typically ranges from 1.75 to 3 HP. Your weight and the amount of running you’ll be doing will determine what you need. For light walking or jogging or running, provided that you are of average size and weight, a motor in the 1.75 to 2 horsepower range should do.
If you’ll actually be running on your treadmill, you’ll need at least 2.5 horsepower for your running treadmill. And if anyone who will be using the treadmill weighs over 100 kilos (225 lbs.) you should be looking at treadmill motors starting in the 3 horsepower range.
The Track
How tall you are, and how widely built will determine how long and wide a track you will need.
Tracks range from 40 cm (16 in.) to 56 cm (22 in.) wide. Narrower tracks are really only good for walking, or use by smaller individuals. People of average size will find a 40 cm wide track to be too narrow for running, with an increased likelihood of stepping fully or partly off the track.
This is dangerous and could result in injury. Most users will be very comfortable running at any speed on a 56 cm (22 in.) track.
Track lengths range from 105 cm (42 in.) to 160 cm (63 in.). How long of a track you need will be determined by your stride, which can usually be predicted by your height. Obviously the taller you are the longer a track you’ll need.
Speed
How fast do you want to run? Will you be doing a slow jog all the time, practicing sprints, or doing interval training? You can probably run faster than you think you can, so if you’re going to be hitting your top speed you’ll need a more robust model than if you’ll be maintaining a constant slow jog.
Most models will go up to 19 km/h (12 mph) and this should be more than adequate for most of us, but if you’re a serious (and speedy) runner you’ll need something faster.
To put it in perspective, Olympic sprinters are usually moving faster than 30 km/h (18.5 mph), so even if you’re not an Olympic sprinter you’ll need more than 19 km/h to do sprints.
Incline
Incline training is not only great for cardiovascular health but results in better leg and core strength. It also has the benefit that running uphill is harder (no kidding?) so you’ll burn more calories with incline training. Many base models don’t have the incline ability.
How much incline you’ll need will be based on your goals and ability. Most models with incline capability will allow for grades up to 10 — 15% and this will be fine for most, but if you’re a serious endurance athlete you can get ‘incline trainers’ that go up to 40%!
Our top-of-the-line Spirit CT800 gym quality treadmill. Up to 20kph at 15° with a robust 4 HP motor.
In addition, there are some deluxe models that also have up to a 3% decline, to better simulate hill training, but this isn’t really necessary for anyone but the most competitive of distance runners.
Track Cushioning
Before we consider any kind of regular exercise, we do need to think about the strain we’ll be putting on our bodies. There’s no point in getting in great shape if you ruin your knees doing it.
Most models have at least some cushioning in the track, but if you are very heavy, you have joint problems, or you’ll be doing a lot of running, you may want to shop for a higher-end model in this regard. Some models can reduce the impact on each step by up to 40%.
This might also be necessary if the floor where your treadmill will be is not concrete and you have neighbors below you. It will help to reduce the noise.
Programs
Almost all models will have basic pre-set programs such as Manual, Hill, Interval, Cardio, and Fat Burning. Higher-end models will have variations on these, with more adjustable options. Cadillac models can have video screens with the option to run a variety of real courses from around the world. This really cuts down on the tedium factor.
The CT800 treadmill control panel includes Time, Distance, Calories, Pace, Speed, Incline, Pulse, and METs plus a telemetric heart rate monitor!
Extra Treadmill Features
You can get a host of extra options as well. While units with built-in TVs or MP3 players may look attractive, they may not be the best idea. If those entertainment options break they can be expensive to fix. If you have a blank wall where you’ll be keeping your treadmill, you may want to put up a wall-mounted television instead. Bluetooth headphones or a stereo will provide music.
There are some very nice luxury features available though, and if you have the budget, you might want to consider them. A built-in fan can direct cool air over your face or upper body. Wireless heart rate monitors solve the problem of measuring your cardio fitness while running.
Whatever you do, though, don’t forget the most basic luxury – a water bottle holder!
FAQs for The Right Treadmill Buyers Guide
What should I look for when buying a treadmill?
When buying, look for a treadmill with the following key aspects: your health and fitness goals, motor power (measured in horsepower), speed range, incline settings, the size of the running surface, safety features, and user interface. Additional considerations include treadmill size relative to your space, its durability, ease of maintenance, and extra features like heart rate monitoring or Bluetooth connectivity for music or fitness apps.
How much does a good treadmill typically cost?
The cost of a good treadmill can vary based on features and type. Basic models for home use typically range from $500 to $1000. Mid-range to advanced treadmills designed for more intense use or offering advanced features can cost between $1000 and $3000. Commercial treadmills intended for heavy use can cost up to $5000 or more.
What type of treadmill is best for home use?
The best type of treadmill for home use depends on your personal fitness goals and available space. For regular walking or light jogging, a basic or mid-range jogger’s treadmill is sufficient. If you’re a dedicated runner, consider a higher-end model with a robust motor and larger running surface. If space is a constraint, a folding treadmill could be a suitable choice. Always consider the treadmill’s noise levels, durability, and maintenance needs for home use.
Final Thoughts on Treadmill Buying Guide – Dynamo Fitness Equipment
As you can see there are many things to consider when choosing the right treadmill for you, but with this guide, you should be well set to find the model that will take you where you want to go.
Need help with buying a treadmill? Reach out to our customer support team. Our professionals are waiting 24/7 to help you buy the best gym equipment for your home or commercial gym. You can also visit us at our mega showrooms in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
Head over to our treadmills page for our great range in-stock Now.
Will Dove
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