How to Choose the Best Treadmill For Your Fitness Goals
A treadmill is a solid investment for anyone looking to exercise from the comfort of their own home. When purchasing a treadmill, you should think about your running goals and budget as well as the frequency of use.
The treadmill features sleek design and folds flat making it easy to put under a bed or lean against the wall. It comes with a 30-day free trial of iFIT that gives you access to professional coaches as well as workouts.
1. Speed up
The speed of the treadmill which is the best for running, walking and jogging will depend on your fitness level and objectives. You'll want to increase your speed slowly and the treadmill is an excellent method of doing this. It is not advisable to run too quickly on a treadmill because this can cause you to exhaust yourself very quickly and it can also lead to injuries. If you are new to running, begin with a slow jogging speed and then gradually build up your speed.
Treadmill speeds are measured in miles per hour. Likewise, normal running speeds are measured in minutes per mile. Try to adjust your treadmill's speed to match the minutes per mile reading on a chart to make sure that you're running at the correct pace. You can improve your running technique by adding a couple of 10ths to the speed of your treadmill.
Beginners should begin with a walking pace on the treadmill. They should gradually work up to running, which is usually around three mph. This is a moderate pace to walk at and doesn't place too much stress on the back, legs and knees. Jogging requires more strength and endurance for the legs than walking. On the treadmill, you can attain speeds of six mph or more depending on your height.
A quality treadmill should have an maximum speed of 15 mph and an incline of at least 15 percent. It should also come with an inbuilt fan and USB charging port, and be quiet enough to be used indoors. It is best to choose a treadmill with a sturdy frame that can support up to 400 lbs. It should also be simple to fold and move around, making it suitable for home use.
A great treadmill for running will also have a lot of extras like an adjustable incline, a tablet holder and an USB charging port. It should have a large deck that can accommodate runners of all sizes. It should be easy to set up and use. It should also have a safety cord that stops the treadmill from moving in the event of an obstacle or when it is pulled forward.
2. Incline
If you're trying to take your fitness to the next level, a treadmill that has an adjustable incline option is essential. The ability to increase the speed of your run or walk is a great way to burn more calories and build muscles. It also increases the amount of oxygen that you're absorbing which can help increase your endurance in the cardiovascular department.
Remember that adding an incline is a huge increase in intensity. It is best to start slowly and gradually increase. It is essential that the treadmill you choose to use can be adjusted easily, and has a large enough range that you are capable of changing the angle as needed. Regardless of your fitness level, it is recommended that you begin at the lowest incline of 1 - 2percent to allow your body to adjust to the increased calorie-burning and muscle building.
A slight rise can boost the amount of calories burned by up to 17 percent when compared to walking flat ground. This is especially beneficial when you're trying to shed weight and lower your overall body fat percentage. Warm up for at minimum a minute before increasing the slope. Walking at a 1% angle is a great way to prepare your body to burn more calories and improve your posture.
You can also try increasing your incline to a more intense running workout such as interval training or tempo runs. The incline can increase your heart rate, forcing your muscles to work more. This will result in more calories being burned. You should check your RPE throughout the exercise to make sure you're not overworking yourself.
Another benefit of a treadmill equipped with an incline that is steeper is that it can make your workout feel more like if you were climbing uphill or hiking. But, you must make sure that the incline of your treadmill is set up correctly to ensure safety and avoid injury. If home treadmills are unsure of how to do this then you can seek out a personal trainer to help you set your treadmill before you use it to do an exercise on an incline.
3. Workouts
The best treadmill workouts are varied and provide different challenges. They allow you to burn calories while toning muscles across your body. For instance, running on a steep incline will strengthen the muscles of the calves and glutes. This can also help build and maintain a strong and lean leg structure which is essential for healthy weight loss. When you are lifting weights while running on the treadmill can challenge your shoulders, back, and arms.
Treadmills allow you to exercise more efficiently than outdoors. Running at a faster pace can reduce stress on your lower back and knees. The treadmill allows you to gradually increase your pace as you grow stronger and fitter, which can prevent injury and speed recovery time.
Many treadmills come with workout programs and apps that guide you through a variety of exercises. You can follow along and workout at the same speed or attempt an entirely new exercise with the guidance of an expert. Many treadmills monitor your progress so you can track how far you've travelled and how many calories you've burned.
There are many free online resources that can assist you in achieving your fitness goals. For example, the Peloton app has thousands of running exercises, so you can find the right workout for your skill level.
When buying a treadmill, it's crucial to think about physical factors like belt size and horsepower, and also incline variation. It's recommended to evaluate the features on a treadmill like a touchscreen, Bluetooth compatibility, and easy-to-adjust buttons. Personal trainer and life coach Kollins Ezekh recommends looking for a treadmill that will help you tackle arduous road conditions, as being able to perform a variety of exercises that target different muscles groups.
You can still enjoy the benefits of a quality treadmill if you are on a limited budget. The Horizon EZ-Pro treadmill is affordable but it still offers a lot of functionality. It comes with an easy-to-use dial that lets you quickly alter the speed or the incline. It's also portable and folds flat, so you can store it under your mattress or prop it up against the wall.
4. Safety
Treadmills, despite their numerous advantages, can be dangerous if they are misused. Some of the risks are falling off and getting injured by overheating, tripping or sliding. Anyone who uses treadmills regularly should discuss safety concerns with their physician before beginning an exercise program. It's also important to consider other people who will be using the machine. If pets or children might be able access the treadmill, it must be kept in a separate space that is not within their reach. The same applies to guests or roommates who don't know how to use it.
It's important that you start slow on a treadmill and increase the speed and gradual incline. You can avoid injury to your muscles and joints by avoiding overworking them. Remember to disconnect the safety lock and remove it from the machine when you're done using it. The key is designed to stop the belt on the treadmill if you lose your balance and fall off of it.
A good treadmill will have solid frames that can withstand your weight without bending or warping. It will be simple to read, and have a screen that shows your heart rate as well as other information. A good treadmill will be quiet enough to let you listen to music or even watch TV while exercising.
Some of the top treadmills let you simulate terrains that are hilly outdoors so you can prepare for an uphill event or race. You should look for a machine with a maximum incline that can match the incline of hills that are in your region. You can also connect your mobile to the built-in speakers on top treadmills to listen to your favorite music while you run.
Consult your physician prior to you buy the treadmill. You should also choose one that is easy to fold and wheel away once you are done using it.