How to Choose the Best Treadmill For Your Fitness Goals
A treadmill is a solid investment for anyone who wants to exercise from the comfort of their own home. When you are looking for a new treadmill take into consideration your running goals (and budget), as well as how often you plan to use the treadmill.
The treadmill is sleek and folds flat. It can be easily hidden under the bed, or leaning against the wall. It comes with a 30-day free trial of iFIT which grants you access to expert coaches, workouts and more.
1. Speed
The ideal treadmill speed for walking, jogging and running will depend on your fitness level and goals. The treadmill is a great way to gradually increase your speed. It is not advisable to run too fast on a treadmill, because this can cause you to burn out quickly and could cause injuries. If you're new to running, start off with a low running speed, and then gradually increase your speed.
Treadmill speeds can be measured in terms of miles per hour, while normal running paces can be 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 you're running at the right pace. Adding one or two tenths of a mile per hour to the treadmill is an excellent way to fine tune your pace and improve your running technique.
Beginners should begin by walking on the treadmill, and then gradually work up to running, which is usually around 3 mph. This is a moderate pace to walk and does not place too much stress on the back, legs and knees. Jogging is a bit harder to master than walking, and will require more leg strength and endurance. On the treadmill, you can attain the speed of six miles per hour or more based on your height.
A good treadmill for running should have a maximum speed of up to 15 mph and an inclined of 15 percent. It should have an USB charging port and an integrated USB fan. It should also be quiet enough to be suitable for indoor use. It is best to choose an exercise machine with a sturdy frame that can hold up to 400 pounds. It should be easy to fold up and move around so that it can be used at home.
A great treadmill will have many additional features, including tablets, a tablet holder USB charging port, and an adjustable incline. It should also have a big deck to accommodate runners of all sizes. It should be simple to set up and use. There should also be a safety cord that stops the treadmill from moving in the event of a roadblock or when it is pulled forward.
2. Incline
If you're looking to take your exercise routine to the next level, then a treadmill with an adjustable incline is necessary. The ability to increase the speed of your walk or run is an effective way to burn calories and build muscle. It also increases the amount of oxygen that you're absorbing and helps improve your endurance for cardiovascular exercise.
It's important to remember that adding an incline to your running routine can be a significant increase in intensity, so it's recommended to begin small and work your way up. It's essential that the treadmill you choose to use is easy to adjust, and has a large enough range that you are capable of changing the angle as needed. It is recommended to start at a low slope between 1 and 2%, regardless of your fitness level. This will give your body time to adapt to a higher level of muscle building and calorie burning.
Walking on a slight incline on the treadmill can increase the amount of calories burned by as much as 17 percent, compared to walking on a flat surface. This is especially beneficial if you are trying to lose weight or reduce the amount of fat in your body. Warm up for at minimum 1 minute prior to increasing the incline. Walking on a 1% incline is the ideal method of getting your body in shape to burn off more calories while improving your posture and balance.
You could also increase the incline for a more intense workout like interval training or tempo runs. The incline can help increase your heart rate and cause your muscles to work harder, which will lead to more calorie-burning. You should monitor your RPE throughout the exercise to make sure that you aren't overexerting yourself.
Another benefit of a treadmill equipped with an incline that is steeper is that it makes your workout feel more like being climbing uphill or hiking. However, you'll need ensure that the incline on your treadmill is set correctly to ensure safety and avoid injuries. If you're unsure how to do this you can consult an expert trainer to help you set your treadmill before you use it to do an incline workout.
3. Exercise
The best treadmill workouts are diverse and offer different challenges. They let you lose weight while strengthening muscles throughout your body. Running up a slope that is steep, for example, strengthens the muscles in the glutes and calves. This can also help create and maintain a healthy, lean leg structure, which is vital for a healthy weight loss. While exercising, lifting weights on the treadmill will also challenge your shoulders, back, and arms.
Treadmills also let you work out more efficiently than outside. Running at a faster speed will lessen stress on your lower back and knees. The treadmill allows you to gradually increase your speed as you get stronger and fitter. This can prevent injury and speed up recovery time.
Many treadmills are equipped with built-in workout programs and apps that guide you through different exercises. You can decide to follow along and work out at the same speed or take on a new challenge with the help of an expert. Many treadmills track your progress, so you can see where you've been and how many calories have been consumed.
There are many free online resources that can assist you in achieving your fitness goals. The Peloton app, for instance, has thousands of running workouts and you can pick one that is appropriate for your level.
When buying a treadmill, it is important to take into consideration physical factors like belt size and horsepower, and also incline variation. It's recommended to look at the features of a treadmill, such as a touchscreen, Bluetooth compatibility, and buttons that are easy to adjust. Personal trainer and life coach Kollins Ezekh recommends looking for a treadmill that will assist you in tackling tough road conditions, as as a wide range of workouts that target various muscles groups.
If you're on a limited budget, you can still enjoy the benefits of a treadmill by getting the best cheap treadmill. The Horizon EZ-Pro is inexpensive but still has plenty of features, including a quick-dial knob that allows you to easily increase the speed or add more inclined. treadmills at home is also portable and folds down flat, which means you can put it under your mattress or prop it up against the wall.
4. Safety
Despite their many beneficial features treadmills can also be dangerous when used in a way that isn't properly. Some of the risks are being injured or falling off as well as overheating or sliding. Anyone who uses treadmills regularly should discuss safety concerns with their doctors before beginning an exercise program. Also, it's important to consider other people who may use the machine. If you think that pets or children might use the treadmill, it is recommended to put it in a place that is away from reach. The same goes for roommates and unsuspecting guests who may not be aware of how to operate it.
It's important that you start slow on a treadmill, then increase the speed and incline gradually. This will prevent injury to your muscles and joints and avoid overworking them. Be sure to disconnect the safety key and remove it from the machine when you're done using it. The key is designed to stop the belt from spinning on the treadmill if you lose your balance and fall off it.
A great treadmill should have a strong frame which can support your weight without bending or warp. It will be simple to read, and have an LCD that displays your heart rate, as well as other data. It should be quiet enough for you to listen to music while exercising or watching television.
Some of the best treadmills allow you to simulate terrains that are hilly to prepare you for an uphill race or any other event. You'll want to look for a machine with a maximum incline that can match the incline of hills that are in your area. The top treadmills allow users to connect their phones to the built-in speakers, so you can listen to your preferred songs while running.
Before you buy a treadmill, ensure to read the safety guidelines of the manufacturer and consult your physician about whether treadmills are suitable for your health. It is also important to choose one that can be folded easily and wheel away once you are done using it.