Buying a Folding Treadmill
You can save money and time by exercising at home using the folding treadmill. Before you shop set your fitness goals and then find a treadmill that suits your needs.
Sydney Bueckert (NASM-CPT) tells SELF: "Measure the area in which you intend to store and use the machine, and then give preference to machines with the longest guarantee."
Deck Size
A treadmill that folds up is a good option for a variety of fitness enthusiasts. It doesn't matter if you're an experienced athlete looking to add an extra mile or two to your run or a beginner who's hoping to get in some cardio at an office meeting or even after dinner, a treadmill that folds can make it easier to get in the workouts you need to. The American Heart Association recommends at minimum 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity exercise. It's difficult to argue with a treadmill that lets you to get on and get your daily cardio.
While earlier treadmills that 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 options. When choosing a folding treadmill the size of the deck is the most important. You'll need a deck large enough to run with full strides. Ideally, a deck that's 55 inches long and 20 inches wide will provide enough space for even the tallest runners to feel at ease.
The capacity to support the weight of a treadmill is also important. If you plan to use your treadmill for running, you'll need to ensure it can support your weight as well as any additional gear, like shoes. A treadmill that folds up with high quality will have a weight capacity of at least 350 pounds.
It's also important to check that your treadmill is easy to fold. Some treadmills with folding capabilities have an "fold-on-pin" design that raises the console mast over the running surface when in use, while other models have hydraulics to help you quickly and effortlessly fold down the deck.
Once you've found your ideal folding treadmill, it's the time to get moving! The built-in performance display shows information such as the speed, distance, heartrate and calories burned. You can also pair your treadmill with your phone to listen to music or watch a video during your workouts. If you're enjoying socializing, you can even take part in a virtual race alongside family members or friends via the integrated Facebook and Twitter apps. If you're looking to up your game, consider one of the pre-loaded exercises that have adjustable speeds and an incline.
incline treadmill for Incline
Inclination settings boost the intensity of your workout and target different muscles. For example, walking at an incline of just a little targets your glutes and calves, and strengthens your lower back muscles, while running on an incline burns more calories than running flat. Being able to alter the incline of your workout can add variety to your workout, keeping it interesting and preventing boredom.
When selecting a treadmill with an incline, remember that the steeper the slope, the more difficult it will be for beginners. For this reason, it's crucial to start low and slowly move up to more strenuous inclines as you become more comfortable with your treadmill workout routine. Incorporating an incline into your workout routine will also help you avoid injury by decreasing the impact on your joints.
Apart from ensuring the treadmill's incline capabilities match your goals, you'll also be looking at the deck size and motor horsepower. If you plan to mostly power walk, and add in the occasional jog, the treadmill with a 2.0-2.5 chp motor is likely to suffice. If you're an avid runner, then you'll want to look for a model with a stronger 2.5 chp or greater motor.
Another thing to think about is whether the incline settings are manually or automatically controlled. This can impact your experience on the treadmill as the controls on certain models require you to press the button to alter the slope of the deck while others provide an automatic incline adjustment which can go as high as 10 percent slope.
In the end, you'll need to ensure that the incline feature is able to fold and unfold. This is particularly important if you're buying a foldable treadmill and live in a tiny space or have a shared house or office space with small storage space. Some treadmills can be difficult to fold and unfold and require more than one person and often needing to be held up as you do so. Fortunately, many of our picks have an automated folding mechanism that can make the process quick and simple and save you time and stress when you need to store your new treadmill.
Speed Capabilities
The most efficient folding treadmills can achieve speeds of up to 12 miles per hour, which is enough for most runners. If you're not a seasoned runner, or you tend to walk for the majority of your workout, look for a treadmill with a maximum speed that's lower that 8 mph. If you're planning to use your treadmill for Peloton classes or running Zwift and Zwift, make sure it connects to your device so that you can keep on top of your training. We also like models with thumb dials mounted at the chest level on the handgrips that allow you to make big jumps in speed or incline. It's much more fluid than trying to press buttons on the console.
Be sure to check if the treadmill has safety features built-in for example, an emergency clip that will shut down the treadmill in the event that you slip or fall. These features are crucial to ensure safety and prevent damage to motors and belts. A few of our picks include this feature, and we recommend checking before making an purchase.
When shopping, pay attention to the capacity of the treadmill's weight. The most expensive folding treadmills are generally stronger and have a larger maximum weight capacity which can help stop them from warping over time. If you're concerned about the durability of a particular model, check out its warranty and reviews from past buyers to see how it performs over time.
Also, keep in mind that the majority of treadmills don't get used all the time, and that foldable models may experience more wear and tear than nonfolding counterparts. Mody states that this could result in issues in the future as it puts more stress on the hinge. That's why we suggest choosing a treadmill that is an established fitness brand with an extensive history of producing high-quality equipment.
The latest models are catching up to older models that were associated with less features. Many of them have similar features and capabilities to the ones found on higher-end treadmills.
Additional Features
Folding treadmills are no different. As with most things in life, you'll get what you pay. Treadmills that fold typically require more components and materials than those that do not fold, such as the use of stronger tubing made of steel and safety mechanisms like gas shocks. These extra costs can make the price tag higher but result in a treadmill that is more durable and stable when being used.
As an ace trainer and fitness journalist, Christine Luff has a keen eye for products of high-quality which can improve performance. While she would rather run outdoors, she is a fan of incorporate treadmill incline workouts into her workout routine. Whether you're looking to increase your heart rate or recreate the sensation of running on real pavement, an incline could make all the difference in your treadmill exercise.
Luff recommends a foldable and robust treadmill with an engine that is able to withstand your weight and a frame that's sturdy. It should also include a large deck for workouts with speakers built in to blast your favorite music. She also recommends looking over the warranty and focusing on those that have a longer-term warranty particularly for the most important components such as the frame and motor.
In our tests of treadmills that fold that we tested, the JRNY model made by Bowflex stood out for its commercial-grade design and easy design. The treadmill is quiet, which means it is able to be used without disturbing other users. It is also easy to switch between different user profiles by pressing the button. It also comes with 26 integrated programs and coaching through the JRNY App and a convenient fan that cools your body to the perfect temperature.
Another option that's worth considering is the TF50 from Matrix. It is built with a fold-on base (FOB), which makes it easy to fold or unfold when not in use and provides it with more stability. It also has an integrated speaker that plays your favorite songs for workouts and can be connected to third-party applications for virtual training. It does not have an incline and the small fan may not be sufficient to keep users cool during a sweaty workout.