Buying a Folding Treadmill
A treadmill that folds can save you time and money by allowing your training at home. However, before you start shopping determine what your workout goals are and then find a treadmill that is compatible with your goals.
Sydney Bueckert (NASM-CPT) tells SELF: "Measure the area where you'll store and use the machine, and give preference to machines with longer warranties."
Deck Size
A treadmill that folds up is a great option for a variety of fitness enthusiasts. A treadmill that folds up is an ideal option for anyone looking to get in a bit of exercise during a meeting at work or even after dinner. And with the American Heart Association recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity every week, it's tough to argue against the treadmill that allows you to take a spin for your daily cardio.
Despite the fact that older models were often regarded as lower quality, modern models are now more competitive than ever. The latest folding treadmills have the same features and capabilities as nonfolding options. When choosing a folding treadmill the dimension of the deck is most important. You'll need a deck sufficient to allow full strides. Ideally, a deck that is 55 inches long and 20 inches wide will give enough space for even the most tall runners to feel at ease.
The weight capacity of a treadmill is also crucial. If you plan to use your treadmill for running ensure that it can support both your weight and any additional equipment, such as shoes. A top-quality folding treadmill must be able to support at 300 pounds or more.
It is also important to check if your chosen folding treadmill is easy to fold. Some treadmills with folding capabilities feature a "fold on pin" design that raises the console mast over the running surface when the treadmill isn't in use. Other treadmills have hydraulics to help you fold the deck quickly and easily.
It's time to move! The built-in performance monitor displays data 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. You can also join a virtual race against 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 can increase the intensity of your workout, and also target different muscle groups in the body. For instance, walking at a slight incline targets the calves and glutes and strengthens your lower back, while running on an incline will burn more calories than running flat. The ability to alter the incline of your workout can add variety to your workout making it more engaging and avoiding boredom.
When you are looking for a treadmill that has an incline take note that the steeper the slope, the more difficult it will be for those who are new to the sport. Therefore, it's important to start out low and slowly move up to more strenuous inclines as you become more comfortable with your exercise routine. By reducing the impact on your joints, using an incline will help you avoid injuries.
Aside from making sure the treadmill's incline capability is in line with your goals, you'll also be looking at the dimensions of the deck as well as motor's horsepower. If you intend to primarily power walk, and add in some jogging, then an exercise machine with an 2.0-2.5 chp motor should suffice. However, if you're a serious runner then you'll have to look for a model with a stronger 2.5 chp or more motor.
Consider whether the incline settings on your treadmill are set manually or automatically. This can impact your experience with the treadmill because the controls on certain models require pressing the button to alter the incline of the deck while others offer an automatic incline setting that can go up to 10 percent grade.
You'll also want to make sure that the incline feature of the treadmill can be folded and unfolded quickly. treadmills with incline is especially crucial if you're purchasing an adjustable treadmill that folds and lives in a tiny space or have a shared house or office space with limited storage space. Certain treadmills can be a pain to fold and unfold, requiring more than one person and frequently requiring someone to hold them up while you do it. Many of our picks feature an automated folding system which makes the process easy and quick. This will save you time and headaches in storing your treadmill.
Speed Capabilities
The best folding treadmills reach speeds of up to 12 mph. This is fast enough for the majority of runners. If you're not a skilled athlete, or you tend to walk the majority of your workout, look for a treadmill with speeds that are lower than to around 8 mph. Select a treadmill that can be connected to your device in case you intend to use it for Zwift or Peloton classes. We also recommend models with thumb dials mounted on the handgrips, allowing you to quickly change speed or incline. It's a lot easier than hitting buttons on a console.
Be sure to check if the treadmill has safety features built in, such as an emergency stopper that will shut down the machine in the event that you slip or fall. These are crucial not only for safety, but also to prevent damage to the motor and belt. A few of our picks have this feature, which we recommend checking before making an purchase.
When you shop, pay attention to the capacity of the treadmill's weight. The higher-end folding treadmills tend to be stronger and have a higher maximum weight capacity which can help stop them from warping over time. If you are concerned about the durability of a product, check out the warranty and customer reviews to see how it holds up.
Keep in mind that most treadmills aren't used every day, and models that fold could be more prone to wear and tear. Mody claims that this could cause issues in the future as it puts more stress on the hinge. That's why we suggest choosing a treadmill from an old-fashioned fitness brand that has long-standing history of manufacturing quality equipment.
The latest models are catching up to older models that were associated with less functionality. They have similar features and capabilities to those you'll find on higher-priced treadmills, including incline capabilities.
Additional Features
Like most things, the old adage "you get what you pay for" is applicable with regard to folding treadmills. Folding treadmills typically require more components and materials than those that don't fold, including more robust tubing made of metal and safety mechanisms like gas shocks. These costs can raise the cost, but they make the treadmill more durable and stable.
As an ace fitness trainer and fitness writer, Christine Luff has a keen eye for high-quality products that can help boost performance. While she would rather run outdoors, she also loves to incorporate treadmill incline workouts into her workout routine. An incline can make a huge difference to your treadmill workout whether you are looking to increase your heart rate or replicate the outdoors experience.
Luff recommends a foldable and robust treadmill with a motor that can withstand your weight and a frame that's durable. It should also have a large workout deck with speakers built in to blast your favorite music. She also recommends evaluating the warranty and deciding on those that offer a long-term warranty particularly for crucial parts like the frame and motor.
In our testing of treadmills that fold that we tested, the JRNY model made by Bowflex stood out due to its commercial-grade performance and simple design. The machine is quiet, so it's able to be used with out disrupting other users. It is also easy to switch between profiles by pressing the button. It also comes with 26 integrated programs as well as coaching via the JRNY App, and a handy fan that cools the body just the right way.
The TF50 by Matrix is another option worth looking into. It has a fold-on base (FOB) design which makes it easy to fold and unfold when not in use and gives the treadmill more stability. It also has an inbuilt speaker that plays your favourite workout songs and can be connected to third-party applications for virtual training. It doesn't have an incline and its small fan might not be enough to keep users cool during a sweaty workout.