The Best Home Treadmill Buying Guide for 2021 is here to help you make wise purchase decisions when it comes to investing in a folding treadmill that will suit your home.
So if you’re looking to do just that, then you’re in the right place. I’m here to help you figure out the things you need to consider and if a folding treadmill is exactly what you need for your home.
To start off, let’s answer the question: why should you pick a folding treadmill instead of any other fitness equipment?
Why Should I Get A Folding Treadmill?
I could enumerate a lot of reasons why a folding treadmill is the best choice for anyone who is looking to upgrade their home gym or just wants to exercise and lose weight effectively. But then the list would be endless. So here are just some of those reasons I think are the most significant ones:
- A folding treadmill will benefit you whether you’re a casual runner, fitness enthusiast, or professional athlete.
- It can effectively help you reach your fitness goals as it can cater from light to moderate exercises to more intense interval or hill training if you want to work on your cardio.
- You can easily incorporate daily fitness into your lifestyle even if you have a busy schedule because you’ll have a treadmill right in the comfort of your own home.
Before You Buy
Before we skip to the actual treadmills, I highly recommend doing your research first so you don’t go buying units blindly and end up regretting it later.
Find Out What Workouts You’ll Be Doing With The Treadmill
Not all folding treadmills are made equally. Some are done better than others, some have a lot of extra features, and there are some that are as basic as it gets. But that doesn’t mean the latter is not a good option.
Obviously, a lot of you would want a running machine that comes with a lot of perks. But keep in mind those come at a cost. So to manage your options wisely, find out first what kind of workouts you’re into as well as your fitness goals.
This will really help you not get overwhelmed with the number of treadmills to look for out there in the market and will narrow down your best options.
Set Your Budget And Expectations
One of the most important things you need to consider before making any final investments in a folding treadmill for your home is your budget.
Understandably, not everyone can easily shell out a thousand dollars for a piece of fitness equipment. That’s completely fine though and achieving our fitness goals shouldn’t be a luxury in the first place.
That being said, if your budget is set for under a thousand dollars, there are plenty of home treadmills to choose from that are still of great quality. But be prepared that they won’t come with some of the more high-tech features premium models have.
Premium features come with a premium price after all. But the important thing is that you have a treadmill that works and keeps you healthy.
Determine Your Space Available For The Folding Treadmill
When it comes to folding treadmills for your home, size definitely matters.
So it’s best to check the measurements of your spare space where you’ll be putting your home treadmill. Thankfully, folding treadmills are a great way to reclaim our floor space when it’s not in use. All you have to do is fold it then store it somewhere in your house.
Check Out Reliable And Trusted Brands
When it comes to manufacturers and brands of different treadmills, you have to make sure you’re in safe hands. So it’s best to read reviews of actual consumers to see just how reliable their home treadmills are in terms of quality and durability.
Some very popular brands are NordicTrack, Sole Fitness, Bowflex, and etc. There are also manufacturers who sell treadmills for a low cost but are still very high quality like Horizon Fitness and Sunny Health & Fitness.
Read Their Warranty Coverages
After you’ve determined the brands manufacturing folding treadmills, it’s time to read up on their warranty coverages. This is so you know how many years they will cover your machine in case it breaks or needs any part replacements.
Some brands offer lifetime warranties which is terrific, some offer just 5 years, some even offer much less. Of course, you would want to buy a treadmill unit from a company that has your back for several years to come.
Try It Before You Buy It
Some of you prefer buying your folding treadmills online and there’s nothing wrong with that. But if it’s possible for you, I would highly suggest trying your desired treadmill in a physical store first (while following safety protocols of course!).
Online shopping is great and all but sometimes you would encounter unsatisfactory products every now and then because you haven’t really tested out the actual product yet. That leads to a lot of stress of having to return the item back and sometimes customer support isn’t as supportive as we thought it would be.
So to avoid all those things and to save you from the hassle, try to make a quick trip to a physical fitness equipment store near you to check how you really feel about the treadmill you have set your eyes on.
Specifications And Features To Look Out For
Now that you’ve done your full research with folding treadmills, let’s dive into the specifications and features you might want your desired running machine to have.
Check Out Our List Of The Best Folding Treadmills For Home Use This 2021 Here To See If Anything Catches Your Eye!
Horsepower
When it comes to your chosen treadmill’s horsepower, you need to determine the type of workouts you’ll be doing to see if the machine is compatible or powerful enough to support and accommodate your preferred exercises.
The horsepower of a treadmill is measured by its strength. But keep in mind there are two kinds of horsepower or motors that you might see in different treadmills: Horsepower (HP) and Continuous Duty Horsepower (CHP).
If you’re just seeing the normal horsepower, it means the motor of the treadmill has no actual evidence of its strength when used over time. So this is not the most reliable.
However if a manufacturer puts CHP in their treadmill, it means its motor has been assessed and its measurement has been taken over an extended period of time. The strength of the motor is assured to maintain its power without faltering or straining from being used over time.
Max Speed Rating & Incline Range
In terms of a treadmill’s max speed rating and incline range, it’s always good to have variety. So I recommend choosing a treadmill that at least has a maximum of 10 MPH and up to 10 incline levels.
This way, our workout sessions never get dull or repetitive. It’s also a good way to challenge ourselves every now and then.
Deck Cushioning
Deck cushioning is important as this will help decrease the impact and stress our joints go through when we run.
Most treadmills for home use nowadays offer some kind of cushioning mechanism unique to their units. So it’s best to research which one will work the best for you. This is also where trying treadmills in physical stores come in handy. You’ll be able to figure out if a certain treadmill is comfortable enough for you.
Max User Weight Capacity
A treadmill’s max user weight capacity is important to determine so you know if a certain unit will be able to support you. Usually, the standard units have a weight capacity of around 200-300 lbs. If you’re on the heavier side, the 300 lbs. may either work or not work for you.
But don’t lose hope as there are still plenty of treadmills out in the market that can accommodate heavier individuals with ease. Though the ones I’ve seen do come at a higher cost. So keep this in mind!
Workout Presets
The average home treadmill usually has at least around 10 presets to choose from. Depending on who is using the machine, 10 workout programs can be either too little or just enough. But some more impressive treadmills offer up to 30 different workout presets like the Horizon Fitness T101. And that one is a budget-friendly option too!
Either way, it really depends on you to determine how many workout programs you want your treadmill to have. Some treadmills also offer subscription-based programs like iFit so you can have access to their library of different workout classes, programs, interactive coaches, and so much more!
Other Accessories
Some extra accessories a home treadmill can have are heart monitoring features, Bluetooth connectivity, built-in speakers, a device tray, a wattle bottle holder, and so much more. It’s really just up to you whether you’d want these added features included in your chosen running machine.
But do keep in mind, these kinds of features can come at a cost. Though there are definitely budget options out there in the market.
Safety Features
Our safety when using fitness equipment is not something we should overlook. Especially for our elderly fitness enthusiasts and individuals who have pets or children out there. So I highly suggest picking a home treadmill with an auto-stop feature.
The auto-stop feature is usually controlled by a key that is attached to you via a lanyard. So if you slip, the key slips out of its hole, and the treadmill automatically stops. You can also opt to remove this particular key when the treadmill is not in use to prevent any accidental activation of the machine.
Conclusion
To sum it up, a folding treadmill is a great addition to your home whether you’re a professional athlete or a casual runner. It’s versatile, effective in helping you reach your fitness goals, and you can easily get that daily mileage without having to step out of the comfort of your own home.
Now that we’re at the end of my Home Treadmill Buying Guide For 2021, I can only hope that I was able to help you figure things out. After learning all of these, you are now ready to invest in a folding treadmill for yourself and your home gym. Happy shopping!
Do you already own a folding treadmill for your home? Was I able to help you figure out the things you need to know before buying a folding treadmill? Let me know your insights below in the comments section!
Recommended reading for you:
Get Fit In The Comfort Of Your Own Home With The Best Folding Treadmills For Home Use This 2021.
The Sole Fitness F80 Review: Is This Popular Folding Treadmill The Best For Your Home Gym?
Horizon Fitness T101 Review: The Best Budget-Friendly Folding Treadmill
