How to Choose the Best Treadmill For Your Fitness Goals
Anyone who wishes to run in the comfort of their home will find a treadmill a great investment. When you are looking for a new treadmill be sure to consider your goals for running (and budget) and how often you will use the treadmill.
This smart treadmill is sleek and folds flat. It can be easily hidden under the bed, or leaning against a wall. It comes with a 30-day free trial of iFIT which gives you access to professional coaches, workouts, and much more.
1. Speed
The speed of the treadmill that is best for walking, running and jogging is determined by your fitness level and goals. You want to increase your speed gradually, and the treadmill is a great way to do this. You should never run too fast on a treadmill, as this will cause you to exhaust yourself quickly, and can also cause injuries. If you're just beginning to learn about running, begin by jogging slowly and gradually increase the speed.
The treadmill's speed can be measured in miles per hours and normal running speeds can be measured in minutes per mile. Try to adjust your treadmill's speed to be in line with the minutes per mile measurement on a chart to make sure that you're running at the right speed. You can improve your running technique by adding a couple of tenths to your treadmill speed.
Beginning users can begin with a walking speed on the treadmill, then gradually increase the speed to running. It is generally approximately three miles per hour. This is a comfortable pace to walk at and doesn't cause too much strain on the legs, back and knees. Jogging is a bit harder to do than walking, and requires more strength and endurance in the legs. On the treadmill, you can achieve speeds of six mph or more, depending on your height.
A quality treadmill should have a maximum speed of 15 mph, and an incline of up to 15%. It should include an USB charging port as well as a built-in USB fan. It must be quiet enough to be used indoors. It is best to choose a treadmill with a sturdy frame that can withstand up to 400 lbs. It should be simple to fold up and move around to be used at home.
A great treadmill for running will also come with a number of extras, such as an adjustable tilt, a tablet holder and an USB charging port. It should have a large deck to accommodate runners of all sizes. It should be easy to install and use and have a safety cord to stop the treadmill from moving in case you are pushed forward or struck by an obstacle.
2. Incline
If you're seeking to take your workout to the next level, a treadmill that has an adjustable incline option is essential. You can lose more calories by increasing the incline when you walk or run. It also increases the amount of oxygen you are getting, which improves your endurance for cardiovascular exercise.
It is important to keep in mind that adding an incline could be a big jump in intensity, so it's best to begin small and work towards increasing. It is essential that an incline treadmill is easy to adjust and has a large enough range that you are in a position to alter the angle when needed. It is recommended to begin with a gradual gradient 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 burning calories.
A slight slope can boost your calorie burn by as much as 17 percent in comparison to walking on across a flat ground. This is particularly beneficial if you're trying to lose weight and reduce the percentage of body fat in your overall. Begin by warming up for at least a minute prior to increasing the slope. Walking at an angle of 1% is a great exercise to prepare your body to burn more calories and improve your posture.
You can also increase the incline to get a more intense workout, such a interval training or tempo runs. The incline will increase your heart rate and make your muscles perform harder, which will lead to more calorie-burning. You should check your RPE during the exercise to make sure you are not overexerting.
Another benefit of a treadmill with an inclined slope is that it makes your workout feel more like the experience of walking or climbing uphill in the outdoors. However, you'll need ensure that the incline on your treadmill is set up properly to avoid injury. If you are unsure of how to accomplish this then you can seek out an expert trainer to help you set up your treadmill before you use it for an exercise on an incline.
3. Exercise
The most effective treadmill workouts provide many exercises, allowing you to burn calories and tone muscles all over your body. Running up a steep slope, for example, strengthens the muscles in the glutes and calves. This can help you build and maintain a strong and lean leg, which is crucial to a healthy weight loss. Holding weights while exercising on the treadmill can engage your back, shoulders, and arms.
Treadmills enable you to exercise more efficiently than outside. For instance, running at a faster cadence can reduce the stress on your knees and lower back. You can increase your speed on the treadmill as you become more fit and stronger. This will aid in avoiding injury and accelerate recovery time.
Many treadmills are equipped with built-in workout programs and apps that will guide you through various exercises. You can follow along and exercise at the same speed or attempt something new under the guidance of a professional. A lot of treadmills also monitor your progress so you can track how far you've travelled and the amount of calories you've burned.
In addition to treadmill exercises, there are also lots of free online resources that can motivate you and help you reach your fitness goals. The Peloton app, for example offers thousands of running sessions and you can pick one that is appropriate for your level.
When purchasing a treadmill, it's important to consider physical factors such as belt size and horsepower as well as incline variability. It's recommended to look at the features of a treadmill, such as a touchscreen, Bluetooth compatibility, and easy-to-adjust buttons. Personal trainer and life coach Kollins Ezekh recommends looking for a treadmill that will assist you in tackling tough road conditions, as with a variety of workouts that target different muscles groups.
You can still reap the benefits of a quality treadmill if you have an affordable budget. The Horizon EZ-Pro is inexpensive but it still provides plenty of functions and features a quick-dial dial that lets you easily pick up the pace or add more incline. It's also portable and folds flat so you can easily store it under your bed or even lean it against the wall.
4. Safety
Despite their many useful features treadmills can be dangerous if used improperly. The most common risks are falling off and getting injured, overheating or tripping and sliding. People who frequently use treadmills should discuss safety concerns with their physician before beginning an exercise program. Also, it's important to consider other people who might use the machine. If children or pets may be able to access the treadmill, it should be placed in a separate space that is not within their reach. This is also true for roommates and guests who may not know how to operate it.
When you are using a treadmill, it's best to start slow and gradually increase the speed and incline setting. You can avoid injury to joints and muscles by avoiding working them too hard. Remember to remove the key to protect yourself from injury after you've finished using it. The key is designed to stop the belt from moving on the treadmill in case you lose your balance and fall off it.
A great treadmill should have a sturdy frame that can support your weight without bending or warp. It will be simple to read, with an LCD that displays your heart rate as well as other details. A good treadmill will be quiet enough to let you listen to music or watch television while you exercise.
The best treadmills will allow you to simulate hilly outdoor terrains to prepare you for an uphill race or any other home treadmills event. You'll need to choose a treadmill with an incline maximum that matches the level of the hills in your area. The top treadmills will also allow you to connect your phone to the built-in speakers so you can listen to your preferred music while you run.
Consult your physician before you purchase a treadmill. It's also an excellent idea to purchase an item that is easy to fold away and be wheeled away after you've finished using it.