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Buying a Folding Treadmill

You can cut costs and time by working out at home with a folding treadmill. Before you go shopping 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 give preference to machines with longer warranties.”

Deck Size

A treadmill that folds can be an excellent option for a variety of exercisers. A treadmill that folds is a great option for those who want to get in a bit of cardio during a meeting at work or after dinner. The American Heart Association recommends at minimum 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity exercise. It’s difficult to argue using a treadmill that allows you to hop on and enjoy your daily cardio.

While earlier treadmills that fold were often associated with low quality the latest models are more competitive than ever before. The latest models of folding treadmills provide the same features and functions as non-folding models. When selecting a treadmill that folds the size of the deck is most important. It is essential to have a deck that is large enough to allow full strides. Ideally, a deck that’s 55 inches long and 20 inches wide will offer enough space for even the largest runners to feel at ease.

The capacity to support the weight of a treadmill is also crucial. If you plan to use your treadmill for running ensure that it can accommodate your weight as well as any extra gear, such as shoes. A folding treadmill of high quality should have a weight capacity of at least 350 pounds.

It’s also important to make sure that your folding treadmill is easy to fold. Some treadmills with folding capabilities come with an “fold on pin” design that raises the console mast over the running surface when the treadmill is not in use. Other treadmills have hydraulics to enable you to fold the deck quickly and easily.

When you’ve found the perfect treadmill that folds, it’s time to get started working out! You can track your progress with the built-in performance monitor that displays information such as speed, distance, heart rate and calories burned. You can connect your smartphone to the treadmill so you can listen to music while working out or watch a movie. If you’re feeling social you can also take part in a virtual race alongside family members or friends using the integrated Facebook and Twitter apps. If you want to step up your game, try one of 15 pre-loaded workouts that have adjustable speeds and an incline.

Incline Capabilities

Incline settings increase the intensity of your workout and target different muscle groups. For instance, walking at an incline of just a little targets your glutes and calves and strengthens your lower back muscles, while running on an incline will burn more calories than flat running. You can spice up your workout by varying the angle. This keeps it exciting and prevent boredom.

When looking for a treadmill with incline be aware that the higher the slope, the more difficult it will be for novices. It’s important to begin with a low incline and gradually move up as you become comfortable with your treadmill routine. Incorporating an incline in your routine can aid in avoiding injuries by decreasing the impact on joints.

You should consider the deck size, motor horsepower, and incline capability of the treadmill. If you intend to primarily run on power and do some jogging, then an exercise machine with a 2.0-2.5 chp motor should suffice. However, if you’re a serious runner, then you’ll want to look for a model that has a more powerful 2.5 chp motor or more.

Another thing to take into consideration is whether the incline settings are manually or automatically controlled. This can affect your experience using the treadmill, as some models require that you press a button to adjust the slope. Some models offer an automatic incline that could achieve a 10-percent grade.

Also, make sure that the incline feature is able to fold and unfold. This is important when you purchase a treadmill that folds and has little storage space in your office or at home. Some treadmills are difficult to fold and unfold. They require more than one person to accomplish it, and might need to be held during the process. Many of our picks come with an automated folding system that makes the process simple and quick. This will help you save time and stress when it comes to storage of your treadmill.

Speed Capabilities

The top folding treadmills have speeds that can reach 12 mph. This is fast enough for the majority of runners. If you’re not a seasoned runner, or you tend to walk the majority of your time, opt for a treadmill that has a maximum speed that’s lower to around 8 mph. Select a treadmill that can be connected to your device should you decide to use it for Zwift or Peloton classes. We also prefer models with thumb dials positioned chest-high on the hand grips to allow you to quickly make big jumps in speed or incline. It’s much more fluid than trying to press buttons on the console.

Another aspect to take into consideration is whether a treadmill has built-in safety features, such as an emergency stop clip that shuts down the machine when you fall or slip. These are important not only for safety, but also to prevent damage to the motor and belt. We suggest that you look into this feature before purchasing one of our picks.

Finally, you should take note of the treadmill’s weight capacity when you’re shopping. The ones that cost more tend to be more durable, and also have a higher capacity for weight. This will ensure that they do not warp over time. If you are worried about the longevity of a product, take a look at its warranty and reviews from customers to see how it holds up.

Remember that the majority of treadmills aren’t used all the time and that models that fold might experience more wear and tear than their nonfolding counterparts. Mody claims that this could result in issues in the future as it puts more stress on the hinge. We recommend choosing a treadmill made by a brand that has a track record of producing top quality equipment.

The newer models are catching up to older models that were tagged with fewer features. They have similar features and capabilities as the more expensive treadmills.

Additional Features

Folding treadmills aren’t any different. Like everything else in life, you’ll get what you pay for. The treadmills that fold generally require more materials and components than non-folding machines, including more robust tubing made of metal and safety mechanisms such as gas shocks. These additional costs can make the price tag higher but create a treadmill that is robust and stable being used.

As a top-notch fitness trainer and fitness writer, Christine Luff has a keen eye for products of high-quality that help improve performance. While she would rather run outside, she loves to incorporate treadmill incline exercises into her workout routine. An an incline can make a significant difference to your treadmill workout whether you are looking to increase your heart rate or recreate the experience of running outdoors.

Luff recommends choosing a foldable treadmill with a frame and motor that are strong enough to withstand the weight of your body, and a spacious workout deck with built-in speakers to blast your favorite tunes. She also suggests evaluating the warranty to choose those that offer a longer warranty especially for crucial components such as the frame and motor.

The JRNY model of Bowflex was the most notable in our tests of treadmills that fold for its commercial-grade quality and simple design. It is quiet, which means it’s able to be used with out creating a disturbance to other users. It’s also easy to switch between profiles by pressing the button. It also comes with 26 integrated programs, coaching via the JRNY App and a convenient fan that cools the body to the perfect temperature.

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. It also gives the unit more stability. It has an inbuilt speaker that plays your favorite workout music and can be connected to third-party apps for virtual training. It does not have an incline, and its tiny fan may not be sufficient to keep users cool during a sweaty exercise.