- Exercise, Fitness

5 Important Features to Consider While Buying a Treadmill 

The best treadmill for running, walking or other types of exercise is one that is not over-complicated. The best treadmill is one you can use to get fit without spending a fortune on equipment. This is where the best treadmill comes in.

You’ll find that there are many different treadmills available today, and they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. This guide will give you some tips on choosing a suitable treadmill for your workout needs. You should never buy an expensive treadmill just because it has fancy features.

You need to make sure that you do your research first before you purchase any new piece of fitness equipment and this includes buying a treadmill. It may seem like a good idea at the time but sometimes these machines can cost quite a lot of money. It is always best to choose a price point that is right for you rather than going overboard with a machine that looks great but doesn’t suit your needs.

You need to consider certain things about the best treadmill before you go ahead and invest in one. You must also be aware of the fact that there are various types of treadmills out there. They range from the very basic ones to the very advanced ones which are made specifically for people with special requirements. In a nutshell, here are the things you need to think about when looking for the best treadmill.

Safety

There are so many different types of treadmills on the market and most of them include safety features as standard. Some models come equipped with a built-in stop button while others offer a safety harness for added protection. Most treadmills have a control panel with push buttons and handles that allow users to adjust the speed, incline and even the resistance level if needed.

It goes without saying that a treadmill that comes with no safety measures whatsoever is definitely not worth considering. There are many injuries that could be avoided simply by having a simple safety precaution installed. You must make sure that you look into the safety measures before you shop around for the best treadmill. Always read the instructions before setting up your treadmill.

Speed

You should always ensure that you set your treadmill at the correct speed. If you decide to take up running then you should probably spend more time training in a higher speed so that you can build up your stamina faster. For those who want to lose weight quickly, then a lower speed can help you burn calories quicker.

When looking for the ideal speed, make sure that you don’t set the treadmill too slow. If you do, you will end up putting unnecessary strain on your joints. You also shouldn’t go above the top of your comfort zone. When you start pushing yourself beyond your limits, it can lead to serious injury.

If you plan to run outside, then the speed of the treadmill has nothing to do with what you need to keep in mind. You should just make sure that your pace is consistent throughout your workout session. You wouldn’t want to walk slowly and then suddenly sprint when you’re trying to work up a sweat. That would only result in you being winded half way through your workout. Instead, you should aim to maintain a constant pace for the whole duration of your workout session.

Inclines

People often use treadmills purely to help them lose weight. However, they can also be used to improve muscle tone and endurance levels. As such, you should make sure that you add some inclines to your treadmill routine. You should also try to vary the incline levels depending on how long you intend to work out. A flat surface won’t provide much of a challenge for you, which means you’ll struggle to see results fast enough.

It is best to opt for an inclined surface where you can raise your heart rate so that you can work out harder. This will help you burn more calories during your workout sessions and increase your calorie burning capacity.

Resistance Levels

If you’ve ever spent time researching treadmills online, then you will know that there are different types of resistance settings that are offered. You need to make sure that you select a machine that offers a variety of resistance settings so that you can keep challenging yourself. You should also make sure that you stick within a specific range of resistance levels throughout each session. Having a wide range of resistance levels can really tire you out after a short amount of time.

Most treadmills these days feature adjustable resistance levels. These include a manual option where you can change the resistance by pressing a button or an automatic function where you can let the machine itself adjust the level of resistance automatically. You should be able to easily find a model that allows you to adjust the resistance automatically so that you can focus on working out instead of worrying about the treadmill settings. You can find these models on Amazon or anywhere else that sells treadmills online.

Other Features

While there are plenty of reasons why you should buy a treadmill, there are also plenty of other reasons why you shouldn’t. You should make sure that you look at the other features that the treadmill comes packed with. Some of the main features that you might want to consider include

  • Speakers – Many treadmills come with speakers that will play music or podcasts while you exercise. You can turn the volume up or down to match your preferences.
  • A screen – The screen on a treadmill is another important feature that you should pay attention to. You can check the weather forecast or the news headlines on your treadmill screen. This can come in handy when you need something interesting to watch while you work out.
  • An LCD monitor – The display on your treadmill is essential if you want to track your progress. You can count the number of calories that you have burned and the distance that you have covered. This information can help motivate you to keep exercising.
  • Built-in GPS – Many modern treadmills come with built-in GPS systems. You can use these to log your workouts and keep track of your daily activity. You can also use them to record your runs and races, which could prove useful for future reference.
  • Bluetooth capabilities – You may want to connect your mobile phone with the treadmill to play music while you work out. Bluetooth technology makes this possible.
  • Voice controls – Voice commands allow you to speak to your treadmill, telling it to start or stop recording your data. This can save you a lot of time and effort.
  • Waterproof design – Many treadmills come with a waterproof design. This means that you can safely use the treadmill outside. You can even use it in the rain.
  • Automatic tilt – Automatic tilting treadmills allow you to adjust the angle of your treadmill according to your body size. They do this to prevent you from getting sore muscles from lying on a fixed position.
  • Adjustable seat height – Adjustable seats allow you to move the seat closer or farther away from the ground. This makes it easier to stand or sit on the machine comfortably.
  • Weight belt – Weight belts help you balance and stabilize your body while you work out on the treadmill. This helps you avoid any falling off from the machine.
  • Adjustable handles – Handles allow you to adjust the height of the handles to accommodate your hand grip sizes.
  • Hand grips – Hand grips allow you to hold onto the handlebars of the treadmill to steady yourself on the machine.
  • Footrests – Foot rests allow you to place your feet on the footrests while you work out. This prevents you from slipping at any point during your workout.
  • Ergonomic design – Ergonomic designs improve your posture while you work out. This can reduce back pain caused by poor postural alignment.
  • Lift system – Some treadmills have lift systems. This gives you the ability to raise the deck portion of the treadmill to make room for taller individuals.
  • Stability belts – Stability belts help to keep you stable on the treadmill. This can prevent you from falling off the treadmill.
  • Suspension unit – Suspension units reduce vibration effects on your body. This can help to relieve stress and fatigue on your joints.
  • Trip sensors – Trip sensors can alert the user if there is any obstruction while they are using the treadmill. This ensures that accidents aren’t possible.
  • Power supply – Power supplies ensure that your treadmill remains operational no matter what. Without power, the treadmill will stop functioning.

These are just some of the features and functions that you should look for in the best treadmill. Make sure that you check out our article on the best electric treadmill for more info.

If you want to gather more information regarding treadmills then you can also visit any of this page that are available on the internet. After reading this article you can get a basic knowledge regarding it and that will help you a lot in gaining your knowledge regarding gym, workout and its supplements. So take care of it that you are reading everything in detail.

About Allen

Allen Grey is the founder of scrambl3.com. He is also a blogger, editor, content manager and the website coordinator of scramble.com. Allen loves to play football on his free time.
Read All Posts By Allen