How to Choose the Best Treadmill For Your Fitness Goals
Anyone who wants to run at the comfort of their own home can find a treadmill to be a excellent investment. When buying a treadmill, you must consider your running goals and budget, as well as the frequency of use.
The sleek treadmill is stylish and folds flat. It can be easily hidden under the bed or leaning against a wall. It includes a free 30-day trial of iFIT which gives access to expert coaches and workouts.
1. Speed
The ideal treadmill speed for walking, jogging and running depends on your fitness level and your goals. You'll want to increase your speed gradually, and the treadmill is a great method to achieve this. When you are running too fast on a treadmill can cause you to burnout quickly and could result in injury. If you're a beginner to running, start by jogging slowly and gradually increase your speed.
The speed of treadmills can be measured in miles per hours while normal running speeds can be measured in minutes per mile. Try to adjust your treadmill's speed to match the minutes per mile read on a chart to ensure you're running at the right speed. You can improve your running technique by adding a couple of 10ths to the speed of your treadmill.
For beginners, it is recommended to start with a walk on the treadmill. They should gradually work up to jogging, which is typically about three miles per hour. This is a good pace for walking that does not put stress on the knees, back or legs. Jogging requires more leg strength and endurance than walking. You can reach the speed of six mph and higher on the treadmill, depending on your height and stride length.
A suitable treadmill for running should be able to run at a speed of up to 15 mph and an inclined of 15%. It should include a USB charging port and an inbuilt USB fan. It must be quiet enough to be used indoors. It is recommended to select an exercise machine with a sturdy frame that can support up to 400 lbs. It should also be simple to fold and move around, so it is suitable for use at home.
A quality treadmill will come with many extras such as tablets, a tablet holder USB charging port, and a variable incline. It should also have a big deck to accommodate runners of all sizes. It should be simple for you to set up and use. There should also be a safety cord that stops the treadmill from moving in the event of an obstacle or when it is pulled forward.
2. Incline
If you're looking to take your exercise routine to the next level and get your workouts to the next level, a treadmill that has an adjustable incline is necessary. Intensifying the incline of your run or walk is an excellent method to burn more calories and build muscle. It also increases the amount of oxygen you're getting, which helps to increase your endurance in the cardiovascular department.
It's important to remember that adding an incline can be a huge jump in intensity, so it's recommended to begin small and work towards increasing. A good treadmill for incline should be easy to adjust and offer a sufficient range that you can change the direction of your run or walk as needed. No matter what your fitness level, it is recommended to start at an incline that is low, between 1 - 2% to allow your body to adjust to the increased calorie-burning and building muscle.
Walking on a slight slope on the treadmill can increase your calorie-burn by up to 17 percent compared to walking on a flat ground. This is particularly beneficial if you are trying to lose weight or decrease your body fat percentage. Ideally, you should warm up for about a minute before you start increasing the incline of your exercise. Walking at a 1% angle is a great workout to help your body burn more calories and improve your posture.
You can also increase the slope to get an intense workout, such a interval training or the tempo treadmill workouts run. The incline increases the heart rate, which forces your muscles to work more. This will result in more calories being burned. But, be certain to check your RPE frequently throughout the workout to ensure that you're not putting yourself over the edge.
A treadmill with an incline that is higher can make you feel as if you're hiking or climbing a hill outdoors. To avoid injuries and ensure safety it is essential to make sure that the treadmill's incline is properly set up. If you're not sure how to go about this, a personal trainer can help you make sure that you're setting up your treadmill properly before engaging in an inclines workout.
3. Workouts
The most effective treadmill workouts are varied and provide a variety of challenges. They let you burn calories while strengthening muscles across your body. For instance running on a steep incline increases the strength of the calves and glutes. This will help you maintain and build a lean, strong leg structure that is vital for a healthy weight loss. Also, treadmill training works the back, shoulder and arm muscles when you use weights while exercising.
Treadmills enable you to exercise more efficiently than outside. A faster pace can lessen the strain on your lower back and knees. The treadmill lets you gradually increase your pace as you get stronger and fitter. This will help prevent injuries and speed up recovery time.
Many treadmills have built-in workout programs and apps that will guide you through various exercises. You can follow along and workout at the same pace, or try something new under the guidance of an expert. Many treadmills track your progress so you can see how far you've come and how many calories you've burned.
In addition to treadmill workouts There are a variety of free online resources that can motivate you and help you achieve your fitness goals. For example the Peloton app has thousands of running workouts and you can choose a session that's right for your level of fitness.
When you are buying a treadmill it is important to take into consideration physical factors such as belt size and horsepower, as well as incline variability. Compare features like a touchscreen, Bluetooth compatibility and easy-to adjust buttons. Personal trainer and life coach Kollins Ezekh recommends looking for an exercise machine that can aid you in dealing with tough roads, as well being able to perform a variety of workouts that target different muscles groups.
If you're on a tight budget you can still benefit from a treadmill by buying the best cheap treadmill. The Horizon EZ-Pro treadmill is affordable however it offers plenty of functionality. It has a quick-dial that lets you easily change the speed or the incline. It's also lightweight and folds down flat so you can easily put it under your bed or lean it against the wall.
4. Safety
Despite their many benefits treadmills can be dangerous if used improperly. Some of the dangers include falling off and getting injured by overheating, tripping and falling. Before beginning an exercise program treadmill users frequently should talk about safety concerns. It's also important to take into consideration the other people who will use the treadmill. If pets or children may be able to use the treadmill, it must be put in a different room that is out of their reach. The same applies to guests or roommates who don't know how to use it.
It's important that you start slow on a treadmill, then increase the speed and incline gradually. This way you can avoid injury to muscles and joints and avoid overworking them. Make sure you remove the safety key from the machine after you've finished using it. The key is designed to stopping the belt on the treadmill in the event that you lose your balance or fall off.
A good treadmill will have solid frames that can support your weight without bending or warping. It should be easy to read, and have a screen that shows your heart rate and other information. It should be quiet enough to allow you to listen to music while exercising or watch TV.
Some of the top treadmills allow you to simulate terrains that are hilly outdoors, allowing you to prepare for an uphill race. You'll want to look for an item with a maximum slope that is able to match the incline of hills that are in your local area. You can also connect your mobile to the built in speakers on top treadmills to listen to your favorite music while you run.
Before purchasing a treadmill, make sure to review the safety guidelines provided by the manufacturer and consult your physician regarding whether or not treadmills are healthy for you. It is also recommended to select one that is easy to fold and take away when you are done using it.