How to Choose the Best Treadmill For Your Fitness Goals
A treadmill is a solid investment for anyone looking to run in the convenience of their own home. When shopping for a new treadmill be sure to consider your goals for running (and budget), as well as the frequency you intend to use the treadmill.
This smart treadmill has a sleek design and folds flat, making it easy to store under a bed or lean against a wall. It includes a free 30-day trial of iFIT that gives you access to professional coaches as well as workouts.
1. Accelerate
The ideal treadmill speed for walking, jogging and running will depend on your fitness level and your goals. The treadmill is an excellent way to gradually increase your speed. Running too fast on a machine could cause you to get burned out quickly, and may lead to injury. If you are new to running, start off with a low jogging speed and then gradually increase your speed.
Treadmill speeds are measured in miles per hour. Likewise, normal running speeds are measured in minutes per mile. Try to adjust the speed of your treadmill to match the minutes per mile read on a chart to make sure that you're running at the correct pace. By adding one or two tenths of a mile per hour to the treadmill is an excellent way to tweak your pace and improve your running technique.
Beginners can start by walking on the treadmill, then gradually increase it to jogging. This is usually approximately three miles per hour. This is a great pace for walking that does not stress the knees, back or legs. Jogging requires more leg strength and endurance than walking. You can reach a jogging speed of around six mph or more on the treadmill, based on your height and stride length.
A good treadmill should have a maximum speed of 15 mph, and an incline of up to 15 percent. It should also have a USB charging port as well as an integrated USB fan. It should be quiet enough to be suitable for indoor use. It is recommended to select the treadmill with an extremely sturdy frame that is able to withstand upto 400 pounds in weight. It should be simple to fold up and move around so that it can be used at home.
A quality treadmill will come with numerous extras like tablets, a tablet holder USB charging port, and adjustable incline. It must also have a large running deck and be capable of accommodating runners of all sizes. It should be simple to set up and use. There should also be an emergency 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 workout to the next level, a treadmill that has an adjustable incline feature is essential. Increasing the incline of your run or walk is a great method to burn more calories and build muscles. It also increases your oxygen consumption, which improves your endurance for cardiovascular exercise.
It's important to keep in mind that adding an incline could be a significant increase in intensity, so it's recommended to start small and work your way up. A good treadmill for incline is one that is easy to adjust and have a large enough range to allow you to alter the direction of your run or walk according to your needs. Whatever your fitness level, it is recommended that you begin at a low incline of 1 to 2% to allow your body to adapt to the increased calorie-burning and the building of muscles.
A slight slope can boost your calorie burn by up to 17 percent when compared to walking across a flat ground. This is particularly useful if you're trying to shed weight or reduce your body fat percentage. Ideally, you should warm up for about a minute before you start increasing the slope of your workout. Walking at an angle of 1% is a great workout to prepare your body to increase your metabolism and improve your posture.
You can also increase your slope for a more intense workout, such a interval training or tempo runs. The incline can help increase your heart rate and cause your muscles to work harder, which will lead to more calorie-burning. However, you should be certain to monitor your RPE frequently throughout your workout to ensure that you're not putting yourself over the edge.
Another benefit of a treadmill that has a steeper incline is that it makes your workout feel more like the experience of walking or climbing uphill in the outdoors. But, you must make sure that the incline of your treadmill is set up properly to avoid injury. If you're unsure how to do this then you can seek out a personal trainer to help you set up your treadmill prior to attempting to use it to do an training session on incline.
3. Workouts
The best treadmill workouts are varied and offer different challenges. They allow you to burn calories while toning muscles across your body. For instance, running up a steep slope strengthens the muscles of the calves and glutes. This can aid in maintaining and building a lean, strong leg structure, which is crucial to a healthy weight loss. Additionally, treadmill training engages the shoulder, back and arm muscles when you hold weights while exercising.
Treadmills also let you exercise more efficiently than outdoors. For instance, running at a faster pace can lessen the strain on your knees and lower back. The treadmill lets you gradually increase your cadence as you become stronger and fitter. This will help prevent injuries and speed up recovery.
Many treadmills come with workout programs and apps that guide you through different exercises. You can follow along and workout at the same speed or attempt an entirely new exercise with the guidance of an expert. Many treadmills track your progress, so you can track where you've been and how many calories have been consumed.
In addition to treadmill exercises, there are also lots of online resources for free that can inspire you and help you reach your fitness goals. The Peloton app, for instance offers thousands of running workouts, so you can choose one that is appropriate for your level.
When buying a treadmill, it's important to consider physical factors such as the size of the belt and the horsepower, and also incline variation. It's also a good idea to look at the features of a treadmill like a touchscreen, Bluetooth compatibility, and easy-to-adjust buttons. Personal trainer home treadmills and life coach Kollins Ezekh recommends looking for a treadmill that can aid you in dealing with tough road conditions, as being able to perform a variety of workouts that target different muscles groups.
You can still get the benefits of a high-quality treadmill if you are on the funds to purchase. The Horizon EZ-Pro is inexpensive but it still provides plenty of functions and features a quick-dial dial that allows you to easily pick up the pace or add more inclined. It's also portable and folds 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 when used in a way that isn't properly. The most common risks are falling off and sustaining injuries, overheating or tripping and sliding. Before starting an exercise routine, those who use treadmills frequently should discuss safety concerns. Also, it's important to think about the other people who could use the machine. If you are concerned that pets or children might access the treadmill, then it is recommended to put it in a place that is away from reach. The same applies to roommates or guests who don't know how to use it.
It is essential to begin slowly on a treadmill and increase the speed and gradual incline. This will help you avoid injury to muscles and joints as well as avoid overworking them. Be sure to remove the safety key from the treadmill after you have finished using it. The key is designed to stop the belt from spinning on the treadmill in case you lose your balance and fall off of it.
A good treadmill should have solid frames that will be able to support your weight without warping or bending. It will be easy to read, with a screen that shows your heart rate and other details. It is quiet enough for you to listen to music while exercising or watch television.
Some of the top treadmills let you simulate terrains that are hilly outdoors, so you can prepare for an uphill race. You'll need the treadmill that has an incline maximum that matches the level of the hills in your area. You can also connect your smartphone to the built-in speakers on top treadmills to play your preferred music while you run.
Talk to your doctor before you buy a treadmill. It is also important to choose a treadmill that is easy to fold and wheel away once you're done using it.