A treadmill for home use can be an excellent investment in your health and wellbeing, allowing for exercise even on the busiest days. If you cannot get to the gym, can’t get outside, or want to exercise on your own terms, treadmills are appealing.
If you’re used to gym treadmills, you may be shocked to see the price of home treadmills and what you get for your dollars. Investing in the right treadmill for home use maximizes your budget so that you get a machine well suited for regular use without breaking the bank.
The first of the primary considerations when choosing a budget treadmill for home use is your budget. While that might be the most significant factor, you should also consider who will use it, how, and how much space you have.
Here we’ll look at these elements more closely.
What Space is Available for a Treadmill for Home Use?
Once you get that treadmill into your home, you might be surprised at how much space it takes! It is better to buy the right treadmill the first time to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Be sure to measure your space and tape out the space where you intend to place the treadmill.
When measuring the space for the treadmill, you should not just look at the dimensions of the treadmill itself. You would also want to make sure there is enough space surrounding the treadmill to operate it safely.
If you are only going to be walking on your treadmill, you can get away with getting a shorter length treadmill. However, if you are planning to be running, then plan on getting a longer length treadmill. You want to make sure there is enough space for you to run comfortable without worrying about falling off the back edge of the treadmill.
Folding Treadmills
If you cannot find a treadmill that suits the size you have available, you might think about a folding treadmill. However, keep in mind that the folding treadmill models are generally thought to be less durable.
Just because you have a folding treadmill, it also doesn’t necessarily mean you can buy a large treadmill when you don’t have the space to operate it. The folding option is for the convenience and storage when you are not using the treadmill. However, when you want to use the treadmill, the deck will still need to be down and you still need enough space to operate it safely.
If you plan on getting a folding model, be sure to also test the folding mechanism. If you find that folding and unfolding the device is awkward or the machine is too heavy, you are less likely to use it. The key to a good treadmill for home use is its convenience, so choose any folding models with this in mind.
Who Will Use the Home Treadmill and How?
The more people who use your home treadmill, the higher quality it should be. It also needs to hold up to the way you will use the treadmill. If you intend to do a lot of running or have multiple runners in the house, a higher-powered continuous-duty horsepower (CHP) treadmill is ideal.
The minimum CHP you should look for is 1.5. A higher-rated 2.5 to 3.0 CHP motor is best for frequent running. The more weight the treadmill is holding, the higher that power should be as well. When considering weight, also look for the maximum weight rating on the treadmill.
The belt should be at least 18” wide, with the length increasing for running versus walking. Your height matters too. Anyone over six feet tall requires a longer belt. The minimum for running is 48” for shorter people and 52” for those who are taller.
What Features Do You Want in a Home Treadmill?
Maybe your home machine can’t match every fancy feature a gym treadmill boasts, but home treadmills offer a few bonuses.
For example, some come with workout programs included in the controls so you can easily follow a plan. Others provide a heart monitor, so you can see how hard your body is working and better understand your exercise’s impact.
Today’s modern treadmills for home use can connect to apps and websites to help you track and share your workout. If you already have a fitness watch or monitor, or are looking at buying one, make sure your equipment is compatible.
Finally, you will want to think about the way you run or walk. Do you want both incline and decline functions on your home treadmill? Being able to control the treadmill in both directions better simulates uphill and downhill walking or running.
One feature that is perhaps not as fun or interesting as those already mentioned, but still important to many, is the warranty. Ideally, you should find a home treadmill with some kind of warranty in case there is an issue or problem with it. Nobody wants to spend a lot of money on workout equipment, only to be left with a broken machine and no way to fix it.
The Cost of a Treadmill for Home Use
The goal of buying a budget treadmill for home use is to get the highest quality treadmill you can afford. Typically, the higher the price, the more you will get in terms of power and features. Expect to spend at least $1000 for a decent home treadmill that will last.
Of course, if you can find a home treadmill on sale, you will stretch those budget dollars that much further. There are a lot of cheap home treadmills for sale if you know where to look. If you can keep an eye out for a good deal, you can get a treadmill that is perfect for you at a great price.
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