How to Choose the Best Treadmill For Your Fitness Goals
Anyone who wants to run in the comfort of their own home will find a treadmill to be a great investment. When buying a treadmill, you should think about your running goals and budget, as well as the frequency of use.
The treadmill is sleek and folds flat. It can be easily hidden under the bed, or leaning against the wall. It comes with a free 30 day trial of iFIT that gives you access to professional coaches and workouts.
1. Speed up
The best treadmill speed for walking, jogging and running depends on your fitness level and goals. You'll want to increase your speed slowly and the treadmill is a great way to do this. You should never run too fast on a treadmill as this will cause you to burn out quickly and could also lead to injuries. If you're a beginner to running, start with a slow jog and gradually increase the speed.
The treadmill's speed can be measured in miles per hours while normal running speeds can be measured in minutes per mile. Try to adjust the speed of your treadmill to match the minutes per mile reading on a chart to ensure you're running at the right pace. Adding one or two tenths of a mile-per-hour to the treadmill is a good way to tweak your pace and improve your running technique.
Beginning users can begin with a walk on the treadmill, then gradually increase it to jogging. This is typically around three miles per hour. This is a moderate pace to walk and does not cause too much strain on the back, legs and knees. Jogging requires more leg strength and endurance than walking. You can reach an average speed of six mph and above on the treadmill, depending on your height and stride length.
A good treadmill should have an maximum speed of 15 mph, and an incline up to 15%. It should include an USB charging port as well as an inbuilt USB fan. It must also be quiet enough to be suitable for indoor use. It is best to select an exercise machine with a sturdy frame that can hold up to 400lbs. It should also be simple to fold and wheel around, making it suitable for use at home.
A great treadmill for running will include a variety of additional features including an adjustable tilt, a tablet holder and a USB charging port. It must also have a large running deck and be able to accomodate runners of all sizes. It should be easy to set up and use. It should also have an emergency cord that stops the treadmill from moving in the event of a roadblock or when it is pulled forward.
2. Incline
If you are looking to take your fitness to the next level you need a treadmill that has an adjustable incline is necessary. You can lose more calories by increasing the incline whenever you run or walk. It also boosts your oxygen consumption, which improves your endurance for cardiovascular exercise.
Remember that adding an incline is a huge step up in intensity. It is best to start slowly and gradually increase. It's important that the treadmill you choose to use can be adjusted easily, and has a wide enough range that you are capable of changing the angle when needed. It is recommended to start with a lower gradient between 1 and 2%, regardless of your fitness level. This will allow your body time to adapt to a greater muscle build-up and burning calories.
Walking at a slight incline on the treadmill can increase your calorie burn by as much as 17 percent compared to walking on flat ground. This is especially beneficial for those who are trying to lose weight and reduce the body fat percentage overall. Warm up for at least one minute before increasing the incline. Walking at an angle of 1% is a great exercise to prepare your body to increase your metabolism and improve your posture.
You can also increase the slope for a more intense treadmills small workout, such a interval training or tempo run. The incline can help increase your heart rate and force your muscles to be more active which leads to more calories burning. It is important to monitor your RPE throughout the exercise to ensure that you aren't overexerting yourself.
Another benefit of a treadmill that has an incline that is steeper is that it will make your workout feel more like the experience of hiking or climbing uphill outdoors. However, you'll need ensure that the incline on your treadmill is set properly for safety and to avoid injuries. If you are unsure of how to set it up you can consult a personal trainer to assist you set your treadmill before you use it for an training session on incline.
3. Exercise
The best treadmill workouts are varied and provide a variety of challenges. They allow you to burn calories while toning muscles across your body. Running up a slope that is steep for instance, can strengthen the muscles in the calves and glutes. This can help you build and maintain a strong and lean leg, which is vital to a healthy weight loss. Holding weights while exercising on the treadmill can engage your back, shoulders and arms.
Treadmills enable you to 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 speed as you become stronger and fitter. This can help prevent injury and speed recovery time.
Many treadmills come with workout programs and apps that can guide you through a variety of exercises. You can follow your own pace or take on a new challenge with the help of an expert. Many treadmills monitor your progress, so you can track where you've been and how many calories you burned.
In addition to treadmill workouts, there are also lots of free online resources that can inspire you and help you reach your fitness goals. For instance, the Peloton app includes thousands of running exercises, so you can find a session that's right for your level of fitness.
When purchasing a treadmill, it's crucial to think about physical factors such as belt size and horsepower and also incline variation. It's recommended to compare treadmill features such as touchscreen, Bluetooth compatibility, and buttons that are easy to adjust. Personal trainer 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 reap the benefits of a quality treadmill if you have the funds to purchase. The Horizon EZ-Pro is inexpensive but still has plenty of features with a quick-dial knob which allows you to quickly increase the speed or increase the incline. It's also portable and folds flat so that you can easily store it under your bed or lean it against the wall.
4. Safety
Treadmills, despite their numerous benefits are dangerous if they are used incorrectly. There are risks associated with being injured or falling off by overheating, tripping and slipping. Those who use treadmills frequently should discuss the safety issues with their doctor prior to starting an exercise program. It is also important to think about other people who may use the treadmill. If you are concerned that pets or children could access the treadmill, then it is recommended to put it in a place that is out of reach. The same applies to roommates or guests who don't know how to use it.
When using a treadmill it is important to begin slowly and gradually increase the speed and incline settings. This way you can avoid injuries to joints and muscles and prevent overworking them. Be sure to remove the key to protect yourself from injury after you've finished using it. The key is designed for stopping the belt from moving on the treadmill in the event you lose your balance or fall off.
A good treadmill should have a strong frame that can support your weight and not bend or twist. It should also be easy to read with an attractive display that shows your heart rate and other information. A good treadmill will also be quiet enough to let you listen to music or watch television while you exercise.
Some of the top treadmills let you simulate terrains that are hilly outdoors so you can prepare for an uphill event or race. You'll need to choose the treadmill with the highest incline that can match the incline of hills in your local area. You can also connect your phone to the built in speakers on top treadmills to play your favorite music while you run.
Consult your physician before you buy a treadmill. It is also a good idea to purchase an item that is easy to fold away and be wheeled away when you're done with it.