Buying a Folding Treadmill

You can save money and time by exercising at home using a folding treadmill. However, before you start shopping decide the goals you want to achieve and then find a treadmill that matches.

Sydney Bueckert (NASM-CPT) tells SELF: "Measure the area where you plan to store and use the machine, and give preference to machines with the longest guarantee."

Deck Size

A treadmill that folds up is a good option for a variety of fitness enthusiasts. It doesn't matter if you're an experienced athlete looking to add an additional mile or hometreadmills two of your runs or a newbie who wants to get in some cardio in a work meeting or after dinner, a folding treadmill can help you fit in those much-needed workouts. And with the American Heart Association recommending at minimum 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week, it's difficult to oppose a treadmill that lets you hop on for your daily workout.

While older UREVO Foldable Treadmill: 2.25HP 12 HIIT Modes treadmills were often regarded as low quality the latest models are more competitive than ever before. The latest folding treadmills offer the same features and functionality as non-folding alternatives. When you are choosing a treadmill that folds the dimension of the deck is important. You'll want the deck to be wide and long enough to let you take full strides when running. Ideally, a deck with a length of 55 inches and 20 inches wide will give enough space for even the tallest runners to feel comfortable.

The capacity to carry weight is also vital. If you plan to use your treadmill for running ensure that it can support both your weight and hometreadmills any extra gear, such as shoes. A high-quality treadmill that folds must be able to support at 300 pounds or more.

It's also important to check that your folding treadmill is easy to fold. Some treadmills that fold have a "fold on pin" design which raises the console mast over the running surface when the treadmill isn't in use. Others have hydraulics that help you fold the deck quickly and easily.

Once you've found the perfect folding treadmill, it's time to get started working out! The built-in performance monitor displays information such as speed, distance, heartrate and calories burned. You can also connect your phone to the treadmill so that you can listen to music while exercising or watch a movie. You can also take part in a virtual race against family members or friends via the Facebook and Twitter apps. If you want to step up your game, try one of 15 pre-loaded workouts that can be adjusted in speed and incline.

Incline Capabilities

Inclination settings boost the intensity of your workout and target various muscle groups. For instance, walking at an incline of just a little targets your glutes and calves, and strengthens your lower back muscles, while running on an incline burns more calories than running flat. Being able to alter the incline of your workout can add variety to your workout making it more interesting and preventing boredom.

When choosing a treadmill that has an inclined slope, keep in mind that the steeper the slope, the more difficult it will be for beginners. It is important to start with a low slope and gradually work your way upwards as you become comfortable with your treadmill routine. By reducing the impact on your joints, incorporating an incline can help avoid injury.

You'll need to think about the deck size, motor horsepower, and incline capability of the treadmill. If you're planning to power walk along with occasional jogs, then an exercise compact treadmill with incline with a motor that's 2.0-2.5 chp will probably suffice. If you're an avid runner, then you'll want to choose a model with a stronger 2.5 chp or more motor.

Take note of whether the slope settings on your treadmill are adjusted by hand or automatically. This can affect the experience you get from the treadmill since the controls on certain models require pressing the button to alter the incline of the deck, while other models offer an automatic incline setting which can go as high as 10 percent gradient.

It is also important to ensure that the incline feature is able to be folded and unfolded easily. This is crucial if you are buying an incline treadmill that folds up and you have small storage space at your home or office. Certain treadmills can be a pain to fold and unfold and require more than one person and frequently requiring someone to hold them up while you do it. Luckily, many of our picks have an automated folding mechanism that makes the process easy and quick which will save your time and stress when you need to store your new treadmill.

Speed Capabilities

The top folding treadmills have speeds of up to 12 mph. This is fast enough for the majority of runners. If you're not an experienced runner, or you tend to walk most of your workout, look for a model with speeds that are lower than to around 8 mph. If you're planning to use your treadmill for Peloton classes or running Zwift you should choose a treadmill that connects to your device so you can keep on top of your training. We also like models with thumb dials mounted chest-high on the hand grips that allow you to make huge leaps in speed or incline--it's more fluid than trying to hit buttons on a console.

Another feature to be aware of is whether the treadmill has built-in safety features, such as an emergency stop clip that shuts down the treadmill if you slip or fall. These features are crucial for safety and to prevent damage to motors and belts. We suggest that you look into this feature prior to purchasing one of our picks.

When shopping for a treadmill, be aware of the capacity of the treadmill's weight. The higher-end folding treadmills tend to be stronger and have a higher capacity for weight that will prevent them from warping over time. If you're worried about the longevity of a particular model, check out the warranty and testimonials from previous customers to determine how it has held up over time.

Remember that the majority of treadmills don't get frequently used and that models that fold might experience more wear and tear than their non-folding counterparts. Mody states that this could lead to problems in the future because it puts more stress on the hinge. That's why we advise choosing a treadmill from a legacy fitness brand with long-standing history of manufacturing high-quality equipment.

The latest models are catching up to older models that were associated with fewer features. Many of them come with similar features and capabilities to the ones found on higher-end treadmills.

Additional Features

As with all things, the old saying "you get what you pay for" applies when it comes to folding treadmills. Treadmills which fold require more components and materials than treadmills that don't fold that include heavy tubing made of metal and safety features like gas shocks. These costs can add to the price but make the treadmill more durable and stable.

As a top trainer and fitness journalist, Christine Luff has a keen eye for products of high-quality which can improve performance. While she prefers to run outside, she loves to incorporate treadmill incline exercises into her fitness routine. Whether you're looking to increase your heart rate or recreate the experience of running on pavement, an incline could make a huge difference to your treadmill workout.

Luff recommends choosing a foldable treadmill with a frame and motor that are durable enough to support the weight of your body, and an expansive workout deck equipped with speakers that blast your favorite music. She also recommends looking over the warranty to prioritize those that have a longer-term warranty especially for crucial components such as the frame and motor.

The JRNY model from Bowflex was the standout in our testing of treadmills that fold for its commercial quality and easy design. The machine is quiet so it can be used in a shared space without disturbing or distracting anyone else. It's simple to switch between different user profiles with a press of one button. It also includes 26 integrated programs and coaching via the JRNY app, and a handy cooling fan that is precisely the right place.

Another option worth considering is the TF50 from Matrix. It is constructed with a fold-on basis (FOB) which makes it easy to fold or unfold when not in use and also gives it more stability. Its built-in speakers play your favorite workout music and it can connect to third-party applications to provide virtual training. It does not have an incline and the small fan may not be adequate to keep users cool during a sweaty exercise.