How to Choose the Best Treadmill For Your Fitness Goals
Anyone who wishes to run at the comfort of their own home can find a treadmill to be a excellent investment. When you are looking for a new machine, consider your running goals (and budget), as well as how often you will use the treadmill.
The treadmill is sleek and folds flat. It can be easily tucked under the bed, or leaning against the wall. It comes with a 30 day trial for free of iFIT which gives you access to expert coaches, workouts, and much more.
1. Speed up
The ideal treadmill speed for walking, jogging and running will depend on your fitness level and goals. The treadmill is a great method to gradually increase your speed. Running too fast on a machine can cause you to exhaust yourself very quickly, and even lead to injury. If you're new to running, start by jogging slowly and gradually increase your speed.
Treadmill speeds 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 be in line with the minutes per mile reading on a chart to ensure that 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.
Beginners should start off with a walking pace on the treadmill, and then gradually increase the pace to running, which is usually around 3 mph. This is a good pace for walking that does not strain the back, knees or legs. Jogging requires more strength and endurance for the legs than walking. On the treadmill, you can reach the speed of six miles per hour or more, depending on your height.
A good treadmill should have an maximum speed of 15 mph and an incline of up to 15%. It should include an USB charging port as well as an integrated USB fan. It should also be quiet enough to be used indoors. It is best to select an exercise machine with a sturdy frame that can hold up to 400lbs. It should be simple to fold up and move around to be used at home.
A great treadmill for running should include a variety of additional features including an adjustable inclined surface, a tablet stand and an USB charging port. It should have a large deck that can accommodate runners of all sizes. It should be easy to install and use and should come with a safety cord to stop the treadmill from moving if you are pulled forward or struck by an obstacle.
2. Incline
If you're seeking to take your workout to the next level, a treadmill that has an adjustable incline is essential. Increasing the speed of your walk or run is an excellent way to burn calories and build muscles. It also increases the amount of oxygen you're getting which can help improve your endurance for cardiovascular exercise.
It is important to keep in mind that adding an incline can be a big jump in intensity, so it's recommended to start small and gradually work your way up. A good treadmill for incline can be adjusted easily and offer a sufficient range that you can alter the angle of your run or walk as needed. Regardless of your fitness level, it's recommended that you start with the lowest incline of 1 - 2% to allow your body to adjust to the increased calorie-burning and building muscle.
A slight incline can increase your calorie burn by as much as 17 percent when as compared to walking on flat ground. This is particularly beneficial when you're trying to shed weight and reduce your overall body fat percentage. Warm up for at least 1 minute before increasing the incline. Walking on a 1% incline is a great method of getting your body in shape to burn calories while improving your posture and balance.
You can also try increasing your incline to a more intense exercise such as interval training or tempo runs. The incline will increase the heart rate, which forces your muscles to work harder. This results in more calories being burned. But, be certain to check your RPE regularly throughout the workout to ensure that you're not putting yourself over the edge.
A treadmill that has an angle that is steeper can make you feel like you're walking or climbing a hill outdoors. However, you'll need to make sure that the incline of your treadmill is set properly for safety and to avoid injury. If you're unsure how to accomplish this, you can ask a personal trainer to help you set your treadmill before you use it to do an incline workout.
3. Workouts
The best treadmill workouts are varied and provide a variety of challenges. They let you burn calories while strengthening muscle groups throughout your body. Running up a slope that is steep, for example, strengthens the muscles in the calves and glutes. This can aid in maintaining and building a lean, strong leg structure that is essential for a healthy weight loss. Also, treadmill training works the shoulder, back and arm muscles, especially if you hold weights while working out.
Treadmills also let you work out more efficiently than running outside. For instance running at a higher rate can ease the stress on your knees and lower back. The treadmill allows you to gradually increase your pace as you grow stronger and fitter, which can prevent injury and speed up recovery time.
Many treadmills come with workout programs and apps that can guide you through a variety of exercises. You can follow along and exercise at the same pace or attempt a new challenge with the help of an expert. A lot of treadmills also keep track of your progress so that you can see how far you've travelled and how many calories you've burned.
In addition to treadmill exercises, there are also lots of online resources for free that can motivate you and help you reach your fitness goals. For example, the Peloton app includes hundreds of running workouts and you can choose the right workout for your ability level.
When you are buying a treadmill it's crucial to think about physical factors like belt size and horsepower and also incline variation. It's also a good idea to look at the features of a treadmill such as touchscreen, Bluetooth compatibility, and easy-to-adjust buttons. Kollins Ezekh, a personal trainer and life coach suggests that you choose a treadmill with various exercises that target various muscles.
You can still enjoy 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 with a quick-dial knob which allows you to quickly pick up the pace or increase the incline. It's also portable and folds flat, so you can store it under your mattress or lean it against the wall.
4. Safety
Despite their many useful features treadmills can be dangerous when used incorrectly. The most common risks are being injured or falling off as well as overheating or sliding. Before starting an exercise routine treadmill users regularly should discuss safety concerns. It is also important to think about other people who could be using the machine. If children or pets may be able to use the treadmill, it ought to be placed in a separate room that isn't within their reach. The same goes for roommates and unsuspecting guests who may not know how to operate it.
When using a treadmill, it is important to begin slowly and gradually increase the speed and incline setting. This will help you avoid injuries to joints and muscles and prevent overworking them. Remember to disconnect the safety lock and remove it from the machine when you are done using it. The key is designed to stopping the belt on the treadmill in the event you lose your balance or fall off.
A good treadmill should have a strong frame that will be able to support your weight and not bend or warp. It will also be easy to read due to an attractive display that shows your heart rate, as well as other information. It is quiet enough for you to listen to music while exercising or watching television.
The best treadmills allow you to simulate terrains with hills so you can train for an uphill race or any other event. You'll need to choose the treadmill with the highest slope that is able to match the incline of hills in your area. The best treadmills allow you to connect your phone to the built-in speakers so you can listen to your preferred music while you run.
Consult your physician prior to you purchase a treadmill. It is also recommended to select a treadmill that can be folded easily and wheel away once you're done using it.