How to Choose the Best Treadmill For Your Fitness Goals
A treadmill is an excellent purchase for anyone who wishes to run in the comfort of their own home. When purchasing a treadmill, you should think about your running goals and budget, as well as the frequency of use.
The treadmill features a sleek design and folds flat, making it easy to store under a bed or against a wall. It comes with a 30-day trial for free of iFIT that gives you access to professional coaches, workouts and more.
1. Speed up
The treadmill speed that is best for running, walking and jogging will depend on your fitness and goals. You want to increase your speed gradually and the treadmill is a great method of doing this. Running too fast on a machine can cause you to exhaust yourself very quickly, and even result in injury. If you're just beginning to learn about running, start with a slow jog and gradually increase your speed.
Treadmill speeds can be measured in terms of miles per hour and normal running speeds can be measured in minutes per mile. Try to adjust the speed of your treadmill to be in line with the minutes per mile measurement on a chart to ensure you're running at the right speed. You can improve your running performance by adding one or two 10ths to the speed of your treadmill.
Beginners should begin by walking on the treadmill, and then gradually increase the pace to jogging, which is typically around 3 mph. This is a comfortable pace to walk and does not put too much stress on the back, legs and knees. Jogging is a bit harder to perform than walking and will require more strength and endurance in the legs. You can achieve a jogging speed of around six mph or more on the treadmill, based on your height and stride length.
A quality treadmill should have the maximum speed of 15 mph, and an incline of up to 15 percent. It should also come with a built-in fan and USB charging port, and be quiet enough to use indoors. It is recommended to find an exercise machine that has an extremely sturdy frame that can support up to 400 pounds in weight. It should be simple to fold and move around so that it can be used at home.
A great treadmill will have many additional features, including a tablet holder, USB charging port, and a variable incline. It must also have a large running deck that is capable of accommodating runners of all sizes. It should be easy to set up and use, and it should also have a safety cord to stop the treadmill from moving in case you are pushed forward or thrown off by an obstacle.
2. Incline
If you're seeking to take your workout to the next level, a treadmill with an adjustable incline feature is a must. You can lose more calories by increasing the incline whenever you run or walk. It also boosts your oxygen intake, which improves your endurance for cardiovascular exercise.
It's important to keep in mind that adding an incline can be a big jump in intensity, so it's recommended to start small and work to increase the speed. It's important that the treadmill you choose to use can be adjusted easily, and has a sufficient range for you to be capable of changing the angle according to your needs. It is recommended to begin with a gradual slope between 1 and 2%, regardless of your fitness level. This will give your body to adjust to increased muscle building and burning calories.
Walking on a slight incline on the treadmill could increase your calorie-burn by up to 17 percent when compared to walking on a flat ground. This is particularly beneficial if you are trying to lose weight or decrease your body fat percentage. Warm up for at least one minute prior to increasing the incline. Walking at a 1% slope is the ideal method to get your body ready to burn off more calories while improving your posture and balance.
You could also increase your incline to a more intense running workout such as interval training or tempo runs. The incline will increase your heart rate, causing your muscles to work more. This will result in more calories being burned. It is important to monitor your RPE throughout the exercise to make sure that you aren't overexerting yourself.
Another benefit of a treadmill with an incline that is steeper is that it makes your workout experience more like being climbing uphill or hiking. But, you must make sure that the incline of your treadmill is set properly for safety and to avoid injuries. If you're not sure how to do this an expert trainer can help you make sure you're setting up your treadmill correctly before using it for an inclines exercise.
3. Workouts
The best treadmill workouts are varied and provide a variety of challenges. They let you burn calories while toning muscles throughout your body. For example, running on a steep incline will strengthen the muscles of the glutes and calves. This can help you to build and maintain a strong, lean leg structure, which is crucial to a healthy weight loss. Holding weights while exercising on the treadmill will challenge your shoulders, back, and arms.
Treadmills enable you to exercise more efficiently than outside. Running at a faster speed can lessen the strain on your lower back and knees. The treadmill allows you to gradually increase your cadence as you become stronger and fitter, which will help prevent injuries and speed up recovery time.
Many treadmills come with workout apps and programs that guide you through a variety of exercises. You can choose to follow along and exercise at the same pace or attempt an entirely new exercise with the guidance of a professional. A lot of treadmills also track your progress so you can see how far you've come, and how many calories you've consumed.
There are numerous online resources to aid you in reaching your fitness goals. For instance, the Peloton app has hundreds of running workouts and you can choose the right workout for your skill level.
When buying a treadmill you should consider physical factors such as the size of the belt, the horsepower, and incline. Compare features 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 a variety of workouts that target various muscle groups.
You can still enjoy the benefits of a quality treadmill if you have the funds to purchase. The Horizon EZ-Pro is inexpensive but still offers plenty of functionality with a quick-dial knob which allows you to quickly increase the speed or add more inclined. It's also portable and folds down flat, which means you can put it under your mattress or lean it against the wall.
4. Safety
Treadmills, despite having many benefits, can be risky if misused. There are risks associated with falling off and being injured, overheating, or tripping and slipping. Those who use treadmills frequently should discuss safety concerns with their physician before beginning an exercise program. It's also important to consider other people who might be using the treadmill. If pets or children may be able to access the treadmill, it should be placed in a separate room that is out of their reach. It's the same for roommates or guests who don't know how to use it.
When you are using a treadmill, it is important to begin slowly and gradually increase the speed and incline setting. You can avoid injuries to your muscles and joints by avoiding working them too hard. Remember to disconnect the safety lock and remove it from the treadmill after you have finished using it. The key is designed to stopping the belt from moving on the treadmill in the event that you lose your balance or fall off.
A quality treadmill must have a sturdy frame, which can support your weight without bending or twist. It will be simple to read, with a screen that shows your heart rate and other details. A quality treadmill will be quiet enough to let you listen to music or watch TV while exercising.
A few of the top treadmills let you simulate terrains with hills to help you prepare for an uphill race or any other event. You'll need to choose the treadmill with the highest gradient that matches the incline of hills that are in your area. The top treadmills allow you to connect your phone to the built-in speakers so you can listen to your preferred songs while running.
Consult your physician prior to you buy the treadmill. You should also choose one that is easy to fold and take away when you are done using it.