Buying a Folding Treadmill

You can cut costs and time by training at home with a folding treadmill. But before you go shopping decide your goals for exercise and choose a treadmill that matches.

“Be sure to take measurements of the area you plan to use and store the machine. You should prioritize those with more warranty,” Sydney Bueckert, NASM-CPT, informs SELF.

Deck Size

A treadmill that folds is a great choice for a number of exercisers. If you’re an avid athlete seeking to add an extra mile or two of your runs or a novice who’s looking to squeeze in some cardio in an office meeting or even after dinner, a folding treadmill will make it easier to incorporate those workouts that are so needed. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise. It’s hard to argue with a treadmill that lets you to jump on and enjoy your daily exercise.

Despite the fact that older models were often regarded as lower quality the latest models are more competitive than ever. The latest treadmills incline that fold offer the same features and functionality as non-folding options. When choosing a folding treadmill, the dimension of the deck is the most important. You’ll require a deck that is sufficient to allow full strides. A deck that is at 55 inches in length and 20 inch wide will give even the tallest runners enough room to run comfortably.

The weight capacity of a treadmill is also vital. If you intend to use your treadmill to run, you’ll need to ensure it can support your weight as well as any additional gear, like shoes. A high-quality folding treadmill must be able to support at 300 pounds or more.

It is also essential to ensure that your folding treadmill is easy to fold. Some treadmills that fold come with the “fold on pin” design which raises the console mast over the running surface when the treadmill is not in use. Some have hydraulics that enable you to fold the deck quickly and easily.

When you’ve found the perfect folding treadmill, it’s the time to start working out! You can track your progress on the built-in performance monitor that displays information such as speed distance, distance, heart rate, and calories burned. You can also pair your phone with the treadmill to listen to music or watch a video during your workouts. You can also participate in a virtual race against friends or family via the Facebook and Twitter apps. If you’re ready to improve your performance, you can try out one of the 15 workouts preloaded with a variety of speeds and inclines that can be adjusted.

Capabilities for Incline

Incline settings increase the intensity of your workout and target different muscle groups. For instance, walking at a slight incline targets the glutes and calves, and strengthens your lower back muscles, while running on an incline burns more calories than flat running. You can add variety to your workout by altering the speed at which you run. This keeps the workout interesting and avoid boredom.

When you choose a treadmill that has an incline, remember that the steeper the slope, the harder it will be for novices. For this reason, it’s crucial to start with a low slope and gradually work your way up to more strenuous inclines as you get more comfortable with your workout routine. By reducing the stress on your joints, using an incline will help you avoid injury.

You should consider the dimensions of the deck, motor horsepower and incline capability of the under desk treadmill with incline. If you plan to primarily run on power and do the occasional jog, the treadmill with a 2.0-2.5 chp motor will likely suffice. If you are a serious runner, you’ll need an item with a motor that is at least 2.5 chp.

Take note of whether the incline settings of your treadmill are controlled manually or automatically. This will impact your experience with the treadmill, as some models require that you push a button to adjust the slope. Others provide an automatic incline that can be set at 10 percent.

In the end, you’ll need to ensure that the incline feature is able to fold and unfold. This is particularly crucial if you’re purchasing a treadmill that folds up and you live in a tiny space or have a shared house or office space with limited storage space. Certain treadmills with incline can be difficult to fold and unfold and require more than one person and frequently requiring someone to hold them up while you do it. Fortunately, many of our choices have an automated folding mechanism that makes the process easy and quick which will save you time and headaches when it comes to storing your new treadmill.

Speed Capabilities

The most efficient folding treadmills can reach speeds as high as 12 mph, which is enough for most runners. If you’re not a skilled and/or prefer to walk most of your workout, look for a model with speeds that are lower than, around 8 mph. Pick a treadmill that is able to be connected to your device if you plan to use it for Zwift or Peloton classes. We also like models with thumb dials mounted chest-high on the hand grips to allow you to quickly make big jumps in speed or incline–it’s more fluid than trying to press buttons on a console.

Another thing to take into consideration is whether a treadmill comes with safety features built-in, such as an emergency stop-clip that shuts down the machine if you slip or fall. These features are essential to ensure safety and prevent damage to belts and motors. We recommend you test this feature prior to purchasing one of our picks.

When shopping take note of the weight capacity of the treadmill. The higher-end folding treadmills are generally stronger and have a higher capacity for weight which can help stop them from bending 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 well it holds up over time.

Finally, remember that the majority of treadmills aren’t used every day, and that foldable models could be more prone to wear and tear than their nonfolding counterparts. Mody states that this could cause problems in the future due to the fact that it puts more pressure on the hinge. That’s why we advise choosing a treadmill that is an old-fashioned fitness brand that has long-standing history of manufacturing quality equipment.

While older treadmills with foldable features were typically regarded as having lower capabilities than standard treadmills however, the newer models are getting better. They have similar features and capabilities to those found on more expensive treadmills.

Added Features

Like most things, the old adage “you get what does treadmill incline mean you pay for” applies with regard to folding treadmills with incline. Folding treadmills require more components and materials than non-folding treadmills that include heavy tubing made of metal and safety features like gas shocks. These costs can increase the cost but also make the treadmill more durable and stable.

As a top-notch trainer and fitness journalist, Christine Luff has a keen eye for high-quality products that can help boost performance. While she is a fan of running outside, she loves to incorporate treadmill incline exercises into her fitness routine. An incline can make a huge difference to your treadmill workout, whether you are looking to increase your heart rate or replicate the outdoors experience.

Luff suggests a foldable, sturdy treadmill that has an engine that can handle your weight and a frame that’s sturdy. It should also have a large workout deck with built-in speakers that can blast your music. She also encourages assessing the warranty to prioritize those with a longer offering, especially for key components like the motor and frame.

The JRNY model of Bowflex was the standout in our tests of treadmills that fold up due to its commercial quality and intuitive design. It is quiet, which means it can be used without creating a disturbance to others. It is also easy to switch between user profiles by pressing one button. It also comes with 26 integrated programs, coaching via the JRNY App and a convenient fan that cools the body just right.

Another option worth looking into is the TF50 from Matrix. The treadmill is a fold-on-base (FOB) design that makes it simpler to fold and unfold when not in use. It also gives the treadmill more stability. The built-in speaker system plays your favorite workout music and can also connect to third-party apps to provide virtual training. It doesn’t come with an incline, however, and its small integrated fan may not be enough for many users to feel at ease during sweaty workouts.