If you are looking to create your own home gym, or upgrade your current gym equipment lineup, there are several factors you should consider. Let’s explore what to look for when choosing the right treadmill for your home.
Quality Of The Treadmill
The quality of your treadmill should be at the forefront when making a purchase decision. You want to ensure the treadmill is comfortable, reliable, and easy to use.
A few factors to consider regarding the quality of your treadmill are the drive motor, safety features, construction, and warranty.
Drive Motor
When reviewing options for the drive motor, look for a treadmill that is quiet and strong for an uninterrupted performance. We recommend purchasing a treadmill with solid horsepower, which provides a smooth experience. Treadmills such as TRUE’s new 950 Treadmill provide a 4 HP motor, making it a powerful machine.
Safety Features
When reviewing residential treadmill options, ensure there are solid safety features in place. TRUE treadmills feature a unique User Present Detection™ system in addition to your traditional safety key. You also want to look for quality handrails and side straddles, in case you need to quickly jump off your treadmill from a vigorous run.
Solid Construction
Confirm that your future treadmill has a solid build and is manufactured for the long run. Some treadmills will come with thin plastic components that are easily breakable due to basic wear and tear. TRUE’s residential treadmills are built with robotically-welded heavy-gauge steel frames, making them extremely strong and durable.
Warranty
A treadmill is an investment, and a quality machine should stand the test of time. You want to ensure that in the case something does go wrong, you are covered. While there are many treadmills on the market that come at an entry-level price point, they often cannot stand heavy usage and come with a minimal warranty.
TRUE treadmills feature a lifetime warranty on the frame of your treadmill, in addition to a warranty on the motor, parts, and labor.
Shock Absorption And Cushioning
Your treadmill should provide a smooth run with a premium shock-absorbing surface. If you are looking for a comfortable surface, consider a TRUE treadmill with True Soft Select®, which allows everyone in your family to select their preferred level of softness on the belt.
You may also enjoy the TRUE Soft System® that decreases impact and stress on your joints, so you can run longer and farther. You can find the Soft System on treadmills like the 950 Treadmill and Performance 800 Treadmill. TRUE treadmills also include an orthopedic Belt for the ultimate impact reduction on your joints and knees.
Versatility Of The Treadmill
While reviewing your options, consider the versatility of the treadmill. Is this machine built for light usage that will allow for walks and jogging, or will it provide a platform to train for future races if you are looking to take your training to the next level? Be sure to check the incline (and decline) and max miles per hour of the treadmill to ensure it fits your lifestyle.
Connected Features
There is a range of connected features available on today’s treadmill. A basic you might want to have is Bluetooth, as it will allow you to connect with various fitness apps and tools such as Zwift and Polar for an interactive experience.
Whether you are shopping for your very first treadmill or looking to upgrade an existing model, be sure to carefully review your options and choose the machine that works best for you and your lifestyle. If you are looking to purchase a premium residential treadmill, be sure to check out TRUE’s full lineup of commercial-inspired treadmills to help with choosing the right treadmill for your home.
Some Home Treadmill FAQs
What Is A Good Width For A Treadmill?
Ideally, you want a minimum of 48 inches long and 18 inches wide for running, but that is pretty narrow. The average is more like 55 inches long and 20 inches wide. Taller runners might want to go up to 60 inches long and 22 inches wide.
What Is A Good Deck Size For Treadmills?
For runners, HIIT, sprinters, etc You'll want space, even a 50 cm (20 inch) width can feel cramped; a 55 cm (22 inch) wide track is better, particularly if you're tall. In terms of length, 135 cm (54) inches should be your minimum, with a 150 cm (60 inch) deck giving you ample room to stretch your legs to the fullest.
What Should I Look For When Buying A Treadmill?
1) Belt Size. 2) Cushioning. 3) Stability. 4) Weight. 5) Space And Size. 6) Warranty / Delivery / Set-up.
Is A Treadmill Good For Weight Loss?
The bottom line. As a form of cardio exercise, using a treadmill is an excellent way of burning calories and losing weight. If you're not sure what type of treadmill workout is best suited to you, talk to a certified personal trainer. They can work with you to create a customized treadmill weight loss program.
What Length Treadmill Do I Need?
As a general rule, a minimum of 50″ in belt length is recommended for walkers, 55″ for runners, and 60″ for runners over 6′ tall. Once you have worked out how much space you need in your home to have a treadmill, you can start thinking about treadmill size.