Buying a Folding Treadmill

A folding treadmill can save you time and money by allowing your training at home. Before you go shopping make sure you know your fitness goals and select a treadmill that best suits their needs.

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

Deck Size

A treadmill that folds is a great option for many exercisers. It doesn't matter if you're an experienced athlete seeking to add an extra mile or two of your runs or a newbie who wants to do a bit of cardio during an office meeting or even after dinner, a treadmill that folds can make it easier to get in the workouts you need to. And with the American Heart Association recommending at minimum 150 minutes of moderate intensity every week, it's difficult to argue against the treadmill that allows you to get on to do your daily cardio.

Despite the fact that older models were frequently viewed as inferior quality, modern models are now more competitive than ever. The latest folding treadmills offer the same functionality and capabilities as non-folding models. When you are choosing a treadmill that folds, the size of the deck is most important. You'll need a deck that is long and wide enough to allow you to take full strides when running. A deck that is 55 inches long and 20 inches wide will provide enough space for even the tallest runners to feel comfortable.

Another factor to consider is the capacity for weight on an adjustable treadmill. If you intend to use your treadmill for running ensure that it is able to support both your weight and any additional equipment like shoes. A treadmill that folds up with high quality will have a weight capacity of at least 350 pounds.

Finally, it's important to ensure that your folding treadmill can fold easily. Some folding treadmills feature a "fold-on-pin" design that raises the console mast above the running surface when not being used, while other have hydraulics to help you quickly and easily fold down the deck.

It's time to move! The built-in performance display shows information such as speed, distance, heartrate and calories burned. You can connect your smartphone to your treadmill so that you can listen to music while working out or watch a film. If you're feeling social you can take part in a virtual race with family members or friends via the integrated Facebook and Twitter apps. If you're looking to up your game, you can try one of 15 pre-loaded workouts with adjustable speeds and incline.

Incline Capabilities

Inclination settings boost the intensity of your workout and target different muscle groups. Walking at a slight angle strengthens the lower back and calves, whereas running at an incline burns more calories than flat-running. You can spice up your workout by altering the incline. This will keep it interesting and prevent boredom.

When selecting a treadmill that has an incline, keep in mind that the higher the slope, the harder it will be for those who are new to the sport. It is essential to start with a low incline and gradually work your way up as you become familiar with your routine on the treadmill. By reducing the impact on your joints, using an incline can help you avoid injury.

Apart from ensuring the treadmill's incline capability is in line with your needs, you'll be looking at the size of the deck and motor's horsepower. If you plan to power walk with occasional jogs, an exercise treadmill with a motor of 2.0-2.5 chp will probably suffice. If you are a serious runner then you'll require an item with a motor of at minimum 2.5 chp.

Another thing to take into consideration is whether the incline settings are manually or automatically controlled. This can impact your experience with the treadmill, as certain models require you to press a button to alter the slope. Others provide an automatic incline that could be set at 10 percent.

Also, make sure that the incline feature is able to fold and unfold. This is important if you are buying a folding treadmill and have small storage space at your home or office. Some treadmills are a pain to fold and unfold, requiring more than one person, and often needing to be held up as you do so. Luckily, many of our picks have an automated folding mechanism that can make the process simple and quick, saving you time and headaches when it comes to storing your new treadmill.

Speed Capabilities

The best folding treadmills reach speeds of up to 12 mph. This is fast enough for the majority of runners. If you're not an avid runner or prefer to walk to work out You should consider an exercise machine with a lower maximum speed, like 8 mph. If you intend to use your treadmill for Peloton classes or Zwift, choose one that connects to your device so that you can keep on top of your training. We also prefer models with thumb dials mounted chest-high on the hand grips to allow you to quickly take big leaps in speed or incline. It's much more fluid than hitting buttons on the console.

Another aspect to consider is whether a treadmill comes with safety features built-in, such as an emergency stop button that shuts down the machine when you fall or slip. These features are essential for safety and to avoid damage to belts and motors. A few of our choices have this feature, which we recommend checking before making an purchase.

Lastly, be sure to take note of the treadmill's weight capacity when you're looking for. The more expensive folding treadmills are generally stronger and have a larger maximum weight capacity which can help stop the treadmill from becoming warped over time. If you're worried about the durability of a particular model, make sure to check out the warranty and testimonials from past customers to see how to change the incline on a treadmill it has held up over time.

Keep in mind that most treadmills aren't used every day, and models that fold may be more prone to wear and tear. Mody claims that this could lead to problems in the future due to the fact that it puts more stress on the hinge. We suggest choosing a treadmill made by an organization with a track record of producing top quality equipment.

While older treadmills with foldable features were often associated with lesser features than standard treadmills, the newer offerings are getting better. They have similar features and capabilities are found on higher-priced treadmills, such as incline capabilities.

Additional Features

As with most things, the old adage "you get what you pay for" is true in the case of folding treadmills. Folding treadmills typically require more materials and components than those that do not fold, such as the use of stronger tubing made of steel and safety mechanisms such as gas shocks. These costs can increase the cost, but they make the treadmill more durable and stable.

Christine Luff, a fitness expert and an expert trainer, has a keen sense for high-end products that improve performance. While she prefers to run outside, she loves to incorporate treadmill incline workouts into her fitness routine. Whether you're looking to increase your heart rate or replicate the feeling of running on pavement, an incline could make a huge difference to your treadmill exercise.

Luff suggests choosing a foldable treadmill with a frame and motor that are strong enough to support the weight of your body, as well as a large workout area with built-in speakers to blast your favourite tunes. She also suggests evaluating the warranty and prioritizing those with a long-term offer, especially for important parts such as the motor and frame.

In our tests of treadmills that fold up The JRNY model from Bowflex stood out due to its commercial-grade performance and simple design. It is quiet, meaning it is able to be used without creating a disturbance to other users. It is also easy to switch between profiles by pressing a button. It also comes with 26 programs integrated into it and coaching via the JRNY app and a convenient cooling fan that hits just the right spot.

The TF50 by Matrix is another option worth considering. It has a fold-on base (FOB) design, which makes it much easy to fold and unfold when not in use and gives the treadmill more stability. It has an inbuilt speaker that plays your favorite workout songs and can be connected to third-party applications for virtual training. It doesn't include an incline however, and its tiny fan might not be enough for the majority of users to feel at ease during a sweaty workout.