Size
Keep in mind that folding treadmills come in a range of sizes, and they may fold down completely or stand upright when not in use. Sydney Eaton, a NASM-Certified Personal Trainer and Lead In-House Fitness Instructor at Sunny Health & Fitness shared some tips in terms of choosing the size for a folding treadmill. “Be sure to measure your space, and check the dimensions of the treadmill on the product listing. You’ll want to know both the dimensions of the treadmill when it’s fully set up, and when it’s folded to make sure it’s a good fit for both spaces,” she explains. “If you are looking for a treadmill to regularly store in a small space like under a bed or in the closet, check that the treadmill has wheels so you’ll be able to easily roll it in and out of storage. Heavy lifting or complicated maneuvering is just one more barrier to getting your workout in, so checking for something as silly and simple as wheels can really improve your at-home experience.”
Dr. Penwall agrees that picking a treadmill that is easy for you to move is key. “If it’s easy to move your exercise equipment into place for your workouts, then there will be less inertia to getting a workout started, and every little thing you can do to increase the likelihood of exercising will help with consistency, which is half the battle,” he explains. “It’s worth remembering that very few modern treadmills fold completely up and will be more of a “V” shape when folded,” advises Garret Seacat, Certified Strength, and Conditioning Specialist and Head Coach of Absolute Endurance.
Weight Capacity
Many folding treadmills have rather low maximum user weight limitations, so be sure to check that the treadmill can accommodate your weight. Treadmills typically have weight limits between 200 and 300 pounds.
Incline Settings
The basic features to look at with folding treadmills are the maximum speed and incline capabilities, whether the machine features a manual incline or automatic adjustments, and what sort of safety features are attached. While many folding treadmills for small spaces don’t have an incline option, if you’re looking for a good workout, it’s often worth it to spend more on this option. “Increasing the incline of your walk can dramatically boost the calories you burn,” explains Dr. Penwall. “Typically, for every 1% increase in incline (uphill grade) you will burn about 10% more calories compared to walking on flat surfaces. At a 10% incline, you will burn twice as many calories walking!”
“Some treadmills come with additional features that can make exercising more engaging, which can include live streaming fitness classes via a mobile app or directly onto your treadmill screen, leaderboards, or a fitness community that can improve accountability and social engagement,” shares Dr. Penwall. If these features are important to you, you’ll pay more initially but might be more inclined to use the treadmill.
Price Range
Your budget will guide what you can buy. Keep in mind that when it comes to exercise equipment, you often get what you pay for, so it can be worth it to spend a bit more upfront. When buying a folding treadmill for a small space, heed Eaton’s advice, “At the end of the day, pick the treadmill that’s right for you. There are tons of options out there, but keep your space and ideal workout experience in mind and you have a recipe for success!”
The best folding treadmills
Below we’ve rounded up the best foldable treadmills based on the advice of fitness experts. Shop top picks from Amazon, Treadly, Costway, and more. With the holidays around the corner, these top-rated folding treadmills make an excellent fitness gift for the runner in your life.
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