What features make a walking treadmill the best? What should be the ideal horsepower of a treadmill? Does the cushioning system of a treadmill make any difference?
These questions often confuse treadmill buyers before the purchase.
In this simple buying guide, we have answered all these questions and more to help you find a walking treadmill for your home gym. So, dig in, and learn what you should look for in a treadmill before buying it.
Consider treadmill type
Treadmills are available in different forms. You should select the one that best meets your needs.
Here are the three common forms of treadmills.
- Manual treadmills are powered by the energy created by the user, meaning they don’t have a motor and operate only when you start to walk.
- A motor treadmill operates using a motor. It has more advanced features and is more expensive compared to a manual treadmill.
- An under desk treadmill allows people to walk and burn calories while working without having to sit constantly for hours. These treadmills are getting popular over time as they help people multitask.
Deck size should be according to your stride size
Choose the size of a walking treadmill UK according to the length of your walking stride. We recommend an 18-inch wide and 48-inch long treadmill belt for walkers. The size should be larger if you want to use the walking treadmill UK for running as well.
Reduce exercise impact with shock absorbers
Cushioned treadmills protect your body joints from the exercise impact. Compared to walking on the road surface, treadmill walking reduces the impact by up to 40%.
However, not all treadmills have a shock-absorbing system. Thus, make sure you read the technical specs to find whether your treadmill has a cushioning ability or not.
Increase workout difficulty level with an inclining deck
The best walking treadmill UK has a special deck whose surface can incline and decline to increase the difficulty level of your exercise. It will feel as if you are walking uphill or downhill.
The incline range should be up to 10% if you want to have a comfortable walking experience. Some treadmills come with a 15% incline, but that can be fairly steep for some people.
Improve engine performance with the optimal horsepower
The horsepower (HP) value of a walking pad UK indicates how fast it can move at maximum speed. As a rule of thumb, 2 to 2.5 horsepower motors are the most suitable motors for walkers.
Ability to withstand user weight
If you are a larger person, you should consider the maximum weight rating of an under desk treadmill UK. Home gym treadmills should have more than 200 lbs weight capacity.
Check additional features
A modern walking pad UK has many advanced features compared to a traditional treadmill. It may have pre-installed workout programs and some safety features that can improve your workout experience and help you get faster results. Some treadmills can connect with third-party apps, meaning you can control their functions using your phone.
There are many benefits of investing in a walking pad UK. But, you can only enjoy these benefits if you get a treadmill that best meets your needs. Go through this buying guide again, and note down the features you want your under desk treadmill UK to have.
