Treadmills

Treadmills are one of the most popular types of home gym equipment. They work out your quadriceps, calves, glutes, abdominals and hamstrings and are great for weight loss and developing your cardiovascular endurance.

Treadmills are designed for walking, jogging and running exercises. They use a moving belt to set a pace for your running or walking, allowing you to stay in place as work out. Treadmills also feature front console where you can monitor your progress, adjust the pace, and select from workout programs. There are also handlebars and stationary side panels that you can use to steady yourself or hop off if the belt is moving too fast for you. The programs can include everything from long runs to interval training.

Treadmills accommodate a range of fitness levels from absolute beginner to expert. For the best results it is recommended that you do not use the handlebars as you are working out as you will burn more calories if you are completely supporting your own body weight.

When comparing different types of gym equipment it is worth remembering that the best gym equipment is any gym that you will use regularly. Whilst different types of equipment have different advantages that can be compared, your own comfort, familiarity and enjoyment of specific machines or exercises should take priority.

Both treadmills and exercise bikes are great for cardio workouts and burning fat. Both machines can be adjusted to suit a variety of fitness levels, from beginner to advanced. In general, treadmills have the potential to be adjusted to a more intensive workout than an exercise bike.

Treadmills offer a little more workout versatility than a bike because you can walk, jog or run and adjust the incline. Bikes tend to be better for adjusting the equipment to suit height and body type.

At higher levels a treadmill will get your heart pumping more than a bike at a similar level of effort, because using a treadmill requires you to bear more of your own body weight than a bike.

Treadmills are machines designed for walking, jogging and running. Whilst many people will promote the benefits of running barefoot outside, it is not recommended that you do the same on a treadmill.

For your own safety you should always wear appropriate footwear when you work out on a treadmill. Bare feet can sweat and get slippery against the surface on the treadmill belt, which can become increasingly unstable when the belt is moving and when the incline is increased. Shoes also provide a relative flat surface with tread that will more effectively grip to the belt surface and keep you balanced.

The type of shoes you should wear will depend on what sort of workouts and intensity you are doing with your treadmill. For most people, a pair of comfortable shoes for walking or jogging will work well. If you are training and running at higher speeds, you will want a pair of shoes that are lightweight and minimal that replicate the feel of barefoot running with the added benefit of shoe grip.

Consider the size of your workout space, as a treadmill could take up roughly as much space as a lounge chair. Some treadmills can be easily wheeled or folded away when not in use. This can be useful if space is limited, although some people may find that setting up and putting away an exercise machine creates enough friction for them to lose the motivation to use them regularly.

Compare the maximum speed and incline of different treadmill models. A maximum speed of around 10-12 km/h might be fine for walkers and slow joggers, whilst more advanced joggers and runners should look for 16-20 km/h max speeds. A 12-15% maximum incline is great if you want a serious hill workout. Some models cannot be adjusted so that they are completely flat, so remember to check the minimum of the incline as well.

Some models come with safety plugs that clip to your clothes and will shut down the machine if they are pulled out, which could help prevent serious injury if you lose balance or can’t keep up.