The Nautilus/Bowflex Treadclimber clinches the novelty exercise equipment title by providing two individual treadmill belts, then alternating their inclines as you walk on them. Although you can adjust the Treadclimber to approximate the function of either a regular treadmill or a stairclimber, the combination of the two movements is the Treadclimber’s primary selling point.
Low Impact
With maximum speeds that range from 3.8 to 4.5 mph, Treadclimbers aren’t meant for running. But the slow speeds ensure that you get a low-impact workout, even when you’ve upped the workout intensity by setting the independent treadles to the highest of the 12 hydraulic intensity settings. Low-impact workouts are ideal if you have bone or joint problems that keep you from tolerating the repeated jarring of a high-impact workout like running on a treadmill.
Calorie Burn
As noted by the Exercise Equipment Expert, the Treadclimber is essentially an incline trainer. Because walking up an incline burns more calories than walking at the same speed on a flat surface, you’ll burn more calories with the Treadclimber than if you walked on a flat treadmill at the same speed.
Dual Actions
Treadclimbers can be set to work as a traditional treadmill, like a stairclimber, or a combination of the two. While Treadclimbers don’t excel at any single workout mode, if variety is your priority, this is the machine for you.
Heart Rate Control
Higher-end models of the Treadclimber come with a wireless heart rate monitor chest strap that communicates with the Treadclimber’s heart rate control program. This allows the machine to automatically adjust your workout intensity, keeping you within a target heart rate range and allowing you to concentrate entirely on keeping up with the treadle belts.
Free Space
The Treadclimber has a smaller footprint than conventional treadmills and, although user and expert reviews do not support the manufacturer’s claim that the combined stepper-and-treadmill motion resembles using an elliptical trainer, the Treadclimber has a significantly smaller footprint than all elliptical styles except for a center-drive elliptical trainer, too, making the Treadclimber a good choice if you don’t have a lot of space for exercise equipment in your home.
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