The versatility of the treadmill makes it one of the most popular home exercise equipment choices. Treadmills eliminate your excuses for not exercising. There's no need to worry about getting to the gym, waiting for a machine or dealing with adverse weather conditions. Treadmills that can be placed on an incline can also be used as a strength-training bench. There are a seemingly endless variety of treadmills. Your choice depends on your budget, available space and the importance of additional bells and whistles.
Folding Treadmills
As their name implies, folding treadmills can be folded up for storage. They are usually less expensive than the non-folding models. Most folding treadmills are manual, as opposed to motorized. This may account for their lower price. Folding treadmills may be a viable option for people with limited floor space and budgets, but keep in mind; they have a shorter running surface, which may not be suitable for taller runners or runners with longer running strides.
Manual Treadmills
Manual treadmills are activated by the walking or running movements of your legs. While some manual treadmill models can be placed on an incline, there is no automatic button that will allow you to do this. As such, if mid-workout you decide that you want to increase the inclination, you will need to stop your workout, bend down and adjust the machine. While manual treadmills may be less effective, they may provide a viable alternative for frail seniors, who may worry about the safety of the motorized models.
Motorized Treadmills
Motorized treadmills are significantly more expensive than the manual and folding manuals. While they are generally designed for commercial use, some are available in the home exercise market. A motorized treadmill requires you to set the speed. Your feet must then keep pace with the movements of the machine. The inclination of a motorized treadmill can be adjusted by simply pressing a button. Most motorized treadmills have sophisticated consoles, which display the speed, distance and duration of the workout. Some machines can be hooked to a heart rate monitor to display your pulse. Others display the number of calories burned.
Virtual Reality Treadmill
A virtual reality treadmill is being developed in Japan. It features a 270-degree wraparound projection screen, which shows various scenic outdoor environments. The goal is to increase the realism of your workout environment, which should eliminate some of the boredom of walking on a treadmill.
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