Buying a Folding Treadmill

You can save money and time by exercising at home using the folding treadmill. Before you go shopping, determine your fitness goals and then find a treadmill that suits your needs.

"Be sure to take measurements of the area you plan to use and store the machine. You should prioritize those with the longest warranty," Sydney Bueckert, NASM-CPT tells SELF.

Deck Size

A treadmill that folds can be a great option for many exercisers. A under desk treadmill with incline that folds up is a great choice for anyone looking to get in a bit of cardio in between meetings at work or after dinner. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise. It's difficult to argue using a treadmill that allows you to get onto and do your daily exercise.

While older foldable treadmills were typically associated with poor quality, today's models are more competitive than ever. The latest folding treadmills have the same features and capabilities as nonfolding options. When selecting a under desk treadmill with incline that folds the size of the deck is the most important. You'll need a deck sufficient to allow full strides. Ideally, a deck that's 55 inches long and 20 inches wide will offer enough space for even the largest runners to feel at ease.

Another factor to consider is the weight capacity of an adjustable treadmill. If you intend to use your treadmill to run, you'll need to ensure that it is able to handle your weight as well as any additional equipment, such as shoes. A treadmill that folds up with top quality should have a weight capacity of at least 350 pounds.

Also, you should verify that the folding treadmill is easy to fold. Some folding treadmills feature a "fold-on-pin" design that lifts the console mast on top of the running surface when not in use, while others include hydraulics to help you quickly and effortlessly fold down the deck.

Once you've found your ideal folding treadmill, it's the time to get started working out! You can track your progress with an inbuilt performance monitor that displays information such as speed distance, distance, heart rate and calories burned. You can also pair your phone to the treadmill to listen to music or watch a film during your workout. If you're enjoying socializing you can also take part in a virtual race alongside family members or friends using the integrated Facebook and Twitter apps. If you're looking to up your game, you can try one of the pre-loaded exercises that have adjustable speeds and incline.

Capabilities for Incline

Incline settings increase the intensity of your workout and target different muscles. Walking at a slight angle can strengths up and you have small storage space at your home or office. Some treadmills are a pain to fold and unfold and require more than one person, and often needing to be held up when you fold them. Fortunately, many of our selections come with an automated folding mechanism that can make the process easy and quick which will save you time and stress when you need to store your new treadmill incline.

Speed Capabilities

The most efficient folding treadmills can reach speeds of up to 12 mph. This is fast enough for the majority of runners. If you are not an avid runner or prefer to walk to work out then you should choose a treadmill that has a slower maximum speed, for instance, 8 mph. If you're planning to use your treadmill for Peloton classes or running Zwift and Zwift, make sure it connects to your device so that you can keep up with your training. We also prefer models with thumb dials mounted on handgrips, allowing users to swiftly change the speed or incline. It's easier than hitting buttons on the console.

Another feature to be aware of is whether the treadmill comes with safety features built-in, such as an emergency stop-clip that shuts down the machine in the event of a fall or slip. These are essential not just for safety, but also to prevent damage to the belt and motor. We recommend you test this feature prior to purchasing one of our picks.

When shopping for a treadmill, be aware of the weight capacity of the treadmill. The ones that cost more tend to be more durable, and have a larger capacity for weight. This will ensure that they do not warp over time. If you are worried about the durability of a product, check out the warranty and customer reviews to see how it holds up.

Finally, remember that the majority of treadmills aren't used all the time, and that foldable models could be more prone to wear and tear than their non-folding counterparts. "This puts more strain on the hinge and could cause problems later on," says Mody. That's why we advise choosing a treadmill that is an established fitness brand with a long history of manufacturing high-quality equipment.

The newer models are catching up to older models that were associated with less features. Many of them come with similar features and capabilities to the more expensive treadmills.

Additional Features

As with most things, the old adage "you get what does treadmill incline mean you pay for" is true in the case of folding treadmills. Treadmills which fold require more components and materials than non-folding treadmills like tubing made of heavier metal and safety features like gas shocks. These added expenses can push the price tag higher but they create a treadmill that is more robust and stable being used.

As a top fitness trainer and fitness writer, Christine Luff has a keen eye for top-quality products that can help boost performance. She prefers to run outdoors, but she likes to incorporate treadmill exercise on an incline into her fitness routine. Whether you're looking to get your heart rate up or replicate the feeling of running on the real pavement, an incline could make a huge difference in your treadmill workout.

Luff recommends a foldable, robust treadmill that has an engine that can handle your weight and a frame that is robust. It should also come with a large deck for workouts with built-in speakers to blast your music. She also recommends evaluating the warranty and deciding on those that offer a long-term warranty particularly for the most important components such as the motor and frame.

In our testing of folding treadmills, the JRNY model from Bowflex stood out due to its commercial-grade quality and intuitive design. The treadmill is quiet, so it's able to be used with out creating a disturbance to others. It's also simple to switch between user profiles by pressing one button. It also includes 26 programs integrated and coaching through the JRNY App, and a handy fan that cools the body to the perfect temperature.

The TF50 by Matrix is another option worth considering. It is built with a fold-on base (FOB) which makes it easier to fold or unfold when not in use and provides it with more stability. It also has a built-in speaker that plays your favorite songs for workouts and can be connected to third-party apps for virtual training. It doesn't come with an incline and its small fan may not be sufficient to keep users cool during a sweaty exercise.