When you are thinking of getting yourself fit, it’s obvious that you would want to do something more than walk or run around on the road all day long. You will need some equipment to get started with this fitness regime, and what could be better than having a treadmill in your home? Treadmills have come up with various features these days, making them increasingly popular among fitness enthusiasts in India. All major manufacturers like FitKit, Lifelong, Powermax, Cockatoo offer treadmills at different price points. Before you start working out on the treadmill, it’s important that you buy the right one for yourself after considering all your requirements and budget.
In this guide, we will know how to choose a treadmill for home in India.
There are two ways by which you can pick the right treadmill for yourself. The first one is by looking at your needs and knowing your requirements, and the second one is looking at the specs of the treadmill and then deciding. Let’s get started.
Knowing your requirements:
Knowing your requirements will get you closer to finding the perfect treadmill. Decide how much time you want to spend on your treadmill every day so that it can cut down on the features you need. For example, if you are planning to use your treadmill for 30 minutes every day, it would be better to go for a model that comes with a small motor and lower speeds because you will not need anything more than that. To make it easy for you, we have listed the things that you need to take care of.
Workout environment and treadmill size:
This is one of the most important things that you will need to consider while buying a treadmill for yourself. You should be aware of how much space you have in your house to fit the treadmill in. You will not be able to use a treadmill that is too bulky or takes up a lot of space in your house. The smaller the treadmill, the better it will be for you. While buying a home treadmill in India, you’ll also need to keep certain other factors like wall mounting and power requirements in mind.
Treadmill size is measured in length x width of the machine, e.g., 6ft x 2ft means that it’s 6 feet long and 2 feet wide. Before buying a treadmill, you’ll also need to determine how tall you are so that the stride length on the treadmill can be adjusted accordingly for your convenience. If your space is limited, you should go with a folding one.
Budget:
The amount of money you are willing to spend on buying a treadmill will be one of the most important factors for you. There are various types of treadmills available in India that come with different price tags ranging from Rs 15,000 to 2 lacs. You’ll need to decide how much money you want to spend and then select your machine accordingly, keeping in mind all your requirements. Once the amount has been decided, you can choose from a wide array of options available to you.
In case you are just starting out, you can consider buying a treadmill that comes with basic features for now. Once you are confident that you are using the machine regularly, then you can invest in a more expensive one that comes with improved features.
Your workout regime:
While choosing a treadmill for your home, you should also keep in mind the type of workout that you’ll be performing on the machine. If you are planning to go on long jogs, then look for a treadmill that offers a larger or longer running surface and also has a high top speed. If it’s just going to be used as a simple tool for walking, then you should buy a machine that comes with basic features.
You should also keep in mind the average speed you’ll be achieving while exercising so that you can get a treadmill with the same speed range. If you want to achieve a certain goal which is running a distance within a specific time frame or climbing up a steep hill, then it’s better to buy a treadmill that has pre-programmed workouts. Knowing what you’ll be doing on your treadmill will lead you to a better decision.
These are mainly three factors that you should consider before buying one. If you take care of your needs and the factors listed above, you’ll be able to find the treadmill that’s perfect for you.
Based on these factors you should buy one that is best suited to your needs. You can also find out the best treadmill for home in India by jumping into the market and going through the specifications of different machines.
Choosing the best in the market.
There are a lot of treadmills available in the market, making it more confusing for you to select one which is best suited for your needs. The only way to make a choice would be by going through the features of all the products available and then making a decision based on that.
We have listed some of the features that you should consider before making your purchase. These are the main factors that will help you in selecting the best treadmill for yourself among all the brands available in India.
Type of Treadmill:
There are mainly four types of treadmills available- manual, motorized, semi-automatic, and automatic treadmill. Some treadmills even come with programs like MP3 player support etc., for an enhanced experience during workouts. Motorized treadmills are more expensive compared to manual ones, but they are easier to use. They can also be folded easily for storage purposes when not used. On the other hand, semi-automatic or manual treadmills require human energy to operate, making them ideal for regular users. The price of a manual treadmill is much lower compared to a motorized one, but it’s more strenuous, to begin with. So, it’s also important to consider your workout style before making a purchase.
Looking into the ratings and reviews:
An important factor to consider while buying a treadmill online is its reviews and ratings. The model you are planning to buy should have good feedback from all types of buyers in terms of durability, performance, ease-of-use, etc. If it’s an expensive model, search for the feedback given by experienced buyers who already own the same product. Their real-life experience will help you in making a better choice when compared to blindly relying upon advertisements or brochures provided by manufacturers. So, always go through the reviews and ratings of a product before you make a purchase.
Running Area
Treadmills come in three different sizes-small, medium, and large, depending on the size of your room. It’s always advisable to buy a treadmill that has an ample running area to prevent any injuries during workouts. The standard size is 20 x 56 inches. Smaller models are also available in the market, but their running area will be much smaller, which might make it inconvenient for beginners.
For small rooms, you can purchase treadmills with a running area of around 17×48 inches. For medium-sized rooms, 18×55 inch machines are ideal, whereas larger models are perfect for large rooms with running areas measuring at least 22 x 56 inches.
Motor power:
Treadmills come with various motor powers starting from 1.5 HP to 5 HP. Generally, the higher the horsepower range, the more expensive the treadmill would be. The motor powers vary according to numerous factors like the length of the running belt, the power required to operate the machine and its speed, etc. It’s important that you check all these things before selecting a treadmill with high horsepower, as it will prove beneficial for you if you’re an experienced user or someone who is looking for professional-level training on machines.
- For walking purposes, any treadmill with 1.5 HP will be enough; however, you should consider buying one with more than 2 HP if you’re planning to do some running too.
- For jogging purposes, you should consider buying one with at least 2.5 HP of motor power.
- For professional purposes, you need to opt for machines that come with 3 HP or more. If you’re planning to do some running as well as intensive exercises, then you should go for 5 HP motor power at the minimum.
Maximum Incline Level
Maximum incline level is another important factor to consider while shopping for cheap treadmills online. Incline levels on a treadmill directly affect the difficulty level of your workout. Treadmills have maximum inclination levels ranging between 15-30 degrees. If the incline level is less than this, it won’t provide much of a challenge during workouts and hence won’t help in giving desired results very fast. On the other hand, treadmills with higher inclination levels are ideal for professional athletes to build strength and stamina. So, before making a purchase, you should decide how much incline level you require in your treadmill.
Safety features:
One of the most important things to consider while shopping around for treadmills is safety. All good quality treadmill brands offer different types of safety features that prevent injuries during workouts and accidents on machines. To ensure your safety, always check if your treadmill comes with an emergency shut off-key, safety keys, magnetic keys, and length extenders.
Programming/ Display Console
A display console is an essential part of any treadmill. Most treadmills come with preloaded workout programs which you can follow to achieve desired results faster. Some models also offer custom programming options, while some just have manual incline levels and speed settings. You should consider all these factors before making a purchase then decide if you want the display console or not.
For beginners, it is advisable to opt for a programming console that has basic workout programs, while professional runners should look for custom workout programs capability. Also, some models come with pre-set speed and incline levels, whereas others just have manual controls, so before making a purchase, check this feature too.
Maximum speed:
Maximum speed is another important factor that needs to be considered before making a purchase. Check if you require an average or fast running speed.
If you are a beginner, then it’s recommended that you buy a treadmill with a maximum running speed of 6 kmph. However, if you are buying a motorized treadmill or one for regular use, then opting for models with top speeds in the range of 8-14 kmph will be good enough.
Treadmills with top speeds above 12 kmph can make you run faster, but which doesn’t suit all users. Therefore if you are a beginner, it is advisable to avoid these models and go for standard treadmill models with maximum speeds of 6-12 kmph.
Warranty
A low-cost treadmill should come with at least a year’s warranty. If the warranty is for two years, then it’s usually considered as a sign of higher quality. It’s always better to opt for such models as the extra money you are spending on them will be worth it in terms of durability and performance. Thus, whether you buy online or from any local retailer, always check out the warranty and guarantee period before closing the deal. Warranty is different for motors, frames, and parts, so it is usually good to check these things before making a purchase, so you don’t regret them later on.
- Warranty on motors varies from 1-10 years.
- While treadmill frame and parts warranty is usually one year.
Look out for the best possible warranty before making a purchase and avoid warranties that don’t cover belts and decks, as it’s not clear how they will be replaced in case of damage.
Belt Thickness
Treadmills with belt thickness up to 4-5 inches are best suited for all types of users. If you are buying a treadmill with a 2-inch thick running belt, it will definitely provide softer cushioning to your knees and joints, making workouts more comfortable for you. On the other hand, if your budget doesn’t permit it, then don’t worry, as treadmills with 2-3 inch wide belts are also capable of giving you an overall satisfactory workout experience. So you must keep in mind the thickness of the belt before buying cheap treadmills online.
Other features to consider:
Other than the above-mentioned factors, there are some other lesser-known things to look for while shopping around for cheap treadmills online. For example, some models don’t come with bottle holders or wheels which can be a very frustrating experience for users. So, to avoid such issues, always check the specs and features of a treadmill before making a purchase.
Hence, whether you are buying a treadmill for yourself or someone else, make sure that you consider all these factors before making an informed purchase. Always check the quality of the belt and motor before making a final decision, as these two components can make or break your decision to buy. Also, ask for the maximum speed capabilities of the model you are buying and then decide if that will be good enough for you. Another important thing to keep in mind is its durability and warranty as these two factors give a clear idea of how long it will last.
I hope now you can find the best treadmill for your home with this guide. Good luck! Till next time, stay fit, healthy, and happy.