Fit at Home: A Buyer’s Checklist for Home Treadmills

Are you thinking about purchasing a treadmill for your home? We’ll explain why it could be your best purchase this year. Keep reading to find out why you need a home treadmill, what to consider when purchasing one and a whole range of benefits that you probably haven’t considered.  

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Are home treadmills any good?

Home treadmills offer a range of benefits for users, whether you are a new starter in your fitness journey or an experienced athlete. 

A home treadmill gives you access to a fitness machine whenever needed. If you are time-poor and find heading to the gym laborious, then a home treadmill is the perfect way to work out and not spend lots of time travelling to and from a gym. 

Also, during the colder and darker months of the year, home treadmills can provide a safe option to exercise and ensure you don’t fall on slippy terrain such as snow or compromise safety concerning crime. 

Are home treadmills worth it? 

There are several benefits of having a treadmill in your home, but as a home treadmill should be a considered purchase, you should think about the amount of use it will get. Here are some of the benefits of having a treadmill at home: 

• Save on gym membership 
• Access any time (some gyms may have limited treadmills available during peak hours)
• Health benefits 
• Options for low-impact workouts (walking on a treadmill) 

Do home treadmills use a lot of electricity?

Typically, a home treadmill will use around 600 to 700 watts. Some models may vary, but using your machine 3 times a week will average around 8.45 kWh. 

Depending on your energy provider, the cost of this usage may differ, but it is worth noting that the electricity cost of using a treadmill for one hour three times a week will be less than the average gym membership. 

Other consideration points to note are the settings of your home treadmill, if your machine has an incorporated fan, the age of the model and, of course, usage time. 

If you are worried about the potential energy cost associated with a home treadmill, you can check out the energy cost calculator, which will give you a rough estimate of how much your home treadmill will cost. 

How to choose a home treadmill

When choosing a home treadmill, you should consider a few things before purchasing to ensure you choose a model best suited to your needs. Here are some things to look at before making your decision: 

1. Size and motor 

Evaluating the size of your home treadmill and the space it will be placed into should be a key consideration. You want to ensure the motor suits your fitness level and capabilities. 

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Home treadmill motor size guide

Many home treadmills have a horsepower (HP) or continuous horsepower (CHP) metric attached to them. This metric will let you know how fast the treadmill can run and the different activities that can be performed. 

• 2.0 CHP – Ideal for light jogging or walking 
• 2.5 CHP – Perfect for regular jogging
• 3.0 CHP – Best for regular running 
• 4.0+ CHP – Ideal for long rungs, high-speed runs and regular running activities

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2. Machine ergonomics

When choosing your home treadmill, you should consider the ergonomics of the machine and its capabilities in comparison to the user. All treadmills have varying deck lengths, and machines built with shorter deck lengths are designed for slower activities, such as walking or jogging. 

If you are a taller runner, you should consider purchasing a home treadmill with a longer deck length to ensure you don’t limit your stride or fall off the machine. 

3. Machine adjustability

This consideration point depends on what you want from your workouts. Do you want to train hill sprints and need a machine you can use on an incline? Do you want to train in a HIIT way and be able to have a shift speed component? 

Considering the functionality and abilities of the home treadmill should be a key consideration when purchasing one. After all, you want to get the most out of your machine.

4. Features and functionality

Many home treadmills have features installed that enhance the user experience, and assessing these should be a consideration point for your purchase. Are you looking for a machine that has Bluetooth connectivity or perhaps an entertainment hub? 

Other machines offer fitness challenges that will help you achieve your fitness goals over time and make working out that little bit more fun. Check out the selection of features available on your chosen device to weigh up which treadmill is suited towards your needs. 

5. Budget

Once you have a good understanding of what you are searching for, you should take into account your intended budget for a home treadmill. Typically, cheaper options are designed for walking or jogging, and higher-end models will provide more complex functionality for advanced fitness goals.

Should I buy a home treadmill?

If you are wondering if you should purchase a home treadmill to help achieve your fitness goals, we have a list of reasons why buying a home treadmill should be the best purchase you make this year. 

1. Health and fitness goals 

A home treadmill can help you achieve your health and fitness goals, whether you are looking to become leaner, strengthen your leg muscles or even enhance your speed performance.

Keep your workouts fun

Home treadmills often come with a range of inbuilt programmes (depending on the model you choose) to make achieving your fitness goals manageable and more fun. 

Calorie counting functionality

If your main goal is to lose weight and burn calories, you will find home treadmills that offer a calorie counter. This functionality will help track your energy expenditure more easily and keep you on track to be in a calorie deficit. 

Rehabilitation or physio enhancement

If you are injured and want to get on the road to recovery, a home treadmill can help you rebuild your strength and cardiovascular fitness post-injury. Whether you use your home treadmill for a brisk walk or want a stable footing and a slow pace, a home treadmill can help. 

Track your progress

Many home treadmills will allow you to track your weekly distance, and this functionality is ideal for those who feel stagnant in their training. With home treadmills that offer this tracking functionality, you can track your progress and continue to push yourself. 

2. Accessibility

Having a home treadmill can make your life a lot easier in many ways, and having one on your property gives you limited excuses to become the best version of yourself. 

Time constraints

If you have a busy life and are time-poor, a home treadmill can help you squeeze in a workout anytime. Whether your commute to the gym involves tackling traffic or you have too much going on, a treadmill in your home allows you to work out whenever you want. 

Many home treadmills come with a timer functionality that allows you to program a specific time for your workout. This way, you don’t have to worry about additional travel time and can be strict with your allocated time. 

Skip the busy gym

During peak hours, gyms can become extremely busy and often, treadmills are the first piece of equipment to get snatched. Having your very own home treadmill eliminates this stress, and you can be sure you have a spot waiting for you. 

Location

If you live in an area that doesn’t have any accessible running routes, it can be frustrating when you want to get sweaty and pound the pavement with your pent-up energy. 

Having a home treadmill will allow you to run to your heart’s content and could even be a safer option if you live in an unsafe area or have slippery/icy conditions. 

3. Cost 

Are you tired of paying for expensive monthly gym memberships? Do you want to increase the price of your property? Having a home gym and treadmill can help you if you are looking to cut back on your monthly spending. 

One-time cost vs. monthly membership

The average home treadmill will last around 10 years or more, depending on usage and maintenance. If your gym routine consists mainly of running, this could be a great investment and allow you to cut back on monthly spending for a one-time purchase.

Increase property valuations

With the rise of the home gym, many home buyers are looking for spaces with rooms they can convert into fitness spaces. Having a home treadmill will allow you to show potential buyers how they could transform a space if they are looking to move properties, increasing your home’s valuation. 

4. Gym anxiety

For newcomers on their fitness journey, stepping into a gym can be daunting. Having a home treadmill will allow you to train privately and not worry if someone is watching you.

Where to place a home treadmill?

If you are wondering where to place a home treadmill, you have a range of options to choose from: 

1. Garage – Many people convert their garage into a fitness space, and providing you have electricity in your garage, you can place a home treadmill in the space. Often, garages are cold, making them the perfect place to get hot and sweaty. 
2. Create a home fitness space – If you have a spare room you don’t use often, transform it into a home fitness studio and place your home treadmill there. 
3. Place it in your bedroom – A home treadmill doesn’t have to take up lots of space. Our treadmill offering is constantly growing, and occasionally, you will find home treadmills that can be folded away or options that don’t take up too much space. 

Are home treadmills noisy? 

Due to the moving belt of a treadmill and user impact, you will always have some level of noise exposure from a treadmill. Typically, a treadmill belt noise will be around 42-57 decibels, considered a conversational tone. 

There are certain ways you can reduce the noise of a home treadmill:

• Perform regular maintenance on your treadmill to ensure the mechanics are performing optimally. 
• Keep the treadmill belt lubricated. 

Use a treadmill mat for noise reduction, or place it on a carpet. You can also place the treadmill on gym flooring designed for shock absorption.

Find your perfect home treadmill at FitKit today

Check out the full range of home treadmills available at FitKit today. Our home treadmills selection includes industry-leading brands like Life Fitness and Technogym. Featuring treadmills with a range of functionalities to suit your needs, space and goals, you will surely find the perfect home treadmill within our selection. Make sure to browse the full range today, and if you need more information or advice, contact us, and one of our experts will be on hand to help you!