Understanding the different types of treadmills in exercise training is essential before buying a treadmill. If you want to get a treadmill for home use or a commercial gym, you should be aware of the various alternatives. While many vendors sell brand new treadmills, others may sell used or pre-owned models at a significant discount.
Treadmills come in various features, qualities, prices, and types, although their features and attributes commonly overlap. Treadmills are an expensive purchase, making them a challenging option that should be given serious attention before making a purchase.
Before going too deep into the different types of treadmills for exercising, let us give a chance to introduce the implementation history of the treadmill in a nutshell.
Table of Contents
History of Introducing Treadmill
The treadmill, now extensively used for exercise, was initially designed as a torture device. The first treadmill, which was called a “tread-wheel,” was made by the Romans in the late 1st century. They used it as a crane to lift heavier weights.
British engineer William Cubitt designed the “24-spoke paddlewheel” in 1818 for prisoners. They were compelled to ascend this massive “everlasting stairway” for endless hours every day.
Aside from rigorous labor, the treadmill has been utilized to break the spirits of their detainees and permanently harm their health.
Types of Treadmills in Exercise Training
The types of treadmills listed below are classified according to their power source and feature to assist you in selecting the finest one for personal or commercial usage.
Types of Treadmills Based on Power Source
Treadmills are classified into two groups based on the type of power they accept, their design and intended function. As a result, before adding a product to cart, you must first understand its functions, credibility, and potential drawbacks.
1. Manual Treadmill
These treadmills have a belt that moves in response to the user’s cadence. You set the incline level, the load, and the magnetic tension and then begin exercising. Because the belt does not move on its own, you are free to set your own pace, which isn’t ideal if you lack motivation.
Manual treadmills are one of the most affordable and lightest treadmills on the market. If you compare them to motorized models, they have significantly fewer features, shorter belts, and are less sturdy. They are better suited to walking rather than running.
Design: The main difference between manual and electronic treadmills is that manual treadmills require power, whereas manual treadmills move due to the motion of walking or running on the machine’s belt. Because the running belt does not start until you start walking/running, you have reduced chances of getting wounded with this design.
Because the belt does not start, unlike computerized treadmills, there is no risk of falling when exercising. With cushioned handles and a robust running belt, these treadmills are built for comfort, and if you’re a beginner, a manual is definitely your best option.
Materials: Manual treadmills are often constructed of high-quality, long-lasting materials such as PVC running belts, heavy-duty steel frames, and comfy foam handrails. LED-powered speed or distance measuring device that runs on batteries rather than electricity.
Furthermore, less priced manual treadmill brands supply high-quality exercise equipment in order to preserve their reputation for quality and durability.
Sizes: Manual treadmills come in a variety of sizes, with the lowest measuring roughly 39 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 43 inches high, and the largest measuring around 50 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 47 inches high.
The exact size of this treadmill comes into play if you have limited room in your flat and are unsure where to put your manual treadmill. Furthermore, many treadmills have a size that is suitable exclusively for personal use and not for commercial usage, so keep this in mind when looking for manual treadmills online.
Also, evaluate the various sizes of the running decks, as each manual treadmill is likely to be slightly different. A good reason to compare running deck sizes is that if you are tall or large, or simply want a bit more space when walking or running and enjoying the fresh air, you may need a larger running surface.
The sizes will vary depending on where you buy them, as each brick-and-mortar store and online store will have a different inventory. However, if you buy them online, it’s relatively easy to figure out their exact size, as online stores do an excellent job of spelling everything out and ensuring you understand everything you’re buying.
Features and Styles: Manual treadmills with a variety of functions ranging in price from under $100 to over $300, with the lower-priced models having fewer features. Many manual treadmills include limited functions, such as heart rate monitoring, speed, distance, and other activity metrics.
Although some manual treadmills do have the ability to modify the incline position, so you may find a more aggressive workout regimen, most manual treadmills do not have any form of LED accessories. It’s best to check them out extensively, just like the majority of other fitness items, so you know exactly what you’re receiving for the money you’re paying.
A fold-up design is one of the features of manual treadmills. Because it lacks electronic components, it is much easier to fold into a much smaller size, making storage of this treadmill much easier. In actuality, one of the biggest advantages of choosing a manual treadmill, especially a little one, is that it is usually much easier to store the machine after an exercise.
Purpose: Manual treadmills are designed to deliver a fantastic exercise regardless of your fitness level, and in many respects, they provide a better workout than electronic treadmills simply because you are doing all of the work, not the machine. When you finish your workout, you will feel as if you have accomplished something significant, which will drive you to get healthy and stay in shape. Manual treadmills are ideal for those on a tight budget.
2. Motorized/Electric Treadmills
Motorized or electric treadmills allow you to control the speed of your workout. Many motorized treadmills offer a feature that allows you to adjust the degree of incline, which you may find useful.
Design: The most major difference between motorized and manual treadmills is that electronic treadmills require electricity and are typically built to be more durable and larger in size. Because they are heavier and more difficult to move than manual versions, they require a permanent location in your home. They’re also usually made for commercial use.
Individuals who exercise in health clubs or gyms require designs that are reliable, strong, and heavy-duty. You don’t see many manual treadmills in professional gyms and fitness centers. Instead, they use electric treadmills.
Purpose: Electric treadmills are designed to provide you with the most effective workout at home or at the gym. This sort of treadmill comes with a variety of attachments and comforts that make exercising much less uncomfortable, both physically and mentally.
You can adjust a variety of features to make your workout as easy or as difficult as you want it to be, and while you’re exercising, you can listen to music or watch an episode of your favorite show on the best treadmills with TV and internet, work out with a personal trainer who pushes you to improve your performance each step of the way, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet of your surroundings.
Whatever you choose, the motorized treadmill will ensure that you enjoy your workout for much longer, as it is a piece of equipment that is suitable for both beginners and experienced users.
Sizes: Motorized treadmills come in a variety of sizes, but the folded size is typically 70 inches long, 40 inches wide, and 72 inches high. There are larger ones, of course, and the running deck can be as large as 22 inches by 60 inches, allowing for a comfortable jog or walk.
Their sizes accommodate joggers of various shapes and sizes, so if you’re tall or a little overweight, you should find best treadmill for heavy and tall person to ensure comfort when you exercise.
Another benefit of motorized treadmills is their portability and light weight, with some models weighing as little as 50 pounds. This allows you to transfer the treadmill fast and easily from one location or space to another.
Features and Styles: It would be an understatement to say that electric treadmills have a lot of different features and styles. Because they are electronic, the companies that make them can add as many advanced features as they want. The following are some of the features:
- incline: offers a few more challenges to workout
- TV screen and internet: help to work out better
- Electronic metrics include heart rate, calories burned etc.
- Self-cooling motors
- Wide range of speed
- Materials of the highest quality for your running deck
- iFit: offers exercises with personal trainer assistance
- Touch screen: makes it much easier to change workout
- Variable-speed fans: help you stay more comfortable
- Additional ports for MP3 players, cell phones, and televisions
- Speakers: digitally boosted for crystal-clear sound
- Bluetooth heart rate chest straps
- Dozens of preprogrammed workouts to choose from
There are two types of electric treadmills: for home use and commercial. Both have outstanding features, and warranties of the frame, deck, and motor. Furthermore, most of the motorized treadmills can support people weighing up to 300 pounds, so it’s suitable for everyone.
Difference Between Manual and Electric Treadmill
Compared to electric treadmills, manual treadmills are significantly lighter and less expensive.
Manual treadmills fold conveniently for storage.
It doesn’t need electricity to run, and it’s simple to build because they don’t have a main electric motor and transmission to move the belt. The cheap ones aren’t very long-lasting, though.
Manual treadmills are used mostly for walking. When the deck is at the horizontal position, a beginner can hold on to the handrails to push the belt backward. By inclining the treadmill, the user can achieve a balance between the force needed to push the belt and the pull of gravity.
Electric treadmills require electricity to operate; nonetheless, they are excellent for walking and running, and a beginner does not need to grip the handles the entire workout.
The treadmill belt comes to a halt as soon as a trainee halts their movement or falls to the ground.
If a trainee falls on a treadmill that does not have a safety feature, the motor will most likely continue to move the belt.
Types of Treadmills Based on Features
1. Folding Treadmills
Folding treadmills allow you to fold both the running deck and the console. As a result, folding treadmills have a smaller footprint and are easier to store in tight spaces. These space-saving treadmills are tiny and portable, and are sometimes seen being carried by persons who do not want to miss out on their aerobic workout while traveling.
Compact treadmills are the finest option for home use. For commercial usage, treadmills that are big and strong are meant to run for a long time each day, and they don’t usually fold up.
If you have the resources (space, money, and/or a professional), you should consider purchasing a commercial treadmill. One of the most significant advantages of fold-up treadmills is that after a workout, you may fold the running deck upward to lower the footprint of the treadmill.
2. Commercial Treadmills
Most commercial and semi-commercial treadmills have a cushioned running surface, an adjustable motorized incline and powerful motors. They also have an interactive screen and a heart rate training feature. The amount of time you can spend on a treadmill every day makes a difference between commercial and semi -commercial models.
Commercial treadmills are manufactured and designed to be used continuously for up to 12 hours each day. Commercial treadmills are manufactured and designed to be used continuously for up to 12 hours each day. With a commercial treadmill, on average, you can expect three years of commercial warranty. This is because they are built to withstand a lot of use in a gym setting.
3. Under Desk Treadmill
Under desk treadmills are a hybrid of walking or running treadmills and office desks. The main concept is to walk on a treadmill while doing office work at a desk.The concept is wonderful since it allows you to burn a significant amount of calories by walking for a few hours every day, without overstressing your joints and muscles, while also carrying out your job responsibilities.
4. Hybrid Treadmills
Treadclimbers, also known as hybrid treadmills, combine the advantages of a treadmill and an elliptical trainer to provide a more complete workout. Treadmills are typically equipped with only one running belt and can be used for both walking and running.
Treadclimbers combine three different exercise equipment into one. They have two independent treadles that move up and down, and they can be used as regular treadmills, as a stair climber, or as an elliptical machine in addition to their other functions.
It’s no secret that treadclimbers are expensive workout machines. You can get a great treadmill and elliptical for less than the cost of one treadclimber, allowing you to use the remainder of your budget on anything else.
5. Medical Treadmills
Medical treadmills, also known as anti-gravity treadmills or zero gravity treadmills, have been marketed as the best type of preventive rehab available on the market for future-proofing the body and saving money on fitness costs.
This extraordinary piece of equipment, also known as a space treadmill, allows people to walk or run at a lower percentage of their body weight. As a result, patients may be able to carry out rehabilitation therapy more easily without a lot of pain.
Final Words: Types of Treadmill
Choosing the ideal treadmill might be difficult, but once you’ve decided on the type of treadmill you want and how much money you want to spend, things become much easier. To cut a long tale short, commercial treadmills are well worth the money. But the main question is whether they are suitable for usage at home.
If you work out on a treadmill for several hours each day, using various walking or running programs, automated inclination, heart rate sensors, belt speed, and other features, then YES, you need a large and durable commercial treadmill that can handle it all.
You Can Also Read