Carla - September 10, 2022

All You Need to Know About Treadmills

ATreadmill remain among the top exercise machines in the world, decades after their commercial debut.
An incredibly versatile machine, treadmills can allow for an intense workout no matter the weather outdoors or the space indoors.

If you're looking to up your fitness game by bringing a treadmill into your home, you'll need to familiarise yourself with some information on the nature of the machines. The more you understand the features and options available, the better you can decide which treadmills are the best for your lifestyle.
In this article, we discuss how treadmills work as well as: 

• The History of Treadmills
• Types of Treadmills
• Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Treadmill For You

Table of Contents

• The History of Treadmills
• Types of Treadmills
• Buying Guide: How To Choose the Right Treadmill For You
• Final Thoughts: How To Choose the Right Treadmill for You

The History of Treadmills

Treadmills have existed for over two hundred years. First used in Victorian-era prisons, now ubiquitous in gyms worldwide, treadmills have taken over as a symbol of intense exercise.

If you've ever made it to that last mile of a treadmill workout and thought that the pain you were experiencing must be akin to torture, your hyperbolic thought is pretty accurate. 

In 1818, British civil engineer William Cubitt created a device that would spin per the movement of the person stepping on it. Many compared the device to a stationary log roll. As the wheel turned, it ground corn into cornmeal.

Photo credit: Amy Jeanne on flickr

One purpose behind the concept of setting prisoners to grueling labor was to make sure that prison, which provided shelter and food, would not seem appealing to poor people who had neither.

Cubitt made many versions of his treadwheel over the years, but the most famous iteration lived at Brixton Prison in London. Two dozen prisoners spent up to ten hours daily trudging endlessly on a wheel that never went anywhere. 

This concept soon dwarfed the purported reason for milling corn, and some treadmills were run dry. That is, the work of the prisoners produced nothing. At one point, more than half of the prisons in the United Kingdom had a treadmill system used to punish and supposedly rehabilitate prisoners. Several individuals expressed ethical concerns, and the devices were almost defunct by 1900.

American Successors of the Treadmill

Treadwheel devices were installed in a handful of prisons across the United States but quickly fell out of style. The favorite rehabilitation method in the early 1800s was running jails as factories where the workers were allowed few breaks and little socialisation.

This method gained massive popularity after the abolishment of slavery when unpaid labor was suddenly in short supply. To this day, much of the domestic goods produced by America come from prisons.

Modern Treadmills

In 1913, a company filed a patent for a training machine. The device was much more similar to the treadmills of today.

But it was not until 1952 that two employees at the University of Washington created a device to aid in diagnosing heart and lung disease. This device had a long, flat belt that allowed patients to run in place.

The invention of the modern treadmill was a tremendous win for medicine. Doctors can now recreate realistic activity conditions in the clinic, allowing them to collect data that would otherwise be impossible to obtain.

The most modern treadmill is the curved treadmill. Did you know that when using a curved treadmill your body is the motor? Head to types of treadmills to find more about curved treadmills.

Types of Treadmills

In 1913, a company filed a patent for a training machine. The device was much more similar to the treadmills of today.

• Commercial treadmills - generally utilized at gyms, these machines have screens with multiple entertainment options and warranties due to excessive use.
• Curved treadmills - What is a curved treadmill? Designed to replicate natural movement when a human runs, a curved treadmill is a very modern treadmill design
• Motorised treadmills - similar to commercial models, but without computerized options (or fewer choices).  These are one of the most common household treadmills.
• Manual treadmills - the manual treadmill is a great budget-friendly option and eco-friendly, as it does not use electricity. The user generates belt movement.
• Foldable treadmills - ideal for small spaces and convenience, foldable treadmills are smaller than their counterparts and collapse for easy storage.

All treadmills are effective workout machines, so the type you choose mostly depends on your needs and the space you have in your home (or gym, if you want a commercial model). Studio apartments, for example, would likely suit a foldable treadmill.

Buying Guide: How To Choose the Right Treadmill For You

But which treadmills are the best for your exercise needs? There are several fundamental aspects to purchasing the perfect treadmill. Treadmills may look similar from gym to gym, but various features make up a diverse array of machines.

Understanding the characteristics of treadmills may be more easily done by considering them through the lens of your workout preferences and what you want out of your purchase. Below are the most important features you should look for during your treadmill search.

Understanding the characteristics of treadmills may be more easily done by considering them through the lens of your workout preferences and what you want out of your purchase. Below are the most important features you should look for during your treadmill search.

Size & Space

One of the most crucial aspects of buying a treadmill is figuring out where you want it, the available space, and whether you want to move the machine or if you plan on keeping it in one place. Most home treadmills are  7 feet long and 3 feet wide.

If you have a room in your home picked out, take the dimensions and consider whether you want to add any other furniture or workout accessories into the space. After you know the maximum size your room can handle, you can start shopping!

You can find the measurements of a treadmill on its box or even on display in a store. Try staying under the maximum size so you do not overcrowd your space and for safety.

Runners & Walkers

Another thing to look for when buying a treadmill is belt width and length. Runners typically need a longer belt length than walkers, as the belt spins more quickly and they cover more ground. The belts for runners also need to be wider to accommodate higher speeds and less predictable foot patterns.

Home treadmills for runners usually have at least an 45cm wide belt. 40cm wide belts work best for walkers. 

Lengthwise, walkers need at least 120cm. runners require 130cm, and individuals over 6 feet tall should use a 150cm belt.

There’s plenty of flexibility when it comes to measurements - some may be slightly larger than the above options, and that’s totally fine! You simply want to ensure your treadmill works for your intended purpose.

Motor & Horsepower

The capacity of a treadmill is measured through horsepower. For users planning to run regularly on their treadmill, especially at high speeds, ensure you're selecting a machine with high horsepower. Choosing a device with lower horsepower may mean having to cash in that warranty much sooner than hoped.

Look for a treadmill with a motor capacity of at least 1.5 CHP if you plan on using it for walking or moderate jogging. Runners need higher speeds, such as 2.5 to 3 CHP. Weight also affects horsepower - the more you weigh, the more horsepower you’ll need.

Incline

The incline is the primary reason treadmills are so excellent at calorie-burning. You need a treadmill with at least a 10 percent incline. Some treadmills also have a decline option to simulate outdoor running or pre-loaded settings that alternate between the two.

If you’re a casual user and don’t plan on doing intense running or workouts, the 10 percent standard incline is perfectly fine. However, those training for marathons may prefer higher percentages to prepare for the big race.

Technology & Bonus Features

Do you want a treadmill with tons of bells and whistles, or are you looking for something basic and practical?

Common tech features on modern treadmills are:

• App-connection capabilities
• Heart rate monitors that let you choose your goal
• Consoles with live instructors and practice sessions
• Sensors that monitor the impact

Fitness enthusiasts may find these features essential, but the casual user might not see the point in impact monitoring or desire syncing capabilities. However, many households enjoy the live instructor technology and prefer it to solo workouts.

Speed

Similar to horsepower, the speed you need for your treadmill varies on what you plan to use it for and your fitness capabilities.

If running is your gig, you want a treadmill that goes at least 10 mph. Walkers can afford lower speeds, but you may opt for a machine with high-speed abilities if you think you may transition to running in the future.

Fitness enthusiasts may find these features essential, but the casual user might not see the point in impact monitoring or desire syncing capabilities. However, many households enjoy the live instructor technology and prefer it to solo workouts.

Budget

Treadmills aren’t cheap - but some are more affordable than others. Beginners may want to invest in a foldable model, as they’re cheaper and less cumbersome. Experienced fitness fiends may opt for a pricier machine, as they’re more likely to know what features they need and prefer from their treadmill. 

If you want another budget option, try a desk treadmill. Office workers have started putting them in their offices for a workout on the job - and cost much less than a traditional treadmill.

What You Want to Work On

When searching for the perfect treadmill, take note of which muscles you want to tone. For example, if you want to increase muscle mass on your glutes and calves, you may want a treadmill with steeper incline and decline options. Those looking to get their heart rate going may desire a treadmill with higher speeds.

Are treadmills good for you? Will treadmills burn fat? Older adults experience degradation in several muscle groups that can lead to feeling weaker overall and even shortening lifespans. Using treadmills regularly helps bolster these muscles and regenerate strength as well as balance.

Muscles worked out by treadmills include:

• Hamstrings
• Quadriceps
• Calves
• Glutes

Treadmills are also excellent machines to help improve cardiovascular health health. Exercising the heart regularly and using it at a range above the resting heart rate help strengthen the heart muscles.

Do Treadmills Help You Lose Weight?

Are treadmills worth it when you're trying to lose weight, and will the treadmill burn fat? If you want to lose weight on your treadmill, find a model with plenty of interval options, inclines and declines, and endurance-building features.

Final Thoughts: How To Choose the Right Treadmill for You

Which treadmills are the best for you? There are many factors to determine whether a treadmill is right for you. What works well for one exercise will not necessarily function well for another. Before selecting a treadmill, make sure to review its specifications.

Select the correct type of treadmill for your ideal use. Be precise and practical when considering your available space, what you'll use the treadmill for, and who will use it. Speak with your doctor to confirm your capacity to exercise safely.

No matter what treadmill you select, you're bound to be happy embarking on a new leg of your fitness journey.