Folding Treadmills
Portable treadmills fold right up
Many people prefer to exercise on a treadmill instead of walking or jogging outside; however, the size and cost of most traditional treadmills often make it prohibitive to own one. Seeking to address this issue, manufacturers began creating folding designs that made possible the portable treadmill, which could be used in just about any home. While the first folding treadmills were a step in the right direction, it would take years before they started to offer features that were comparable to their stationary counterparts.
The typical treadmill occupies approximately the same amount of space as a twin bed. Many people don’t want to dedicate that much space to just one piece of cardio equipment, so having the ability to pack up and store a manual folding treadmill makes it a more attractive purchase.
Here are some points to consider for finding the best folding treadmill for your needs:
- Portability. Before you shell out money for a folding treadmill, make sure you find out whether it folds manually, how heavy it is and easy it is to maneuver. Some folding treadmills require more strength to move than others, so make sure that you’re up to the task before you purchase, especially if you plan to store away your treadmill after each use. Remember that even a portable treadmill with a motor can be quite heavy!
- Warranty. As a general rule, most warranties offered by the manufacturer are directly related to the life expectancy of the product; a treadmill with a 5-year warranty is much more likely to last, compared to one with only a 90-day warranty. It’s recommended that you purchase a treadmill with a 5-year warranty on the motor since it is the most crucial component on any powered treadmill.
- Cost. How much can you afford to spend on a treadmill? Make sure that you don’t make a decision based entirely on the bottom line; you need to factor in the ease of use, warranty, weight and quality of the folding treadmill in question. If it meets all your needs in these areas, then it can be well worth it to spend a little more money. If it’s severely lacking in any area, no matter how much money you save upfront you may come to regret your decision later.
Once you take those points into consideration, it’ll be much easier for you to determine which folding treadmill is the closest to meeting your needs. One treadmill for serious shoppers to consider is the Trimline 315 folding treadmill. It has soft drop hydraulics, takes up only ⅓ of the space of a stationary treadmill and comes with a 30-year drive motor warranty.
