Want to run faster? Using a treadmill for interval training is the perfect way to increase speed and mental, as well as physical, endurance.
Buying a treadmill to use at home can be daunting when there’s so much choice. So here are five questions you should ask yourself to make sure you choose the right treadmill for you…
- How much space do you have?
Treadmills aren’t small, so first of all make sure you have the room to use one safely at home. Maybe you’ve decided to turn the spare room or the garage into a makeshift gym? Or perhaps there’s a space in the living room that you can tuck it into? Whatever you decide, ensure that the treadmill you buy will actually fit. If you don’t really have the room, but want to get one anyway, then all is not lost. You can buy fold-up treadmills which can be packed up when they’re not in use, making them an ideal space saver.
- What’s your budget?
So you’ve counted the pennies and worked out how much you’ll be saving in gym membership, and you’re ready to start shopping. Now is the time to think about how much you want to pay. There are treadmills for every budget and no doubt you will want the most bang for your buck, so do a little research to discover how much a treadmill is worth to you.
- Which treadmill would suit you?
Here’s where size does matter. Treadmills are generally around 18-22 inches wide, but the length ranges from 52 inches to more than 62 inches. If you’re between 5’7” and 6’4”, you should aim for 55-inch length as a walker and 60 inch length as a runner. If you’re shorter than average, subtract 2-3 inches, if you’re taller than 6’4”, add 2-3 inches.
- What features should you look for?
If you’re training yourself to run faster and longer, or if you’re on a weight-loss mission, then you should look for a treadmill with a track speed of 10mph or higher. A treadmill with a higher speed is ideal for marathon training and will also allow you to integrate interval training. The incline is also an important feature. If you’re training for a marathon or losing weight, stick to the 10-20% max incline range. You can find high-end treadmills which decline to 2-3% which is a good option for keeping your workout varied and it will also engage the muscles used to decelerate which may help to prevent injury when you’re road running. Horsepower generally runs from 1.5 to 3.0+; and the higher the number, the smoother the continuous motion and the harder you can push the machine.
- Do you need all those space age bells and whistles?
If you’re the kind of guy who loves tech, then there are plenty of machines on the market to suit you, with everything from basic training programmes to complementary apps to help keep you on track. Or maybe you would be just as happy with a basic model with manual settings? Make sure you know your comfort zone before you buy, otherwise you may end up feeling overwhelmed by a space-age machine – or even underwhelmed by a lack of gadgets and gizmos.
Click to view NordicTrack’s full range of treadmills to suit all runners.
