Treadmills have been a staple in the weight loss and fitness community for decades. A treadmill is a device that’s designed to simulate running or walking on a flat surface, while allowing you to control both speed and incline.
Treadmill workout routines allow you to exercise inside your home or health club. They are great alternatives to outdoor running or walking, which can be restricted by factors like weather, or worse the current pandemic.
But treadmills aren’t just for professional athletes and fitness freaks! Many people use them for regular exercise routines, to supplement outdoor activities like jogging or hiking, or as a substitute when weather conditions are poor.
If you’re looking to buy a treadmill for your home, there are many things to consider. This article will cover how treadmills can benefit daily life, should be used safely and stored properly when not in use.
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Can treadmills actually be used in everyday life?
Treadmills were invented in 18th century England, but really took off in the 1950’s when President Eisenhower had a treadmill installed in the White House. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in treadmills.
It was even reported that over 200,000 people bought a treadmill in 2015, and I’m sure many more will be sold this year! So yes, treadmills can be used in everyday life.
Using a treadmill at home provides many benefits over outdoor running or walking.
- Running/walking on a treadmill is considered 'low impact' exercise, so it's less likely to cause injuries to your joints and bones.
- Treadmills are usually noiseless, unlike commercial gyms which can be extremely loud due to the volume of people exercising.
- Convenience. If you use a treadmill at home, you won't have to worry about getting rained/snowed on while jogging outside!
- You'll likely have better equipment at home than what you can get at your local gym.
- If you're training for a race, it's likely that many of them will have a treadmill section, so being able to train on one beforehand might give you an edge over the competition!
How Safe are Treadmills?
Like any piece of fitness equipment, treadmills can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Treadmills should only be used when they’ve been set up correctly and at a low speed. If you’re planning to use your treadmill for more than 30-35 minutes, you should also get a ‘treadmill mat’ to reduce fatigue and injuries.
While treadmills aren’t necessarily dangerous, they should be treated with the same respect you would show for an expensive car.
Is it worth buying a treadmill for home?
The answer to the question of whether it is worth buying a treadmill for home use is not simple. It really depends on your goals, lifestyle and the amount of space you have available at home.
Treadmills can provide many health benefits especially if combined with some regular exercises like jogging or power walking on them. Treadmills at home can provide good enough workout experience compared to fitness centres.
Home treadmills are not expensive and they come with many features that let you monitor your progress, count the calories burned and track your heart rate.
Some of them also include entertainment features like built-in audio system or flat screen TV monitor. Treadmills for home use can provide better workout experience compared to running in the street.
Treadmills do not take up a lot of space and you can very easily store them. If you have enough space at home, it is certainly worth buying one for use at home.
Do home treadmills use a lot of electricity?
It may seem that they use a lot of energy but it is not true if you consider the whole picture. You have to take into consideration the workout time, how often you will be using your treadmill and what other devices are running on electricity in your house, during the exercise time.
Is it OK to treadmill everyday?
It is OK to treadmill everyday as long as you take breaks. It would be better if you used it for some time and then took a break, just like during your workout at gym.
What are the safety aspects of using a home treadmill?
Treadmills for home use need to meet specific requirements regarding their weight, size and stability. Using treadmills at home is safe as long as you choose the right model for your needs and read all instruction manuals before starting to use them.
Treadmills for home use should have safety key and emergency stop button, so you would be able to turn them off immediately in case of accident or injury.
Storage of home treadmills
Treadmills for use at home usually fold after usage and this makes them easier to store away. They can be stored under the bed or under other furniture.
You can also buy special treadmill cabinets for storage of treadmills at home. It is important to keep them out of the reach of children, as they are considered to be rather dangerous devices. They can cause injury if used improperly by small children who do not understand their safety requirements and limitations.
Treadmills should never be placed near stairs, where they may become dangerous obstacles.
Where to find a good quality and reliable treadmill for home use?
Here is a detailed buyer’s guide on the best treadmills for home use.
Final thoughts
Treadmills can provide a good workout experience and they do not take up a lot of space. They are very practical devices that you should definitely consider buying if your lifestyle and budget allow it. Treadmills at home can be used by the whole family and this way everyone can find their own fitness level. So, go on, level up and step on up to your very own treadmill!