Folding Treadmills - The Inside Story

Folding treadmills are the height of convenience allowing you to work out at home in comfort.

They come in many styles and prices but essentially there are two main types.

The first are power-folding treadmills. These feature a mechanism that opens and closes the unit. You just push a button and the treadmill will fold and unfold.

A similar type is called shock-assisted. Folding and unfolding these requires some effort on you behalf.

Naturally, these types tend to be more expensive.

The second type are manual folding. As the name suggests, you open and close these treadmills hand. You need to lift the unit to do this so the weight of the treadmill is of some importance, especially if you're elderly or have a health condition that obliges you to avoid lifting heavy objects.

On the subject of weight, you should be aware that just because it's a folding treadmill doesn't automatically mean that it's super portable. An unit that's easy to fold up and pack away can still weight more than you might be comfortable with.

So you need to check out the weight of the unit you're interested in and decide whether you'd be comfortable hauling it around your room.

Check, too, for features that help with ease of movement. Some items have wheels to make it easier to move around. This can make up for a heavy item.

Now let's look at the key features of treadmills in general

A treadmill conists of seven basic components.

• First, there's the frame, comprising the handlebars and skeleton of the treadmill. Most treadmill frames are made of steel, aluminum, and occasionally, plastic. Steel will always be the most stable.
• The console and control unit which contain the microprcessor and that allow the treadmill to function and the display components that allow you to monitor it.
• Then there's the running deck, the surface you put your feet on. This needs to be solid and shock absorbing. Make sure too that it's wide enough for your running position.
• Next there's the running belt. This is the moving portion of the running deck. Make sure your belt is at least 48 inches long and 16 inches wide, though 20 inches is better.
• The motor that powers the running belt
• The motor controller – the device that controls the speed of the motor.
• The incline motor – a smaller motor that controls the pitch or elevation of the running deck.

 For more on folding treadmills, visit the next page - Foldable Treadmills - All You Need to Know