Folding Treadmills – Foldable Treadmill Machines Fold Up For Easy Storage
One of the many reasons people do not invest in a home treadmill is because of the large amount of space an exercise machine such as this is perceived to require. Indeed, a full size non-folding commercial treadmill such as those seen in an average gym is a very large, heavy piece of exercise equipment which will take up a lot of permanent floor space and is definitely not something you are going to want to move too often.
Whilst this is fine for a commercial gym, it is not so great for a home user who may have limited space in their home gym room, or simply do not want to have to dedicate a permanent amount of space to a single piece of gym equipment.
In realisation of this, treadmill manufacturers created foldable treadmills which are perfect for home exercise as these collapsable treadmills fold up to save space as well as being more portable through the use of more lightweight materials and with the addition of both wheels and moving handles.
The benefits of folding treadmills compared to normal treadmills
The main advantage of a good folding treadmill is that you will save a lot of space in the home when you choose a foldable treadmill compared with a non-folding treadmill. The dimensions of a non-foldable treadmill will take up an average of 6ft x 4ft in space, some are larger still and that footprint doesn’t include the amount of extra space needed around the machine for safe usage.
A folding treadmill does not need to take up permanent space, but instead, can be used when you need it and when not in use, can simply fold down and be wheeled away into a corner, or leaned up against a wall, stowed under a bed, stored in a closet etc.
In terms of stability, this used to be something which was the main downfall of folding treadmills, but it is now hard to tell the difference between folding and non-folding treadmills of comparable quality in terms of just how stable they are. As an added benefit, folding treadmills are often cheaper than their non-folding counterparts which means you can not only save space but also save money at the same time by opting for a foldable treadmill machine.
A further advantage for the house proud user is the added advantage of being much more able to clean under and around the treadmill. Normal treadmills are very heavy and anything but portable so you’ll not want to clean under and around them very often. Folding treadmills can be simply wheeled aside allowing much easier access to otherwise inaccessible floor areas.
How To Choose A Folding Treadmill
Once you have made the decision to purchase a folding treadmill there are several things you will specifically want to look for in order to get the best value for money.
One of the major issues which pertain in particular to foldable treadmill models is stability. When choosing a fold up treadmill stability should be a main consideration with how much of an issue this is being directly related to how you intend to use your treadmill both now and in the future. For example, walking requires much less stability than running.
A good folding treadmill for jogging can be acquired for somewhere over £700
whilst runners should look in the £1200+ range. Of course, sale, special offers and discounts can reduce the prices often dramatically allowing you to buy a good quality folding treadmill for a cheap price.
As a general rule, it is advisable to avoid cheap folding treadmills as they will not provide the kind of stability which will enable you to enjoy a comfortable workout. Of course, the same goes for cheap non-folding treadmills too. If you have the option, try out a folding treadmill in the store to see how stable it feels, you can always go online later to find it at a better price. If that isn’t an option, then be sure to ook for and read treadmill reviews and ratings of you chosen model to see what other users are saying about the machine. Amazon is a great place to find real user reviews and they often have some of the lowest prices around too.
Another top consideration is the folding mechanism itself. Some of the more expensive treadmill models have push button and hydraulic folding mechanisms which make folding up the treadmill a breeze, whilst some of the cheaper models are less easy. The weight and general portability may also be more of an issue for you personally, especially if you have any physical condition (like back pain) which may make push button folding more desirable.
If you are very short on space, then you might want to still look at your folding treadmill dimensions before making a decision. Some fold up treadmills are still quite large when in their folded up state. If you have a specific space requirement (like a closet you want to utilise) then be sure to check out the actual treadmill dimensions, folded length, width and height, before making that purchase.
Aside from these general areas which pertain specifically to folding treadmill machines, you will want to also look at the features of a general treadmill to make sure you find something which is best suited to your needs. Things like the motor strength, on board computer monitor, exercise programs, running deck, frame strength etc. are covered in more detail in our general treadmill buyer’s guide which is a must read if you are looking to buy a treadmill and are not entirely sure what you need.
[...] treadmills are not the same as folding treadmills as, although they do fold up to a more managable size, they are also designed to be much more [...]