Are Folding Treadmills Any Good?

Treadmills are the most popular piece of home gym equipment but both the price and the space requirements can put an rather large obstacle in the way of prospective buyers. The invention of folding treadmills has helped break down the latter barrier although you will still need to shell out a fair chunk of change in order to purchase a quality one which will give you many years of usage without expensive maintenance costs.

When looking to buy a folding treadmill the question which usually pops straight into people’s heads is “are they any good?”. The answer to that a few years ago would have been a tentative ‘yes’ but with reservations as the general stability of the machines was a little suspect. However, in recent years great steps have been taken to increase the stability of folding treadmills and the best models on the market are very close to their fixed kin in all areas of performance.

If space is at a premium in your home and you simply do not have the space to permanently dedicate to a bulky piece of equipment like a treadmill (which can take up an area around 6ft x 4ft and that’s not including safe clearance around the machine) then a folding treadmill might just be the right option for you. However, folding treadmills have a few extra considerations to keep in mind before making a purchasing decision if you want to get the most out of your purchase.

Stability Issues

Whilst this has improved greatly in recent years it is still worth looking very carefully into how stable your chosen treadmill is before throwing down the cash. Instability was an issue in the past and with many of the cheap folding treadmills out there, it still is. You will need to test the treadmill machine out for yourself in the store to get a feel for how well it performs. Trying walking and running on it, wiggle from side to side and even jump up and down to see how stable it is because its better to know now than find out later as you will not feel comfortable running on a shaky running deck.

Folding Treadmill Moving and Weight Issues

All folding treadmills are designed to be moved around but how easy this is varies from treadmill to treadmill. For example, a good, solid treadmill is probably going to weigh in excess of 200lbs wich means if you are going to be carting this around often, you’ll need some physical strength. If you are only going to fold it up occassionally, then this isn’t such a big issue, it depends on your circumstances.

Some come with just two wheels meaning you’ll have to lift and pull, others with four which make movement easier. When folding open or collapsing the treadmill most newer models now feature hydraulics to make this easier but there are still models which require you to perform this action by manually lifting and locking the frame into place. How much of an issue the weight and movement issue is depends upon how often you will be moving the treadmill and this is an extra thing to look at when making your purchasing decision.

Weight Capacity

This is a consideration with all treadmills and something you should consider adding 50lbs to in order to ensure you get a long life out of the motor and bearings. The manufacturer often over-exaggerates the capacity so make sure to add a little extra on in order to ensure you do not put excess strain on the parts or you will be looking at regular servicing and maintenance charges.

Cost Of A Good Folding Treadmill & Warrantee

A simple benchmark to go by when choosing a treadmill of a superior quality is the initial cost of the unit. Sure, take a look at all the specifications etc. but for a general ballpark guide to how well built and designed a treadmill is, the initial cost and warrantee options are a great second opinion. Many of the cheap treadmills you will see at catalogue shops and non-specialist high street retailers have those crumby 90 day warrantees and there’s a reason for this - yours has a good chance of lasting exactly that long! Look for a guarantee of 2 years or more on moving parts, motor and electronics as the ideal.

High end treadmill models can set you back over £4000 whilst cheaper manual treadmills under £100 which is quite an extreme divide. Ultimately, you get what you pay for but there is no need the highest extreme to get a great treadmill. You should be able to pick up a good folding treadmill for walking purposes for around £500 whilst for running and jogging, that figure should be more like £900+. More serious running and fitness enthusiasts might look towards the £1500 mark. Extra bells and whistles will add to that price but make sure the bells and whistles aren’t all you are paying for. Always try before you buy.

That last sentence is important. A treadmill is a significant investment and you can not tell from reading reviews, looking at specifications, looking at pictures, comparing products etc. just how well the machine will be suited to your needs. Folding treadmills have those few additional requirement like ease of movement and stability which you can only test by physically going to a store and playing with one. Once you have found one you are comfortable with THEN you can go online and start looking for those bargain prices but buying blind is not a smart move, especially when you are looking at an investment which may easily reach 4 figures.

Verdict

So are folding treadmills worth the money? Does a folding treadmill match up to their non-folding cousins? These days, the answer is yes, if you pay for a good quality one. The space saving design is perfect for anyone who wants the benefits of a running or walking machine in their home whilst not compromising on stability and quality as in the past. Be sure to shop around and try before you buy to get the most out of your purchase.