How to Choose the Right Treadmill

If you are shopping for a new treadmill to your home gym, this guide covers what you need! Whether you are a seasoned runner or a beginner hoping to start a new exercise routine, we guide you with the four key factors to consider, helping you find the perfect treadmill to reach your workout goals. Plus, we'll share our top 2 picks that might suit your needs. 

Factor 1: Intelligent Features

A smart treadmill can significantly enhance your workout experience and results, even helping you burn more calories after your sessions. When choosing a smart treadmill, consider these important features: 

1) Incline Capability

The adjustable incline is one of the most valuable features of a smart treadmill. Like Mike, experienced runners in our MERACH Fitness Community, said, “Treadmill incline is a simple way to up the intensity and maximum your workout results”. By simulating uphill running, you can:

• Increase calorie burn: Running on an incline can burn up to 50% more calories than on a flat surface.
• Improve running economy: Uphill training strengthens leg muscles, making you more efficient on flat ground.
• Enhance endurance: The added challenge of incline running improves overall stamina. 

If you're new to running, incline walking allows you to get a gradual increase in workout intensity in a comfortable way. Many beginners think it is enough to solely do flat running, but you’d find it hard to gain more workout results, getting stuck in the “plateaus” stage due to the lack of incline training. In this case, we suggest you start with a lower incline and gradually increase it as your fitness level ups. 

2) Folding Design

A foldable treadmill is a great option if you are lean towards saving workout spaces. Most MERACH treadmills are designed to fold up easily for storage, making them perfect for small apartments and doing deep cleaning under and around the treadmill. Besides, many of our MERACH Fitness Community members who have ever used non-folding treadmills really appreciate it, saying that the non-folding treadmills usually result to be a machine collecting dust at home. 

There’s no wonder that Personal trainer Amy Potter, ACE, highlighted folding as her favorite feature. “It provides great flexibility on storage and leaves more space to build up your home gym completely”, said Amy.  

3) Bluetooth Connectivity

As we're stepping into an increasingly connected era, Bluetooth connectivity is becoming standard on many treadmills, letting you easily connect your phone to the treadmill and listen to playlists, shows, or podcasts. This nice compatibility keeps you motivated during your workout. 

4) Touchscreen Display

A touchscreen makes it easier to get started with your new treadmill. A clear display provides easy access to workout settings and real-time data, inspiring you through progress tracking and achievement celebrations.  However, some treadmills without an intuitive touchscreen or equipped with a complex screen display may be distracting during your workout, making you struggling about how to adjust the settings or view detailed workout data. 

Generally, smart treadmills often include all these 4 intelligent features, ensuring you get interactive and engaging running or walking experience. 

Factor 2: Finding Your Perfect "MPH"

The perfect “MPH" (miles per hour) for a treadmill depends on your fitness goals and current level. If you’re a dedicated runner, and want to perform sprints or some interval training workouts, treadmills with high maximum speeds (up to 12 MPH or faster) are ideal for challenging workouts. If you have no ideas on it, use this handy Treadmill Pace Conversion chart to determine the speed you'll need. Here's a general guide:

• Jogging: 4-6 mph
• Running: 6-8 mph
• Sprint training: 8-12 mph 

Of course, if you enjoy cozy cardio, a treadmill that goes up to 7.5 MPH (i.e. about an 8.5-minute mile pace) is a fantastic choice. It’s always a good idea to choose a treadmill with a higher maximum speed so you can gradually increase your pace as you don’t have to upgrade your machine once you progress in the future. 

Factor 3: Sizing Up the Available Space

Before purchasing a treadmill, it's essential to measure your workout space to ensure it fits comfortably. It would be better to consider both the treadmill belt size and the overall machine footprint.

• Treadmill Belt Size

A longer and wider belt is generally better, especially for tall users or those with a longer stride. We suggest you look for belts at least 20 inches wide and 55 to 60 inches long, providing ample room for walking, jogging, or running.

• Machine Footprint

Treadmills come in various sizes. You can plan for at least 70 inches in length, 34.9 inches in width, and 59.7 inches in height.

• Clearance Space

Don't forget to leave extra space around the treadmill for safe use. Ideally, please aim for eight feet behind the machine and two feet on either side.  

Factor 4: Weight Limit 

A treadmill's weight capacity is crucial for your safety and workout performance. If you weigh more or prefer high-intensity workouts, it's wise to choose a treadmill with a higher weight capacity. Even if you're lighter, a machine with a high weight (200-250lbs) allows you to do more high-intensity workouts. 

While some budget-friendly treadmills typically have lower weight limits (around 200-250 pounds), commercial-grade models can handle up to 400 pounds or more, meeting a wider and more versatile needs.   

Our Top Treadmills

Now that you understand these 4 important factors - let's explore two fantastic options to power your running journey.

1. The MERACH T19 Walking Pad

If you enjoy walking or light jogging, the MERACH T19 Walking Pad delivers. Many users, like WH executive health and fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos, praise its ability to fit into her sedentary lifestyle. "It makes it so easy to get my steps in and take little mental breaks during the day," she says. While not designed for running, the MERACH T19 Walking Pad offers a walking speed of up to 3.8 MPH, allowing you to do brisk walking workouts. 

Designed with your comfort and convenience in mind, the MERACH T19 Walking Pad offers a cozy yet effective workout with the whisper-quiet motor, without disturbing your neighbors or family while walking. The LED display shows speed, distance, time, and calories burned, helping you track your progress via real-time workout data. This compact treadmill also fits perfectly under a desk for workouts and can be stuck under a sofa when not in use. 

Specifications:

• Speed Range: 0.6-3.8 MPH
• Maximum Incline: 0%
• Max Weight Capacity: 220 lbs.
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 49.21 x 22.24 x 6.10 Inches 

2.The MERACH T12 Incline Treadmill

If you are seeking a treadmill to do challenging workouts, the MERACH T12 Incline Treadmill is an excellent choice. Its incline feature, combined with a spacious running belt and shock absorption, provides an engaging yet effective workout. MERACH member Ravi praises its smooth operation and quiet performance. She said, “The foldable design is a plus for space-saving. It does fold or unfold in 5 seconds!”. 

More surprisingly, when connected to the MERACH app, you can enjoy an immersive workout in our new Map Mode, sharing achievements with friends online after every session. 

Specifications:

• Speed Range: 0.8-7.5 MPH
• Folding Design: Yes
• Maximum Incline: 6%
• Max Weight Capacity: 265 lbs.
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 52.4 x 27.6 x 49.2 Inches 

Both MERACH treadmills offer unique features catering to different needs and preferences. The MERACH T19 Walking Pad is perfect for those with limited space or beginners, while the MERACH T12 Incline Treadmill provides more advanced features for those looking to elevate their running experience. 

Conclusion

Choosing the right treadmill for your fitness routine may seem daunting, but by considering these four key factors - intelligent features, speed, size, and weight limit - you can narrow your options and find the perfect fit. Whether you're a seasoned runner maintaining your training regimen or a beginner taking the first step on your fitness journey, there's a treadmill that works for you. Share your ideal treadmill features in the comments - We'd love to hear from you! 

 

 

 1. "Treadmill Pace Conversions", https://www.hillrunner.com/calculators/treadmill-pace-conversions/