Treadmill – which one and how to choose?

A home treadmill can be a great investment, giving you more opportunities to exercise when you can’t go to the gym or outdoors. There’s also a huge choice, and everyone is sure to find a treadmill with the features they need. Finding the best treadmill tape depends largely on how you intend to use it. For those who want to explore other home exercise options, check out the Velomarket blog post on “Which exercise bike is suitable for your home?” .

Why is a treadmill useful?

If you’re looking to tone your lower body and lose weight, the treadmill is the perfect way to do it. Walking and running work the thigh, shin and butt muscles. In addition to the abdominal and back muscles, the core muscles that hold the whole body upright. A good rhythm is essential to maintain the pace. Many people tend to walk with their back slightly arched, shoulders forward. The back should be kept straight and the shoulder blades should be pulled together more. On many treadmills, you can also change the angle of incline, where you walk as if you were going uphill. This way you can push your muscles even harder and make them work even harder. If you also want to give your upper body a bit more of a workout, you can carry extra weights in your arms.

Exercising on a treadmill is also good for your heart and cardiovascular system. The heart even gets the most work during exercise. Regular exercise, even a simple walk, can keep your heart healthy for years. A healthy heart prolongs life and keeps us active even in old age. So walk and run freely and enjoy it, because exercise and a good workout is always good.

How to choose a treadmill?

If you’re a marathon runner, you’ll need a longer treadmill for a full run. Those who plan to walk can choose a smaller one. Those who like to hike and run in different terrain need plenty of uphill opportunities. If there are several users in the home, you need one with enough motor power. Those who prefer interval training will want to adjust speed quickly and often. Let’s take a look at some of the basic features that each treadmill has and how to make the right choice.

ENGINE POWER is measured in horsepower (hp), which has a direct impact on treadmill quality. Depending on the user’s weight, the motor should also be chosen – a more powerful motor can handle heavier loads and withstand the load better. The more powerful the engine, the higher the treadmill price.

• 3.0 hp or less – suitable for walking, hiking and light jogging (<10 km per hour). That’s enough for those who plan to walk or hike on the slope. Not recommended for long-distance training and not designed for multiple users at once (i.e. more than one hour per day).
• 3.0 – 3.5 hp – suitable for many types of training. You can walk, hike, jog and run without any problems. The most affordable options are in this range and offer the right speed and power. However, for fast interval training, longer distances (12+ km) and multi-user or prolonged use (2+ hours per day), this engine may not be powerful enough.
• 3.5-4.0 hp – the engine in this range supports more users and most types of training. Only a few motors have more power than 4.0 hp, so this range will support marathon training, walking or multiple users.
• More than 4.0 hp – that’s a lot of power for a treadmill. Anything over 4.0 hp is designed for continuous use, long distances and high speed.

THE SIZE OF THE RUNNING SURFACE. When choosing a running tape, also look at the size of the tape you are running/walking on, not just the size of the entire training line (the wider the device, the more stable it is). Running requires a longer stride than walking, so runners need a longer surface than walkers. The taller the user, the longer the tape must be, because a taller person has a longer stride.

• For running, the tape should be 50 cm wide and 155 cm long. Then there’s plenty of room to run, even for someone over 180 cm tall.
• For walking, a width of 45-50 cm and a length of 115-155 cm are sufficient. Of course, if you can run, you can certainly walk.
• Large ribbons are typically 56 cm wide and over 155 cm long. Premium treadmills often have more space to support users of all sizes.

KAAL. The bigger and heavier the treadmill, the more comfortable and secure it is to run on. It should certainly be heavier than the person using it, otherwise the exerciser will start to twist underfoot and you won’t be able to use it. The treadmill must be about 20 kg heavier than the user to ensure stability.

COMMUNITY. Each treadmill is marked with the maximum load capacity. When running, the impact of each step can be 2 times the user’s weight, which has a big impact on the treadmill. It is therefore best to stay below the maximum weight.

The control panel should be within easy reach and easy to use. It’s more convenient to have a bigger screen, where you can see most of the parameters without having to constantly search for what you need using buttons.

KALDENURK. if you want more of a workout and also want to walk “uphill”, a treadmill with a slope of up to 10 percent or more is for you. If the treadmill has a downhill function, it is also very useful for better simulation of field conditions.

CHILL. If you’re planning to run, a treadmill with a speed of up to 16 km per hour or more is suitable.

Depending on its price and quality, treadmills have additional features that make them much more convenient and exciting to use. The best treadmill should include options to choose speed, incline and also simulate different terrains. Choosing the speed helps you to train in the desired heart rate range, while changing the incline brings different muscles into play.

Where does the treadmill go in your home?

Make sure you have enough room to walk safely around the treadmill to get on and off. There are often warm-ups and gymnastics as well, so there must be enough room to move your arms while on the treadmill.

What type of treadmill suits my needs?

There are many different types of treadmills and below is a quick overview of the different types and what they have to offer:

Treadmill with tipping facility

These are usually large treadmills that can also adjust steep angles. There are also some that have a 40% tilt. Incline exercise bikes are suitable for all types of use, but are particularly useful for those who like to walk or hike on steep slopes or for intensive exercise. Inclined exercise machines require a lot of floor space and the incline will bring you closer to the ceiling, so make sure you have enough room before you buy.

Folding treadmill

Today, most treadmills can be folded. The technique is so effective in newer models that even some of the most bulky and robust treadmills have been made foldable. Even serious runners will find a folding treadmill. Many have hydraulic assistance to facilitate lifting and folding.

Treadmill for walking

Treadmills for walking have a smaller frame, ribbon and motor. They are often cheaper too. We recommend you look for one that has sufficient padding and still has a large enough surface area for comfortable walking.

Treadmill for running

Typically, they are longer and have more powerful engines to support higher speeds and longer distances. For regular runners, we recommend that you pay attention to the treadmill construction and the training programmes that are included to ensure that they still support your training (different types of training).

Mechanical treadmill

They do not have a motor and are usually fitted with a belt that is driven by the runner. They tend to be expensive, but are the most similar to running outside. Popular among athletes.

Hybrid treadmill

As the name suggests, they can be powered by electricity as well as self-powered. Such treadmills offer a much more varied exercise option, i.e. to train different muscle groups. A good choice for those who want more variety in their workouts.

WIFI CONNECTION, VARIOUS APPLICATIONS

Nowadays, as well as different workout programmes, exercise bikes often come with a screen with a Wifi connection where you can watch TV, YouTube videos or Netflix while you work out. There is often the option to add the screen yourself later, if it is not already included with the exerciser. Current treadmills include touchscreens at every price point. On-demand exercise programmes have proved very successful in helping people to exercise at home, with instructions and guidance, and with others.

A standard treadmill already comes with a selection of basic programmes, most of which do not require a subscription or internet connection.

Many treadmills have a main console that can be connected to apps on your smart device via Bluetooth. This way, you can track your basic indicators such as heart rate, calories burned, on one of the free apps. It’s a good option for those who don’t want to pay for a monthly subscription but are still interested in using workout apps, watching Netflix or using a tablet during a workout.

Many trainers also come with, for example, a year-long subscription package included in the price. They are usually very thorough and comprehensive, with content always kept fresh. The large touch screen and internet connection also allows you to compete and train with others, keeping track of your training results and motivation high. Some can also be connected to a big screen. For example, the Tunturi exercise bikes on offer at Velomarket have the Tunturi Routes app, where you can choose your favourite route from any corner of the world. The difficulty of the training track in the video also changes the difficulty of the trainer – whether the track leads uphill or there is a slight bump on a smooth road. There are so many possibilities and home training has been made very convenient, interesting and motivating.

Once you’ve brought your treadmill home, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to try out different programmes and start a routine. Running workouts become quite boring if you do the same thing all the time. Be sure to take the time to explore all the variations so that your new treadmill doesn’t get stuck in a corner collecting dust or clothes.

TUNTUR TRAINERS AND FITNESS PRODUCTS

Velomarket is the official distributor of Tuntur trenazers and we have a wide range of home training equipment. If you’re interested in strength training at home, you can find dumbbells, dumbbells, kettlebells or other additional weights and accessories in the Velomarket range. If you’re looking for a more serious gym workout, there’s a workout bench to suit you. For gymnastics at home, Velomarket offers a range of massage equipment, gymnastics and yoga mats, gymnastics balls, stretching bands and other equipment from the Tunturi range.

The tundra literally means “big mountain”, symbolizing the overcoming of challenges and the feeling of accomplishment that comes after intense training and self-transcendence.

The Tunturi began in 1922. in Turku, Finland, when brothers Aarne and Eero Harke opened a bicycle shop, Pyöräkellari Oy. Initially, the main focus was on repairing bicycles, and then the company itself produced bicycles under the Tunturi name. The brand was very successful and within a few years the small shop was replaced by a factory and by the 1950s the Tuntur brand was the leader in the domestic moped market. Using the technology and knowledge gained from bicycle manufacturing, Tunturi expanded into the production of other sports equipment.

1969. In 2008, Tunturi transformed the fitness industry by introducing the world to the first pedal ergometer for home use, and a year later, it gained international recognition as a manufacturer of sports equipment.

In the 1990s, a strategic decision was made to focus on the production of Tuntur fitness products and Tuntur bicycles. This decision was important for the further development of the brand. Tunturi is now a well-known brand in Scandinavian countries and Tunturi fitness products are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide.