Wendy Bumgardner is a freelance writer covering walking and other health and fitness topics and has competed in more than 1,000 walking events.
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A folding treadmill is a great solution for smaller living spaces or multi-purpose rooms. The quality of folding treadmills has improved greatly over the years, according to expert Fred Waters, so buying a new model may be better than getting a used model.
You need to look for a model that is easy to fold and to set up or you are less likely to actually use it as you intend. Many people buy a folding treadmill and then leave it set up or never unfold and use it. Also look for the other treadmill quality indicators of stability, motor power, weight capacity, and warranty.
The ProForm Pro 2000 is a budget model that gets high ratings for construction, ergonomics, and exercise range. It has a powerful 3.5 CHP motor that can accommodate a user weight up to 300 pounds and speeds up to 12 mph. It is iFit-compatible so you can take advantage of a variety of workouts. This treadmill features an EKG grip pulse detector and comes with a wireless chest strap heart rate monitor. An added bonus: The motor and frame have a lifetime warranty.
The NordicTrack C1650 also garners high ratings at a lower price. The motor is a powerful 3.5 CHP that can sustain a maximum speed of 12 mph and accommodate users up to 300 pounds. The 10-inch web-enabled and iFit-compatible touchscreen offers you 34 different workout apps, allowing you choices of workouts that are based on the calories your burn, heart rate, incline, and speed. Choose a Google Maps route and it will adjust the incline to match the terrain, or browse the web while you are working out.
The treadmill is designed to reduce noise and vibration. It has grip pulse monitors and is compatible with wireless chest strap heart rate monitors. It has incline up to 12 percent but doesn't have decline.
Always top-rated, Sole upgraded the F85 as of 2017 with a 4.0 HP continuous duty motor, which is one of the most powerful in its product range. Bluetooth capability allows you to transfer your workout data to the Sole app or other fitness apps so you can keep track of your progress. This model has a wide 22-inch deck, comes up to 60-inches long, and is rated for users up to 400 pounds.
The Sole F85 has both grip EKG and chest heart rate monitor readouts. It comes with six standard workouts, two user-defined workouts, and two heart rate controlled programs. It has cooling fans and speakers with a port for your iPod or MP3 player.
Do you want to stay connected while on the treadmill without trying to prop up your laptop or iPad on the display? The Reebok 1910 comes with a 10-inch touchscreen display with web browser powered by Android. If you have a home wireless connection, you can browse the web while you walk or run. You can use the optional iFit Live module for personalized workouts. Users love the Google Maps workouts where you download a route and you can see the street view as your walk or run there virtually.
This treadmill has a -3 percent decline feature in addition to 15 percent incline, so you can go downhill or uphill. The treadmill itself is no slouch, with a 4.25 CHP motor rated for users up to 400 pounds. It has 40 workout apps and two video workouts. A Polar wireless chest strap heart rate monitor is included, and it also has a grip pulse monitor.
The Sole F80 also has been upgraded as of 2017 with a 3.5 HP continuous duty motor. It will run up to 12 mph and accommodate users up to 350 pounds. It runs quieter and smoother than previous models and has both wireless chest strap heart rate monitor control and pulse grips. The preset workouts include six standard programs, two heart-rate programs, and two user-defined programs. Newer models have Bluetooth capability to connect to fitness apps.
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