4 Useful Treadmill Features

Treadmills are among the simplest yet most versatile exercise machines in the market. They’re also one of the most varied—today’s models range from cheap, straightforward manual treadmills to fully electronic ones with a huge console that’s laden with features. And if you’ve browsed through a fitness store, you’ll know that they don’t come cheap. A new model can easily cost you $2,000, or even more if you choose a high-end brand. But do you really need a fancy treadmill? If you read some independent treadmill reviews, you’ll see that you don’t really need half the features on a typical machine.

So how do you know when a feature is really worth paying for? It’s really a matter of personal choice—what some people find indispensable may be completely useless to you. If you’re new to the fitness club, check with your doctor to see what kind of workout suits you best. From there, you can decide which treadmill features you really need and which ones you can do without. The list varies from person to person, but in most cases, the following features are really worth their price:

Cushioning

Cushioning is a shock-absorbent layer under the belt designed to reduce the impact of your feet on the machine. This not only protects the treadmill itself, but also helps prevent strain on your feet. Most treadmills have some form of cushioning, but a good model would have a stronger cushion layer specifically made to reduce impact on your joints and ligaments. Good cushioning is especially important for prolonged workouts, such as running 5k on a treadmill.

If you’re only after a casual workout, cushioning is largely about personal taste. Some people like the pounding effect of their feet on the rubber, while others like a bit of bounce to their step. There’s really no way to judge a treadmill’s cushioning on paper, so your best bet is to try it out at the store and see how it feels. There may even be a trainer at the store who can determine your running style and recommend a model that fits.

Speed ranges

How fast do you want to go on your treadmill? Some treadmills can go up to 15 mph, but they’re usually the over-$2,000 models, and only a pro runner would really find them useful. Most treadmills have maximum speeds of 10 to 12 mph, which is usually more than enough. Beginners usually start at 3 to 4 mph, move up to 5-6, and then hit a plateau at around 8. So unless you’re planning to run races, the conventional speed range should be enough.

Treadmill ratings usually take into account the speed range in combination with other features. For example, a large speed range coupled with a high maximum slope offers a lot of opportunity for expansion. If you’re into interval workouts or are training for a race, it’s a great way to increase your endurance and pump up your cardio. So when you’re comparing speeds, always look for accompanying features that will make it more worth the price.

Console design

The more features a treadmill has, the more complicated the console tends to be. Some feature-laden treadmills have consoles so packed that you can barely read them. And even if you’re an expert, you’re not very likely to need all those controls at once. That doesn’t mean fewer features are better—they just have to be well situated on the console to give you easy access.

Think of the features you’re most likely to change during your workout, such as the speed and incline. Find them on the console and try it out to see if you can reach them as you run. If you can’t personally test a treadmill model, look for user reviews on a treadmill blog—since they come from firsthand experience, you’ll know you’re getting a fair opinion compared to salespeople at the store.

Safety features

Finally, look for protective features designed to minimize the risk of accidents, and lessen the impact in case something does go wrong. One of the most important treadmill features is the emergency shutoff, which is usually a magnet or button that turns off the power when pulled. Pulling a string takes less time than pushing a button, so it’s more effective in breaking sudden falls. Keep the cord on you during your workout so it automatically pulls off when you get dragged.

Most people want treadmills without handrails to give them more freedom of movement. But handrails help ensure proper treadmill use, even for people who’ve been working out for years. They prevent you from falling off the sides in case of an accident, and help you regain your balance when you make a misstep. If you really want the sides free, at least choose one with an extended front rail so you have something to grab when you need it.

Choosing exercise equipment is a lot harder today than it was ten years ago. Where there used to be just manual versus electric, we now have machines with heart rate monitors, calorie counters, programmable routines, and all other add-ons. But as you might expect, each new feature pulls up the price tag considerably. A high-end, feature-packed machine can cost well over $2,000, which is a lot considering they don’t provide a full workout.

The key is to choose only the features you need. This can differ from person to person; for example, a person working out for health reasons may find a heart rate monitor useful, while someone trying to lose weight would prefer a calorie counter. Identify the main reason you’re working out in the first place, and decide which features will make the best fit. Classify these features into must-haves, nice-to-haves, and the mostly useless.

This trick is especially useful for treadmills, which are probably the most varied machines in the market. Some treadmills have huge consoles that could rival a spaceship board, but for most people, less than half of those features are really useful. For a regular workout routine, all you really need are incline and speed settings, customizable programs, and a safety features such as an emergency shutoff and handrails on both sides.

Another thing to remember is that the more features a machine has, the more prone it is to damage. Each feature requires the addition of at least one small part, and the more parts it has, the more likely it is for one to come off. While you’ll probably get a warranty for a good model, you don’t want to break your routine—or worse, have to buy or rent a new one—simply because you have to replace a switch for a function you don’t even use.

If you’re still not sure what to choose, try consulting a trainer or doctor. Spend a few sessions at the gym and talk to a trainer about choosing exercise machines. They can recommend a few good brands and tell you which features are really worth paying for.