| Buying a folding treadmill? Buying any treadmill these | | | | room. |
| days can be complicated - there are so many new | | | | While most economy treadmills fold up, there are a lot |
| brands and models competing for your attention it can | | | | of higher end treadmills that don't. Why? What's the |
| get confusing. Here's what you need to know before | | | | difference between a folding and non-folding treadmill? |
| you go out to shop for a folding treadmill: | | | | Folding units, by the nature of their design, are generally |
| A fold-up treadmill provides both the luxury of a home | | | | not as stable as non-folding machines. (That doesn't |
| workout and saves you valuable floor space. Foldup | | | | mean they are not stable, it just means they are not |
| treadmills are ideal for condos, apartments or smaller | | | | AS stable). This is an important consideration when |
| exercise rooms. They're also easier to clean around | | | | buying. According to Runner's World, stability is the |
| and under! | | | | most important quality of a good treadmill. For |
| There are 2 main types of foldup treadmills: | | | | example, you don't want the treadmill to shake or |
| 1) Power-folding Or Shock Assisted (where you get | | | | wobble when you pick up your pace. |
| some help folding the treadmill). This helps to save the | | | | While there are a number of factors that contribute to |
| strain on your back. Power fold-up treadmills are few | | | | stability (like user weight capacity, unit weight, quality of |
| and far between but basically you press a button and | | | | construction, etc.) foldability is one of them. This is why, |
| the treadmill folds and unfolds itself. | | | | if you look at stability ratings for various treadmills, |
| Shock assisted treadmills are a little easier to find and | | | | non-folding machines almost always come out on top. |
| you do have to put out a little effort, but not a lot, to | | | | This is also why most commercial or health club |
| get the treadmill to fold and unfold. | | | | treadmills do not fold. |
| 2) Manual folding - This is where you lift the treadmill | | | | So runners or heavier users may want to consider a |
| itself to fold it up (and hold it to let it down and unfold it). | | | | non-folding treadmill before buying. There are |
| If the treadmill is fairly light, this isn't so bad, but if it's a | | | | exceptions to this rule of course, but in general this is |
| heavier unit, it can be a pain, especially for an older or | | | | the case. |
| health-compromised person. Most treadmills - | | | | Overall, fold-up treadmills offer some great space |
| especially those under $1200 - are manual folding. | | | | saving and portability benefits. However keep in mind |
| Regardless of what type of folding mechanism is | | | | the various types of folding mechanisms available |
| used, once the treadmill is folded, most treadmills have | | | | (especially if you're buying the treadmill for an elderly |
| a locking mechanism where you can lock it into place. | | | | person who may not be able to lift a manual folding |
| Some treadmills even have wheels on the bottom at | | | | treadmill) as well as the stability benefits of non-folding |
| the base of the treadmill so that once it's locked, you | | | | machines. |
| can easily move it around into a closet or another | | | | |