The treadmill is the most popular and effective fitness equipment in professional gyms. It is also a top-selling fitness machine for home use, especially for individuals aiming to lose weight and enhance their physical condition.
There are numerous compelling reasons to invest in a treadmill for your home. It enables you to cover considerable distances without changing your position. Professional runners also dedicate time to using treadmills in their training routines because they provide a consistent workout irrespective of outdoor weather conditions. It offers a fun alternative that doesn’t require you to venture outdoors for a run.
In this article, we will share 11 good reasons why purchasing a treadmill for home use can be a game-changer for your overall health and well-being.
11 Good Reasons to Invest in a Treadmill
From the flexibility of workouts to the privacy of your space, the advantages of having a treadmill at your fingertips are numerous. Let’s explore reasons to buy a treadmill one by one:
1. Weight loss and physical improvement
For years, treadmills have helped millions of people to achieve their health goals all around the world. The two main goals for users of treadmills are weight loss and improved fitness. If it works for other people, there’s no reason it won’t work for you, but it takes some effort.
It is also ideal for running enthusiasts because it allows for monitoring performance with great precision. Walking and running on this exercise machine helps you burn calories fast and lose weight consistently. Running on the treadmill will improve your stamina and health. Your heart, lungs, and muscles also benefit from this activity.
Here are some figures to give you a statistical idea:
- A 5 km / h walk burns about 2 calories per kilogram of your body weight every 30 minutes. For a person weighing 70 kilograms, this equates to 280 calories for a one-hour session.
- Running at 10 km / h burns 5 calories per kilogram of your body weight every 30 min. For a person weighing 80 kilograms, this equates to 800 calories for a one-hour session.
- Running at 12 km / h burns about 6.5 calories per pound of your body weight every 30 min. For a person weighing 80 kilograms, this equates to 1020 calories for an hour session.
- Walking and running on a treadmill is also great for increasing your heart rate in areas that will cause you to lose weight and improve your endurance.
2. Give you more control over your speed
One of the most common mistakes people make when walking or running on the treadmill is to start too fast for their actual level, especially when they have been out of the sport for several years. If you start too hard workouts at the beginning of your walking or running program, it can lead to injury and may discourage you as you will feel like it is too hard and not worth it.
If a friend suggests going for a 10 km run when you haven’t run for 5 years, say no and start at your own pace. There is no point in cutting corners. In treadmill running, unlike outdoor running, you need the ability to adjust the speed at which you want to walk or run. You will have better control and visualization of your training.
Some high-end models allow you to adjust the running speed according to your heart rate. This ensures that you’re always training in the appropriate heart rate zone for your fitness level.
3. You can adjust the speed according to your level
Many modern treadmills provide the capability to adjust running speed in small increments. This feature is perfect for progressively intensifying your training—for instance, by running at 9 km/h, then 9.2 km/h, and gradually increasing to 9.4 km/h. This allows you to reach a sufficient level before advancing to higher intensity levels.
You can adjust the machine’s speed with the push of a button, making it ideal for interval workouts. This allows you to run at different speeds within the same session.
4. There are no hours to use your treadmill
One of the biggest advantages of buying a treadmill for home is that you can use it whenever you want – day or night, hot or cold, rain or shine. Today, many people lead overworked lives, and difficult to find the time to train in gyms or outdoors because of their busy schedules. So they can train when they want. For this reason, having a treadmill at home may still be the best option for you. Then enroll in a gym, as you won’t have to think about gym schedules or have to do the workout.
5. The whole family can use it for sports
A single treadmill can be used by the entire family for sports, weight loss, and maintaining fitness. Research suggests that when a family shares similar goals and commits to losing weight together, each member is more likely to succeed. A sense of collective motivation and healthy competition emerges, driving everyone to do their best. It’s similar to quitting smoking—if one person tries to quit while others continue, it becomes harder to stay committed. However, if the whole family quits together, the shared motivation makes the goal easier to achieve.”
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller
6. Make the most of your time
Owning a treadmill not only allows you to exercise every day but also to do something else at the same time if the thought of spending 45 minutes on a treadmill discourages you. To make a session less monotonous, some people like to watch their favorite TV shows or listen to their favorite music during treadmill workouts.
Time tends to pass more quickly on the treadmill, and it can even make the workout feel easier. Of course, this varies based on personal preferences—some people prefer to stay fully focused during their workouts. Also, you’ll save time by not having to travel to the gym or park. At home, all you need to do is turn on the treadmill and start your session.
7. Have firmer and more muscular legs
Many of us would like to have more noticeable abs, nicer legs and shape, and a firmer butt, especially for women. Regular running on a treadmill will help you change your figure, but you will also need to change your diet for more effective results. However, if you run a lot, but only eat fast food, the results will be minimal or nothing. At the same time, strength training combined with running can give good results. Squats, and lunges… are ideal exercises to do in addition to achieving your goals.
8. Treadmills simulate roads with unevenness
The flat surface is beneficial, but featuring an incline is even more effective, especially for weight loss and muscle strengthening. In addition to adjusting the workout intensity by changing the treadmill speed, many home-use treadmills also offer the option to adjust the incline of the running surface. This feature allows you to further intensify your sessions.
With a single button, you can simulate a walk or run uphill. This will help increase your heart rate, and of course, burn more calories for every minute you spend on the machine. If you are preparing for a race with climbs or false slopes, but you live in a city where all the roads are flat, you’re able to simulate uneven terrain on your device.
9. You train without judgment
People who want to lose weight often struggle with self-esteem and may feel uncomfortable about their appearance. Many avoid working out in public gyms, fearing judgment or being stared at by others. However, this is largely tied to self-confidence. It’s important to realize that the majority of people in the gym are focused on their own workouts and appearance, not on others.
Nonetheless, if you are too shy or lack the confidence to register in a gym or run outside at the moment, a home treadmill will allow you to work out without these problems. When your figure changes and your physical condition gradually improves, your self-confidence will be improved. Because yes, sports or exercise is an excellent practice for boosting confidence.
10. Save your money
At first glance, buying a treadmill can seem like a big investment if you think about the short-term goal. But in the end, on second thought, it can be cheaper than paying for a gym membership, especially if your family has more than one person and they want to exercise on it.
Gym memberships can become costly, especially if you find yourself not using them consistently, a common occurrence. For many individuals, the money might be better invested in a high-quality treadmill. With a treadmill, you can have a lasting fitness solution at home, ensuring it remains a valuable investment over the years.
It also helps to avoid frequent trips to the gym or park. You can save gasoline or public transportation costs. You should know that most of today’s treadmills have excellent built-in quality and are truly robust. They are sold with good guarantees and customer service, allowing you to use them for many years.
11. Take no more account of the weather
When running outdoors, bad weather may force you to cancel your sessions. Additionally, you might face hazards like safety concerns, traffic, or the risk of falling. A treadmill offers a reliable alternative, allowing you to exercise safely at home anytime. You won’t have to worry about weather conditions or traffic.
Disadvantages of the treadmill
Besides so many advantages of using a treadmill at home, it has several disadvantages that must be taken into account before starting exercise or buying it.
A less natural stride
The stride on a treadmill is less natural than running in nature. Different from running on the ground, there is no horizontal movement. The mat pulls the runner’s foot back causing them to put the other foot forward. Also, the movement is more mechanical and the muscular work differently. The hamstrings are less strained, in contrast to the psoas-iliac muscles (hip flexors) which work more to compensate. The first sessions can unsettle as it takes time to adapt. The sensations are as different as outside. The vibrations of the treadmill can be unpleasant for someone.
No proprioception work
Unlike outdoor terrain with its holes, bumps, and stones, the treadmill’s surface is smooth and flat, allowing the runner to focus on their workout without worrying about ground difficulties. However, this can hinder the development of proprioception—the unconscious awareness of joint position needed for maintaining balance. This training is essential for preventing injuries like sprains. Resuming outdoor running after a long period on a treadmill may be surprising at first, as the brain may not be accustomed to uneven terrain.
Treadmill workouts can get boring quickly. To stay mode active, it is best to run while watching TV, listening to music, or listening to a coaching program. These programs meet a specific goal (improve endurance, lose fat, etc.). You can find online programs on the internet.
Prepare to sweat
You can sweat a lot while exercising on a treadmill because there is no cooling effect of the air created by the movement, and of course, no wind except that of your fan. Some models also include a fan to alleviate this problem. But it is not commensurate with the smooth wind. Remember to hydrate yourself well to avoid the risk of fatigue and tendonitis.
Conclusion: Buy a treadmill
Today, the whole world is facing an unprecedented health crisis. Around the world, old habits have changed dramatically. In this situation, you must maintain your health to develop your immune system. The treadmill remains one of the most practical devices for exercising at home today. Many sports coaches suggest their students exercise on the treadmill. It is ideal for weight loss, helps to improve physical condition, and develops the body’s defenses. When you exercise on the treadmill, every part of your body is involved and many of your organs will find satisfaction. I hope this guide helped you decide whether or not to buy a treadmill for home use.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment in the section below, and I will respond as soon as possible.