How to Choose the Right Treadmill

A home treadmill can be a fantastic investment for your health and fitness. You might like the ones at your gym, but choosing a running machine for your home is an opportunity to have one you love using. We’ve pulled together the different factors to consider to help you decide which treadmill to buy.

Before you decide on the model for you, take some time to think about these factors:

• How much would you like to spend? Think about your budget before committing.
• How much space do you have? Would a folding treadmill fit better in your space?
• How many people will use it, and how often?
• How are you going to use it? Running puts more pressure on the machine and needs a longer belt than walking.
• How complex would you like it to be? Think about programme options, heart rate monitors and extra features.

What to Consider when Buying a Treadmill

How Much Does a Home Treadmill Cost?

Think about how much you’re willing to invest in a home treadmill. You could weigh this up against your gym membership and consider how frequently you will use it to understand how much you could save. If you want a sturdy treadmill that will last, you’re likely to spend around £600. Spending more will offer more powerful motors and more options for workout programmes.

What are your Fitness Goals?

Consider what it is you want from training on your home treadmill. Think about what you want to achieve, and the kind of training you’re going to be doing on the treadmill. This way you can ensure that the equipment you buy is the right size and strength to support you on your fitness journey.

Treadmill for Weight Loss: Is it worth buying a treadmill for weight loss?

Whether you’re jogging or sprinting, cardio is one of the best ways to lose weight. A treadmill that supports the speed and duration you are aiming for is a great way to help you meet your weight loss goals.  Losing weight is easier with a diverse workout, working different muscle groups and holding your interest so you keep to it. Choose a treadmill with a good range of speed options and workout programmes to help you burn excess fat.

Treadmills for Muscle Toning

If you are looking for a workout that will help tone your muscles, you could choose a treadmill with an incline function. Because of the increased effort needed to travel up a slope, an inclined treadmill challenges your calf and thigh muscles more than running or walking on a level surface does.

Choose a treadmill with a range of incline settings, so that you can start at a shallow gradient and work up to steeper slopes.
All of our JLL Fitness treadmills come with 20 levels of incline as standard. Some models offer programmes with automated changes in incline. This replicates the experience and intensity of running outdoors, without risking a negative impact on your knee and ankle joints.

Treadmills for Long-Distance Training

You might be planning to increase your stamina using a treadmill to train for a marathon, 10K or another long-distance event. This means using your treadmill continuously for hours at a time.
To ensure you choose a treadmill that is up to this task, look for one with a high-horsepower motor and a comfortable size. A quality built-in entertainment system might also help you stick it out for the duration.

Treadmills for Better Health and Stamina

If you are looking to generally improve your fitness levels, a treadmill is always a good place to start. If you’re interested in using a treadmill for HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), look for one which lets you set custom programmes, or has a HIIT programme built-in.

Light or intense cardio sessions each day or a few times a week can gradually help you build a strong cardiovascular system and increase your endurance. This helps you run for longer and decreases your risk of heart disease.

Treadmills for Speed

You might be looking for a treadmill to increase your stamina when taking gentle exercise such as walking or jogging. If this is the case, you can save yourself some money by knowing what you’re not going to need. However, if you’re aiming to build speed and use your running machine for sprinting, there are a few more things to take into account. 

Impact Cushioning: Take into account the length of stride that your treadmill will need to accommodate. You also need to invest in a treadmill that can cushion the impact of your steps as you run, to avoid damaging your knee and ankle joints.

Motor Power: How fast are you going to run? How long are you going to run for? These questions matter for the motor power you choose. If you are planning on running at high speeds or for long periods, you should consider a treadmill with high horsepower (HP). All of our folding treadmills come with a DC motor with 2.5 HP and a max limit of 4.5 HP.

Usage: If you’re looking to share your treadmill, make sure you invest in one that will manage the amount your household will use it.

Weight: In some cases, it may be worth taking into account the weight of each user. JLL Fitness folding treadmills have a user weight range of 120kg (18.89 st) to 150kg (23.62 st).

Treadmill Sizes: How much space do I need for a treadmill?

If you’re blessed with a spacious home and dedicated gym area, you probably don’t need to worry about this one. However, for most people, the size of the treadmill you purchase is an important factor.
Folding treadmills are a great option for a home gym, as they are easy to store when not in use. JLL Fitness treadmills are designed to be unfolded easily and smoothly, with a Soft Drop System gently lowering the running belt to the floor on a hydraulic arm. They are also easy to transport, with built-in wheels in most models.

We recommend measuring both the intended storage space (L x W x H) and the space where you will use the treadmill before deciding on a model. Keep a note of these measurements to hand while you browse to save yourself time. You can usually find the dimensions or ‘occupying area’ in the product description.

Bear in mind that you should have some free space in front of the treadmill to ensure the motor has adequate ventilation and doesn’t overheat. You should also leave a few feet clear behind the treadmill, in case you fall.

The size of the treadmill you’re going to need also depends on your height, and the way you intend to use the treadmill. Make sure your choice has a running area that is fit for your needs. Generally, walkers should choose a belt size or running area of at least 115cm (length) x 40cm (width). Avid runners or taller user may need a larger running deck so be sure to look out for this.

Additional Features of JLL Treadmills
As standard, our treadmills come with high-quality speakers and the ability to connect devices. Some models come with multiple methods of connectivity, from USB ports to Bluetooth wireless connection, as well as varying display screens for entertainment.
It is worth considering what entertainment and comfort features you are interested in before making a purchase.

If you are ready to start looking for a treadmill, or are just interested, check out our range of Folding Treadmills. Use our handy Compare Tool to compare machines and find the best one for you.

Treadmill FAQs

Q. What are the benefits of a treadmill?

Treadmills offer all sorts of useful and enjoyable features which help you to improve your fitness.

•  Joint Protection: Using a treadmill is better for your joints than running outside as they have cushioning systems. This cushioning reduces the risk of injury and can help you achieve your goals more efficiently.
• Progress Monitoring: Treadmills allow for accurate tracking of workouts. They can track your speed, distance, time, heart rate and calories burnt, meaning you can monitor your progress over time.
• Burn Calories and Improve Health: Using a running machine is one of the most effective ways of burning calories and improving health. With many models, you can track the number of calories burnt in your workout to monitor your progress.
• Tailored Workouts: JLL treadmills allow you to customise your workouts by altering the speed and incline, meaning you can get the workout you need for your goals.
•  Entertainment: Our treadmills come with many options for entertainment which you would not get exercising outdoors. They offer high-powered speakers, Bluetooth and HD screens to provide you with the best possible experience

Q. How do treadmills calculate calories burnt?

The digital calorie counter on your treadmill uses a variety of methods to determine how many calories have been burnt during a session. The basic way of calculating it is by recording pace and body weight, but some high-end machines calculate it using incline and heart rate.

Q. Are treadmills ‘easier’ on your body than running outdoors?

There is a lot of debate about whether or not it is better for your body to run on a treadmill than outdoors. However, most experts would agree that the smooth, cushioned surface of a treadmill is easier on the joints, as it provides better shock absorption. This is better for the knees and ankles as it puts less stress on them.

Q. How do folding treadmills differ from non-folding treadmills?

Folding treadmills offer a more lightweight and storable option than non-folding treadmills. However, they are not as well suited to more heavy-duty or intense workouts.

Q. Are folding treadmills sturdy?

Yes, they do not sacrifice anything in stability or durability. If you are in doubt, JLL treadmills come with a lifetime warranty on the frame.

Q. What is the warranty on my treadmill?

JLL Fitness offers a 5-year motor, 2-year parts and labour and lifetime frame warranty for all of our folding treadmills.

Q. Can a treadmill measure heart rate?

Every JLL treadmill comes with pulse plates installed. During your workout, place your hands around these plates and track your heart rate on the screen.

Q. Why are treadmills different in price?

• Different treadmills offer different levels of functionality which can drastically alter the price. Some key areas which affect the price are:
• Motor Power
•  Top Speed
• Running Belt Size
• Number of Programs
• Incline
• Entertainment Features

Q. Do I need to maintain my treadmill?

The answer is yes. Treadmills will require some sort of maintenance to keep them running smoothly. The most common maintenance you will need to carry out is cleaning. You will need to clean your machine after every use and make sure the area around the machine is also clean and clear from obstructions. Keep your treadmill running smoothly by oiling the running belt and checking the wiring connections. For full instructions on treadmill maintenance, read our support document.

Q. What is digital control technology?

Many treadmills use an analogue control console, meaning there is a sensor on the motor that monitors distance and speed. However, every JLL treadmill uses a patented digital chip. We are the only

UK seller to use this precise technology in our machines. The digital control technology provides a smoother operation, better running experience and more reliable and accurate controls.
Utilising digital control technology also allows for the slowest start speed on the market at 0.3 km/h.

Q. What is the best treadmill motor?

A motor determines how much power a treadmill has and what speeds it can reach.  If you are going to be using your treadmill for intense workouts with high speeds then you will need a more powerful motor. Treadmill motor power is described in terms of horsepower (HP).  Most home treadmills on the market offer between 1.0 – 1.75 HP, whereas JLL Fitness’s treadmills offer 2.5 HP with a peak limit of 4.5 HP.

Q. Can I transport my treadmill?

All of our treadmills can fold up into a portable size. They also all come with transport wheels making for easy transportation.

Q. Do I need an incline on a treadmill?

An incline treadmill is a great way to work out and exercise muscles that are not activated when using a traditional treadmill.
An incline treadmill can offer a wider variety of workouts. For instance, a hill sprint is a great way to burn more calories.