In modern life, more and more people are choosing to buy a treadmill for their homes, allowing them to exercise at home anytime. However, with the wide variety of treadmills on the market, it can be challenging to know how to buy a right treadmill.
Focus on Power and Running Belt Width
Let’s focus on two crucial parameters when selecting a home treadmill: power and running belt width.
1. Motor Power
Power plays a vital role in the performance of a treadmill. It is mainly divided into peak power (HP) and continuous power (CHP).
Usually, the power of a treadmill motor is simply and crudely indicated by HP (motor peak). In fact, the continuous horsepower of the motor, that is, CHP, can accurately reflect the power of the motor. This is because the peak power of the motor may vary depending on the brand and materials, while the continuous horsepower can provide an accurate horsepower value.
Generally, 1.0 CHP can usually support a weight of around 60 kilograms.
| Continuous Power (CHP) | Weight-Bearing(KG) | Suitable User | Recommendations |
| 0.8-1.0 | 40-60 | Suitable for people with a lighter weight who mainly do light walking or occasional jogging, such as women weighing around 50 kilograms or children. | Suitable for low-speed walking on the treadmill, with a speed generally between 3-5 km/h. Use no more than 3 times a week, and each exercise session should not exceed 30 minutes. |
| 1.0-1.5 | 60-80 | Suitable for people of average weight for daily jogging or brisk walking, such as adults weighing around 70 kilograms. | Can do jogging or brisk walking at a speed of 5-8 km/h. Use 3-5 times a week, and each exercise session can last 30-60 minutes. |
| 1.5-2.0 | 80-100 | Suitable for people who are a bit heavier or those with a certain demand for exercise intensity, such as those who often do medium-speed running. | Suitable for medium-speed running at a speed of 8-12 km/h. Use 4-6 times a week, and each exercise session can last 45-90 minutes. You can occasionally do some short-term sprints. |
| 2.0-2.5 | 100-120 | Suitable for people with a large body weight and regular exercise habits, who often do medium-to-high-intensity running, like fitness enthusiasts weighing around 110 kilograms. | Can do medium-to-high-intensity running at a speed of 10-15 km/h. Use 5-7 times a week, and each exercise session can last 60-120 minutes, including interval running, uphill running, and other training. |
| Above 2.5 | Above 120 | Suitable for professional athletes or overweight people for high-intensity training or long-term exercise. |
1.1 Continuous Power
Continuous power, simply put, is the power that a treadmill motor can output stably for a long time. It determines whether the treadmill can operate continuously and stably in daily use.
Generally, the continuous power of a home treadmill is recommended to be between 1-2.5 HP. For users with a lighter weight who only do brisk walking or occasional jogging and have a low usage frequency, a continuous power of 1-1.5 HP can basically meet their needs.
For example, some female users mainly use brisk walking as their daily exercise method. Choosing a treadmill within this power range can not only meet their exercise needs but also be relatively energy-efficient.
However, if you are heavier, for example, weighing more than 80 kilograms, or if you are keen on high-intensity running training, running more than 3 times a week with long-lasting sessions each time, a continuous power above 1.5 HP would be more appropriate. A larger continuous power can ensure that the treadmill will not experience stuttering or insufficient power during long-term and high-intensity exercise, providing you with stable and reliable support for your workout.
1.2 Peak Power
Peak power is the maximum power that a motor can output in a short period. When you do sprinting, sudden acceleration, or other instant high-intensity exercises on the treadmill, peak power is required to support you.
Generally, the peak power of a home treadmill is between 3-3.5 HP, and some high-end products can even reach higher. Although the usage time of peak power is short, it is crucial for enhancing the exercise experience.
For example, when you do interval training and alternate between fast running and slow running, the peak power can enable the treadmill to quickly respond to your acceleration needs, making the running process smoother and avoiding slow speed increases or stuttering due to insufficient power.
1.3 Why is the Treadmill Power Important
Weight-Bearing Capacity: Generally, the greater the power of the treadmill, the stronger its weight-bearing capacity. A 1.5-horsepower treadmill may be suitable for users weighing 100-150 kilograms, while a 3.0-horsepower treadmill can support heavier users. If there are heavier members in your family who also need to use the treadmill, it is essential to choose a product with a larger power to ensure the safe and stable operation of the treadmill.
Speed Performance: Power is closely related to the speed of the treadmill. The higher the power, the higher the maximum speed the treadmill can reach. Generally, a treadmill with a continuous power of 1.5-2.0 horsepower can meet the basic running needs of most home users. A treadmill with a continuous power of 2.5-3.0 horsepower is more suitable for runners with a certain exercise foundation who pursue higher speeds.
Stability: When running at high speeds, treadmills with higher power tend to be more stable. Imagine running at a relatively fast speed on a treadmill. If the power of the treadmill is insufficient, it may shake or become unstable. This not only affects your exercise experience but also may pose a safety hazard. Therefore, for users who pursue a stable exercise experience, choosing a treadmill with a larger power is very important.
Energy Consumption and Price: It should be noted that treadmills with higher power consume more electricity during operation, and their prices are relatively higher. This is because high-power motors cost more in terms of manufacturing processes and material selection. So, when choosing the power of a treadmill, you need to comprehensively consider your home electricity consumption, your budget, and your actual exercise needs.
2. Running Belt
The width of the running belt is a key factor affecting the comfort and safety of our exercise on the treadmill.
2.1 How to Choose the Treadmill Width
The average shoulder width of Chinese adults is approximately between 35-38 cm, while the running belt width of most treadmills is between 40-55 cm. From an ergonomic perspective, when choosing the running belt width, it is advisable to choose a slightly wider one, which makes running more stable.
Generally, it is recommended that men choose a running belt width of more than 45 cm. Since men generally have wider shoulders and larger strides, a wider running belt can provide them with more space, preventing them from stepping on the edge of the running belt during running and causing safety accidents.
For female users, if they only do simple light exercises such as brisk walking, a running belt width of 40-45 cm can basically meet their needs. However, if female users also have a running habit and pursue a better exercise experience, it is also recommended to choose a running belt width of more than 45 cm.
2.2 Different Width Running Belts
40-45 cm: Running belts in this width range are generally found on entry-level treadmills and are relatively narrow. If you have a limited budget and mainly female users do simple light exercises such as walking or low-intensity brisk walking, this width of the running belt can be an option. However, when running, it may feel a bit cramped and the comfort level is not very high.
45-50 cm: Running belts in this width range offer high cost-performance and are suitable for both men and women. Whether it is daily jogging or brisk walking, they can provide a relatively comfortable exercise space and can meet the needs of most families.
51-55 cm: This is a relatively wide running belt, commonly seen on high-end home treadmills and some imported treadmill brands. Using such a wide running belt provides a higher level of comfort. Even if your stride is large or your running posture changes during running, you don’t have to worry about stepping on the edge of the running belt, providing users with a safer and more comfortable exercise experience.
2.3 Why is the Treadmill Belt Important
Generally, within the common running belt width range of 40-55 cm for home treadmills, the wider the running belt, the relatively higher the grade of the treadmill. This is because a wider running belt requires a more powerful motor to drive, which means the overall performance of the treadmill needs to be at a higher level. Correspondingly, its price will also be higher.
So, if you pursue the ultimate exercise experience and have a sufficient budget, you can choose a high-end treadmill with a wider running belt. If your budget is limited but you still want to meet your basic exercise needs, choosing a treadmill with a running belt width of 45-50 cm is a good compromise.
When choosing a home treadmill, power and running belt width are two important parameters that cannot be ignored. During the selection process, you must combine your actual situation, such as your exercise habits, weight, and budget, and comprehensively consider these two parameters. At the same time, don’t forget to pay attention to other aspects of the treadmill, such as the shock-absorbing system, incline adjustment, and safety performance. Only in this way can you select a home treadmill that is truly suitable for you, allowing you to enjoy the joy and health brought by exercise at home.