Treadmill

The treadmill brings your running training into the dry

With a treadmill, you can give free rein to your urge to exercise - regardless of the weather. For many years, treadmills have been the dominant training category in the USA, the world's largest fitness market, and a key training focal point in fitness centres worldwide. Accordingly, the popularity of motorised treadmills in the home has also increased considerably in Switzerland in recent years - and rightly so, in our opinion!

Get going with the treadmill

Walking, strolling or running are our most natural forms of locomotion, so the treadmill is our most natural fitness equipment for these sports.

Treadmills are ideal for burning calories, improving our stamina, strengthening our leg and back muscles and maintaining muscle coordination.

Treadmills can be used regardless of age and fitness level, as they offer a safe training method even for people who are just starting to exercise, are still recovering or are overweight. On the treadmill, the body moves in the way that nature intended it to. The treadmill is therefore an excellent way to keep in shape. With a shock-absorbing running surface design, versatile training feedback and a wide range of programmes, treadmills make natural movements easier, safer and more motivating.

What should your treadmill be like? Folding, as quiet as possible or capable of climbing?

Treadmills from various brands such as Life Fitness, Tunturi or Horizon Fitness differ in terms of motor power, initial and maximum speed, the size of the running surface, incline options, cushioning and the range of programmes.

The motor power is decisive for the running smoothness of a treadmill. A larger motor should be available for heavier users or faster runners.

The size of the running surface determines training comfort and sure-footedness. Taller people should select a sufficiently large running surface, as they take larger steps at higher speeds and therefore require a longer contact surface. The incline angle simulates running uphill and not only challenges another area of the leg muscles, but also brings exciting variety to the training programme. Some SportsArt treadmills also offer a negative incline to simulate downhill running.

Gentle running training with variations

One of the most important criteria when buying a treadmill is cushioning. Good cushioning is essential to protect the ankles, knees, hips and spine. Various shock absorption technologies are available on the treadmill market. From simple cushioning systems such as Tunturi or Spirit Fitness to AirTrain technology from Horizon Fitness, which has an air cushion system under the deck that varies the cushioning in pre-programmed changes in conjunction with speed and incline. 

Training programmes provide more variety in training and increase motivation. Treadmills are equipped with training computers that offer a variety of programmes. Pre-programmed load profiles, heart rate-controlled programmes, interval programmes as well as user-defined training programmes, where a personal running route can be saved, are all on offer.

Training success always in view

User-friendly displays show comprehensive training statistics such as time, distance, incline, speed or heart rate. Treadmills with a heart rate-controlled training programme offer the option of entering the desired training heart rate (fat burning or endurance training). The treadmill controls the speed or incline or a combination of speed/incline so that you always remain at the specified heart rate. Treadmills for home use are often available in a folding version to save space. Commercially available treadmills, which are designed for a higher continuous load or for a higher payload, do not offer this option.

Buying a treadmill for home use is worthwhile

Running training at home offers some obvious advantages over training in a fitness centre:

• the fitness equipment is available at all times
• the running training can be used without having to travel to the gym
• You train with privacy and without unnecessary comparisons
• the purchase costs are one-off
• You are not dependent on opening hours or public holidays
• You can choose your device exactly according to your personal needs

Still not sure which treadmill is right for you? Then contact us — we’ll be happy to help you further.