Five of the Most Exciting Features Found in Today’s Treadmills
A treadmill is a must-have tool for anyone who loves to lead an active lifestyle. It is easy on your joints, allows you to train every day come rain or shine, and helps you stay in excellent shape.
Treadmills have undergone dramatic modifications in the past few years. Manufacturers are fiercely competing with each other to add new, innovative features to their machines to make your workout sessions as effective and enjoyable as possible.
Let us take a look at five of the most exciting features available in some of the top-rated treadmills on the market today.
Feature – Calorie Burning Incline
Model – NordicTrack X9i Incline Trainer
Imagine being able to burn off all those extra calories quickly just by walking on the treadmill. It is now possible thanks to the revolutionary ‘calorie burning incline’ from NordicTrack X9i Incline Trainer.
The X9i can incline up to an astonishing 40% and can decline up to -6%. By walking at such a steep incline, you can burn off up to five times more calories than you would normally do by walking or running on a flat surface.
Feature – VFX Shock Absorption System
Model – Landice L8
One of the major disadvantages of running outdoors is that the road and the hard pavement can be pretty unforgiving on your joints. This is one of the reasons why many people prefer to run on a treadmill.
However, even treadmill surfaces can be hard on your knees, especially if you are someone who likes to run at a swift pace. To prevent this problem, Landice L8 has come up with the VFX shock absorption system.
The running surface is five times softer than grass and is designed to absorb shock evenly and reduce the impact on your joints to a great extent. The commercial grade tread belt is also cushioned to provide added protection to your joints.
Feature – Treadmill Desk
Model – ProForm Thinline Pro Desk
Now, a desk is not exactly a unique feature as you can find a number of desk treadmills on the market today. However, what makes ProForm Thinline Pro Desk different is its design and functionality.
The treadmill features a console which folds into a desktop. This unique feature allows you to use the machine as a normal treadmill as well as a desk treadmill.
Under normal mode, you can leave the console facing you and use it as a conventional treadmill. If you want to switch to desk mode, you can lower the console completely and use the flat surface to keep your laptop, files, or books.
You can raise or lower the desk by up to 14” at the touch of a button. So, whether you are short, tall, or somewhere in between, you can use the desktop comfortably.
Feature – Interactive Message Board
Model – F80 SOLE
Learning to use a high-end treadmill can be a challenging task, especially if you are a first-timer. The assortment of workout programs, the console display, and the various controls can be a bit overwhelming. The F80 SOLE has found a solution to this problem in the form of an interactive message board.
The machine features an integrated message board that guides you through the various workout programs. Any time you want to set up a workout program or want to know about a particular function of the treadmill, you will get the instructions across the screen of the message board. This is what makes the F80 SOLE incredibly easy to use, even for those who have never stepped on a treadmill before.
Feature – SpeedRing
Model – Boston Marathon 4.0
Dubbed the best choice for marathon runners, the Boston Marathon 4.0 features SpeedRing, a highly innovative technology that allows you to increase or decrease the speed of the treadmill without breaking your stride.
With conventional treadmills, you have to lean forward and use the console panel to adjust your running speed. More often than not, it affects your rhythm and breaks your stride. It can be particularly frustrating if you are a serious runner who is training for a marathon. This is where SpeedRing comes into the picture.
It is a Bluetooth based wireless device that can be worn on the finger. It allows you to increase your running speed in very small increments (1/10th of a mile per hour) without using the console. The treadmill speed ranges from zero to 15 MPH.
Closing Thoughts
Treadmill companies are trying to outdo each other by adding more features to their products to give more value for your money. Other features that can be found in today’s treadmills include fully web-enabled touchscreen display, heart rate monitoring system, extra large running surface, integrated music system, cooling fan, iFit compatibility, and many more.
As a customer, you are simply spoiled for choice. So, compare the treadmills from different companies, look for the features that appeal to you the most, and choose a machine that suits your needs and budget perfectly.