Image from Unsplash
How heavy are treadmills is something you want to think about before you purchase one. We use treadmills to get a good workout and help us lose weight. Pushing around your treadmill for your perfect home gym can feel like the actual workout. The average treadmill weight is 60 to 250 pounds. The heavier it is, the better: you won’t find gym facilities that work with just 80 pounds.
Even for your home, you’d prefer a quality treadmill that can last long, which would be a heavier treadmill. But the downside is that it would be a headache to have a heavy one to move. The best treadmills come in heavier weights due to certain factors you can’t ignore.
Luckily, we’ve prepared a detailed guide on what makes a treadmill heavy and how you can move it for your convenience:
What makes a treadmill heavy?
Image from Pexels
Treadmills have to be sturdy enough to allow us to be able to run on them. The shapes and sizes of treadmills vary, but a regular home treadmill weighs around 229 lbs (104kg) on average.
Some models can weigh up to 450 lbs (204kg) and some can go as light as 99 lbs (45kg). Finding the perfect machine for your body type is crucial to having a good exercise experience.
But there are still many factors that make a treadmill heavy. Below are parts that add significant weight to the famous gym equipment machine.
Frame
The frame is responsible for most of its weight. It is an indicator of how strong the treadmill is. Firm and sturdy frames are what make a treadmill perform more efficiently. A lightweight frame for lighter treadmills is perfect for people who prefer having a simple exercise outside the office after work. However, a high-quality frame means a heavier treadmill.
Regardless, a sturdy frame is best for avid fitness enthusiasts who follow a strict fitness program. It will also contain advanced features like pre-built fitness workouts.
Lastly, a heavy frame is for Military, Navy, Space training, and any other high-intensity workout that require extreme training programs. Heavier treadmills are for these workout sessions for the best possible training experience.
Motor
A Motorized treadmill that has a high-powered motor means a heavier treadmill compared to low-speed ones. They need to handle high pressure due to operating at high speeds.
An engine built with high-quality materials typically can add 50 to 60 pounds to the treadmill; this is why a commercial-level manual treadmill has titanium or industrial motors.
Belt
A belt adds the most to the overall weight of the treadmill. Treadmills with advanced features like an incline are significantly heavier, allowing the user to change the angle of their running board for more intense workout sessions. It contains extra parts such as the flywheel and rollers.
A treadmill with an incline will weigh 30 to 40 pounds more. And motorized treadmills weigh around 220 to 350 pounds, 270 pounds being the average. But this can also be fixed with an incline adjustment to your treadmill weight.
Are treadmills too heavy for apartments?
Image from Unsplash
One of the most common instances with having a treadmill is hoping your fitness equipment doesn’t break a hole through the home gym. There’s an ongoing thought over how much weight is acceptable for having it on your second floor.
Thankfully, Little Upgrades states that you can have a treadmill upstairs in your apartment, but there will be other factors to consider. Though treadmills weigh enough to be on the second floor, manual treadmills can be hard to carry.
Here are some things to think about before moving your treadmill upstairs in your apartment:
Noise
Leg movement on a treadmill is noisy. It causes vibrations that would irritate your neighbors. According to Gym Crafter, people downstairs will know when you’re on a treadmill despite how high-quality or quiet it is.
The best thing to do is discuss with your landlord and neighbors a “quiet hour” and when it’s best to use your treadmill to avoid disturbances.
Here are more quick tips that could dampen the noise:
- Run during off hours when agreed by the neighbor.
- Place your treadmill strategically away from bedrooms or study rooms.
- Consider soundproofing your area with a few panels. This, however, would cost a little more effort.
- Get a good pair of running shoes that could help lessen the impact of your feet on the belt.
Damage
While you may have solved the noise, running on your treadmill can cause it to move without you realizing it, causing scratches and tears on the flooring.
One way to avoid this is by placing your treadmill on a harder surface. Little Upgrades mentions that while carpets may look like a fair option to absorb noise, your treadmill can be exposed to more dust and fibers and end up damaging your carpet.
Using an exercise mat under the treadmill can help minimize the damage on wood-type and other floors.
Space
Plan by measuring and comparing your room and chosen treadmill before buying it. Though your room may be “big” enough, you’ll still need to consider your other furniture that also takes up space in your apartment. This is to ensure you don’t have limited floor space.
On the other hand, there are many treadmills of various shapes. You can find smaller and lighter treadmills that are easier to move around your home.
Electrical Capacity
Quality treadmills or commercial treadmills need a higher capacity outlet for the extra power to function the motor and other features. Despite this may be different from a home treadmill that can be less motorized, make sure your sockets can handle the machines to avoid accidents.
Do treadmills have a weight limit?
Image from Pexels
Treadmills do have weight limits that are needed to prevent accidents and injuries. According to Work While Walking, Lower-end treadmills and average treadmills have a lesser weight capacity compared to commercial and professional treadmills that are used for high-intensity training
But despite tests and quality, Fun on Foot states that the exact weight limit marketed by manufacturers may not be not 100% precise, but approximate measures can give a clear limit that users should be mindful of.
Here’s a quick guide to help you based on Work While Walking and Fun on Foot findings:
Take note that this may also differ depending on the manufacturer and brand.
How to move a treadmill?
As most people are aware, moving a treadmill can be quite troublesome because of its weight and how bulky it can be. Shifting a treadmill between rooms, down or up the stairs, or simply moving it from one place to another is dangerous if done carelessly. It can cause injuries or broken equipment if moved incorrectly.
Here are some specific steps to carefully move a treadmill with wheels between locations.
- Unplug the treadmill from its socket before moving it, and carefully check if the wire is organized so you don’t step or trip over it.
- Learn how to lift the treadmill properly. Bend your knees to the extent where you can carefully reach under the treadmill to lift it. Grab the bottom edge of the treadmill with caution and slowly lift with your arms.
- Don’t lift the treadmill with your back. Allow your legs to do the work and lift with your knees. Lifting with your back has a high chance of causing injuries.
- Steady yourself and hold the treadmill upright by lifting the bottom edge.
- Lift the frame and swing it toward the main console. Never release it until the latch on the underside of the frame is secured in the storage position.
- Grasp the treadmill console and slowly tilt it back. You need to do this step extremely slowly to avoid accidents. Tilting will allow the treadmill to be set on its wheels.
- Hold the handles that protrude toward you and put one foot against one of the wheels. Pull gently until the treadmill is balanced on its wheels. Slowly wheel the treadmill to the new location.
- Once the treadmill is on-site, put your foot in front of one of the wheels again and slowly tilt the treadmill and set it down to its default position.
However, remember that not all treadmills have wheels. The next best option is to have a foldable treadmill that can be easily carried. One example of this would be a folding deck treadmill that could be easier to transport. Portable treadmills like these make a difference in making space and moving it around your home gym.
How to move a treadmill upstairs?
The weight of a treadmill will play a big part: can you handle carrying commercial treadmills up the stairs? Read the manual of your treadmill first to know whether you can take it apart and reassemble it upstairs or you’ll need to hold the entire thing all at once.
Moving a treadmill upstairs by yourself is not recommended as it can damage your exercise equipment and lead to accidents if not carried properly. The best thing to do is to hire professionals who can safely install your treadmill at home.
Take things slow and carefully read your manual before carrying or having it carried by a helper. Here are a few steps to carrying a treadmill upstairs:
Step 1
Clear the path where you’ll be moving your treadmill to have better space to move and avoid tripping into objects.
Step 2
Place the treadmill mat on the spot where you’ll put your treadmill.
Step 3
Get help from at least one or two people to assist, as treadmills are extremely heavy. Having someone will lessen the risk of injury from large objects.
Step 4
For folding treadmills, lift the treadmill’s belt from the back end and fold it up to the console until you hear it lock into place. Insert the locking pin or tighten the locking knob on the underside of the belt if needed, this may vary depending on the model or brand.
Read your treadmill’s manual to be sure about the locking system.
Step 5
steadily lean the treadmill back to the floor and lift it off the ground while the other person lifts the other end. But if it’s still in the box, tilt the box and lift the end while someone lifts the other end.
Step 6
Slowly carry the treadmill one step at a time, and pause to catch your breath when needed. When resting, have one person steady the other end of the treadmill while its upper or lower portion is set down securely down a step.
Step 7
Carry the treadmill to the planned spot and settle it down on the treadmill mat you prepared in step 2. Unlock the belt or locking pin and gently lower the belt to the floor.
Remember, be careful, especially with the front part of the treadmill where the console and motor are located, this part is the heaviest side of the treadmill. Stretch before carrying heavy objects and bend your knees to lift with leg support to minimize injuries.
Nonetheless, it’s best to find a portable treadmill that is perfect for your fitness plan and suits your home situation. Different types of treadmills can tend to your needs, whether you are looking for a quieter treadmill or the lightest one to carry around your home.
Understand what you need and base your treadmill purchase on it.
Popular treadmills – How heavy are Nordic Track treadmills?
Image from Unsplash
Home gyms are a struggle for space when you have treadmills that weigh a ton and are not portable. One way to solve this is by choosing folding deck treadmills with quality components. A prime example of this is Nordictrack Treadmills.
The most prominent characteristics Nordictrack treadmills are known for are their variety of models with high-quality features and budget-flexible prices. It also has a curved treadmill model that is noted to burn calories faster. Most of its models are 77 in. x 35 in. and come in folding treadmills that are more portable to use in your home.
How to fold a NordicTrack treadmill?
To give you a glimpse of a NordicTrack treadmill, here are quick steps on how you can set it up at home:
Step 1
Insert the safety key then press the bottom incline button on the treadmill’s display so you may lay the incline until it’s flat on the ground. Doing otherwise can damage the NordicTrack treadmill.
Step 2
Unplug the safety key from the treadmill.
Step 3
Make sure your hands are dry, and use gloves if you need a more solid grip. Head to the back of the machine and bend your knees. Hold the sides of the metal frame under the deck. Do not grab the plastic rails.
Step 4
Keep your back straight and your shoulders away from your ears when doing this. This posture is needed to lift the deck towards the display. Straighten your legs while you lift the deck to avoid possible back injuries.
Step 5
Slowly push the treadmill’s frame back until it’s 90 degrees to the floor. Listen for a knob lock to click into place, this signals that the treadmill is safely locked in a folded position.
Remember, treadmills that weigh 40 lbs. should not be folded on your own. Also, don’t leave the treadmill in an up position if it is not locked. The deck can fall at any time and injure someone. If the lock is not working, keep it unfolded and call for service.
Conclusion – How heavy are treadmills?
Creating your own home gym or going to fitness centers for quality commercial treadmills is completely up to you and your convenience. Comparing treadmills is a good practice in finding what fits your home situation best, and while the lightest treadmill can sound promising, the weight difference already says a lot about a treadmill.
Preparing and using a treadmill can be as hard as working out. Carefully read the descriptions before buying one. How much a treadmill weighs is an important thing to consider because treadmill weights are highly tied to quality.
References
I am a physician who cares about healthy living. I strive to be as healthy as I can be so that I can thrive in my own life. By sharing what I know I want to help others to live a healthy life.