If you want to get in shape, but you want to do it in your own space and on your own time, a compact treadmill could be the way to go.
Compact treadmills just kind of sit in their own corner and mind their own business until you’re ready to get them out for a workout.
Is Compact the Same as Portable?
No.
A compact treadmill is portable, but small. A portable treadmill will move from one place to another, but it can still be heavy. You can move a portable treadmill, but it won’t necessarily be easy.
A compact treadmill is very lightweight.
When Should I Use a Compact Treadmill?
Do you move from place to place? If you spend a few days here and a few others there, a compact treadmill is the best option. Even a folding treadmill can be very heavy, but treadmills that are classified as compact go easily from Point A to Point B with little difficulty.
A compact treadmill is, plainly stated, a smaller version of a large treadmill. It has fewer features and fewer benefits, but it can be good for a rudimentary workout when you can’t use something more effective. Think of a compact treadmill as a walk around the park as opposed to a run around the track.
Isn’t Bigger Usually Better?
Let’s try to avoid the sexual innuendo here, tempting as it is.
Yes, as a matter of fact, bigger is almost always better. Most compact treadmills won’t give you the same level of substance and conditioning as a full-size treadmill. They’re great for quick, easy workouts, but if you’re looking for serious strength conditioning, a compact won’t deliver.
You have to think about where you are and what you want.
What About Features?
You can usually get the same “bells and whistles” with a compact treadmill as you will with a full-size.
Cup-holders, iPod docks and so on are available on compact models.
But a serious workout? No. They’re just not built that way.
Are There Any Advantages?
Of course there are.
For a fast, in-hotel workout when you don’t want to go to the spa, and would prefer to just do your thing in your room, you’ll get good cardio and you’ll get to sweat a bit. For a serious workout, though, you’ve got to go bigger.
Another advantage to a compact treadmill is that it’s very easy to set up.
But don’t expect much in the way of adjustable incline. This is low-tech.
Should I Get a Compact Treadmill?
It’s up to you. :-)
You can usually buy a compact treadmill for a few hundred dollars, as opposed to the $800 or $1000 you’ll pay for something that will offer you a full workout with full cardio, strengthening, and toning capabilities. Or $599,960.00 for this Mini-Treadmill for Musculoskeletal Health from NASA, doh.
You won’t get the full benefit of a standard treadmill, but for a “quick and dirty” workout, compacts are fine.
Just don’t expect more of them than they can deliver, and you won’t be disappointed.
Get news & reviews of folding and compact treadmills on my blog.