Current statistics show that more and more people prefer to exercise on their treadmills at home rather than go out in inclement weather. Treadmill exercise is also the fastest growing mode of exercise, as well as the most profitable business pertaining to sports goods.

Home treadmills are designed a little differently than those used in gyms and clubs. The difference is in the sturdiness of the flywheel. Since gym treadmills are for public usage, their flywheels are stronger and more adapting to different speeds. Even their conveyor belts are made of more durable materials.

There are many reasons why home treadmills are preferred over treadmills at the gym or the club. For one thing, exercising on a treadmill at home saves commuting to the gym or the club. Then there is no question of shirking exercise, citing bad weather as the reason. Hence, people can exercise more and stay fitter. Exercising outside is also rife with dangers such as muggers and barking stray dogs. And most importantly, treadmill usage at home provides the convenience of being able to exercise at any desirable time.

Treadmills are expensive. Good electric operated treadmills would cost upwards of $1,500 and may even go up to $6,000. Due to this reason, treadmills are bought mainly by affluent people. The trend is changing slowly as more and more people realize that getting a treadmill is not a luxury but an investment for health. Treadmills are also more popular among women. In fact, three-fourths of all home users of treadmills are women.

Space is another factor to be considered before setting up a treadmill at home. Treadmills generally occupy five feet by two feet of floor area. There must be empty space kept around the treadmill so that the user doesn’t get much injured in case of a fall. The room where the treadmill is installed must be well-ventilated and airy because treadmill exercise can tend to be very sweaty.

Then there is the problem of electric supply. Most home appliances work on DC, but treadmills could work on either. It is better to opt for a DC-operated treadmill where home usage is concerned. Needless to say, toddlers must be kept as far away from a treadmill as possible, especially when it is in operation. The conveyor belt has a nasty drag-down effect and it may be catastrophic to the child if its clothing is caught in the belt. For protection against such mishaps, home treadmills are provided with special keys. Treadmills can be operated by adults only after inserting the keys in the slots provided. These keys have other benefits too. In electric treadmills, these keys can even remember the exact speed at which the exercise was going on. Hence, on inserting the key, the exercise can continue from the precise point where it was stopped.