When purchasing a treadmill, did you know that your height and weight are two important factors for you to consider?  The reality is that treadmills are designed to suit various weight limits and strides, which means your personal weight and height will have an impact on effectively you can workout with a particular treadmill.  Therefore, you want to be certain to select a treadmill that suits your body size the best.

Considering Your Weight

As you look through your treadmill options, you will notice that each model will provide you with a user weight capacity.  It is important to keep in mind, however, that running on a treadmill results in an impact that is approximately 2 ½ times your body weight.  In addition, most treadmill manufacturers have a tendency to stretch the weight capacity by as much as 75 pounds.  Therefore, you should select a treadmill that claims to be able to handle at least 50 pounds more than what you weigh.

If you weigh 250 pounds, you should look into getting a treadmill with a stated capacity of 300 pounds or more.  You should also avoid treadmills with a ½ inch deck, as they will be more likely to break if you weigh in the 250 pound area.  Rather, stick with a treadmill with a deck that is about 1 inch thick. The Sole F85 Treadmill is a perfect example of a model with a generous weight capacity and 1 inch thick deck.

Considering Your Height

Your height is also an important consideration when selecting a treadmill, as you need to be certain to purchase a treadmill with a belt that is long enough for your stride.  Otherwise, you will be forced to walk in a non-natural way that will reduce the effectiveness of your workout.

If you are over 6 feet tall, you should look into purchasing a treadmill with a walking surface that is at least 50 inches long.  If you plan to run on your treadmill, a a longer belt is a better option. For runners at the extreme end of the height spectrum–6′ 4″ or more–a treadmill with a 60 inch belt is optimal. A good example of this is the True PS800 Treadmill. This model features a full 60 inch long belt.