Updated on March 13th, 2023 at 09:04 pm
If you want to lose weight, using a treadmill can be one of the best ways to go about it. You can exercise in the comfort of your own home and go at your own pace.
But if you want to buy one, you need one that can handle your weight, which can feel embarrassing to ask about in the shop.
Of course, if you’re trying to weigh the difference between a treadmill and an elliptical machine, then we’re happy to help you decide the best for you.
However, assuming you want a treadmill, you should know how much it can handle.
The weight limit of a treadmill tends to fall between 200 and 300 pounds for lower-end models. But a higher-end model can be more forgiving and can handle a weight limit of between 300 and 500 pounds.
Some manufacturers, such as Woodway, can hold up to 800 pounds on some of their models! So, even heavier users can benefit from a treadmill workout without the anxiety of feeling self-conscious about their workout.
Which Is Better? A Treadmill Or An Elliptical Machine?
When you make the decision to lose weight, it can feel overwhelming. After all, you want to find the best exercise equipment for your lifestyle. But, you can also do different types of exercise with either a treadmill or an elliptical machine.
In terms of weight loss, then both machines are a great choice. After all, they’re both designed to help you reach your goals.
However, if you want to track your progress, then a treadmill is better as you can see how much physical activity you’ve been doing with each session. They can also give you a rough estimate of how many calories you’re burning, if not the most accurate result.
But if you’re looking for some equipment with affordable pricing, I have to admit that elliptical machines are better. High-end treadmills for heavier people tend to be more expensive, and they’re also a lot heavier.
Elliptical machines are a great choice if you have knee problems, as treadmills can put more strain on your joints.
Regardless of the exercise machine you use, overweight people have so many more options to shed their body weight than ever before. Even if neither of these options feels right for you, you can always look into exercise bikes.
These are only two options, but if you don’t want to risk using money on a regular treadmill, you can explore the best equipment available to you.
The Best Treadmill For A Heavy Person
If you’re set on getting a treadmill, let’s look at the best treadmill for a heavy person. One highly recommended treadmill is the SOLE F80.
The SOLE F80 is a 3.5-horsepower foldable treadmill with a maximum weight capacity of 375 pounds.
It’s classed as one of the best treadmills in its price range by customers, and it even comes with an excellent warranty that covers a lifetime. As a heavy-duty treadmill, it’s a strong contender and one that can suit any body type.
It has a Cushion Flex Whisper Deck which reduces the impact as you move up to 40%, meaning that it’s got excellent shock absorbers that will reduce discomfort on your legs.
Two customizable workout programs are included, with two heart rate programs. Using these options, you can adjust the treadmill belt’s incline range and speed range. So you can have more control over your workout intensity.
You can use the display to observe several different features as you exercise. The features you can view are: speed range, distance traveled, incline range, time, calories per minute, beats per minute, and walking speed.
Many of these features allow you to adjust your workout plan to how you would prefer.
You can also enjoy listening to music or watching something on your device, as a tablet holder and a USB port allow you to connect your devices to it.
After all, who said that losing weight has to feel like a chore? You can always exercise while keeping your mind off the workout intensity.
What Do You Need To Know About Treadmill Weight Limits?
So what do treadmill weight ratings really mean to you, the consumer? Although it feels like the world wants you to spend lots of money to lose weight, it’s more to do with what the treadmill can handle.
What if you’re over the treadmill’s weight capacity? Can you still use it? You might think it can support more weight than the manufacturers recommend, but you probably shouldn’t ignore it.
Even though they’re not strictly enforced, it’s safer to trust the weight limits as they’re advertised.
Are Treadmill Weight Limits To Be Trusted?
The reason there are weight limits is so that you don’t end up putting too much stress on your treadmill.
If you use it and you’re above the weight capacity, you might burn out the motor quicker, and the adjustable incline may not work as intended.
Ultimately, you’ll find that you don’t want to hurt yourself on your treadmill. If it runs hot, your treadmill will stop working, and you may end up falling from it. To prevent that, make sure you choose one that is above your weight.
Don’t Void The Treadmill’s Warranty
If you use the treadmill and you’re above the maximum user weight, it’s important to use it carefully. Walk smoothly, and avoid jogging or running on it.
You should also not hang onto the handles, or the treadmill puts too much pressure on it, and you’ll make the motor do all the work for you.
You should also make sure that you don’t jump onto the treadmill to start. If you jump onto the treadmill and have it start at a high speed, you’ll stress the motor, and it may void your motor warranty if it breaks. So, you should always go onto the treadmill slowly.
What To Look For In A High-Capacity Treadmill?
But what makes a high-capacity treadmill different? The SOLE F80 I mentioned earlier is one great example. It has a 3.5.-horsepower motor, so it can better handle the weight of heavy people.
These powerful motors can ensure that your machine works even if you go from a slow pace to a brisk walking pace. After all, you don’t have to run if you don’t want to.
Ideally, when looking for a high-capacity treadmill, you should aim for one heavier than your current weight. But can you use a treadmill if you’re above the maximum weight capacity?
The maximum weight capacity is essentially the maximum user weight. If you go above it, you’ll stress the motor, and the incline feature may not work as intended.
You might be wondering how you figure out the weight limit of your treadmill? You can always find it on the website, or the box, as they need it there for liability reasons.
However, one challenge in finding a high-capacity treadmill is finding one at an affordable price. If you can’t find one, you might have to find a used one, with many commercial treadmills used in gyms.
High-capacity treadmills have numerous advanced features available. These allow you to modify your fitness program to how you prefer. You can push yourself with an intense workout or power walk at a moderate intensity.
Regardless of what you want to do, you’ll find that you can see your beats per minute and even the calories per minute.
When you’re looking at the machine itself, you’ll notice that a wide belt makes it easier to accommodate you and other overweight individuals. They’re designed to make your exercise routine easier.
The Truth Is
You don’t want to get any regular treadmill if you’re looking to shed some body weight. There are a lot of expensive treadmills on the market, and if you can’t afford them, then there are always other exercise machines such as ellipticals.
It can be more intimidating when you go to the gym, especially for heavy users. You might not think you have the right fitness level, but it doesn’t matter where you’re on your fitness journey.
Please be sure to visit Extra Large Living again for updates and new information to help you live your best life, even if you are a few pounds overweight.