Trendelenburg is one of the most common types of treadmill in use today. An electric motor or flywheel is used to move the platform on a treadmill, which has a wide conveyor belt. As the belt goes backwards, the individual utilising the device must walk or run at a speed that matches the belt’s.

You can walk or run at a certain pace because of how fast the belt travels. In this way, users may see how far they’ve walked or ran by controlling and measuring their running pace.

The more expensive, heavy-duty treadmills often use an electric motor to power the treadmill’s operation. There are two types of passive belts: those that resist motion, and those that move when the user pushes the belt with their foot. As for the other kind, it’s called a manual treadmill and isn’t the subject of this article.

As far as fitness equipment is concerned, treadmills take the cake. The treadmill business is made up of hundreds of companies around the globe. According to Thomasnet.com’s predicted annual income, we’ll look at the biggest treadmill producers. To begin, let’s take a look at the development of the treadmill.

Where Are Treadmills Manufactured?

CompanyHeadquartersAnnual Est. Revenue
1.Icon Health & Fitness, Inc.Logan, UT$1 Billion
2.Life Fitness, Inc.Schiller Park, IL$1 Billion
3.Precor, Inc.Woodinville, WA$426.7 Million
4.Nautilus International, Inc.Vancouver, WA$318.6 Million
5.Cybex International, Inc.Medway, MA$137.5 Million
6.TRUE FitnessSt. Louis, MO$100 Million
7.StairMaster Health & Fitness ProductsVancouver, WA$41.3 Million

Company Summaries

Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. The company makes workout and fitness equipment such treadmills and elliptical machines as well as stationary cycles and weight benches for the home gym. They were created in 1977 and are based in Logan, Utah.

Life Fitness, Inc. Fitness equipment for commercial and household use is manufactured by Schiller Park-based company Fitness Equipment Inc. In 1958, the company was established.

Precor, Inc.In 1980, the company was created and is headquartered in Woodinville, Washington. Treadmills, climbers, cross-trainers, recumbent cycles, and stretch equipment are all manufactured by the company. –

Nautilus International, Inc.Exercising machines like treadmills and elliptical trainers are among the products manufactured by the company. They began in 1972 in Vancouver, Washington, and are headquartered there today.

Cybex International, Inc. In Medway, Massachusetts, it is based. Fitness equipment for health clubs, sports teams, colleges, the military, country clubs, and workplace fitness facilities are all part of the firm’s product line. The company was started in 1947.

TRUE FitnessIn 1981, the company was created. In addition to treadmills, ellipticals, bicycles, and weight machines, they also produce commercial exercise equipment. St. Louis, Missouri is where they are based.

StairMaster Health & Fitness Products Stair-climbing devices aren’t the only products the company makes. Stationary cycles, strength equipment, and elliptical striding systems are all part of its product line, which is based in Vancouver, Washington. In 1983, they were established.

Treadmill History

People or animals would travel the steps of a wheel that would grind grain in the first century CE, before electricity and the creation of motorised machines. People sentenced to hard work were later forced to use treadmills in prisons as a form of punishment. Power and punishment machines were referred to as treadmills and treadwheels, which were used interchangeably.

Treadmills for the home were designed by William Staub, a mechanical engineer. Staub was inspired to build his treadmill after reading Kenneth H. Cooper’s 1968 book Aerobics. According to Cooper, persons who jogged for eight minutes four to five times a week were in better physical shape.

Staub began working on his own treadmill in the late 1960s because there were none on the market for a reasonable price. Kenneth H. Cooper, a fitness equipment dealer, was the first person to sell Staub’s treadmill prototype to other fitness equipment dealers. Before shifting production to Little Falls, New Jersey, Staub manufactured the first home treadmills in Clifton, New Jersey.

Hospitals, rehabilitation centres and physiotherapy clinics are now using treadmills to aid patients who have suffered leg or spinal injuries to regain mobility and strength. There are a wide range of commercial and non-commercial uses for treadmills, from sports clubs to orthopaedic shoe shops to fire-training centres to universities to NASA.

Pedal-powered treadmill ergometers are increasingly the norm. Sliding plates are used on treadmills, which allow the user to run at their own pace. There are two shafts on either side of the race table. Belts connect the shafts and running deck, forming a continuous path between them.

For athletes, bigger and more stable treadmills are typically necessary. With high physical exertion and am increased risk of falling, a fall stop unit is required to prevent users from falling and injuring themselves. When a user pulls a rope tied to an electrical switch on a safety arch, the treadmill is turned off, serving as a standard fall prevention mechanism. A harness bears the weight of the user, preventing them from falling while shutting down the running belt.

Treadmills have even made their way into the workplace, as in some offices, employees are given treadmill desks that let employees walk while working at their computer or speaking on the phone.

Treadmill Horsepower

Treadmills are no different from new cars in that you need to know what’s going on under the hood before you buy one. For this reason plus the fact that it’s a mechanical gadget, you should do your research before making a purchase.

Most people’s needs can be met by a continuous-duty motor with a maximum output of 1.5 horsepower. For the sake of your device’s longevity and smooth performance, keep in mind that this is the absolute minimum. The finest treadmill brands have a wide selection of high-quality machines with the right horsepower, even if they cost a little more. Among other things, horsepower considerations include:

Treadmill Extras to Consider

Everything has an app these days, including treadmills! It is possible to maximise your exercises and general health and fitness with the help of treadmills and fitness apps.

Everyone has their own set of aspirations. Losing weight or gaining muscle mass may be on your list of fitness goals. When searching for the best treadmill brand to meet your fitness requirements and goals, the following qualities should be considered:

  • It monitors progress and provides customised statistics via iFit
  • Exercise routines that include walking and running
  • Monitors that track your heart rate.
  • Monitors that display video

Warranty and Setup Considerations

Comparing the warranties offered by the top treadmill manufacturers is another approach to narrow your search. It’s only natural that a high-quality product would come with a longer warranty. An great measure of confidence in manufacturing is a warranty of at least 10 years on the frame and motor. Some other warranty periods to keep an eye on:

  • Electronic components: 5 years
  • Parts and labor: 2 years

Make sure you know exactly how your treadmill is getting from point A to point B. Is there a charge for shipping and assembly? Is it necessary to put this together? The treadmill can be delivered to your room for a fee, so you don’t have to carry it in yourself. It’s a good idea to find out about these items before you buy to avoid any unpleasant shocks later on.