Treadmills are exercise machines that allow the user to walk or jog without moving any forward distance. The basic design of a treadmill consists of a conveyor belt that rotates horizontally in one direction as the user tries to walk or jog on it in the opposite direction, i.e. forward.

Health experts are much in favor of using treadmills. Walking and jogging have long been considered the best forms of exercise. Combined with a healthy diet, these exercises can help a person lose weight and gain stamina. Treadmills are designed to allow a person to walk or jog anytime, in the comfort of home. Treadmills can be adjusted for speed so that the user may be able to enjoy a leisurely walk or a brisk sprint. They can be used at any time, no matter what the weather is like.

Treadmills may be manually or electrically operated. In manually operated treadmills, the belt moves when the person begins pacing on it. Hence, the belt moves along with the person, but in the opposite direction. The faster the person moves, the faster the belt will also move. Electric treadmills are much more sophisticated. They have machine controls which can adjust the speed of the belt. The person has to move to keep up with the machine, rather than vice-versa. Electric treadmills also have many other features, like displays for speed, time, heartbeats, etc. People with heart ailments can monitor their heartbeats and exercise accordingly on electrical treadmills. There is a provision for a strap that can be attached to the chest of the person to record the heartbeat.

Manual treadmills are much cheaper than electric ones. Manual ones cost just a few hundred dollars, while the price of electric ones ranges from $1,500 to $6,000. The price depends on the quality and sturdiness of the treadmill, the displays it has and also the artificial intelligence that it uses. High-end treadmills can even alter their speeds as the user begins to tire.

However, treadmills have their drawbacks. Jogging indoors is boring compared to jogging in open parks. Treadmills occupy a lot of space in the house. The treadmill itself is about 5 feet by 2 feet in floor area, and space around the treadmill must be kept empty to protect oneself from injuries if there is a fall. Plus, a treadmill is unsafe around toddlers.

Yet the treadmill is widely found in almost all gyms as well as many homes. They are the number one choice for fitness buffs. It is highly recommended for those who wish to burn off their excess calories or strengthen their legs without having to leave their homes or gyms.