1. Number of Treadmill Users
Every sport has specific user demographics. Firstly, identify the target users—whether they are young or elderly, active individuals, or those who prefer gentle exercises. Depending on the personality and usage needs, choose suitable designs, features, and technical specifications for each specific user.
Before putting trust in a particular product, determine the usage goals, whether it's for personal use or the entire family. Depending on the number of users, the treadmill's capacity and belt area will have certain differences.
From the experience of buying electric treadmills:
- If few people use it, choosing a machine with excessive capacity leads to unnecessary waste, causing additional expenses both in the purchase and electricity consumption.
- Conversely, if the machine is for multiple users but with too little capacity, it quickly wears out and cannot effectively meet the usage goals.
- Therefore, based on treadmill buying experience, the first step is to accurately determine the number of users to choose the appropriate machine type.


2. Treadmill Power
Firstly, it's essential to know that the motors used in electric treadmills are divided into two types: AC and DC. DC motors are commonly used for home treadmills, while AC motors are the most modern and powerful, designed for high-end treadmills or gym rooms.
Currently, home treadmills typically use DC motors with product prices ranging from 9 to 20 million VND. For DC motors, to ensure durability, it's advisable to choose treadmill models using motors with a power of 2.0Hp or higher, ensuring resistance to stress and sufficient workout time for the entire family.
You should also know that a good motor must be sufficiently strong at low speeds as well as not overly strained at high speeds, ensuring a smoother and more powerful treadmill belt. Additionally, the motor must be unaffected by the user's weight.
Machines with lower power often have lower prices compared to those with higher power. Choose the power based on the number of users.
- Under 2HP: Suitable for 1 - 2 users.
- From 2 - 4HP: Typically suitable for Vietnamese families with 4 - 6 people, using the treadmill for about 8 hours a day.


3. Purpose of Using Treadmill
Aside from considering the user demographic, choosing based on the purpose of use plays a crucial role in shaping the workout results. Clearly define the purpose of buying your treadmill, whether it's for improving health, weight loss, or any other goal.
Treadmills offer a myriad of excellent health and fitness benefits. Therefore, many people intend to purchase one for purposes such as weight loss, improving health, or addressing bone and joint issues, high blood pressure, etc. Based on treadmill buying experience, you should choose a product that aligns best with your intended use.
In cases where you have conditions related to bone and joint health, it's advisable to find a treadmill with good shock absorption to mitigate the impact on joints during workouts.
For individuals dealing with obesity, a large, sturdy treadmill with high capacity will support extended usage. Those aiming for rapid weight loss should choose a treadmill with a significant incline capability. According to statistics, walking or running on an inclined surface burns more calories faster compared to running on a flat terrain.


4. Technical Specifications of the Treadmill
Technical specifications to pay attention to include: display screen, safety lock system, and running belt, among others. Additionally, focus on the power system and technical parameters of the treadmill, as this directly relates to the workout process and the cost when making a selection.
Specifically:
- Minimum and maximum speed: For home treadmills, the speed should range from 0.5 - 15 km/h.
- Incline: Mimics the real terrain slope when running outdoors.
- Running belt: The longer and wider the running belt, the more comfortable users will be, allowing for longer strides and high-speed running without the fear of falling off.
- Shock-absorbing rubber mat: This crucial component helps users reduce muscle soreness during workouts and avoids impacting the bone and joint system.
- Machine frame: Determines the stability of the treadmill during workouts. A frame made of high-strength alloy ensures solidity, providing peace of mind during exercise, even with a significant load.
- Machine weight: A heavier machine results in less vibration and noise during workouts.
- Control panel: Ensures a visual and user-friendly display of parameters such as speed, distance, heart rate, calories, etc., allowing users to adjust exercises accordingly.
In addition, important parameters to consider when purchasing a treadmill are the maximum speed and maximum incline allowed. Most treadmills have a maximum speed of 18 – 20 km/h and an incline of 10%. Higher-end models may reach 25 km/h and a 20% incline. However, some treadmills may only achieve a maximum speed of 12 km/h (Pace 5:00), or budget models designed for walking may only reach 8 km/h. Pay attention to these specifications to avoid purchasing the wrong treadmill.


5. Area, Space for Placing the Machine
The average dimensions of various treadmill models are approximately 180 cm in length, 74 cm in width, and 135 cm in height. However, depending on the specific type of treadmill, the dimensions and material costs may vary. Nowadays, treadmill sizes vary widely, allowing families with limited space to still invest in electric treadmills. First, families should consider the space where they plan to place the treadmill, the available area, and then choose a treadmill with suitable dimensions.
Although most high-end treadmills tend to have larger dimensions, they come with longer and wider support structures, requiring a certain clearance on each side for safety. Therefore, before making a purchase, it's essential to carefully check the dimensions to ensure it fits your home.
For families with limited space, it's advisable to prioritize foldable treadmill models with a simple design, allowing them to be folded and stored when not in use to optimize space. Folding and storing them under the bed, for example, won't impact the overall household space.


6. Additional Features on Treadmills
Currently, electric treadmills are widely available in the market, offering a range of products from budget-friendly to high-end. This diversity provides consumers with various choices, but it also poses a challenging question of which treadmill to buy—ensuring it's genuine and clearly originates from a reputable source.
One crucial criterion aiding consumers in choosing a treadmill is the additional features it offers. As mentioned earlier, treadmills are designed with two basic product lines: single-function and multi-function:
- Single-function treadmills come with the core feature of running or walking.
- On the other hand, multi-function products incorporate various features, from massage to abdominal folding, arm exercises, or waist rotation.
Based on treadmill purchasing experience, it's advisable to consider whether to focus on a single-function product for dedicated running or a multi-function one to enhance workout effectiveness and prevent monotony.


7. Integrated Technology
The majority of treadmills available on the market today come equipped with standard technologies: LCD screens, heart rate monitors, USB ports, and built-in speakers for music. Higher-end models may feature additional amenities such as touchscreens, Wi-Fi connectivity, and TV antenna ports, enhancing entertainment experiences while running.
Treadmills with the ability to connect to external workout apps are known as Smart Treadmills (similar to Smart Trainers). This represents the future of indoor treadmills.
Thanks to Bluetooth/ANT+ capabilities, smart treadmills can connect to phone apps like Zwift/Kinomap, providing an exciting and engaging running experience. Speed and incline settings synchronize bidirectionally between the treadmill and the app, offering a completely different indoor training experience. These machines are high-end and come with a premium price tag.


8. Running Deck Size (Tread Belt)
For family electric treadmills, choose a slightly wider running belt for a more comfortable experience. The fabric should be slip-resistant and waterproof. The deck should feature multiple layers of high-quality rubber and premium leather to ensure stability, reducing the impact on your feet for better running efficiency.
For families with small children, opt for treadmills with a moderately wide belt, ranging from 50cm to 60cm. For adults, the belt will be wider, typically between 80cm and 100cm. The minimum length of the running mat is calculated by the formula: Step length + 10cm.
In the case of running at a constant speed, the step length is determined by the formula: Height x 0.65 + 10cm. These formulas will help you estimate the necessary belt length to choose the most suitable treadmill.
Example: If your height is 165 cm, applying the formula, you get 165 x 0.65 + 10 cm = 117 cm. Therefore, you should choose a treadmill with a running mat length above 117 cm for the most comfort.
Currently, most models of home electric treadmills have running belt lengths ranging from 120cm to 150cm, depending on the manufacturers.


9. Opt for a Sturdy and Stylish Machine
Surely, no one wants to buy an electric treadmill that breaks down quickly and looks unappealing, right? A beautiful machine enhances the sophistication of the space it occupies. Meanwhile, a machine with good materials helps increase durability and the lifespan of the treadmill.
A treadmill must ensure safety and provide maximum comfort for the user. Therefore, when choosing a machine, special attention should be given to the materials that make up the product. Opt for machines made from premium steel with substantial thickness and electrostatic coating. Additionally, components such as handrails and machine frames must be robustly designed to create reliability, peace of mind, and safety during use. Plastic parts should also use ABS. Look for high-quality fabric for the running mat.
Moreover, good-quality materials contribute to an extended lifespan for the treadmill. Hence, when selecting the best electric treadmill, prioritize products made from quality materials and featuring attractive designs.


10. Reputable Purchase Locations
Selecting a reliable treadmill vendor is crucial. Opt for establishments that offer genuine products, favorable warranty policies, and product replacement in case of any manufacturer defects.
To ensure quality during usage, choose reputable brands in the market such as Elip Sport, Mofit, Titan, Matrix, Mishio, Royal, and others. Price comparison is also important; surveying prices before purchasing will help you find the treadmill at the most reasonable price.
Moreover, pay attention to choosing a trustworthy seller with comprehensive warranty and after-sales service. Purchasing from authorized dealers provides reassurance about product quality. Prices nowadays do not vary significantly. Buying genuine products ensures ease of use and is manufactured by the chosen brand. Users receive substantial support regarding manufacturer policies and other benefits from the brand.
Using authentic products allows users to recognize the excellent quality of the product, bearing both the brand and the buyer's stylistic imprint.


11. Product Pricing
Nowadays, the electric treadmill market is incredibly diverse, offering a wide range of styles, designs, capacities, and prices with significant variations. Therefore, you need to consider the cost factor that you can afford for this product. Of course, multi-functional, feature-rich treadmills will be more expensive than basic ones that only support running. You should seek advice from sales staff, but in general, with just a few million dong, you can own a decent-quality treadmill for your family.
Determining the budget for buying a treadmill will make you more financially independent. If you are not sure about the prices of each product, you can check on the store's website or ask the sales staff to recommend products that you can buy within that price range. Typically, a mid-range treadmill costs around 10 - 12 million dong, some higher-end models are priced from 15 - 25 million dong, or even 30 - 40 million dong.
However, the reality proves that a higher-priced electric treadmill is not necessarily better and suitable for you. A good treadmill is evaluated based on many different factors, not just the price.
Therefore, we should choose a reasonably priced product that meets usage needs and economic conditions without forcing ourselves to spend too much on high-end products.








