Treadmills

Look at continuous horsepower (CHP), not peak. 2.0–2.5 CHP is fine for walking. 2.5–3.0 CHP handles light jogging and heavier users. 3.0+ CHP is required for serious running or multi-user households. Commercial treadmills typically run 3.5–4.0 CHP. Underpowered motors burn out fast — don't skimp here.

For walking, 48–55 inches long × 18–20 inches wide is enough. For jogging, step up to 55–60 × 20 inches. For running, insist on 60 inches of belt length and 22 inches of width — anything smaller restricts stride. Tall users (6'2"+) should always buy 60 inches minimum regardless of pace.

Motorized treadmills use an electric motor to drive the belt — the familiar home/commercial standard. Manual curved treadmills (like the Woodway Curve style) have no motor — you power the belt by running on it. Curved manuals burn 30% more calories at the same pace, build better running form, and are popular with athletes and CrossFit gyms. Trade-off: they're significantly more expensive and have a learning curve.

Treadmills list a max user weight — for safety, size up 20–30% from your actual weight. A 250 lb user should buy a 300+ lb capacity treadmill. Commercial treadmills routinely support 400+ lb. Running impacts the belt with 2.5–3× your bodyweight, so capacity ratings matter more for runners than walkers.

Most treadmills plug into a standard 110V household outlet, though higher-end commercial models sometimes require dedicated 20-amp circuits — check the spec. Maintenance is minimal: wipe down weekly, lubricate the belt every 150–200 hours of use (silicone lube, provided by most brands), and vacuum under the deck every few months. Regular lubrication roughly doubles belt life.