Portable Treadmills - Fitness On The Move

Portable treadmills are light and folding machines, and are often found in offices and small hotels. Portable treadmills are great for busy people who are regularly on the move and want to continue with their fitness regime when they're away from home, as they can be easily transported in the back of a car.

There are very few truly portable treadmills on the market. Some manufacturers make folding treadmills which can be folded, moved into another room and stored away. Theoretically these machines can be called portable, but they tend to be bulky and heavy. And while these machines often have castors, which make it easier to move them into another room, they are certainly not small enough to be easily transported to another location.

The Walkmill (Under $600)

This truly portable motorized treadmill is made by Salton. Voted "Exercise equipment of the month" in June 2003 by Fit Magazine, the Walkmill folds in half for easy storage and transportation from one location to another.

The Walkmill has the following features:

· 2.5 HP continuous duty motor
· Silent motor drive system creates an amazingly quiet ride
· Supports up to 300 lbs
· Easy to use - requires no learning curve
· Enlarged electronic controls for ease of use during exercise
· Large electronic readout showing speed, distance, time and calories burned
· Variable incline control
· Extra-long walking surface accommodates even the longest strides
· Magnetic safety button clip which shuts down the unit if removed during use
· Unparalleled portability puts your workout where you want it whenever you want it
· Includes water bottle and holder

Edge 500 Manual Treadmill (Under $200)

Another portable treadmill on the market is the Edge 500 Manual Treadmill made by Fitness Quest. When you've finished your workout, simply pull the pins and fold the treadmill. You can then stash it away or move it to another room or location. The Edge 500 has the following features:

· 3 incline positions
· 2 weighted flywheels for smoothness
· Castors for easy relocation
· Long, wide surface gives you plenty of room to walk or run
· Manual operation lets you set your pace
· Electronics track your speed, distance, time and approximate calories burned
· 23" W x 47" L x 50" H

The one disadvantage of the Edge 500 is that it's a manual treadmill. This means that it's powered by your movement so you'll have to start walking or running to get it going. When you slow down, the treadmill slows down, too. It also requires two AA batteries (not included) and home assembly.