This glossary of treadmill terms is designed to help you navigate the world of treadmill jargon, providing clear and concise definitions for the most common terms you’ll encounter when reading our treadmill reviews and comparisons or shopping for a new machine.
From basic features like speed and incline to more advanced terms, this treadmill dictionary will help you to make informed decisions about your treadmill purchase and use.
Audio Input: Some treadmills come with built-in audio input, allowing the users to connect their own devices (smartphones and MP3 players) to the treadmill with an aux cable to listen to music or podcasts during their workout.
Auto stop: Some machines come with an auto stop feature that stops the belt if the user falls or loses balance which is an important safety feature.
Automatic adjustments: Some treadmills come with an automatic adjustment feature, which allows the machine to make changes to the incline and speed based on pre-set workout programs or connected fitness apps.
Automatic lubrication: Some models are designed to automatically lubricate the belt and deck. This is great for reducing the need for frequent manual maintenance and extending the life of the machine.
Belt: The belt is the surface that you run on, it’s measured in width and length (usually in inches). A wider and longer belt is generally more comfortable for the user, especially for taller people.
Bluetooth connectivity: Some treadmills are equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to connect your treadmill to a fitness app on your smart device for tracking your workout data and progress. These apps can also make automatic adjustments if your treadmill supports them.
Bottle holder: Some models come with a built-in bottle holder that can be used to keep a water bottle or other beverage close at hand while you use the machine.
Built-in fans/ Cooling Fans: Some treadmills come with built-in fans to help keep the user cool during their workout.
Chest Strap: A chest strap is a wearable heart rate monitoring device. It is worn around the chest during exercise. It uses wireless technology to transmit the data to a treadmill console or a smart device for monitoring the user’s heart rate.
Commercial treadmills: These treadmills are designed for heavy and frequent use and are typically suitable for gyms and other fitness facilities. They are built to withstand intense use and typically have higher weight capacities, more powerful motors, and longer warranties than home treadmills.
Console: The console is the control panel on the treadmill, it’s where you can adjust the settings, and see the workout stats. Many treadmill consoles are equipped with a controller device with a screen for workout tracking and Bluetooth connectivity.
Contact grip heart rate monitors: These monitors are built into the handrails of the treadmill and measure the user’s heart rate by detecting their pulse through contact with the skin.
Control Panel: The control panel is where the user can change the speed and incline of the treadmill, and often where you can see your stats like heart rate, distance, pace, time, and calories burned.
Curved Treadmills: These treadmills are designed to mimic the natural running experience. They usually have a curved track that the user runs on.
Cushioning: Cushioning refers to the type of material used to soften the impact of the foot striking the belt. Many treadmills have a built-in cushioning system to reduce the stress on joints. With some models, you can turn on and off the cushioning or adjust its level.
Deck size/Running Deck Size: The deck size or running deck refers to the size of the running surface.
Decline: This is a negative incline, decline option allows you to adjust the angle of the deck to simulate running downhill. It’s a less common feature in comparison to the incline feature, you can usually find on high-end models.
Dimensions: The dimensions of a treadmill refer to the length, width, and height of the machine when it is ready to be used. This information is important to consider when buying a treadmill, especially if you have limited space.
Display: It refers to the area where you see the stats and current settings on a treadmill console. Treadmill display types include alphanumeric LED displays, mono-color LCD displays, or Touchscreen displays.
Entertainment: Some treadmills come with built-in TV, speakers, simple games, and internet connectivity, allowing the users to watch TV, listen to music or browse the web while working out.
Fartlek: The term “fartlek” is of Swedish origin, and it means “speed play.” It is a form of training that combines both steady-state running and interval training.
Folding treadmills / Foldability / Folding: These treadmills have a folding feature that allows them to be stored in a smaller space. Foldable treadmills can be a good option for people who have limited space or need to move the treadmill around frequently.
Hand grip heart rate monitors: Some as contact grip monitors, these monitors are located on the handrails of the treadmill, and the user holds onto them while exercising to measure their heart rate.
Handrails: These are the bars located on either side of the treadmill which you can hold on to for support while running or walking. Some models have easy-to-reach quick controls on handrails for changing the speed and incline.
Heart rate control: Some treadmills come with heart rate control (heart rate zone training) options, which allow you to adjust the intensity of your workout based on your heart rate. This can be helpful for runners who want to stay within a certain heart rate zone for optimal training results.
Heart Rate Monitoring: Some treadmills monitor and show your heart rate during workouts. They use built-in contact grip monitors on the handrails or a wireless chest strap for heart rate monitoring.
HIIT: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a type of workout that alternates short periods of intense exercise with recovery periods of lower-intensity exercise. The goal of HIIT is to increase the cardio level and burn more calories in a shorter amount of time.
Hill repeats: Hill repeats are a type of workout in which a runner runs up a hill at a fast pace and then jogs or walks down the hill to recover.
Incline: Incline is measured in percentage and refers to the angle of the deck. Treadmills with an incline feature can simulate running on a hill to increase the workout’s difficulty. Most models with an incline option can adjust the angle between 0% and 15%.
Interactive workouts: Some treadmills come with the ability to connect to interactive fitness apps, such as iFit and JRNY, these apps usually come with trainer-led workout programs, virtual environments, and game-like competitive workouts with leaderboards.
Long run: A long run is a slow-paced, endurance-building run that is typically done once a week.
Maintenance reminder: Some treadmills come with a maintenance reminder feature, it will remind you when it’s time to lubricate the belt or perform other maintenance tasks to keep your treadmill in good working condition.
Manual incline adjustments: There are treadmills that come with a manual adjustment feature, which allows you to make changes to the incline manually. To adjust the incline usually, you will need to remove and reinsert a pin under the deck.
Manual treadmill: These treadmills use the user’s own power to move the belt, and typically do not have any electronic features or motor. They are a cost-effective option for people on a budget.
Mat: A treadmill mat is a protective, often cushioned layer placed under a treadmill to safeguard floors from damage, absorb vibrations, and reduce noise.
Maximum incline: This is the maximum incline that can be adjusted to simulate running on a hill.
Maximum speed: This refers to the highest speed the treadmill can reach, measured in miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
Maximum user weight / Weight rating / User weight capacity: This is the maximum weight that the treadmill is designed to support, it’s usually measured in pounds or kilograms.
Motor: The treadmill motor is the heart of the machine, providing the power to drive the belt using rollers. The motor is typically measured in horsepower (hp) or continuous duty horsepower (CHP).
Motorized incline / Power incline: These treadmills allow you to adjust the incline using a button or control on the console, without physical work. Some models also have the capability to automatically adjust the incline by using pre-set programs to add variety.
Noise level: The noise level of a treadmill is measured in decibels (dB). Generally, a lower decibel rating indicates that the treadmill is quieter, while a higher rating means that it is louder. The main sources of noise are the motor and rollers.
Pre-set programs/Built-in programs: Most treadmills come with a variety of pre-set workout programs on their consoles to help you achieve specific fitness goals, or just make your workouts more varied.
Recovery mode: Some models have a recovery mode that slows the treadmill down to a walking pace after a workout. This can help the user to cool down and prevent post-workout injuries.
Runner’s treadmill: A runner’s treadmill, also known as a performance treadmill, is a type of treadmill that is designed for serious runners and athletes. These treadmills typically feature a larger running surface, a more powerful motor, and a higher weight capacity than standard treadmills.
Safety features: Treadmills come with a variety of safety features, such as emergency stop buttons, safety clips, child locks, and incline safety locks, to ensure the safety of the user and the people around during workouts.
Safety Key / Safety Clip: A safety key or a safety clip is a small device that attaches to the user’s clothing, it’s designed to shut off the treadmill if the user falls or loses balance.
Speed: Speed is typically measured in miles per hour (mph) and is used to determine how fast the belt moves.
Sprint: A sprint is a short, fast run. It is usually done at maximum effort for a short distance, such as 100 meters.
Step count: Some treadmills can track/calculate the number of steps you take during your workout; this feature can be helpful if you’re trying to meet a specific step goal. Usually, you need to enter your height for this feature to work accurately.
Tablet holder: Most treadmills come with a built-in tablet holder or a shelf to securely mount your tablet on the console while you work out.
Telemetry heart rate monitors: These monitors use a chest strap or a wristband to monitor the heart rate and transmit the data to the treadmill via a wireless connection such as Bluetooth, BLE, or ANT+.
Transport wheels: Some treadmills come with built-in transport wheels that make it easy to move the machine around.
Under Desk treadmills: These are compact machines that are designed to fit under a standing desk. This allows the user to walk or jog while working to help to increase physical activity and blood flow in sedentary jobs.
Underwater treadmills: These treadmills are designed to be used in water and are typically found in rehabilitation centers, aquatic therapy facilities, and some high-end gyms.
Virtual Training: Some treadmills come with the ability to connect to virtual training apps that allow users to run in virtual environments (iFit Google Maps, Google Street View), such as cities and nature.
Walking treadmill: Walking treadmills are usually equipped with low-power motors and smaller decks. They typically have handrails for stability. They are designed for low-impact cardiovascular workouts. They can be used for various fitness goals including weight loss and other benefits. A particular treadmill can be suitable for walking but not running due to factors such as belt size, speed limit, and motor power.
Warranty: Many treadmills come with a warranty that covers various components of the machine for a certain period of time.
Workout memory: Some treadmills come with the ability to store workout data, such as speed, calories burned, pace, distance, and time for tracking your progress over time.
Wrist-based heart rate monitor: These monitors are worn on the wrist and can connect to the treadmill or a smart device to measure the heart rate.
