The Distinction Between a Residential & Commercial Treadmill
Understanding the distinction between a residential and commercial treadmill is crucial when selecting the best treadmill to be used in a commercial setting. We completely understand. The cost of residential treadmills is often lower than that of commercial treadmills, which can be enticing. Especially when the treadmill says “commercial” in the name. However, they are intended for home usage, only home usage. Although they might come equipped with features like improved shock absorption and an adjustable slope, they are not made to handle the constant use and wear and tear of a business or commercial setting. We have often found residential treadmills being used in Apartment Communities, Hotels, and even Physical Rehabilitation.
Let’s clarify what a commercial setting is considered to be. When consulting the google wizard it responded with “A commercial setting is any space that is commonly open to the public”. That means multifamily housing, community centers, hotels, and even personal training studios.
Let’s give an example. To be clear we are not picking on iFit and the Nordic Track line. It is simply easy to use as an example because even the model of the treadmill says “commercial”. The Nordic Track Commercial 2450 is a residential treadmill. The model is designed for residential use only. This fact is clearly stated on Nordic Track’s website’s Limited Warranty statement: “This warranty will automatically be voided by the following conditions: (5) if the product is used for commercial or rental purposes. You can have a residential treadmill at home or in your office. If it is at your office, it is for your use. Not the use of the company fitness center.
Commercial treadmills are often more expensive than residential treadmills because they are made for a commercial setting, like a gym, apartment community, hotel, or even a rehab facility. To give the equipment a longer lifespan, it is constructed with stronger frames and more durable components. They have more advanced features, such as better programming and pre-set training workouts. They are also built to withstand faster speeds from heavier users for longer periods of time. A residential treadmill is designed for three or fewer hours of use a day. A light commercial treadmill is rated for 3 to 6 hours of use per day, while a full commercial treadmill is rated for more than 6 hours of use per day.
Consider the legal factor. An individual gets hurt using your residential treadmill in your facility. Regardless of any of the other factors that led to the incident will it help or hurt once the lawyers find out that the treadmill was never rated to be in your environment? We can also add that any treadmill utilized in a commercial setting will probably malfunction sooner because of the higher usage and wear and tear. Furthermore, the treadmill’s repairs and any other damage may not be covered by the warranty.
Commercial treadmills are made to offer a secure, effective, and efficient workout for several individuals a day. They are built to take abuse day after day when taken care of properly. Having a regularly scheduled preventive maintenance program provided by a trained service provider provides early detection of potential failure while also extending the life of the equipment. You can pay a little now, or much more later.
When choosing a treadmill for a commercial environment, it is important to consider the type of use the treadmill will receive and the features that are important to you. While residential treadmills may be less expensive and have some features that are beneficial to the user, it is important to note that they are not built to withstand the heavy use and wear and tear of a commercial environment. Therefore, it is important to invest in a commercial treadmill in order to ensure a safe, efficient, and effective workout experience.
