Benefits of Indoor Walking

Before we dive into the review, I want to stop and take a second to consider why you might be considering having a treadmill in your home, which includes understanding the benefits of walking indoors. Walking on your treadmill can:

• Improved your sleep
• Aid in weight loss
• Strengthen and build your muscles
• Provide joint support
• Improve your circulation
• Boost your mood

Research shows that those who exercise regularly in their 50s and 60s are 35% less likely to die over the next 8 years than those who don’t walk or exercise regularly. Even if you’re not in your elderly years yet, that’s where we’re all headed, and I’d say that’s a pretty compelling reason to incorporate some walking and fitness into our lives.

Now that you know some of the benefits that walking can bring to your life, how does owning a treadmill add value?

For starters, you can walk whenever you want! With a treadmill at home you don’t have to let the rain, snow, or otherwise inclimate weather stop your plans of walking. 

And if you’re a busy momma who uses early mornings and/or nap times to sneak in your cardio, then a treadmill provides the perfect opportunity to do so without having to leave your home and get a babysitter.

Treadmill walking is also a great way to multi-task. Have you ever felt the age-old dilemma of whether to binge Netflix or workout? With a treadmill, you can do both! Que up your favorite show or grab your favorite book and get your entertainment in while you get your steps in.

Analyzing The Treadly 2: The World’s Thinnest Treadmill

The Treadly 2 is the second release of the brand Treadly’s ultra-thin treadmill. This thin, minimalistic piece of equipment is designed to fit in anywhere, even small apartments and condos. 

While most treadmills weigh 200 pounds or more, the Treadly 2 is just 55 lbs. And at just 3.5” thick, 3’ 7” tall, and 25” wide, it’s simple to fold it up and store it under your bed or in your closet when not in use.

There is a collapsible hydraulic hand-bar that can be engaged to provide extra stability when walking or jogging. This is also where your smart controls are located, which allow you to easily switch between multiple control modes. 

The complete design of this treadmill is made to be convenient and accessible for people of all ages, abilities, and with all kinds of space restrictions. Treadly is working to make fitness from home easier than ever before. 

Next, I’ll dive into more of the specifics of this treadmill so that you can get to know its features and benefits.

Features and Benefits: Expectations of exercising with this tread

Integrated display

You can keep track of your workouts and your stats right from the illuminated workout display that sits at the top of the tread. From here, you can see things like what workout mode you’re in, how many calories you burned, distance, and more.

Built-in Bluetooth speaker

Listen to your favorite music while you walk through the integrated Bluetooth speaker.

Smart handrail

The aluminum-reinforced hydraulic handrail makes operating the machine a breeze. You can effortlessly lock the handrail in place and enjoy a walk or jog at any speed up to 5 mph. Or, fold the handrail down and enjoy waking up to 3.7 mph. The handrail also contains an emergency stop switch as well as speed controls.

It adjusts speed for you

While you can adjust your speed manually, Treadly 1 actually contains infrared sensors that detect your gait and control your speed for you. For example, if you’re finding yourself at the top of the belt, it will speed up to accommodate your faster past. Conversely, if you slow down and are at the end of the belt, the treadmill will adjust automatically to match your reduced speed. This is a feature that’s pretty unique to this brand and one that provides a great, safe experience for users.

Flexible weight limit

It can accommodate up to 265 lbs - This machine is inclusive enough to be safe for almost all users.

Updated internal temperature management system

On the original Treadly there was an issue with the machine overheating. The Treadly 2 was updated to include a temperature management and exhaust system that allows you to operate the machine for as long as you’d like.

Storage is a plus

It’s easy to store in the upright position - There’s rubber padding on the front that allows for easy upright storage.

Syncing capabilities with fitness apps

It’s compatible with the Treadly App and Apple Watch so you can easily keep track of your stats and workouts.

Community of like-minded exercise fanatics

One of the biggest draws to smart exercise equipment is the fact that you can connect with others, take live classes, and feel the totally immersive experience that you would if you were participating in a live class. Treadly recently launched the Treadly Community where users can access live video workout groups. You can join a group or create your own. 

You can even take a one-on-one class with a friend! This is perfect for folks who can no longer get together safely for their walking groups or exercises classes. You can still meet your friends, chat, and get your steps in virtually!

I’ll talk more about the community aspect next as I think this is one of the biggest draws and upgrades Treadly made to their product.

Treadly Community Details

A recent study showed that 95% of people who started a workout program with a friend completed it. Compare that to the study that shows that 73% of people who start a new year’s resolution fitness plan quit within the first couple of months, and it’s easy to understand the power of community. 

Now, more than ever, we need the ability to connect with others without being physically present. And the power of the internet and companies like Treadly are making that possible.

Treadly recognized the need for connection and incorporated community into their Tready 2. This community introduces you to live video walking groups that are based on your personal interests, activity level, and preferred workout times. 

You can find groups through the company’s suggestions or by searching for groups in your area. Or, you can start your own group and invite your friends, neighbors, and community members to join in with you. Here are some of the features of the community:

Live interest-based groups that combine the motivation of an instructor with the accountability of a group..

The opportunity to be social or to sit back and observe the community members.

Never feel like you’re alone again in your workouts. You can find a walking budding or a walking group that will keep you motivated and accountable to reaching your goals.

Choose whether you want to compete or not. You can choose to compete with yourself, compete with others, or to not compete at all. The choice is yours, you get to find what motivates you the most (and is the most fun!).

Pros and Cons: What's good? What should I be aware of?

As with any piece of workout equipment, there are pros and cons. It’s important to know and understand these before you make a buying decision so that you can be sure you’re getting the right treadmill for you.

Pros:

• It’s ultra-lightweight and compact making it perfect for small spaces
• Can be stored vertically
• They have an amazing new community where you can connect with others and walk virtually live
• It self-adjusts based on your walking speed
• There’s a display screen that shows all your stats
• The handlebar is hydraulic for easy setup and controls
• It’s incredibly quiet when in operation
• There’s an included internal temperature control to keep it cool for as long as you’d like
• It comes with a 1-year warranty

Cons

• The top speed is 5 mph (this is not for runners!)
• There is no incline
• Does not work great on high-carpeted floors (it’s best on hardwood, tile, or low carpeting)

Who Is This Treadmill Best For?

With a top speed of 5 mph, this is certainly not the right choice for those who are looking to run or to complete high intensity workouts. That said, it’s a great choice for walkers and joggers.

This is a great option for people who have limited space, like those who live in a small apartment or condo, and it’s perfect for those who simply want an easy, accessible way to get in their steps each day.

Lastly, for older folks and seniors, this treadmill provides a safe opportunity for movement at home. As a bonus, those confined to their homes are able to connect with others via the community feature, which brings a tremendous amount of value to the lives of many during this difficult time.

Final Thoughts: Is this compact treadmill worth it?

I’ll be honest, when I first saw the price of this machine I was a little surprised, especially since I know you can get a full-size smart treadmill like the Echelon Stride for only a few hundred dollars more. That said, I do realize that this treadmill is very unique and has some features that are very appealing to many.

This is easily the slimmest, sleekest treadmill on the market that I am aware of. This is a very crucial buying factor for many people who have previously held off on purchasing one due to space limitations and the dread of having to lug around a big, heavy machine.

Overall, I think this is a good (not great) product that’s bringing something completely new and unique to the market which is saturated with options that are nothing more than the same thing repeated over and over again. I think that the brand is providing folks with a big opportunity to enhance their fitness and reach their goals. However, I cannot say it’s 100% worth it. My recommendation is below.

I encourage you to take a close look at this treadmill’s specifications, features, and benefits before deciding if it’s the right fit for you and your home.