The resurgence of treadmills: from iconic cardio equipment to HIIT kings

Few fitness elements are as iconic as the treadmill. According to the 2018 IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report: “Reflecting an ongoing trend, over the past three years, treadmills have reigned as the most popular piece of equipment, with 43% of members using them.” Furthermore, it seems that treadmill enthusiasm encompasses every single age demographics.

The reason for the stellar success of the treadmill is quite simple. In fact, it is the ideal equipment for the most basic types of exercise: walking and running. However, its greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. Many people associate treadmills with unexciting, repetitive workouts.

As this IHRSA research shows, even though treadmills are still the most utilized equipment in health clubs, overall usage is decreasing. From 2015-2017, treadmills declined 5% in overall popularity among members as younger exercisers gravitated to more specialized classes and training systems.

Recently, group trainers, fitness companies and workout stars have devised ways to incorporate treadmills into the most popular exercise training formats, such as HIIT offshoots. Needless to say, these treadmill workouts have become a smashing success. According to an article in USA Today, “ClassPass analyzed more than 60 million reservations made in 2018, and found that there was an 82% increase in classes that incorporated treadmills from last year.”

This leaves club owners and gym users with one clear route, to adopt and test out these treadmill workouts, such as SKILLMILL HIIT, SKILLRUN Class or SKILLRUN Bootcamp. This is especially the case if you either scoff at the idea of running on a treadmill or if those currently present in your centre are collecting dust.

5 reasons why are treadmill workouts are smashing HIITs

There are many reasons why high-intensity treadmill workouts should be placed on the first page of every gym’s leaflet or website. In this editorial, we’ll give you five of them.

1. 1. The sense of familiarity with treadmill workouts
2. 2. Group training makes treadmill workouts fun and social
3. 3. Treadmill workouts are easy to catch on with gym users
4. 4. Today’s treadmills are app-connected entertainment centers and biofeedback devices
5. 5. Treadmill workouts are more versatile than ever

1. The familiarity of treadmill workouts solves “the paradox of choice”

In the book The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz argues that giving consumers too many choices makes them anxious and unhappy. Ultimately, they walk away either without having taken a choice or filled with regrets. The familiarity of treadmill workouts removes this drawback of modern consumerism. Says fitness historian Natalia Mehlman Petrzela about the recent upsurge in treadmill workouts: “I think [treadmill workouts’] popularity is part of a reaction to some of the fanciness and complexity of the fitness world.”

2. Group training makes treadmill workouts fun and social

Using treadmills as a key element in group training fends some of the negatives associated with treadmill training off. Indeed, social, high-intensity classes are anything but boring.

3. Treadmill workouts are easy to catch on with gym users

Everybody understands treadmills and how they work. The comfort level of treadmills makes it easier for trainers to introduce new fitness concepts to wary members. Those who may resist joining HIIT classes focused around weightlifting or military boot camps will be easier to persuade if faced with a known piece of gym equipment. Furthermore, the sooner you can get new members signed into a regular group class, the more likely they’ll stay a member, according to data.

4. Today’s treadmills are app-connected entertainment centers and biofeedback devices

A treadmill designed for today’s gym users offers multiple entertainment options, usually streamed on a large LCD screen to engage them and make their workout routine less monotonous.

Members can also track their physiological data through many high-tech machine consoles using wearables and apps. This keeps members informed about their progress and able to create results-driven programs.

5. Treadmill workouts are more versatile than ever

If you have a premium treadmill with up-to-date technology, you have a machine that’s adaptable to casual exercisers and elite athletes alike. No matter what kind of workout you want, with a premium treadmill you can get that and more.

The ability of treadmill workouts to cater to every demographic should make every fitness club want to have a selection of innovative high-tech units.

Redefining the Treadmill Experience with Skillrun

Technogym has long been an industry leader in product innovation and now we’ve revolutionized the treadmill concept to the core with Skillrun. Skillrun utilizes advanced engineering concepts to create a new standard in elite indoor sports training. Powered by Technogym’s Multidrive Technology, Skillrun will satisfy any craving for intensity and versatility in your training options.

Technogym offers club owners the advantage of providing members with a wide spectrum of today’s most popular group and individual treadmill workouts through Skillrun’s three versions:

• Skillrun TX 500: Best for overall high-intensity workouts like Skillrun Bootcamp or Skillrun Class, this unit features a 10-inch interface designed for focused, high-performance workouts.
• Skillrun Unity 5000: Best for running and HIIT, this treadmill has a 19” touchscreen offering high-quality viewing of training and entertainment content.
• Skillrun Unity 7000: thanks to its Parachute kit and the Biofeedback technology, this treadmill delivers the ultimate running experience.

Via its tech-savvy interface, all Skillrun units give consumers everything they desire in a quick and intuitive way. It offers guided workouts, performance tracking, wireless Bluetooth audio connection and instant adjustments through its Fast Track Controls. The navigation controls allow for seamless and quick changes between Run, Sled and Parachute, with a full range of incline options and step speeds.

For clubs with space limitations, Skillrun’s ergonomic design frees up 30% more working space than most standard units allow. Its modern, sleek look will please brand-conscious club owners who want to project a contemporary aesthetic.