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I never thought I’d be a treadmill person because running or using a treadmill was never appealing to me.

Even amid lockdowns when at-home fitness became a trend and everyone started building mini-home gyms, buying a treadmill never crossed my mind.

I’ve always associated a treadmill with cardio, fitness enthusiasts, and serious runners. But I’m neither of the latter two and have always been pro-weights in the cardio vs. weight debate.

My fitness journey has been more about finding what works for me; treadmills didn’t seem like it.

At least that was the case until a month ago when I started thinking about investing in a treadmill to focus on lean legs and overall fitness.

Let me provide some context and insight.

I work from home and most of my day involves sitting on my desk puzzling away program bugs and writing stories to share with you guys.

A little over a year ago, I used to focus on weight training to build lean muscle, all from home (I’ve never successfully made myself go to a gym). However, I stopped once I realized the physique I’d built didn’t suit my taste.

I was never bulky per se, just not lean. I’ve always gained muscle easily but always struggle to lose fat from areas like the abdomen and thighs. This usually means I become “bigger” in those areas which isn’t the aesthetic I’m aiming for.

Fast-forward endless months of weightless yoga and body-weight pilates (with small weights thrown in occasionally for resistance). I got tired of not seeing any difference in the areas I’m always trying to see a difference in so something had to change.

That’s when I started thinking about facing the cardio beast especially since I was craving some extra movement in my day.

Deciding between a treadmill vs. a walking pad

At first, I started searching for a treadmill alternative like a walking pad. I didn’t want to run, I just wanted something that would keep me moving while I multitasked.

Walking pads are largely compact in size, portable, and simple. I could put one right under my standing desk and work while walking—this was my initial thought process.

I compared the features of both:

• a walking pad is good for light, casual movement
• a treadmill is ideal for more robust workouts

Then I took into consideration space and budget.

I’ll be honest, space wasn’t an issue since I moved into a house with a personal garage and more than enough room to house an entire mini gym. However, price is a major determining factor.

Walking pads are the cheaper of the two though you can find some treadmills that could pass for walking pads since they’re so featureless.

A “good” and durable walking pad would cost around the same as a mid-range treadmill. And a really “good” treadmill will be well over a thousand dollars.

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I reached the point where I was torn between the two since I wanted a “good” option, one that would be an investment but would serve its purpose.

Among my research, reading reviews, and asking coworkers and friends, it all came down to my fitness goals. I wanted the treadmill to achieve a lean physique not just to get my 10k steps in.

Realistically speaking, this means when the mood hit, I potentially could run and would want to run. If I purchased a walking pad, I’d be limited in speed and resistance. So a treadmill was the most suitable choice.

Choosing what treadmill to buy

It took me a couple of days of shopping around to ultimately settle on the NordicTrack T Series 6.5S Treadmill from Amazon.

A couple of key features that made me choose this treadmill over the walking pad were:

• automatic incline features with the touch of a button
• variable running speeds to walk or run
• foldable design when in need to save space
• over 300 lbs weight makes it usable by anyone
• decent price point (under $1k) for the features it has

Ordering from Amazon was convenient and free of additional fees leveraged on services like delivery and setup. The NordicTrack T Series is marketed as a treadmill you can easily get up and running yourself so I wasn’t interested in paying extra to have someone build it.

The treadmill arrived well-packaged and sealed though I highly recommend you have someone to help transport it to your desired destination since it’s heavy.

I had to move it downstairs to get to my underground garage, making transport quite the challenge. It’s much easier if you need to move it inside a room since there are wheels on the front and the design allows you to fold the belt.

The belt itself is roomy enough to run comfortably with a decent length. There’s a stand in the control panel front to let you prop a tablet or phone when walking. This allows you to enjoy your shows hands-free while exercising.

One feature in particular that I became interested in when researching treadmills was the incline feature.

Many cheaper treadmills that offered incline control were manual meaning you have to pause your activity to raise or lower the belt. This process was unappealing, I wanted something like the one-click automatic incline I’d experienced with gym treadmills.

Clicking a button is far more convenient especially since it allows you to add resistance to your treadmill workout in real-time.

The NordicTrack T Series comes equipped with some trainer settings that programmatically control speed and incline making for a fun, challenging workout without any effort on my end. If the incline was manual, the auto resistance wouldn’t be possible.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that it’s noisy. I first considered placing this in my room but I’m very happy I didn’t go through with it.

The motor is rather loud and the faster you go, the louder it seems to get. I usually have headphones listening or watching something so it doesn’t bother me but I feel it’s something you should know since it makes placement a consideration.

How I made getting on a treadmill a daily routine

The setup went smoothly until I was certain a part was missing. This was solely my mistake, I didn’t read the manual well enough to realize it told me exactly where the part was located.

I reached out to NordicTrack customer service via chat and immediately got in touch with an agent who kindly pointed out my mistake. So if you run into anything when putting the treadmill together, help is just around the corner—it’s convenient and easy to have their agents help out!

Aside from that particular instance, I did have some help in making the electric wire connections. It’s not difficult by any means, I’m just hyper-aware when it comes to electric stuff.

When the treadmill was ready to use, I knew exactly what I wanted to do on it—I wanted to walk. Not run, that’s not what I got it for.

I wanted to watch my shows while being more active and that’s exactly how I started incorporating the treadmill in my routine.

Slowly, I found myself using the treadmill as an outlet for stress and frustration after a long workday.

I make getting on a treadmill fun by using dance workouts

My treadmill routine goes like this: every evening, I hop on the treadmill after work, throw on the latest drama or binge YouTube videos, and then walk, run, or dance to my favorite music.

Whether I walk or run depends on my mood and, if I’m being fully honest, whether it’s hair wash day because one thing is for sure: you’re going to sweat a ton.

There’s no way around it, you’re going to be a sweaty mess even with a brisk walk.

Some days I free-style and choose an incline and speed at random that will be challenging but that I’ll stick to for at least 30 minutes. If I feel more proactive, I may change the settings to add resistance during different intervals.

When I want a completely hands-off approach, I choose one of the pre-programmed workouts based on goals. There are various focused workouts whether you’re aiming for a certain number of calories, looking to improve running speed, or wanting a resistance-based workout.

This far, my go-to is either a 300-calorie workout (averaging 35-40 minutes) or a 400-calorie workout (averaging 45-50 minutes).

During the workout, the NordicTrack treadmill auto adjusts incline and speed to increase or lower intensity. All I need to do is watch my show and occasionally exclaim that I’m dying while sweating profusely, a feeling I’ve come to love.

Now, there are days I’m indecisive about freestyling or doing a structured workout. During those days, I start with a fun dance sesh. I blast my favorite music and begin at a decent (not challenging incline) with a moderate pace.

As I sing along and move with the beat of the song, I don’t even notice the time passing. The last time I did this, I hit 300+ calories unaware I’d spent over 30 minutes singing and moving.

Watching shows and the occasional dance transformed the treadmill into more than just a workout machine. It has become my personal time for fun and relaxation.

The treadmill helped me lose inches from my waist and thighs

Since I’m usually on it 4-5+ days per week, this means 300-400 calories every day, it’s no wonder I’ve noticed my clothes getting loose.

I didn’t head into this expecting instant results but I’ve used the treadmill for a little under two months and can see the definition in my legs along with the noticeable slimming. My things have always been a stubborn pain point, now I can’t help but see them change each day, it’s astonishing.

My thighs aren’t the only physical part getting slimmer, my waist has followed suit. Now this was a welcoming surprise!

I’m less bloated, see more definition from my daily pilates routines, and have noticed pants looser around my midsection.

Of course, physical results, however satisfying, aren’t the only plus. My stamina and energy are improving every day. I’ve found an activity that adds new spice to fitness while providing an outlet for the day’s events. And, it’s fun, it’s something I look forward to, and it’s a new “me time”.

Why a treadmill is the perfect fit for me (and might be for you, too)

I’m now sold on using a treadmill, despite my initial hesitations.

If you’re also a cardio anti-fan who’s feeling stuck when it comes to exercise and desires to incorporate more movement in your daily routine, consider getting yourself a treadmill.

First, think of suitability, and whether it’s an ideal fit for your lifestyle, space, and fitness goals. Things like space often force your hand in making choices between options (like whether to get a treadmill or walking pad).

If you’re on the fence about trying out a treadmill, I’d recommend opting for a walking pad. It’s cheaper, more portable, less space-consuming, and less of a commitment.

Once you see yourself loving the new movement and feel ready for a bigger challenge, you can always invest in a treadmill.

Let the treadmill become a fun, stress-relieving outlet while also enjoying all the physical benefits!

4 tips for getting the most out of a treadmill

The best way to get results is by setting up a treadmill routine:

• Be consistent: Stick to a daily schedule because it makes the biggest difference.
• Make it fun: Incorporate music, shows, or dance routines to keep things interesting.
• Mix it up: Use the incline, change speeds, and try different workout styles.
• Focus on form: Ensure you walk or run correctly to avoid injury and maximize results.

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Using a treadmill changed my body and my outlook on fitness. Investing in a treadmill, particularly the NordicTrack T Series with its touch features, was more than worth it.

Keep in mind that finding your fitness journey is the most important thing. What works for one person may not always work for another, but you won’t know ‘till you try.

Feel free to drop any comments or questions in the comments below, I’d be happy to answer them.