So, you have finally decided to get more serious with your fitness goals. You found the right treadmill and you look forward to using it. But wait, how do you even bring it home? Can a treadmill fit in a car?
It doesn’t matter if you need to pick up your new treadmill or you have plans to relocate soon, trying to figure out how to transport the machine is one of the first challenges you will face.
Depending on the size of your car and the treadmill itself, your best and cheapest option is to move the machine yourself. But this task isn’t as easy and simple as it sounds.
To answer the question, yes, a treadmill can fit in a car. However, there are several factors you need to consider first, and it requires a lot of care on your part to avoid damaging your treadmill along the way. Making plans accordingly and taking note of the dimensions of the machine can help you identify the right type of car you need for the trip.
Several treadmills come with features that will make it easier for you to transport them. These include transport wheels and a folding mechanism. But commercial-grade and bigger treadmills require more space for safe transportation from one point to another.
What are the Different Types of Treadmills?
Modern treadmills come in a range of sizes and shapes, including electric treadmills, curved treadmills, and foldable walking pads. Some treadmills don’t require special transport while others need more care.
Before trying to fit your treadmill in your car, you have to determine what kind of treadmill you have in the first place. From there, you can proceed with the process accordingly.
Foldable treadmills are the easiest to transport because height won’t be a problem at all. The length of the deck is the only thing you need to consider. Many treadmills feature a foldable frame that makes it easier to transport and fit them inside enclosed vehicles.
On the other hand, there are also models with a foldable running deck that let you fold the machine at 180 degrees. This type of treadmill is lightweight enough so you can lift and carry it on your own. Thanks to the compact size of these folding treadmills, you can simply pack the machine and put it inside the boot or in the back seat of your vehicle with minimal planning or effort necessary.
Meanwhile, fixed treadmills require a more spacious cargo space because you need to take their height and length into consideration. Many fixed treadmills also feature transport wheels, letting you get them out of the house by yourself. You also need to factor in the weight of the treadmills before you load them into your car. You can use another pair of hands to load your machine safely.
Finally, manual treadmills require the most effort and planning to transport. A standard car cannot accommodate the massive size of a curved treadmill. As such, you can only transport these machines with a trailer or van.
What Type of Vehicles Can Fit a Treadmill?
Due to the different sizes and shapes of treadmills, it only makes sense that they can also fit into different types of vehicles.
● Hatchback
Although hatchbacks are on the smaller end of the spectrum, these have a cargo area where a treadmill can fit with the seats folded down. These vehicles are perfect for folding treadmills. You can disassemble the treadmill or keep it in its original packaging.
● Pickup Truck
Pickup trucks are the best and most recommended vehicles for transporting treadmills. The open cargo bed of a pickup truck can accommodate any size of a treadmill, including those that are not foldable. You can never go wrong with a pickup truck. Just make sure that you tie down the treadmill securely to prevent it from moving around and getting damaged in the process.
● Sedan, Sports Cars, Coupe
Cars with a trunk might cause some serious struggles. Treadmills are often 5.3 feet or 64 inches long so you will need a very wide vehicle to transport them. Simple measurements will be necessary here. But with some ingenuity, you might be able to fit a treadmill in a convertible.
● SUV, Minivan, Station Wagon
These are also good options, but you need to use your measuring tape for this. The enclosed rear hatch may be a disadvantage here. You can often fold the seats down to give you additional room. If your car belongs to these categories, some careful planning is necessary to help you fit your treadmill in them.
● Ute or Trailer
A larger vehicle that features an open space can accommodate larger treadmills, including those without a folding capability. For ute owners, don’t forget to tie your treadmill down with ropes to prevent it from moving during transport.
For long-distance hauls, it is also a good idea to cover or wrap your treadmill in bubble wrap. A ute or trailer is also a good choice if you will transport your treadmill in its original packaging.
● Van
Vans are another good vehicle option to move treadmills. The enclosed space of vans can keep the machine safer during transport. The large space also means it can fit any size or shape of treadmill. Vans may be your only option to transfer curved treadmills.
What is the Average Weight of Treadmills?
Standard motorized treadmills have an average weight of 200 to 250 pounds. Many high-end electric treadmills for home use weigh more than 300 pounds. Commercial motorized treadmills can weigh as much as 400 pounds.
A manual treadmill may be lighter, but it still depends on the specific model and brand. It is even common to see manual treadmills that weigh more than their electric counterparts.
Your only concern if you have a lightweight manual treadmill is if its size can fit well in your vehicle. The good news is that many manual treadmills today are foldable, allowing you to put them easily in your car.
However, if you are using a heavy motorized treadmill at home, you need to consider both the capacity of your car and the weight of the treadmill.
You can also consider disassembling the entire machine, packing it in your car, transporting it, and assembling it again once you get home. You can also fold down the seats of your car to make enough room for your treadmill.
Tips for Fitting a Treadmill in a Car
Now that you know more about treadmills and the types of vehicles that fit them, here are some helpful tips to ensure the safe and secure transport of the machine.
1. Plan carefully
Aside from your house, your car is possibly your next most expensive purchase. Your treadmill is not a cheap buy, either. As such, the last thing you want is to damage both your car and your treadmill. Thus, some careful planning can go a long way to transport your machine successfully.
2. Take measurements
Checking your treadmill’s dimensions against the size of your car can help you determine if the machine will fit in it. Don’t forget to measure the height, width, and length of your treadmill before you make a move to identify if you need a bigger vehicle or need to disassemble the machine.
You also need to measure the doors in your house. It is also recommended to check the weight capacity of your car, especially if you have a smaller one.
3. Assemble and disassemble your treadmill
You might need to disassemble the treadmill if you have a fixed model, or the machine still doesn’t fit through your home’s door or in your car even after folding it. You need to be careful with taking the treadmill apart. You can refer to the manual for this step.
Conclusion
Can a treadmill fit in a car? Yes, it can. But there are many factors you still need to consider to transport your treadmill safely and properly in your vehicle.