In order to enhance your performance, you need to push yourself. That’s the concept of ‘progressive overload’ – training a little harder than last time, getting fitter or stronger as you go.

For walking, jogging and running, the original workouts, there are two main ways to progressively overload: by going faster, or by going further.

At GymQuip we’ve spent three decades helping gym owners, fitness professionals and amateur athletes identify and capitalise on the right gym equipment for their situation.

In this guide we’ll share our expertise on incline trainers vs treadmills, and identify the best treadmill for gyms, home studios, recovery centres, or whatever your situation might be.


What is a traditional treadmill? 

Standard treadmills are a gym staple. They feature variable speed settings, making them ideal for all types of movement, from slow, steady-state walking and jogging to high-intensity sprints.

Most modern treadmills give you a bit of control over incline, with a standard range of 0%-15%.


What is an incline trainer? 

An incline trainer does what it says on the packet: it offers users extreme incline of up to 40% – sometimes even more.

Unlike step machines and stair climbers, which maintain a flat surface for your feet, incline trainers tip the entire belt, to more accurately replicate striding up a slope.

This steep incline offers a high intensity workout at low speeds – usually a walk. This also avoids the joint-jarring impacts of running, which can make for a more comfortable form of exercise.

And as the reputation of this low-impact cardio equipment grows, incline trainers are becoming an increasingly popular option for people looking to rehabilitate, build mobility, burn calories or enhance their performance.


Muscle activation: which machine engages more muscles? 

Traditional treadmill

  • Primarily works quads, hamstrings, calves and glutes.
  • Running at 0% incline will mainly target quads and calves.
  • Adding a moderate incline (5-15%) gradually engages glutes and hamstrings.

Incline Trainer

  • Significantly increases glute, hamstring and calf activation.
  • Effectively engages the posterior chain, enhancing stability and power.
  • Reduces reliance on momentum and forces muscle use and control, which can enhance muscle endurance.


Calorie burn & weight loss: which option is more effective? 

 

Traditional treadmill

  • Treadmills offer one of the most effective exercises for burning calories, particularly at higher speeds.
  • Can be used for interval training or steady state cardio.
  • An effective weight loss tool for those who are able to make running a habit.

 

Incline trainer

  • A walk with just a 10% gradient can burn 2x more calories than a walk on flat ground, and the greater the incline, the more you burn.
  • Incline trainers combine strength and cardio training, so while they can help you lose excess weight, you’ll also build muscle.
  • Difficult to use for extended periods, and may be harder to form into a habit than a run on a treadmill.

 

Rehabilitation & joint health: which is better for injury recovery? 

 

Traditional treadmill

  • Ideal for progressive running programs.
  • Great for rehab, but only at low speeds, and ideally with the help of handrails.
  • Higher speeds or extended running sessions may cause joint stress.

 

Incline trainer

  • You get higher muscle engagement at lower speeds, making it effective for low-impact strength, mobility and stability training.
  • Ideal for injury recovery, as it strengthens muscles without excessively straining joints.
  • Could be too much of a challenge during the early stages of rehab.


Choosing the right equipment for your gym or fitness facility 

Ultimately the choice between a commercial incline treadmill and a standard machine is down to what your members need from your fitness facility.

 

For commercial gyms

If the treadmill incline benefits listed above – muscle engagement, rehab, calorie burn – resonate with your members, choose an incline trainer. Incline trainers are a nice way to diversify the training options you offer members.

If you simply want to offer an effective and popular form of cardio, choose a traditional treadmill. They’re the world’s most popular type of gym equipment for a reason: they’re accessible, adaptable and effective.

Better yet, offer both.

 

For residential complexes

The popularity of traditional treadmills means that they should be one of the first pieces of equipment chosen for any residential gym.

Gyms in apartment complexes can be compact, but if you have enough space, an incline trainer can be a very popular addition to your fitness centre, delivering a low impact yet high-calorie burn workout at walking speed.

 

For physios and rehab centres

If your users are trying to regain or maintain mobility, or they’re rehabilitating from injury, it’s critical to have the right equipment for every situation.

Traditional treadmills, particularly those with plenty of handles and support, offer the gentle movement that many elderly, disabled or injured people need, particularly at the beginning of their journeys.

As they gather strength and mobility, an incline trainer can be the perfect (and quite literal) step up, helping them to continue with and ultimately complete their rehab.

In reality, almost every gym, fitness studio and rehab centre can benefit from both machines. If you have the space and the budget, it is well worth considering an investment in both.


GymQuip: treadmill and incline trainer specialists

Home to one of Australia’s largest fitness showrooms, at GymQuip we have been helping people walk, jog and run indoors for over 30 years. We stock a complete range of treadmills and incline trainers from the world’s leading fitness brands, as well as all the other cardio equipment you need for your space too.

While our showroom is large, our online store is even larger. We deliver Australia-wide, orders are shipped within 24 hours, and our entire range is covered by our price beat guarantee: if you find one of our products cheaper elsewhere, we’ll beat that price.

Ready to invest in a treadmill or incline trainer for your business? We’re ready to help! Get in touch with our friendly team today to find your perfect machine.