With so many people working from home or choosing to do their workouts in places other than their local fitness centers, it can be easy to see why treadmills are so popular – after all, you can hop on one and get your miles in for the day, even if it’s rainy and dreary outside!
But what about those days when it’s beautiful out but you don’t want to leave the comfort of your garage or front yard? Can you really take your treadmill outside, without it getting harmed by the elements? For some people, saving space is essential, and moving the treadmill out to the garage is more of a necessity than anything, after all, these machines can begin to take up precious space inside the house, especially if they aren’t easily foldable.
Let’s take a look at some pros and cons of keeping your treadmill in the garage, as well as pros and cons for keeping your treadmill outside – especially if you’re trying to soak up some sunshine as you log your miles!
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
Keeping your treadmill in the garage, in a shed, or outside in the elements can void the warranty. Please be mindful of where you keep your treadmill if you plan to keep the warranty in-tact. These are merely suggestions for those not worried about the warranty.
Using A Treadmill In The Garage
Obviously, one of the biggest bonus points of keeping your treadmill in the garage is saving space in your home for other things. After all, a treadmill can take up some serious space, and it can be noisy once you start running on the tread, both things that might irritate others in your household or block valuable room space. Another pro of putting your treadmill in the garage is that it’s away from small hands, which could accidentally find their way to the start button and cause serious injury. Lastly, putting your treadmill in the garage might also be a way to have some time to yourself, typically in a cooler environment that doesn’t have much traffic around.
On the flip side of this though, putting your treadmill in the garage does have some downfalls. For one, temperature and humidity changes throughout the year can adversely affect the treadmill, especially the screen and the belt. Another con is that since the garage is usually a place where tools and lawn equipment are stored, you might find yourself cleaning off your treadmill and removing grass and/or dust more often than if it was protected by being inside.
Storing A Treadmill In The Garage
If you’re thinking of placing your treadmill out in your garage, there are definitely factors to weigh beforehand, but safety definitely comes first. Consider that if you fall off of your treadmill or have a medical emergency, you might not have immediate help if people inside your home can’t hear you. Also, you need to be aware of any liquids and material that can get on the belt, possibly causing you to slip and fall during use as well. Try and place your treadmill in a spot in your garage that will give you plenty of open space behind the treadmill (and not backed up to a wall or car) so that if something does go wrong, you won’t land on something sharp or on anything that can hurt.
Using A Treadmill Outside
Using a treadmill outside might seem like a strange idea, but putting your treadmill out on your back deck or driveway can be a great way to enjoy some sunshine while never actually leaving the comfort of your home. Not only can you soak up some Vitamin D while getting your miles in, but you also don’t have to worry about environmental dangers while on a run, such as holes/cracks in the sidewalks or jumping over muddy puddles.
On the other hand, there can be some downsides to using your treadmill outside. If you’ve got a heavy machine that’s difficult to move, then a sudden rainstorm in the middle of your run can leave your machine wet and slippery – definitely not the best thing to be running on. The sun can also have an adverse effect on your treadmill, by overheating the elements in the computer and causing malfunctions. Another thing to keep in mind is that if your treadmill is outside, you’ll be needing to brush or dust it off to remove pollen, leaves, critters, or anything else that might cause you to trip and fall before each use.
Storing A Treadmill Outside
If storing your treadmill outside is your plan, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you can, find a place to put it where it’s out of the sunlight – direct sun can negatively affect the electrical parts of your treadmill, namely the screen. Secondly, keep a broom or vacuum handy nearby so that you can clean off the belt and surrounding areas from dust and other outdoor material, so there’s less of a chance of random items getting stuck in the motor or damaging the belt. Lastly, think about investing in a cover for your treadmill. Not only can these covers help protect against rain, snow, and wind, but can lower the chances of damage to your treadmill as well.
In the long run, you’ll be the one that best determines where you store your treadmill so that it’s convenient for you to use. Just remember that for the majority of companies that sell treadmills and similar fitness machines, the warranty will be voided if the treadmill is placed outside in the elements or in your garage, so make sure you’re weighing all of your possible treadmill locations thoroughly before use!
Leave a Reply