Whether you're an avid Lauren Giraldo follower, or you have no idea what the difference is between an incline trainer and a treadmill, understanding their features will help you make the right choice for your home gym.

Here is a simple guide to understanding the pros and cons, similarities and differences, between an incline trainer and a treadmill.

What is an Incline Trainer?

Because we're pretty sure most people have a firm grasp of what a treadmill is, let's start by introducing you to incline trainers. Like treadmills, they are primarily used for cardio, including walking and jogging.

However, unlike your average treadmill, an incline trainer allows you to increase your incline up to 40%. Most modern commercial treadmills have an incline of around 10-15%. This huge difference means avid runners and hikers can take on the steepest hills at a walk or jog--right in their own homes.

Known for high quality and durability, NordickTrack is a popular brand for incline trainers as well as treadmills. The NordickTrack Commercial X22i Incline Trainer and the NordickTrack Commercial X32i Incline Trainer are popular choices for the avid hiker/runner.

If you're serious about living healthy and finding the perfect stress-reducing addition to your home gym, an incline trainer is an excellent choice.

Why Choose an Incline Trainer over a Treadmill

One of the benefits of incline trainers is that they burn more calories than a commercial treadmill. The steep inclines they offer mean you can literally "take a walk" and burn more calories doing so that tearing away at your knees running on a treadmill.

For those who need low-impact cardio, incline trainers are the answer.

Much of living healthy involves working a variety of muscles. With an incline trainer, you have the advantage of walking or running up and downhill. Doing so means you're moving your body in ways that reflect real life. This provides you with increased strength, toning, and a stronger posterior chain.

Unlike a treadmill that offers no decline and only minimal incline, an incline trainer simulates the outdoors where real runners encounter hills and slopes.

With iFit technology, your incline trainer can simulate terrain from all over the world. This technology is a huge asset when training.

Just think of it, if you're preparing to run the Big Sur marathon, all you have to do is enter the route into your iFit live and your incline trainer will recreate the Big Sur terrain for you right in your home gym!

Cons of an Incline Trainer

When considering home gym equipment, there are really only two cons to an incline trainer.

They include:

1. They are larger than a commercial treadmill. This means they are heavier and slightly more challenging to move. While they do come with wheels for relocating, keep in mind that their enhanced features also come with enhanced bulk.

2. They are more expensive. Typically, with upgrades to your home gym equipment, you also encounter greater costs. However, if the advantages of an incline trainer over a treadmill are worth it to you, the additional cost may seem minimal.

Living Healthy: Should I Get an Incline Trainer or Not?

When it comes to living healthy and deciding whether an incline trainer or treadmill is right for you, the real question is, "how often will you use the incline/decline feature?"

If you enjoy running and don't feel the need for low-impact, high-calorie burning inclines and declines, then a treadmill is a more affordable, lighter option. The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 treadmill is a great example of a treadmill that will do its job with a 15% incline capability.

However, if your increased understanding of the advantages of an incline trainer has you convinced that you need one, check out our available options today. Enjoy living well!