What’s the difference between an incline trainer and a treadmill?

An incline trainer is a relatively new style of treadmill that inclines higher than a traditional grade machine. For example, a standard tread can usually incline up to 15 percent, whereas some incline trainers go up to 50 percent. Several models also decline up to 10 percent. Traditional treadmills may go faster than an incline trainer as well, and they may also have more cushioned decks. Both incline- and decline-training can improve your speed and burn more calories compared to if you walked or ran on flat terrain.

If you’re training for a 5K race, stick with a standard treadmill—or run outdoors. If your goal is to lose weight, or enhance your athletic performance, step up to an incline trainer.