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Health

What is a Mini Treadmill?

Diane Goettel
By
Updated Feb 01, 2024
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A mini treadmill is a piece of home fitness equipment. In some cases, the term is used to refer to treadmills that have been designed on a smaller scale in order to fit in private homes. In most cases, however, the term mini treadmill is used to refer to treadmills that are designed to be used by children.

In the West, obesity has become a major health problem. This health problem does not only apply to adults; many children face the perils of obesity as well. The mini treadmill is a response to this problem.

There has been a mixed response to the mini treadmill. Some people believe that a mini treadmill for children is a bad idea and that children should get exercise outside in the fresh air having fun with friends or playing sports. Others believe that it is a good way to teach kids about fitness from an early age and that it is a good way for kids to get exercise even when the weather outside is poor. Despite the mixed response, there are companies that make fitness equipment for children, including mini elliptical riders.

In addition to the difference in size, one of the key differences between a mini treadmill for children and the kinds of treadmills used by adults is color. While most adult-sized treadmills are black or grey, the miniature versions are usually brightly colored. In fact, they look much like toys, which is most likely a consideration on the part of the manufacturer, who wants to create a product that children in which children will be interested. Common colors for mini treadmills include primary colors as well as bright greens, pinks, and purples.

A mini treadmill is much less expensive than an adult-sized treadmill. Although these pieces of miniature exercise equipment are more expensive than most children's toys, they are also designed for a much smaller person, which means that they don't have to support as much weight. Also, manufacturers of children's exercise equipment know that kids will grow out of the equipment in a way that adults will never grow out of fitness equipment that is designed around their larger scale. As such, the price of a mini treadmill is usually somewhere between $100 USD (US Dollars) and $180 USD. With fitness consciousness on the rise, this kind of equipment may become more and more popular, or perhaps parents will just become more focused on making sure that their kids get plenty of exercise during play time.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Diane Goettel
By Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane Goettel serves as the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. Over the course, she has edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter “Sapling,” and The Adirondack Review. Diane holds a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
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Discussion Comments

By Kat919 — On Feb 02, 2012

@ElizaBennett - I certainly see your point, although some kids are serious enough athletes that they may be self-motivated to exercise on a treadmill in bad weather.

I have a friend who has a Tony Little Gazelle in her living room and not quite enough places for everyone in her family of five to sit comfortably. One of her school-age children usually ends up sitting on the carpet or on the step up (it's one of those slightly sunken living rooms) but often one of them will hop on the Little Gazelle and fool around for a few minutes.

She got it or herself, but it gets her kids a little extra exercise, too. It is small enough for them to use safely while being big enough for adults, and they seem to find the swinging motion to be a novelty. But they tend to hop on and off in five minute bursts!

By ElizaBennett — On Feb 02, 2012

My kids are still very young, but I don't think I would get them something like this. I feel like working out on a treadmill is just plain old drudgery, and I don't want my kids to feel that way about exercise.

There are other options for rainy days! You could have a dance party with your kids, take them mall walking with friends (more sociable than using a treadmill alone), or take them to a kid-friendly exercise class at a gym or YMCA. They do need to get some energy out even on rainy days, but I want my kids to think of it as fun, not as a chore to be crossed of the list.

Diane Goettel

Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane Goettel serves as the executive editor of Black...
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