Has anyone else noticed that all the treadmills are always out of stock?
It’s not just your location, it seems to be a nationwide phenomenon.
You might be wondering why that is – after all, it seems like a pretty popular piece of exercise equipment. So surely supply should adequately meet demand.
Well, today we’re going to take a look at some of the reasons why treadmills are so popular – and why they tend to sell out so quickly online.
Stay tuned!
Factors Affecting Treadmill Stock Issues
In a nutshell, the beginning of the pandemic saw a large increase in demand for treadmills as people became more cautious about spending time outdoors and didn’t want to share gym equipment. Many popular brands were sold out of machines, with new ones being bought up as soon they hit store shelves.
Unprecedented Demand (Driven by Home Exercise Trends)
The current exercise landscape is largely dictated by trends. And right now, the top trend is working out at home. There are a few reasons for this.
- Firstly, the pandemic has made people wary of going to gyms and other public places.
- Secondly, home workouts are generally more convenient – you don’t have to travel anywhere or fit them into your schedule.
- And thirdly, there’s been a recent surge in the popularity of fitness trackers and other wearable technology. This has made it easier than ever to monitor your progress and see results, which is motivating for many people.
While you may be thinking that running outside is the logical conclusion to a treadmill shortage and the above – not everyone has this luxury. For example, space limitations, fear of outside public places (agoraphobia) and other mental health issues can dictate the type of running exercise a user commits to.
Global Material Shortages
Another factor that has led to inventory issues for treadmills is global material shortages.
There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, the pandemic has disrupted supply chains all over the world. This means that manufacturers are struggling to get their hands on the raw materials they need to produce products. Secondly, there’s been an increase in the demand for home exercise equipment (as we mentioned above), which has put even more pressure on manufacturers.
As a result of these shortages, many manufacturers are struggling to keep up with demand – which is why you might find that some brands are out of stock more often than others.
Economic Uncertainty (As Manufacturers Protect Themselves)
Another factor that has affected the availability of treadmills is economic uncertainty. This will be driven by the bottom line and investors.
Due to the current global situation, many manufacturers and retailers are being cautious with their production levels. They’re protecting themselves against the possibility of a sudden decrease in demand (which could happen if, for example, another lockdown is imposed).
UK Energy Price Increasing To Ridiculous Levels
The rising cost of energy in the UK has become a major issue for consumers and businesses alike, with prices increasing to ridiculously high levels over the past few years.
Related: How Much Electricity Does A Treadmill Use?
This has had a significant impact on many industries, including the health equipment manufacturing market. Due to increased energy costs, treadmill companies have been struggling to produce their products at a competitive price point, resulting in low stock levels and frustrated consumers. (We’ve also seen big price increases among treadmills over the past 3 years)
As a result of all these factors, it’s no wonder that treadmills are often out of stock. So if you’re looking to buy one, it’s worth checking back regularly or signing up for stock alerts.
Now let’s explore what compounds the above factors… the popularity of running machines.
Why Are Treadmills So Popular?
This deserves a section in its own right. Treadmills have always been a popular piece of exercise equipment, let’s explore factors which are increasing demand and placing strain on the supply chain at present.
Economical Way To Stay Fit
Treadmills are a great way to stay fit without having to spend a lot of money. They’re relatively inexpensive, and you can use them in the comfort of your own home.
You may be thinking, “Really? Treadmills are super expensive!”
But they don’t have to be, we have a compare treadmills feature to show you the best budget options. There is a vast spectrum of many treadmills – you just have to decide what additional functionality you can live without.
Also, remember to take into account the perspective of your budgeting that we’re weighing this all up versus buying an annual gym membership. Let’s be frank – health beats wealth every time.
Convenience Factor
As we mentioned above, one of the reasons why treadmills are so popular is that they’re very convenient. You don’t have to travel anywhere or fit them into your schedule – you can just hop on and start exercising whenever you want.
The convenience of treadmills is also complimented by the versatility of most modern models of flat treadmill, electric treadmill and running machines in general. Let’s explore this further.
Versatility of Modern Running Machines
We receive emails every week around “how much space is required” to exercise effectively with a running machine. It’s been an exciting development in the past two decades, most of the treadmills that we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing are also flat pack or folding treadmills.
This makes for easy storage of your treadmill for the downtimes (winter perhaps?).
What Treadmill Brands Are Out Of Stock (The Most)?
There seems to be a lot of confusion when it comes to the question of which treadmill brands are currently out of stock.
Some people claim that there are only a few popular brands, while others insist that dozens of reputable companies have run out of stock.
At this point, it’s hard to say for sure what is going on and why certain companies are experiencing supply problems.
One thing that we do know, however, is that some brands appear to be more affected by the shortage than others. One such brand is NordicTrack, whose products seem to run out of stock quite regularly and often face long backorder periods before they can be restocked.
Another popular brand is ProForm, which has built up quite a reputation over the years with its high-quality machines and straightforward buying process.
And finally, there’s Life Fitness, which has long been known for its innovative treadmills and generous warranty policies.
