Imagine it's raining outside, the traffic is jammed, and it's miles across town to the gym. Trouble is, you've hard a hard day sitting at a desk and need the endorphin burst that only comes with a serious work out.

What's the answer?

If you had a treadmill, you could just plug it in and get all the exercise you want. But you live in an apartment and there's just no space for a bulky exercise machine.

Fortunately a simple answer is at hand in the form of the folding treadmill.

These handy items allow you to have all the workout power of a regular treadmill in an unit that packs away flat for storage in a closet or under the bed after you've finished your exercise routine.

You can exercise in the comfort of your home, watch TV or listen to music, read and look after your kids while pounding away on your treadmill

So what should you look for in a folding treadmill?

Fold up treadmills come in two basic types - powered and manual. Powered foldable treadmills use a hydraulic to fold and unfold the unit. With the manual model, you need to do it yourself.

Similarly, treadmills can be manual or motor powered.

With manual treadmills, you have to get them moving yourself by walking or running on the belt. Such models are less flexible than the electric versions as they can't be adjusted while in motion.

Electrical treadmills are powered by an electric motor. With these you can program in advance the level of activity and range of activities you need.

If you're serious about your fitness program, you'll want to get an electric treadmill

Then you have to consider the range of features you'll need.

Some folding treadmills are highly sophisticated with preset workouts and the ability to connect to the Internet for new programs.

They also monitor your progress and factors such as pulse rate. This is a great way to stay on top of your fitness progress and state of health.

Other things you'll have to consider are the size and weight of your foldable treadmill. You'll need to be sure you have space for it and can move it around easily.

The best fold up treadmills can be expensive. But it's a one-off payment, and a quality unit will give you years of happy exercising with no monthly fees like the gym.

Do some research as sites such as Fold Up Treadmill before investing in a treadmill and you'll be sure to get the one that's best for you.