Running outside can sometimes be inconvenient. If it’s cold you must dress up warm, and if it’s hot then you can find yourself wanting to dress down in a way you feel uncomfortable with. Imagine being able to run at home. You could save on washing because you don’t need lots of running gear – you could even run in your underwear, and no one would judge you.
We bring together a list of the best treadmills under $600 and put together important information such as the benefits of buying each model – how they are strong at things like safety, mobility, and functionality. So, you can be sure you are buying the right treadmill we also bring to light the drawbacks of buying each treadmill. You don’t have to tread carefully with this review!
What is the Best Treadmill Under 600?
To find the Best Treadmill Under 600 for you we have used several of treadmills priced below 600 and selected the absolute top 5 treadmills under 600.
This is based on our first-hand experiences, years of practice as well as individual research on what others have to say, so that we can give you a more well-rounded review.
Feel free to scroll to the end of this article for a short buying guide and some frequently asked questions.
1. Sunny Health & Fitness T7643 Heavy Duty Walking Treadmill
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 143 pounds (64.86 kg) Size: 60.5 x 52.4 x 32 inches (153.7 x 133.1 x 81.3 cm) Speed: 6 miles per hour Max Horsepower: 2.5 hp Max Incline: 2 ° Max weight: 350 lbs Display type: Backlit LCD Monitor Heart rate monitor: None |
The Sunny Health and Fitness SF-T7634 is a low-impact treadmill suitable for walking and light jogging exercises. It is an excellent option for obese people due to its high weight capacity of 350 pounds and remarkably sturdy design to support your weight while working out. The treadmill has a quick assembly, but it is also a little heavy for one person to set up alone. Also, Sunny Health typically has poor customer service, and you may have to look for YouTube videos on how to assemble it if you get stuck. On the other hand, many users note that the folding mechanism works seamlessly, and the treadmill is easy to move around with its transport wheels. The SF-T7634 has a 44.5″L x 19.5″W running deck that provides ample space for most people to walk on and has a 6 MPH top speed that allows for light jogging. The deck also features a fixed 2-degree incline that some beginners find uncomfortable and have to find innovative ways of leveling the platform. The user-friendly console features a simple backlit panel to display four workout metrics and large control buttons for speed adjustments. The console also features a media rack to support your tablet or phone and is Bluetooth enabled to sync your progress with fitness apps.
Pros
- Supports a high weight capacity for heavy users,
- It has a user-friendly console with quick speed buttons,
- Low power consuming motor with smooth and quiet operation,
- Seamless folding design and transport wheels for easy storage
Cons
- The non-adjustable 2-degree incline may be uncomfortable for new users,
- Has basic performance features with no pre-set workout programs
2. NordicTrack T Series 6.5 Treadmill
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 203 pounds (92.08 kg) Size: 73.5 x 54 x 36 inches (186.7 x 137.2 x 91.4 cm) Speed: 10 miles per hour Max Horsepower: 2.6 hp Max Incline: 10 ° Max weight: 300 lbs Display type: 5″ Backlit LCD Display Heart rate monitor: Dual CardioGrip |
The NordicTrack T Series 6.5S Treadmill is an affordable entry-level treadmill for home applications. While the 6.5S treadmill offers minimal performance specs, it has a high build quality and innovative design that makes it one of the brand’s best-selling models. It features a 2.6 CHP motor that provides smooth incline and speed adjustments to enhance your cardio workout experience. It also has a 20-inch width running deck that provides a comfortable workout space, and with the FlexSelect cushioning feature, you get to reduce impact injury and fatigue on your joints as you work out. The 6.5S console features a 5-inch backlit LCD screen to display all your workout metrics with user-friendly control buttons and a tablet rack, while the handles feature the heart rate monitor. The treadmill is compatible with NordicTrack’s iFIT training programs that you can stream on your phone or tablet via Bluetooth. However, it also comes with 20 built-in training programs that are much simpler to use if you are not interested in subscribing to the iFIT programs. After your workout, the treadmill features a folding design that enables you to fold in the running deck to reduce its footprint for easy storage. Special features include console speakers that many users say have a poor sound quality and two large-sized water bottles on either side of the console.
Pros
- Sturdy construction to withstand moderate training,
- Offers flexible training options with 10-degree incline and speed adjustments,
- Variety of built-in training programs and compatibility with iFIT training,
- Foldable design with wheels enables easy storage,
- User-friendly console with backlit screen and control buttons,
- Features a media rack to accommodate your tablet or smartphone
Cons
- It has a light-duty motor that does not support intense workouts,
- Has poor after-sales service for dealing with product issues
3. XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill Black
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 97 pounds (44 kg) Size: 63.4 x 51.4 x 28.8 inches (161 x 130.6 x 73 cm) Speed: 10 miles per hour Max Horsepower: 2.25 hp Max weight: 250 lbs Display type: 5″ LCD Display Heart rate monitor: Hand Grip Pulse Sensors |
The XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill is a popular medium-range exercise machine that features a foldable design for convenient storage and excellent performance for keeping fit at home. The treadmill comes with a 2.25 HP motor that powers the treadmill with speeds of up to 10 MPH and has a quiet operation for comfort. While it is a smaller motor, unlike other models in its price range, it withstands extended workout sessions without overheating while keeping your energy consumption low. The TR150 allows a 250-pound maximum weight load and features a slightly longer running belt than the competition to accommodate a variety of users. However, the deck is also narrow at 16 inches, which may limit the intensity of your running exercises for stability. Additionally, while the running deck features an adjustable incline with three levels, you’ll have to make the adjustments manually. On the upside, the console comes with 12 built-in exercise programs and quick selection speed buttons for interval training. Plus, it features a 5-inch LCD to display six workout metrics, including the heart rate and extras such as integrated stereo speakers, dual water bottle holders, a media rack, and a safety key.
Pros
- Decent quality and sturdy construction for medium intensity workouts,
- Ten quick selection speed adjustments enable interval training,
- Treadmill offers 12 in-built programs to vary your exercise routine,
- User-friendly console with stereo speakers and media rack for entertainment,
- Easy to assemble out of the box with a clear instruction manual
Cons
- Incline levels are manually adjusted,
- No backlighting on the LCD screen panel,
- Produces inaccurate heart rate and calories burned metrics
4. UREVO 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 59 pounds (26.76 kg) Size: 52.7 x 40.5 x 26.4 inches (133.9 x 102.9 x 67.1 cm) Speed: 7.6 miles per hour Max Horsepower: 2.5 hp Max weight: 265 lbs Display type: LED Display |
The UREVO 2-in-1 Under Desk Treadmill is a versatile model that works like a conventional treadmill for light jogging and a walking treadmill that you can use under a standing desk. While it does not feature handlebars and an elevated display console like you find on standard treadmills, it comes with a foldable, elevated media rack with control buttons for start, stop and speed adjustments. Plus, it allows for easy storage because you can slide it under your furniture or lean it against a wall inside your closet. The treadmill features a low 7.6 MPH top speed to help you maintain balance without handlebars while jogging or walking. It also comes with a remote control device for speed adjustments, considering that the display panel is on the running deck. The machine does not offer heart rate monitoring or extras such as Bluetooth, and the console only displays four metrics. The UREVO features a solid steel construction that supports a maximum weight of 265 pounds and comes with a 2.5 HP motor. Additionally, the treadmill is lightweight at 59 pounds for easy portability every time you need to use it. The running deck is notably compact-sized for performing low-impact workouts, while its 5-layer anti-slip running belt helps to dampen operation noise to 75db and reduce the impact on your joints.
Pros
- Versatile, low impact treadmill for walking and light jogging,
- Sleek and modern design with a self-lubricating running belt,
- The energy-efficient motor delivers smooth and powerful operation,
- The remote control enables convenient speed adjustments,
- Compact size allows easy transport and storage
Cons
- The treadmill is compatible with the TV remote controls,
- The motor overheats quickly and may have a short service life
5. Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill, 2.25HP Superfit Under Desk Electric Treadmill
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 84 pounds (38.1 kg) Size: 49 x 42 x 27 inches (124.5 x 106.7 x 68.6 cm) Speed: 8 miles per hour Max Horsepower: 2.25 hp Max weight: 265 lbs Display type: 2″ LED Display |
Under-desk treadmills are a brilliant innovation that helps people who increasingly find themselves without time to include exercise in their daily activities. While there are various under-the-desk treadmills available, the Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill is one of the best-selling models in the market, offering great value for money. It has a compact design for tight spaces and features a foldable main bar with a built-in media rack for your smartphone and attachable handrails for stability. The Goplus treadmill features a rigid steel construction that supports up to 265 pounds and weighs 84 pounds. It has a compact running deck suitable for walking and light jogging. Plus, it comes with a 5-layer running belt that provides impact resistance, traction, and noise dampening to give you a comfortable workout experience. I like that the treadmill is Bluetooth enabled, which allows you to synchronize workout data with third-party fitness apps and an integrated speaker for music and entertainment while exercising.
The treadmill also features a 2.25 HP motor that delivers up to 4 MPH walking speed and 8 MPH jogging speed. You can adjust the belt speed with an included remote control device, and the treadmill comes with a safety key to stop it in an emergency. The Goplus Foldable Treadmill is reasonably priced under $400 and requires no assembly out of the box. However, one of the drawbacks people noted is that the speed feels slower than what you would get with commercial treadmills, and the running deck is significantly narrow to jog comfortably.
Pros
- Lightweight and durable construction with a folding design,
- Powerful motor that handles prolonged use without overheating,
- Bluetooth enabled for synchronizing data with fitness apps,
- Built-in media rack and speakers to play music with your phone,
- Has a non-slip multi-layered running belt with impact absorption
Cons
- It doesn’t fold flat with the handrails are attached,
- Has a narrow width that may be uncomfortable for some users,
- Not ideal for weight loss or intense training
Verdict
To sum up, out of the top 5 Best Treadmill Under 600, our absolute top pick is Sunny Health & Fitness T7643 Heavy Duty Walking Treadmill.
If you have the money, you can go for NordicTrack T Series 6.5 Treadmill which is our premium pick.
However, there’s nothing wrong with going for the budget option, which we found to be the XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill Black.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying treadmills under 600
Treadmill Benefits
Some of the most significant from treadmills benefits include: efficient weight loss tool, high availability due to being weather independent, a great tool to build muscles and bone density, improvement of blood circulation in the body, great cardio workout due to easily adjustable workout insensitivity, ability to track your activity with build-in heart monitors and displays showing you your progress.
Fat Loss
Treadmills can be a great help in losing weight because of their high availability and adaptability. Exercising at your fat-burning heart rate promotes weight loss. This is the range where you burn the most calories per minute. Most modern treadmills have a built-in heart rate monitor and make this process easier for you.
Safety
In general, treadmills are considered very safe, and if the manufacturer’s instructions are followed, accidents are rare. Among the most dangerous home treadmill accidents is losing your footing and becoming trapped between the machine and a wall. If you fall, the still-spinning treadmill can cause severe skin burns. To prevent this, treadmill manufacturers have developed a clip-on safety key that shuts off the internal circuit to stop the treadmill. Typically, there’s also an emergency stop button you can press.
All Weather Workout
Weather independence is one of the most attractive benefits of a treadmill. If you are one of those people who find it difficult to get a workout in bad weather, an indoor treadmill is a great addition to your routine. Depending on where you are in the world, running on a train can be affected by weather conditions and become unsafe, such as muddy or icy – a treadmill eliminates this risk.
Convenience
Convenience is one of the main selling points of treadmills. Aspects making treadmills so convenient include: Weather and time independence, meaning you can exercise at any time and in any weather. You can also do other things on the treadmill, such as watch TV or read, to keep the workout interesting.
Types of Threadmill
There are two ways to group treadmills, by power and by purpose.
Types of Treadmill by power : manual and motorised Manual treadmills: Manual treadmills have a simple frame with an area for the user to stand on. The belt, which is either rubber or plastic, then moves underneath them as they walk or run. Manual treadmills are also known as non-powered treadmills since there’s no motor powering it. Motorised treadmills: Motorised treadmills, as the name suggests, come with a motor which can power up the belt. This means that you can reach greater speeds than you can with a manual version as the motor is the one making the belt go round rather than you. Motorised treadmills also tend to be able to change the incline as you run so you can switch between running on flat ground and running up a hill. They are usually more expensive compared to its non-powered version because of its extra functionality.
Types of Treadmill by purpose : folding, commercial, hybrid and medical. Each type provides a different set of benefits to the user.
Folding: Folding treadmills are great for tight or small spaces. They have a variety of features that can be adjusted to the user’s preferences, and they fold up which makes them take up less space when not in use. Commercial: Commercial treadmills provide power-packed performance over extended periods of time. They are designed to be run by multiple people for multiple hours in the day. If you are an avid runner who wants a reliable treadmill for home use you could try a semi-commercial treadmill as a full-blown commercial treadmill might be overkill in terms of reliability. Hybrid: Hybrid treadmills provide a variety of features that are beneficial to the user. They combine both commercial and folding treadmill benefits into one unit, perfect for facilities or homes with space constraints. Medical: Treadmills designed for medical purposes come in various forms such as gait trainers which help people who have trouble walking due to neurological damage by training their muscles back into shape. Medical treadmills may also be used by the elderly or people with knee problems as they tend to offer extended handrails, lower starting speeds and even slight declines.
Motorized
A motorized treadmill is what first comes to mind when people think about a typical treadmill. It is a treadmill that uses a motor to spin the belt around for you to run on. There are many benefits to using a motorized treadmill. For one, it allows you to reach greater speeds than with a manual machine as the motor does all the work spinning the belt; the faster the belt spins the faster the speed. They also tend to be able to change inclines which is great if you’re training for outdoor running – which is often is not flat.
When buying a manual treadmill, you want to make sure that the speed falls within a range that works for you. The average walking pace is around 3mph and for an elderly person of 80, it’s usually 2mph and less. If you find mobility difficult you want the lowest starting speed you can not only to be able to train within a lower range but also to give yourself time to get started.
The average jogging speed of a man is 8mph, 6mph if you are a woman. Anything above that would be sprinting. It’s unlikely that you can train for world record-breaking speeds on the treadmill, seeing as the fastest speed of running on record is 27.78 mph. But 8mph should be enough to tire yourself out and give yourself a finishing sprint, if not then choosing a treadmill that can increase the incline would solve this problem for you so you can challenge yourself.
Manual
A manual treadmill is a great tool for exercise. It has no electricity and can be used anywhere, even in your home because there’s no need to plug it into an outlet! The belt moves when you walk on it rather than being moved by a motor, this easy-to-use machine doesn’t require much space or equipment at all – making it environmentally friendly too. Even though these devices only go 4 mph max they still offer enough speed to get our heart rate going. Pushing the conveyor around requires extra effort, burning more calories without having to go to high speeds. Being able to burn more calories at a low speed would make it ideal to place under a standing desk so you can walk and work. Running fast means a lot of bouncing up and down. Bouncing up and down is quite jarring and it is difficult to work when you are bouncing up and down. Walking involves less bouncing up and down, so it is easier to walk and work. Walking, however, usually involves low levels of effort, meaning the workout can be unsatisfying. As walking is harder on a manual treadmill, it is ideal if you want to burn lots of calories while working. Manual treadmills are also good for developing a good running technique. When you run on a motorized treadmill, it’s not unusual to fall into bad form by leaning back. Not running with good form on a manual treadmill would mean that the belt wouldn’t have enough force to propel it around, meaning it would stop.
Hybrid
A hybrid is simply something made to combine different elements. In this way a hybrid treadmill is a treadmill that has multiple elements. These elements most often refer to either a stepper or elliptical or both. This means that a hybrid treadmill is really good if you need a low impact workout as both a stepper and elliptical are designed for this purpose. A hybrid stepper/elliptical tends to consist of two thin treadmill belts side by side, one for each foot, instead of one large treadmill belt. These treadmill belts move up and down in a fashion similar to an elliptical or stepper. As a consequence of this extra functionality, these treadmills tend to move no faster than a brisk walk – 4 or 5 mph at most. This means that if you want to practice your running skills, it’s not the treadmill for you. However, if you are simply looking to burn calories the extra movement of the hybrid might help.
Some hybrid treadmills might also refer to as hybrid treadmills which can be used for both climbing and running. However, the highest incline of a treadmill is about 40 degrees and the average highest incline of a commercial treadmill is around 15 degrees, so keep it in mind before making a purchase on a treadmill that claims to offer the extra element of ‘climbing’. A hybrid might also refer to the treadmill’s ability to be used as both a manual treadmill and a motorized treadmill – obviously not at the same time though.
Medical
Medical treadmills are designed for rehabilitation purposes. The users these medical treadmills are intended for often have mobility issues in some way, and the treadmill is a good way to exercise/ practice the motion of walking in a controlled, safe environment. In this way, medical treadmills are often designed with a particular focus on safety.
One feature of a medical treadmill that is specialized for safety is the extended handrails. The extended handrails mean that the user can support themselves with their hands throughout the walking motion as their legs may not be strong enough to carry the full weight of their upper body. Medical treadmills often come with extremely low starting speeds to give people with difficultly moving plenty of time to get into the walking motion. Some medical treadmills will allow you to reverse the deck in a way that will give you a slight decline to rehabilitate people who have trouble walking downhill. These treadmills might also rotate both forward and backward, to test/ practice a person’s gait and help them if they have problems walking back.
Medical treadmills also tend to have top-of-the-line shock absorption to make walking as low impact for users as possible, especially as the users likely experience some sort of pain just from walking. Heavier individuals also benefit from quality shock absorption much more than the average weight. There’s also the added benefit that medical treadmills are often designed to rehabilitate people weighing as much as 400 lbs and in some cases 500 lbs.
Medical treadmills are investments and are likely to be used by a wide range of people throughout the day, as such they are made to be durable. Of course, they do not need to withstand the same levels of wear as a commercial treadmill, but you can expect a medical treadmill to cost a lot (many thousands), last a long time (many years), and be protected by a long warranty.
Commercial
Commercial treadmills as the name suggests are for use for commerical purposes in shared gyms. These treadmills are often seen as an investment for gyms and as such often have extensive functionality and are highly reliable. They are made to be used 12 hours a day many days a week by many different people. As commercial treadmills often come with a warranty extending years, it is in the manufacturer’s interest to ensure that their products are as durable as possible. They are for use in the gyms, they are likely to have a large feature set with a variety of speeds, inclines as well as heart rate monitoring, preset workouts, televisions, touch displays, and high impact absorbance. Commercial treadmills might seem a little excessive for the average user, especially if you only expect to be using a treadmill for 1 or 2 hours a day. But perhaps you or your household might be using the treadmill for 4 to 7 hours a day and want high levels of reliability? Well in this instance a commercial treadmill might be excessive and a semi-commercial treadmill might be a better fit for you. Semi-commercial treadmills often have a large feature set and warranty, the difference is that they are not made to withstand the amount of use per day as a commercial treadmill.
Storage and Portability
While treadmills aren’t known for being either portable or easy to store, some can be (just have a look at the list above). Consider a foldable treadmill for easy storage and portability. Most producers will list the dimensions of the folded machine so you can see if it will fit within your home gym storage.
Weight Capacity
Each treadmill has a graded weight capacity provided by the manufacturer. It’s one of the most important specifications and you need to make sure it meets your criteria. Failing to match the right capacity, might result in injuries or mechanical failure of the equipment.
Not all treadmills are designed to be able to carry plus-sized users. Sometimes they are built to be lightweight and sacrifice weight. Consequently, they sacrifice some of the support that would otherwise be given by the treadmill.
Medical treadmills are your best bet when it comes to weight capacity. This is because they are designed to rehabilitate people with larger weights as well as the elderly and people who suffer from knee problems. This means that the treadmills tend to not only have a large weight capacity but also high shock absorbance.
Questions and Answers About treadmills under 600
Are treadmills bad for your knees?
Running can be bad for your knees if you do not practise proper warm up techniques. First, there’s the impact on them every time you land with each stride when you run outside or indoors on a treadmill. The shock of that repeated pounding can damage the cartilage in your knee joint which could lead to arthritis down the track if not managed correctly by getting medical advice about how often to run, and what can be done for extra support (more supportive shoes). A lot of the time, the terrain, speed, and incline will have a big effect on how much strain is put on your knees. Running down a steep hill is one of the worse things to do to your knees as the momentum of your body from both gravity and forwards force is considerable. In this way, a treadmill is considerably better for your knees than outdoor running. You can control your incline, plus most treadmills will not go up to an incline steep enough to cause considerable harm to your knee joints. You can also control the speed so you can control how hard you’re running. Running on concrete means that there is considerable impact on your knees because the ground does nothing to cushion your landing. A running belt is considerably less impactful than running on a road. Treadmills sometimes come with extra shock absorbance, so if you are concerned about your knees that might be a feature to look out for.
What is the best type of treadmill?
There are a few different things to consider when deciding the best type of treadmill for you/your family.
The first thing that you need to take into consideration is how much room do you have in your house? If you don’t have a lot of space then maybe one of the smaller treadmills, or a treadmill that can collapse, may be more suitable for your home. In addition to how much room you have, another thing that you need to think about is your weight. If you are a smaller person then you have a smaller stride so you can afford to have a smaller treadmill. Likewise, if you are a tall person you need to make sure that you have a treadmill that will accommodate your stride length. Next, you need to think about the age of your family members. If you have young children or older parents then it is important that their treadmill has safety features like a wrist strap and handlebar for balance. Finally, if you are a heavier individual then you might need a different treadmill from someone who weighs less. The main difference between treadmills for lighter and heavier people is the weight capacity of each one. Some treadmills that come with a higher weight capacity will come with better shock absorption, making them more suited to a heavier individual.
What is a hybrid treadmill?
A hybrid treadmill is simply a treadmill that is designed to serve at least one other purpose.
A treadmill is one of the most popular cardio exercise machines which provides users with numerous benefits like improved cardiovascular health, toned muscles, and increased fat burn.
An elliptical is a cardio machine that has two foot-pedals and handles for users to hold onto while they work out on the device. A stepper is another popular workout equipment that simulates stair climbing without excessive strain on the joints. A manual treadmill is a piece of workout equipment that requires you to manually push the machine in order for it to move.
A hybrid treadmill is usually a treadmill that is also a stepper or elliptical, sometimes both. A hybrid treadmill may also refer to a treadmill that is both motorized and can run as a manual treadmill or a treadmill that could double up as a desk so you can walk as you work. In this way, it is important to make sure what kind of hybrid you are buying so you don’t end up with a treadmill that isn’t as you would expect.
What is a good size treadmill?
Treadmill size should match your needs. If you are putting it in a small space, go for something collapsible and possibly smaller than the usual large treadmill sizes. For bigger spaces, ensure that it will fit your stride length so that you can get the full benefits of exercising on it while not having to limit yourself to a smaller stride.
Limiting yourself to a smaller stride isn’t in itself detrimental to your run and could lead to you spending less effort going the same distance and even avoiding overstretching. But the faster you go the larger your stride. This means that limiting your stride might mean that you need to limit your speed. Also if you are a heavier individual then you may need a wider treadmill so that you can run will the full range of motion. Not doing so could be uncomfortable for you or even lead to injury.
Can treadmill reduce belly fat?
Running is a great exercise to lose weight. It burns fat and calories, which helps you become leaner as well as stronger. Running may also suppress appetite; many people find that eating less makes it easier to lose excess weight without feeling hungry or deprived. Treadmills help make running more convenient and enjoyable by providing a comfortable and conducive place you are familiar with where you can run when you want to the tunes that you want. Treadmills can only assist in making it easier to run they cannot assist in the weight loss itself. So if you’re buying a treadmill the best way to make sure that you lose weight is to use it frequently and weekly. Even if you just do a slow workout just to get the heart rate up a bit it’ll be enough to initiate some weight loss, assuming a good diet. So the best way to lose weight with a treadmill is simply to use it a lot.
