Treadmills
Info Center -- Everything You Need!
Thinking
of buying a treadmill? Trying to do some treadmill comparisons?
Baffled by choice, options, and cost? There's just so much available...
what do you really need? Good questions. ;-)
Let's
start at the beginning...
As
you're already aware, qood treadmills provide a fantastic means
of getting a quality aerobic workout. They're incredibly easy to
use and convenient. They can provide various levels of workouts
- for the seasoned runner, or a beginner trying to get into shape.
The motion of the workout itself is natural, and depending on the
model, you should be able to get a low-impact workout with minimal
strain on your joints and ligaments.
Treadmills
are very efficient calorie burners as well, so they're ideal for
any weight loss/fitness program. If you're in the market for a treadmill,
the problem you're most likely to face is...
What
model do I buy? What brand? How much do I spend? What makes a good
treadmill?
And
so on. If you're going to perform accurate treadmill comparisons
the first step is determining the price you're willing to pay for
one. As usual, the more money you spend, the higher quality machine
you get. If you can afford it, a higher-priced model is generally
worth the bucks. With that said, there are two main types of treadmills...
1)
Non-Motorized - very simple and self-explanatory. The belt turns
under your own power. Obviously, the benefit these machines offer
is that there's much less to go wrong - there are no major mechanical
parts to worry about. And of course, they're much cheaper (from
what I've seen, this seems to extend to quality of the product as
well).
On
the other hand, you're somewhat limited with what you can do with
your workout. For instance, if I hop on a motorized treadmill, and
set the speed at 5 miles an hour, I have to stay moving at 5 miles
an hour, or risk being flung through my back wall. On the non-motorized
machine I'm less likely to push myself.
2)
Motorized - in this case, a motor turns the belt you walk or run
on. If the model has an incline option (this will increase the intensity
of your workout), another motor may power this feature. And in this
case, the quality of the motor is your major concern - it's what
makes or breaks your treadmill! If you're looking at the motorized
models, here's what you need to know...
Engine
power is most often measured in...
Peak
Horsepower - the maximum power an engine can generate for short
bursts, or...
Continuous
Horsepower - the power at which a motor can operate continually
without drop-offs.
I
recommend you use continuous power as the benchmark for your treadmill
motor, as it's much lower than the peak rating, and a more accurate
representation of what you really need. As far as power goes, more
is generally better. Unfortunately, it's also more expensive. If
you're a seasoned runner, you'll
probably need a machine that generates 2hp of continuous power.
For those who simply plan to walk, anywhere between 1 and 1.5 hp
should be sufficient.
Other
issues for consideration?
Belt
size - length and width. If you happen to be 6'5, don't buy a treadmill
with a short belt. Obviously, your stride is considerably longer
than someone who happens to be 5' tall. Give some thought to the
belt width as well. This will be a contributing factor to comfort
and ease of use. You'll find belt widths ranging from 16 to 22 inches,
and length from 45 to 60 inches.
Construction
-- this sucker has got to be sturdy. Lighter models may be more
manageable, but you're sacrificing durability for portability. Go
for a steel-framed model if you can.
Warranty
-- good models aren't cheap. Protect your investment by ensuring
you've a good manufacturer's warranty behind you. Look for two to
three years minimal.
Gadgetry
- up to you here. Options include heart rate monitoring, distance
traveled, calories burned, speed, and the length of your workout.
In some cases, you can even save your workout to improve upon next
time! Some models may even have a built-in CD player. This stuff
is fun, but not necessary. You decide!
The
benefits of owning a treadmill are numerous -- convenient for working
out in your own home in your own time. Weather's bad? Who cares?
So what? Nothing will get in the way of your workout! Set it up
in front of the TV for some serious distraction -- you'll forget
that you're even exercising.
Bottom
line on the treadmill? Motorized models are more expensive, but
are generally sturdier, and will result in a better quality workout.
Check the warrantee carefully-- obviously, you'll want full protection
for a good number of years. Here's some quality models for you to
check out...
