Treadmills – How To Buy The Right Treadmill For You
When it comes to pieces of aerobic equipment to buy, treadmills continue to be the most popular and the most valuable, and why not? They are simple to use and naturally intuitive. They burn calories effectively and offer a wide range of exercise options, whether walking, climbing, or jogging.
In fact, the treadmill has so many uses and so many benefits that many people want to buy it. For better or for worse, this is also one of the reasons why it is the most saturated categories in the fitness equipment industry. And also the reason why it’s difficult to choose the right product for the right price.
Here are some helpful tips to give you some idea on what to look for in a treadmill…
1. AC or DC motor – Most home treadmill units are DC. Commercial treadmills may have either AC or DC. AC treadmills will likely require a dedicated power line, considering how their motors tend to draw more power. Not only that, AC also tends to be noisier than DC.
2. The thickness of the running belt – Admittedly, you cannot maintain a straight line while running. If that were true, you can just go ahead and run on a balance beam, six inches wide. That is why the thickness of the running belt is an important feature to consider. In addition, two-ply belts are stronger and less likely to curl at the sides than one-ply belts.
3. The length of the running surface – Next to the thickness is the length. If you are a taller than average person, you might need more running surface for you to make sweeping strides on your treadmill. On the other hand, if you want to really challenge yourself with short, brisk strides, then get a treadmill with a shorter running surface.
4. The minimum and maximum speed – Ask yourself whether you’ll be using your treadmill for walking or running. Treadmills for walking start at 0 or .5 and go up to around 6 or 6 mph, while those for jogging or running generally start at 0, .5, or 1 mph and go up to 8-12 mph.
5. The percentage of incline – It can range from a low of 2-4% to a high of 15%. The general rule is the bigger the better, but there are exceptions to the rule: Not all treadmills with high percentage of incline are good buys, especially if you take in all the other features of the product. Commercial-grade treadmills often go as high as 25%.
6. The type of incline adjustment – The most high-tech incline adjustment is the automatic incline. This type of incline changes depending upon the exerciser’s heart rate, sometimes via a wireless monitor that detects the person’s heart rate and automatically adjusts the percentage of incline to keep the person within the target heart range. Other treadmills have electronic inclines that can be altered by pushing a button on the console, while less sophisticated ones have either a manual hand crack or other manual adjustment that has to be set before starting to exercise.
7. Electronic feedback displays of speed, time, and distance – On most treadmills, these are generally standard, but some treadmills have added a few extras in their feedback monitor. For instance, some treadmills can display the number of calories burned or the user’s heart rate. In addition, most treadmills offer preset and/or customizable programming capabilities. This is a pretty nifty feature to have since you can now design your own program with the use of the customizing capabilities of your treadmill.
8. Emergency Shut Off – Usually, these are magnets or buttons you yank or push to cut power instantly. This is very efficient if you get into trouble on your treadmill.
9. Hand Rails – I know. Who wants to get hampered, holding onto a rail while running? Well, consider what the hand rails are for, first, before you dismiss the notion. You need at least one just for safety and balance. If not, then at least get one with a slightly extended front rail.
10. Cushioning – How much is based on personal preference. This is for less impact and more comfort with each foot strike you make.
11. Safety Lock or Switch – This is advisable if you have kids who love to fiddle with things and accidentally start the machine.
12. Warranties – At least one year manufacturer’s warranty on parts and labor. Most companies these days offer various levels on frames, motors, parts and labor that vary from 1-5 years, with some even offering 10 years or limited lifetime. Check on the limits, though before buying.
Finally, if you follow our simple advice you’ll not only purchase the right treadmill for you but you’ll also avoid the most common mistakes most people make when buying their first treadmill.
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