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Basic Treadmill IntroductionJan 14 '02 Write an essay on this topic.
Popular Products in Sport and Outdoor
The Bottom Line As with everything, you get what you pay for. Look for quality and plenty of power.
I have been selling treadmills for almost two years while working for a major sports-store chain. Since I am never paid on commission, I have the benefit of being honest to my customers and selling them a good product that fits their needs. With that said, lets move on... Many companies make treadmills, and it is really up to the buyer to determine what is right for them. Just about every manufacturer makes low and and high end treadmills, so don't judge simply by the brand. Try the treadmill out, ask your salesperson lots of questions, and look into an extended warranty if your treadmill only comes with a short warranty period. Here is some general information on treadmills to follow when shopping. - The Motor - Motors are are all rated in horsepower, but different models use different rating systems. There is the PEAK horsepower that a motor can produce, and then there is the CONTINUOUS DUTY power that a motor can produce. The peak power is the power you will get from a treadmill when you are using it at the "right" speed and incline. The continuous duty rating is the power which the motor ALWAYS produces. Continuous duty ratings are always significantly less than peak horsepower ratings, and you usually only find continuous duty ratings on more expensive models. In my experience, I have found that a 2.75 HP peak motor is roughly equivalent to a 1.75 HP continuous duty motor. A motors power is very important. If you have a motor that is too weak, it will have to strain and use all of its energy to do a simple workout. This stress on the motor creates added noise and added wear, contributing to a shorter lifespan. Think of it as a cars engine. To get up a hill in car with a weak engine, you need to floor it and make the engine work as hard as it can, which is both stressful on the engine and noisy. In a powerful V8 engine, however, you only have to use the throttle lightly which means less noise and less wear on the engine. The motor you need will vary depending on the application. If you just want to walk, a 2 horsepower motor might be enough for you. If you plan to jog or run, you want to look for something that is at least 2.5 horsepower. If you plan to run at a quick pace, 2.75 is my reccomended minimum. Realize, all these are peak horsepower measurements. - The Belt - The belt is another important part of the treadmill. A belt that is too narrow will be difficult to jog or run on as your feet tend to stray left and right a little bit. A tread that is too short means you risk running off the end of the treadmill. A "small" belt is about 16", a "medium" sized belt is about 18", and a "large" belt is around 20". If you plan to run, or have bigger feet, look for something that is closer to 20". In addition to a good wide belt, the cushioning a treadmill has is also important. If a treadmill is too soft or too hard, it might be uncomfortable to walk or run on. More expensive models have variable cushioning. You can vary how much "bounce" the treadmill has so that you can make it more appropriate for your style of exercise. - The Electronics - These days treadmills come with lots of different electronics, made to make your workout easier, safer, and more enjoyable. Most treadmills come with a number of windows and displays. The various windows tell how many calories you have burned, the distance you have run, the speed you are at, and lots more. Many have a center display which shows a 1/4 mile track, so you can "see" how far you are running and how far you have left to go. I feel this is a very handy visual reference. More expensive treadmills come with a number of built in performance programs. These programs last anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes and make your workout more interesting. These programs automatically vary the speed and incline of the treadmill to simulate various road or trail conditions. The center console displays your current position on the program, and allows you to see what "terrain" is up next. Some programs can also be tailored for use with a wireless heart-rate monitor. The treadmills speed and incline can be adjusted to keep you in your target heart rate zone. Many treadmills (ProForm expecially) also come with iFit.com compatibility. This allows you to use videos, audio cd's, and the internet to change the way your treadmill works. You can download new performance programs off the internet, and watch footage of a run through a canyon as the treadmill changes speed and incline to the video. - Additional Information - Always try a treadmill out before you purchase it. Inspect it to see if the build quality is acceptable, and see if it makes any funny noises when it runs. Make sure your salesperson is willing to take the time with you and answer all of your questions. If you purchase the right treadmill you will get years of enjoyment and health out of it. Every treadmill has its own features, and it would be impossible for me to list them all here. This is just a general overview of the most important components.  |
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