by Heather Colman
Treadmills are fast becoming one of the most popular choices in fitness
equipment because they provide excellent workouts and are the ideal home
exercise option. Walking and running are some of the best forms of aerobic
exercise and are proven to enhance muscle, bone and cardiovascular health.
With a personal treadmill, daily exercise does not have to depend on the weather and
can be enjoyed in the comfort of the home. However, there are many factors to
consider before buying one.
Not all treadmills are created equal and this is most obvious when comparing
manual versus motorized models. Motorized treadmills are preferred for
several reasons: the motor starts the track, the incline can usually be adjusted
easily without halting activity and many models can auto-adjust speed to put
variety into the workout.
On the other hand, manual treadmills go only as fast
as the user chooses and there is no urge to keep up with the speed of a
motorized belt.
Manual models are also more affordable, but require quite a
bit of effort to initially start the belt moving. Once going, there is no way to
change the incline level without getting off and restarting. Overall the manual
treadmill has more drawbacks than motorized models.
The price can vary greatly, with the cheapest models as low as
$300. The most expensive ones can reach as high as $5000 and are usually
superior products in terms of features and durability. Treadmills under $1000
generally carry only 90-day warranties and their performance leaves
much to be desired.
Cheaper models are also less sturdy and lack the "frills" many users consider a
must. To increase the chances of purchasing a quality product, stick with the
well-known treadmill brands such as Nordic Track, Sole, Smooth, or Proform.
The warranty on a treadmill is also a very important consideration when buying,
especially for pricier models. A warranty of at least a year on the motor is
essential. Treadmills are one of the most complex pieces of fitness equipment to
repair, so a desirable warranty will provide at least a year for parts and
labor.
Top brands, such as the Sole F63 treadmill, guarantee 20 years on the
motor, 3 years on parts and 1 year on labor. Warranties like this are very
impressive indicators of a quality machine.
A good treadmill is a safe treadmill and should have well-positioned, sturdy
handrails. It should never be shaky, even if its a foldable model. The
motor should not be noisy. The belt is also
important and should be at least 18 inches wide and 48 inches long. Runners and
taller users generally require a longer, wider belt.
Most treadmills have a
variety of speed and incline options and some come with customized or pre-
programmable workouts that can be tailored to personal exercise goals. The
display panel should be easy to use and easy to understand. An automatic safety
switch is always a plus.
A range of features will help vary
workouts and prevent boredom. A heart-rate monitor, a low-impact deck, a water
bottle holder, a reading rack and the ability to plug into a VCR or CD player
are just a few of the choices out there.
There are also some basic rules everyone should know when shopping for a
treadmill. A specialty fitness store is the place to go for a quality machine.
Always, always try the treadmill out before purchasing it. Look for a smooth,
comfortable ride that will match the exercise style and fitness
level its intended for. Ensure that it will fit in the space planned for it and
that storage is not a problem. With all the foldable models now available, this
should not be difficult
Covering all these bases
will usually guarantee the perfect choice. And chances are, it won't end up
sitting in the corner collecting dust.
About the Author: [Copyright © 2007, Heather Colman. Find more of Heather's articles at eBook Palace. Her articles are available for syndication. Reprinting individual articles is permissible provided no changes are made.]