Treadmills
Since 1990, home treadmills have outsold every other piece of fitness equipment on the market. For good reason too.
Studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association show treadmills burn more calories per hour than any other piece of fitness equipment tested. Add the convenience factor-no foul weather, mad dogs, strangers or potholes-and you've got an ideal solution for successful home fitness.
Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for a treadmill:
Motor
The motor is the heart of your treadmill. Most
good machines have at least a 1.5-horsepower continuous-duty motor.
Continuous duty simply means the motor will run--under load--at the
indicated HP rating for extended periods of time. Heavier runners may
want to step up to a 2.5 HP model.
Running Surface
Your treadmill's running surface is
comprised of the treadbelt and deck. The best possible decks provide
plenty of shock absorption and cushioning for your knees and ankles.
This is done with rubber or polymer cushions placed under the deck.
The treadbelt should be long enough for you to comfortably take your longest stride. A safe bet is usually 48 inches. A belt width of 17 to 20 inches is a good range to compensate for the natural side-to-side movement of runners.
Options
Features on treadmills
are as varied as the people that use them. Here's a short list of commonly available options:
- Incline: Uphill running is an effective way to do real-world training for marathons or just get a great workout. Incline ranges on most treadmills run from 1% to 15%. Make sure your machine offers a range to suit your personal running patterns.
- Vital Displays: To get an efficient workout, it's important to track your progress. Speed, distance, time-they're all important. Make sure your treadmill has these three at the minimum. Other displays can include pulse, incline percentage and even calories burned.
- Heart Rate Monitors: Many treadmills come equipped with heart rate monitors of one kind or another. Heart rate sensors produce maximum workout efficiency by keeping you at your optimum heart rate. Of all the models, chest straps are most accurate, followed by the thumb and ear clip sensors.
- Warranty: It's only common sense. A good treadmill should come with a good warranty to back it up. Usually, the longer the warranty, the higher quality the treadmill. That's why most dealers and manufacturers agree one year on parts and labor is safe.
