Treadmills–Tips on How to Choose One

The treadmill is by far the most common and recognizable piece of exercise machine. It simulates the basic human modes of locomotion – walking and running. This makes it real easy to use. One could just hop on a treadmill and work it out. It gives a good cardio-vascular work out and is obviously a good weight loss exercise.

Treadmills provide a convenient exercise that can be done at home, away from weather and other hazards. One can even enjoy their favorite TV show while exercising. This combination of an engaging workout at the convenience of home is what drives people to purchase one.

Treadmills however, are not cheap investments. Brand new treadmills can go from $400 to $6000. The more expensive the equipment, the more the features you can expect from it. But being expensive does not necessarily mean it is better that the inexpensive ones. Cheap treadmills can already offer the basic workout that everyone is after.

The more expensive brands offer more ergonomic designs and hi-tech gadgetry. This drives the prices high. Some people, though, buy and pay for features they don’t really use. So a wise way to go is to know what what you need before going out and buying a machine, lest you get an expensive one of which only half of the features you’ll use.

Check your local discount stores for cheap treadmills and secondhand treadmills. Just look out for any defects which may deem it unusable. Even gym equipment stores offer treadmills on sale which can be a good way for you to score some discount treadmills in excellent condition. If you decide to go for brand new, the best way to start is search online for treadmills reviews. This will help you look for a treadmill that has certain features and characteristics that will fit your need.

Price is definitely a factor. Going for a price range of about $400, the best choice you’ll have is the Weslo Treadmill Cadence C44. It already has an LCD Display and an adjustable incline. It also has the trademarked EKG Heart Monitor which can be helpful when monitoring cardio performance. For the mid-price range, Sole treadmills like F63 which go for $1000 and F80 which is available at $15000, are favorites. Quality Proform treadmills are also available at this price range. For the really expensive treadmills with all the cool gadgets, go for the Landice treadmill line.

The first choice is really dependent on whether one would go for a manual treadmill or a motorized treadmill. Manual treadmills are harder to operate on lower inclines but are rather inexpensive. If you go for motorized treadmills, choose the one with a decent continuous power rating of about 2 HP. Ignore all the other power ratings. DC motors are quieter compared to their AC counterparts so opt for DC when you want a noiseless workout.

Remember to choose a treadmill of sturdy built. Expensive ones are definitely sturdy. For cheaper ones, choose those that are made of steel as they are constructed reliably. Also make sure that the treadmill can fit in the space you have allotted for it. Working out in a cramped space isn’t really conducive for exercising. The best way to choose treadmills is to try them and see which one will feel comfortable and steady. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time on it so be sure that it will be an easy ride.

Fitness Equipment–How to Find Top Quality Treadmills

Choosing a piece of fitness equipment requires you to consider many things. But if you want to buy fitness equipment in the form of a treadmill, here are several features for you to look out for.

The most important factor when it comes to buying fitness equipment is checking out its safety. In the case of a treadmill, this comes mainly from its reliability and sturdiness. Opt for a treadmill made of solid steel alloy frame rather than an average aluminum one; it will last much longer. Also pay close attention to the fitness machine’s hand rails. They should be as solid as rock and remain that way for years to come.

Cost is always an important factor, as well, most of all if you are on a budget when buying fitness equipment. A top quality treadmill could cost thousands of dollars; but, in turn, they come with a wide variety of extra features that make the fitness machine easier to use. One major piece of the fitness equipment to look out for is whether it has a motor and how the quality of that motor is.

Manual treadmills may not be a good idea to purchase since this will entail making you move the roller from a standstill to a ‘walk’ or ‘run’ while in use. This could take up a lot of your energy and is simply not a necessity or a good idea to use in that initial stage. Choose a treadmill with a motor. A motorized treadmill will gradually run to the speed that you wish during your physical fitness workout. However, bear in mind that a quality motor that is reliable, quiet and long-lasting could add up to twenty percent of the fitness machine’s total cost.

Other parts of the treadmill should also be of high quality. Since the belt and rollers will be used a lot over the fitness machine’s lifetime, they should always look and act the same way, from the day you buy it. It is normal, however, to start feeling some slight wear on the belt from your shoes as time goes on. If the belt starts to ripple or produce uneven movement a mere six months after buying the fitness equipment, then that is clearly not a high quality fitness machine.

Also, the entirety of the fitness machine itself should function in a quiet manner and should stay that way for many years. Not only is unnecessary noise an annoyance and an interference with your music or television, but this usually means that your fitness machine is likely to be unstable. Top quality parts of any fitness equipment should produce a quiet and reliable ride for a very long time.

The important things aside, there may be several other attributes that you may consider when buying fitness equipment. For example, you may want a folding treadmill for your convenience. If so, try folding and unfolding them first. Doing this should be relatively easy and its hinges should be sturdy. Keep in mind, however, that even though the treadmill is foldable, this doesn’t mean that it weighs less or is portable. It merely folds to save up your floor space when the fitness machine is not in use. Adjustable inclines can also be very handy since it will give you a different kind of physical fitness workout along with the fitness machine.

Other nice features to have include multiple controls. Various pre-sets, such as an accurate heart monitor, programmable variations, a bottle holder, and a magazine rack are great ways to get the most out of your fitness equipment purchase. Make sure you understand what a top quality treadmill entails before you buy your fitness equipment, in order to get the perfect fitness machine that meets your personal standards.