Treadmills are the most popular forms of exercise equipment when measured in sales. And those statistics are justified in that many people know the simplest; most natural way to get a workout is by running. Given that many of us today do not live in environments ideal for running, we will buy treadmills.
If you have ever considered buying a treadmill and actually did the research, you will notice there are a lot of brands and each brand has a huge list of models. For many, a treadmill is a big purchase starting at $700 and upwards beyond $3000 a piece. So, here are a couple keys to look out for when shopping for a treadmill.
The treadmill motor is probably the main focus of your research and if you do nothing else at least buy a motor that fits your demands. If you plan on using the treadmill regularly, like daily, most people agree 2.5 horsepower is a minimum.
The running surface of your treadmill is the deck. It’s just beneath the belt that you will be frantically trying to stay on. Look for rubber or polymer cushions placed under the deck. It needs to have plenty of shock absorption otherwise you might as well go running over the pavement outside, it’s cheaper too.
When we look at the basic features of a treadmill, incline is the one that stands out. It simulates running uphill which changes the workout from idle walking to arse kicking. The range of the incline will depend on the treadmill itself but if you are looking for an intense workout the incline feature is a must.
Some people find the built in heart rate monitors handy. This usually comes with most treadmills and it helps to make sure you don’t start slacking when the going gets tough, although we can’t be too sure of its accuracy. If you have a portable heart monitor then it really doesn’t make a difference. Besides, the only way it reads your pulse is when you place both hands on the rail, which is an unnatural way to run.
Another cool feature that many people like is the calorie counter. Based on the intensity of the workout and the duration the computer calculates the amount of calories you burn using the weight and age data you input to begin the work out. The only issue is that most models have overly optimistic calculators so use it as a guide, not a rule.
The most important thing, your insurance against any problems is the warranty. Look for manufacturer warranties that will back up their treadmills for a decent length of time. It’s not uncommon to find a treadmill with a warranty for 10 years on the motor, 3 years for parts replacement, and 1 year in servicing the machine.
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