With so many finally realizing that the key to health requires exercise on a regular basis, the treadmill industry is growing in an economy that is not fairing as well. People are also finding that they prefer to purchase a treadmill for their homes instead of monthly gym memberships that the may not use everyday. With the following information provided you should feel comfortable walking into a fitness store and discussing your options with an Exercise Professional.
Prior to visiting a store, you must decide on several things before you become bombarded with many other options that will generally confuse someone if you have not done a little homework. A couple of very important items on your pre- purchase checklist should be the following:
The Pre-Purchase Checklist:
What do you want to achieve on this treadmill? Running or walking
What is the purpose of the treadmill? Do you have a lot of weight to lose?
Are you looking to maintain current fitness levels?
Who will be using this treadmill? What is the weight limit you need to provide?
Where will you be storing the treadmill? Will there be a TV or stereo around? Do you need any of those features to be integrated into the treadmill?
Do you have enough space? Do you prefer a folding treadmill?
What incline and speeds do you require? If you are an avid runner, you may need a 12 or 15 MPH. If you are only going to be walking on the treadmill, usually 5 to 7 MPH is more that enough. Do you use your incline for a higher calorie burn? Incline of a mimumum of 10% should be available on most treadmills.
All of these should have answers before stepping foot into a high pressure situation so that you do not pay for features you do not need, or that you will not use.
Once those questions are answered, you can now narrow your choices even more when you budget is determined. You may feel that with the Money you are willing to spend, you should opt for a full service company( Delivery, set up, knowledgeable sales staff, etc) or after reading this article you will be so confident in your knowledge that you can go to a Sams Club or Costco and purchase a great machine with the exact features you need and a cheaper price. Whichever you choose, the most common price range is between 00 and 00 for a good home treadmill. That being said, we need to get to the meat of the information.
The Treadmill Motor
The major components that truly will affect your comfort and the performance of the treadmill generally are the internal components. There are several items to know about a treadmill motor that will help in making you decision. The most important and most heavily used component is the motor. Now, when shopping for a treadmill you will see several different ways a treadmill motor is advertised. The Horsepower is rated several ways on treadmills, you will find "Peak Duty", "Continuous Duty", and "Treadmill Duty". The "continuous Duty" or CHP is the most important rating to look for when considering one for your home. The Peak Duty and Treadmill Duty are great to know, but for a smooth and continuous workout the CHP is your Key info to know. The CHP should ideally range between 1.5CHP & 3.5CHP, the higher the stronger the motor.
The Treadmill Deck and Belt
The Next major components are the Deck and Belt. These items are also used every time you turn on the machine. The Deck is the wood or plastic that the running belt revolves around while in use. The Deck should be at least a quarter of an inch thick. Some treadmills offer a reversible deck which means that once the deck is worn on one side, instead of purchasing a whole new deck, users can reverse the deck and have a couple more years of use and save a couple hundred dollars in the process. There are several different types of decks on the market. Most treadmills offers a low impact structure that will help reduce joint pressure up to 40% compared to walking or running on pavement. This benefit is one of the reasons treadmills are so popular for those with injuries to legs, back, etc. The Cushioning is general placed in between the actual deck and frame of the treadmill. Most cushioning material is plastic or Foam. Many of the more expensive brands have very complex cushioning systems.
The Belt is the part of the treadmill that you actually will run or walk on while exercising. There are the "normal" belts that will power you through your workout, then there are the orthopedic belts that many either love or hate. The reason many say that they are not worth the trouble is due to the fact that they are harder on the motors. This is a personal choice for everyone, but the major items you would need to consider are the width and length of the belt. A good 2 ply belt that measures at least 18 inches wide and 48 inches long is the bare minimum you should consider while shopping. If you are a taller or wider person, you may want to modify these numbers according to what is the most comfortable for you as an individual.
Conclusion
With all of the great and not so great treadmills on the Non-commercial market, there are many other options to choose from while shopping. You know what you need for your exercise regime, and if you stay true to the answers you gave in the checklist you will be thrilled for many years to come.
