Did you know that more than 37 million people use a treadmill? Treadmills are great because they mimic an exercise that is both familiar and comfortable. After all, most of us know how to walk or run, right? Using a treadmill in a gym is one thing, but buying one for your home is a serious matter. Treadmills cost a good deal of money, so consider your budget and, if you can, buy the highest quality machine you can. Here's what you need to know about buying a treadmill.
How Much To Spend
For a decent treadmill, plan on spending at least $1,000 and, for a better than decent treadmill, between $1500 to $3000. There are some so-so models that fall under that price range but, if you buy a cheap treadmill, that's exactly what you're going to get. Choosing the right treadmill will depend on: 1) how much money you have, 2) any extras you want (programming, heart rate monitor, etc.), 3) what kind of motor you want and 4) how much space you have in your house.
Motor Control
The first thing to consider with your treadmill is the motor. Most treadmills have two motors; one to drive the belt and the other to raise and lower the bed for inclines. Make sure the belt motor is a continuous duty motor with at least 1.5 horsepower. More horsepower isn't always better, particularly if it's not continuous duty, so don't be fooled by a salesperson who's talking about a 'maximum power' or 'treadmill duty' motor. You want continuous duty!
Minimum Specifications
Other things to look for include: belt size - at least 48" long and 16" wide; speed - if you plan on running, get a treadmill that goes up to 10 mph; incline - get a treadmill with an incline that goes up to 10%; cushioning - the running bed should absorb shock and the belt shouldn't move around with every foot-strike; stability - the treadmill shouldn't shake when you run or walk on it and the frame should remain stable; control panel - should be within easy reach and be simple to use.Decide What You Want
Before you buy, decide what types of things you want from your treadmill: Do you want running or walking programs included? Heart rate monitor? The ability to hook your treadmill up to a website such as ifit.com for new workouts? Do you need a treadmill that folds (often more expensive) or do you have enough space to house a treadmill full-time? How easy is the treadmill to maintain? Once you figure out what you want and need, it's time to hit the sporting goods store for a test drive.
Try It Out
The most important thing to do before buying a treadmill is to try it out. Make a list of treadmills and call sporting goods stores to see if they're available locally. Spend at least 10 minutes on each treadmill. Make sure it's quiet and that it doesn't shake, even when running. While you're there, see where the drink holder is. Is there a place to put your walkman? Can you add a book rack? For more information about treadmills, visit the www.treadmilldoctor.com.Treadmill Workouts
Once you get your treadmill home, you'll have plenty of opportunities to try out the different programs and get into a routine. But, treadmill workouts can get pretty boring if you do the same thing all the time. The workouts listed offer some ideas for how to mix things up so you don't get bored. Don't be afraid to play with the incline and speed buttons throughout the workout to add challenge and intensity.
