Year in Review – Treadmills and How to Choose the Right One

Treadmills are one of the best ways to get yourself on the road
to cardiovascular health and achieve and maintain a healthy
weight. While they come with a variety of prices and features,
they are definitely NOT all created equal.

Buying a treadmill is a fairly big investment, so it is
important to know what you want, how much you are willing to
pay, and what type of quality and features you are looking for.

There are several factors you should consider when shopping
online or in-store for a treadmill. There are also several
brands that make treadmills. Reebok, ProForm, Horizon, New
Balance and others are some of the top brands on the market
today, and they usually can be counted on for quality and
durability. For the sake of simplicity, I’ll list the features
to consider when shopping for a treadmill and briefly discuss
their importance.

Treadmill Features

1.) Motor – Preferably a 2.5 horsepower or more. Any less than
this quite frankly will be a disappointment as far as
performance and product lastability.

2.) Space saving option. In other words, does it fold up for
easy storage if this is what you want?

3.) Console display features.

4.) Speed control. Can you go up in speed in increments, or
little by little. If it’s the latter, this can be frustrating.

5.) Magazine or book holder for easy reading while you’re
walking or running.

6.) Non-slip belt.

7.) Belt padding, otherwise known as shock absorption. This is
very important, as it will protect your joints and help to avoid
soreness and muscle fatigue. It reduces the risk of injury in
runners as well.

8.) Incline position control.

9.) Noise control. No one wants a noisy machine. It’s
distracting and annoying.

10.) Additional statistical data such as heart rate, calories
burned and special interactive fitness programs.

11.) Good warranty.

12.) Spacious walking surface.

13.) Helpful hint: If you spend $200 or less, chances are you
may be disappointed in the product’s performance and sturdiness.
Most reviews of the cheaper treadmills are very negative, and
most consumers state they wish they’d invested a little more to
get a higher quality product. The phrase “you get what you pay
for” is definitely applicable in the purchase of a treadmill.

As you can see, there are quite a few considerations in
purchasing a treadmill. If you cannot find exactly what you want
in the stores, try shopping online. There are usually some great
prices and selections on the internet that you may not be able
to find in stores. Take advantage of any customer reviews on
these products as well. It’s an excellent way to see how well
you will like the product if you choose to purchase it.

A quality treadmill will be built to last and made of extremely
durable material and quality parts – especially the motor, which
is a key component to a treadmill’s lifespan. This is truly a
product that you will want to invest some time and extra cash on
to get what you really want, and make it last.

1. Prev:Does eating food after 8:00 p.m. induce more weight gain?
2. Next:Weight Loss – Diet Change Facts