What to Consider When Buying a Treadmill

Losing weight to become healthier is a concern of many people and rightfully so. Being overweight can cause a myriad of health problems, such as heart disease, so people are turning to exercise to help them to burn fat and become stronger.

You may consider joining a gym to take advantage of all of the exercise equipment they contain. The thing to remember is that you don’t need to use multiple machines to get in shape. It is much wiser to invest in a machine that you can use in your home and will help you to reach your weight loss and fitness goals.

The best machine for this purpose is a treadmill. Of course you could just take a walk outside, but weather conditions can impact the amount of time that you can go walking or running. With a treadmill, you can exercise no matter what the weather conditions are and maintain a regular schedule.

Good machines costs approximately $1000, but before you get alarmed at the expense, remember the old adage that you get what you pay for. It’s also important to consider the amount of space you have available in your home for the machine. Many come with wheels and fold up for easy storage. Most machines have the same basic parts, the most important being the motor. Machines with incline capability have 2 motors. The best motor to get is a continuous duty motor with a minimum of 1.5 horsepower. It’s the motor that is responsible for driving the belt; so take a moment to become familiar with the different types of motors, so that you will be able to discuss them knowledgeably with salesperson.

A DC, or direct current motor, is one in which the motor directly regulates the machine’s speed, without the use of a transmission.

An AC, or alternating current motor, runs at a constant speed and uses a transmission to regulate the speed of the machine.

A Variable Speed AC motor is similar to a DC motor in that it also controls the speed, but is attached to the drive belt.

It’s also important to have a good understanding of horsepower terms:

Continuous horsepower is indicative of the amount of horsepower that is being utilized when the machine is in use. Peak horsepower describes the highest amount of energy the machine is capable of before reaching its limit and cutting out.

Another thing to consider is the size of the running/walking surface, which is a large belt. Look for one that is well cushioned to reduce the risk of injury. The belt itself should have a minimum width of 16” and a minimum length of 48”.

Speed is another important consideration. Runners should seek a machine capable of reaching 10mph. If you plan to use the incline feature, a 10% incline is usually enough to get in shape.

Make sure the machine has a sturdy frame and the console offers different levels of fitness programs. This way as your fitness level increases; you will be able to adjust the machine accordingly.