The Department of Health and Human Services says that most adults should get at least two and a half hours of moderate aerobic activity per week to stay healthy. The treadmill and the TreadClimber are two tools that can help you achieve this goal. But which one is better for you? Does the TreadClimber live up to the hype, or should you stick with your trusty old treadmill? Which machine you prefer depends on what you're looking for in a home workout machine.
Treadmill
Treadmills allow you to walk or run indoors, and their shock-absorbing qualities mean they place less impact on your joints than running on pavement. Treadmills come with programmable workouts that make your job easier: You program the pace you want, and are free to watch TV or listen to music while the treadmill's belt keeps you going at the right speed. Most treadmills come with heart rate monitors, so you are able to keep your heart rate in a healthy, fat-burning zone. Treadmills also have adjustable inclines to make your workout more challenging and help you burn more calories.
TreadClimber
TreadClimbers are a cross between a treadmill, a stair stepper and an incline trainer. They have two separate belts that move at the same speed; each belt starts off at an incline and lowers down to zero incline as you place your weight on it, so it feels sort of like walking on sand. This movement means that there is less impact on your joints than on a treadmill at the same speed. TreadClimbers come with heart rate monitors and adjustable speed and resistance. The dual treadles also lock in place for use in treadmill mode; with the power turned off, the TreadClimber works as a stair stepper.
Treadmill: Pros and Cons
Treadmills are relatively inexpensive: The 33 treadmills "Consumer Reports" rated in 2010 ranged in price from $580 to $3,800, and a mid-range treadmill the same year cost $800 to $1,800. A typical treadmill takes up more floor space than a TreadClimber, but space-saving models fold up for compact storage, and TreadClimbers don't fold. Many treadmills have more programs than TreadClimbers, and a treadmill's pace options range from a leisurely walk to an all-out sprint. On the other hand, a treadmill workout offers you very little variety, since you can only adjust the speed and incline.
TreadClimber: Pros and Cons
TreadClimbers offer you a little more variety in your workout than treadmills, since you can adjust the resistance as well as the speed, or use the machine as a treadmill or stair stepper. TreadClimbers burn the same number of calories as a treadmill at the same speed and incline, but with less impact on your joints. However, you will probably spend more if you opt for a TreadClimber. As of December 2010, TreadClimbers ranged in price from $1,298 to $3,299. Your pace choices are very limited on a TreadClimber, whose speed only allows up to a brisk walk. The treadmill mode is quite limited. Not only is your pace restricted to walking, the treadles are locked at a 10 percent incline.
Considerations
Which machine you choose depends on your fitness goals. If you prefer to run, you are better off with a treadmill. If you have knee problems, a TreadClimber will give your knees a gentler workout while still helping you burn calories. If you are easily bored with your workouts, a TreadClimber will help you stave off boredom by acting as a TreadClimber, stair stepper or (walking) treadmill. Before you buy either machine, try out all of the features in the store to make sure it works for you, look for a store with a good return policy just in case and check with your doctor to make sure it's a good option for you.
References
- Consumer Reports: Best Treadmills 2010
- Cost Helper: How Much Does a Treadmill Cost?
- Bowflex Home Fitness Catalog: Bowflex TreadClimber Machines
- Bowflex: TreadClimber Machine Fitness Benefits
- Best TreadClimber Review: Fine the Best Bowflex TreadClimber for You
- Bowflex TreadClimber: Assembly Guide and Owner's Manual
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