Most people that exercise are familiar with the treadmill, a popular rainy-day standby for runners and a main source of cardio for many. Bowflex has created the Treadclimber, a combination of treadmill and stair climber, that offers the treadmill some competition. Although it's not yet as widely available, the benefits are comparable and people who have become bored with their usual treadmill routine may welcome the variety.
Use
The treadmill may be the simplest piece of exercise equipment you can use, because once you learn how to adjust the speed and incline on your particular machine, all you have to do it run or walk. The Treadclimber may have a bit of a learning curve because instead of a single belt, each foot is on a separate "step", each with its own belt. Not only does the belt move like a treadmill, but the steps move like a stair climber. When you combine the two, the experience is similar to the motion of an elliptical machine. People with balance or coordination issues may have a difficult time adjusting at first.
Results
The results you get from both the treadmill and the Treadclimber depend upon you. Both machines offer a variety of intensities so you can work as hard as you would like -- the more speed and incline you use, the more calories you will burn. Treadmills also offer the option of running, which the Treadclimber does not -- its top speed is 4 mph, which is equivalent to a moderate walk for some. The added climbing action increases the difficulty with 12 separate resistance levels, and allows you to burn more calories. The Treadclimber also allows you to use the treadmill feature and the stair climber feature independently as well as together, giving you more workout variety.
Size
Treadmills don't vary in size that much, because you need a certain amount of space to run. Belts range from 16 to 22 inches wide and from 45 to 60 inches long, with the belt making up most of the machine's footprint in the room. Some models do fold for storage. The Treadclimber is 46 inches long, 30 inches wide and 55.25 inches high -- Bowflex claims that it is adequately accommodated by a 2.4-by-4-foot space.
Accessibility
Treadmills are found in gyms as well as many community centers, training facilities and even many nursing homes. If you choose to purchase your own, you can spend as little as a couple of hundred dollars or well into the thousands of dollars, depending upon the features you are looking for. A new Bowflex Treadclimber costs about $2,500 as of 2011, and being a relatively new product, it is not found in as many public-use facilities.
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