Reebok is a company that creates sports and lifestyle products that include apparel, footwear and fitness equipment, such as treadmills. According to the website for Reebok Fitness, treadmills burn more calories than most other types of home-exercise devices. They also ensure that you can work out regardless of the weather. Safety on a treadmill is vital, not just to prevent injury, but to extend the life on the equipment. Following some common-sense safety routines will improve your Reebok treadmill experience and keep you moving. Talk to your doctor before beginning any new fitness routine.
Positioning
Position is vital when using a treadmill, for both your safety and the protection of the internal motor on the device. Place the machine on a solid, level surface to prevent slippage. Use a treadmill mat to prevent fibers and dust from entering the inside motor housing. This is especially important if the Reebok treadmill sits on a carpeted surface. Reebok warns that there should be 8 feet of clearance behind the treadmill and at least 2 feet on each side.
Surge Protector
Not all treadmills require electricity, but any with digital monitoring and motors will work from an electrical outlet. This is true for many of the treadmills from Reebok. Treadmill distributor and review site Treadmill Talk warns that you should always plug your treadmill into a surge protector. Without it, sudden voltage changes may ruin your machine. Reebok recommends a single-outlet surge suppressor that is Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) 1449 listed and with a UL suppressed voltage rating of 400 volts or less. Underwriters Laboratories is a product-safety certification standard. Read the box to ensure that the surge protector meets these standards before plugging your treadmill in for the first time.
Safety Key
Reebok treadmills come with safety-key protection in case of an emergency. A safety key attaches your body to the treadmill. If while using the treadmill, you lose consciousness or become ill, the machine will stop when your body pulls out the safety key. To use the key properly, attach the clip to the waistband of your workout pants. The key slides into the console in the slot marked "Safety Key." Test the clip each time you work out. Attach the key to your pants and the console, then turn on the power to a slow setting. The movement should allow you to take two or three steps backward, even though the belt is turning. When the line between the clip and the key becomes tight, the key should pull away from the console and stop the unit. If not, adjust the position of the clip on your clothing. For example, if you did not move two or three steps before the key dislodged, the clip is too far to the side. If the key did not pull out, move the clip outward, away from your navel.
Heart-Rate Monitor
Some Reebok treadmills come with a heart-rate monitor to attach to your body when you work out. This allows the onboard computer to measure your pulse. The attachment may be a patch that sticks to your skin or a clip that goes on your fingertip. If you currently have a pacemaker, it is essential that you discuss the use of a heart monitor with your doctor. The electrical charge from the monitor may interfere with your pacemaker. You can use the treadmill without the monitor if necessary.
Member Comments