Despite the fact that a treadmill is one of the easiest exercise machines to use, you will want to carefully consider which one you buy. Treadmills offer a variety of fitness features and creature comforts. Some are manual, while others are motorized. Depending on your fitness goals and how many people will be using the treadmill, the electronic console may be the most important feature to consider.
Manual vs. Motorized
If you don't have a large budget and don't need a data console that tells you your heart rate and calories burned or automatically switches speeds and inclines, a simple manual treadmill may be enough for you. On a manual treadmill, you will walk at your own pace throughout, using your muscles to move the machine and manually changing the incline of the platform. A motorized treadmill maintains the speed of your workout, requiring you to keep up. Some motorized treadmills have electronics that let you pre-program changes in speed and incline.
Belt
Commercial treadmills have thicker belts because of the number of hours people use them. If you are buying a treadmill for home use, a two-ply belt instead of a sturdier four-ply tread should be adequate for your needs.
Electronics
If walking on a treadmill is the only type of exercise you plan on doing, or if more than one person will be using the treadmill, you might want as much variety as possible for to create workouts. Some treadmills let you program a steady rate fat-burning workout, or a higher-intensity cardio workout with peaks and valleys created by changes in speed and incline. Check to see what type of workout data the treadmill offers. Some provide data on your heart rate, calories burned and other information to help you track your progress and results. You can also buy treadmills with built-in video screens and music players to help you avoid boredom.
Costs
Rather than starting your search by looking at models within your budget, look at treadmills that have all the features you want. If those are out of your price range new, consider purchasing a used treadmill. Buying a treadmill you can afford, rather than one that meets your needs, might result in a poor investment if you don't use the machine as much as one that had more features. Some used sporting goods stores re-condition machines before they sell them and offer a limited warranty. Treadmills are so reliable and low-maintenance that Consumer Reports recommends against buying extended warranties on new models.
Member Comments