Data from the National Sporting Goods Association indicates
that treadmills have been the number-one-ranked home aerobic
equipment for the past three years. If you’ve decided to join
the ranks of treadmill owners, there are a number of factors to
consider to ensure that you purchase a machine that meets your
needs. There are a multitude of treadmills on the market with
prices ranging from $299 to $4,000. You are likely to find that
a treadmill’s cost directly reflects its quality.
Before you leave your home, measure the space in which you’d
like to keep the treadmill. While the average treadmill measures
64 inches long and 28 inches wide, there are machines that fold
up to be stored under a bed or in a closet. Drive to the nearest
fitness-equipment specialty store where the staff will be
knowledgeable and you can choose from a wide variety of
machines. Wear a comfortable pair of athletic shoes — the same
pair you’ll wear as you exercise on the machine at home.
Consider three key elements as you shop: construction,
programming features and the warranty.
Construction
First, look at the treadmill’s motor size (measured in
horsepower) to determine the machine’s longevity. Some
manufacturers measure horsepower at continuous duty (the motor’s
ability to function under a load for an extended period of
time), others at peak duty. Look for a motor with a minimum 2.0
continuous-duty horsepower, which will accommodate users who
weigh more than 180 pounds.
Next, examine the treadmill’s belt and deck. The belt should
be at least two-ply, 17 inches wide and 49 inches long. The
board thickness should measure at least an inch.
The deck acts as a cushion for the joints, legs, back and
feet. The most sought-after treadmills feature low-impact decks
that flex under the user’s foot plant to absorb the shock
without rebounding to cause additional jarring. This feature is
essential for individuals with shin splints and foot and back
problems.
A sturdy frame supports the belt and deck system. Treadmills
that cost between $399 and $1900 usually have a steel frame;
treadmills with a price of $1900 or higher often are constructed
with aircraft aluminum frames that offer additional flexibility
for impact absorption. Aluminum frames don’t rust or corrode and
are lighter and easier to move.
Programming Features
Lower-priced treadmills offer basic programming for variable
speed, time, distance and calories. However, they seldom utilize
user information, and the calorie counters aren’t very accurate.
The quality of the programming features, such as preset programs
that automatically vary the workout intensity by raising or
lowering elevation and increasing or decreasing speed, rises
with price. Heart-rate control programs are convenient features
that con-sider the user’s age and weight and keep the exerciser
at an intensity sufficient to achieve maximum fat-burning or
cardiovascular benefits.
Other programming options include incline/grade settings. A
maximum grade of 10 percent may challenge beginning exercisers,
while experienced exercisers may need a treadmill that reaches a
15-percent grade.
Warranty
Most manufacturers warranty against manufacturing defects
only, not normal wear and tear, and if a user weighs more than
the machine’s specifications, a warranty may be voided. Many
machines come with a lifetime warranty on the frame, while
warranties on features and components usually range from 90 days
to three years, depending on the machine’s quality. Higher-end
machines often come with a one-year in-home labor contract. You
can purchase renewable extended warranties that cover everything
from parts to labor.
Don’t Give the Man Your Money Yet
Is the machine loud? Do you like how it looks? Does it offer
a smooth ride? Is it easy to operate? Remember, this product
will be around for a long, healthy time, so determine what you
want and need from it before you begin shopping to prevent a
regretful purchase.
Why Treadmills Are Ranked #1
In 1996, The Journal of the American Medical Association
reported that, based on a study from the Medical College of
Wisconsin and Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Milwaukee,
treadmills provide the most efficient way to burn calories when
compared to other popular exercise machines. Researchers asked
eight male and five female young adults to exercise on six
different types of indoor exercise machines, including a
cross-country skiing simulator, cycle ergometer, rowing
ergometer and stair stepper. They compared energy expenditure at
ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) levels of 11 (fairly light),
13 (somewhat hard) and 15 (hard), and found that subjects who
exercised at an RPE of 13 burned approximately 40 percent more
calories per hour on the treadmill as compared to the cycle
ergometer, which produced the lowest energy expenditure.
