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Finding the Right Treadmill For
You
C’mon, admit it. It’s happened to all of us. You bought a great
looking piece of exercise equipment on a whim. Maybe you even
used it for a couple of days. After that, it sat abandoned
while you tried not to look at it. Impulse buys rarely end
well. But if you take some time to think about your exercise
needs and find the treadmill that’s right for you, you might be
well on your way achieving fitness in the privacy of your own
home.
Before buying a treadmill, take some time to think about what
you want. Do you plan to use it for walking or jogging? How
much are you willing to spend? What kind of space constraints
do you have? (I once bought a lovely treadmill that didn’t fit
anywhere in my apartment. It’s collecting dust in a storage
shed even as I write this.)
Next, hit the town. If possible, do your shopping at a fitness
store rather than a general “sports” store, as the fitness
store employees here will be much better versed in their
products than employees who have to deal with fitness
equipment, camping equipment, sports equipment, etc.
Motors
Probably the most important thing to look for in a treadmill is
the motor. Get the most motor you can for your money. Larger
and heavier motors will last longer, and they will not get as
hot while you are exercising. If you plan to use your treadmill
for walking only, you can get away with a 1 to 1.5 continuous
horse power. If you plan to run or jog, you will want to get a
motor with 2 to 3 continuous horse power.
Deck Thickness and Walking Track
It’s no fun to buy a new piece of equipment only to discover
that your joints don’t take properly to it. Therefore, you must
make sure that the deck is thick enough to adequately cushion
your ankles, knees, and hips. Three-fourths of an inch
thickness is probably okay for walking; running will require at
least an inch thickness. If you’re heavy or have bad joints,
get all the cushioning you can afford.
The walking track should be long enough for you to stride/jog
without having to shorten your gait, and wide enough for you to
walk comfortably.
Don’t be shy about trying out equipment in the store. It’s
absolutely necessary for you to find what works best for
you.
Electronic Board
Here is where you can save some money. Many treadmill
manufacturers add extra features to the board so they can raise
the price of their equipment. Don’t fall for it. The
information you really need is speed/incline, distance walked,
time elapsed, and perhaps calories burned. A heart monitor is
nice but probably not necessary unless you’re a cardiac
patient.
Whether you have a few hundred dollars to spend or a few
thousand, if you know what you want and shop patiently, you’ll
be able to find the treadmill that’s right for you.
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