Finding the Right Treadmills for You
Finding the right treadmills can be a daunting task. However, if you assess your fitness needs correctly, achieving that perfect shape in the comfortable environs of your home may not remain a distant dream. We know we all have sometime acted on our impulse and bought that fabulous looking fitness equipment we used only for a couple of days. It usually sits pretty in one corner of our home while we pass by it daily in an unavoidable manner. There are some significant questions you need to answer before you set out to buy your perfect treadmill. These are as follows: 1. Do you need a treadmill for walking or jogging? 2. What's your budget? 3. Are there any space constraints that you need to take care of? (This is important. One of my lovely treadmills could not be accommodated in any room in the whole of my apartment and is still gathering dust in a storage shed.) After you have answered these questions, it's time to go shopping. Check out your local yellow pages/directories and look up for fitness equipment stores (not sports stores). A fitness equipment store will understand your needs much better than a sports store dealing in golf balls, camping equipment, fitness goods etc. Treadmill Motors A motor is the most important part of a treadmill. Get the best you can within your budget. Generally, the heavier the motor is, the longer it lasts, as it is less prone to excessive heating. A walking treadmill will do fine with a 1 to 1.5 continuous horsepower. However, if you wish to use your treadmill for running and jogging, a motor with 2 to 3 continuous horsepower will be a good idea. Deck Thickness and Walking Track of a Treadmill Treadmills with an inappropriate deck thickness can be quite detrimental to your joints. The deck should be thick enough to provide sufficient cushioning to your knees, ankles and hips. Three-fourths of an inch will serve your purpose well if you plan to walk and running/jogging activity will require at least an inch thick deck. It is advisable to get maximum cushioning if you are on the heavier side or have joint problems. The walking track of your treadmill should be wide and long enough to jog/walk comfortably without having to adjust your pace and being too concerned about toppling over. Please do not hesitate to try out the equipment satisfactorily before your purchase. You know your needs best. Electronic Board This is an area which can help you cut costs. Do not fall for various fancy features on the board, as you may not need all of them. They are there only to add dollar value to the treadmills. Essential features you should look out for are distance, speed, incline, time and if required, calories burnt. A heart monitor may be useful only in cases of cardiac patients. It's not how expensive the treadmills is, that matters, it's the fact that how suitable it is for you to achieve your exercise objectives, that counts. Thus, assessing your needs and budget can help you a great deal in finding your dream treadmill.
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