Not every treadmill out there is perfect
for everyone. The key is to identify the treadmill that meets
the needs of the person or persons that will be using it.
Whether you are just shopping for yourself or the entire
family, there are a few essential features that you will want
to keep in mind.
What you should be considering
Motor - Ideally when reviewing treadmills you will want
to consider models that have a 2HP and up Continuous Duty motor.
Continuous duty defines the minimum amount of horse power the
motor can sustain over a 24 hour period of time. Some
advertisements and reviews for treadmills may promote Peak Duty
which really only indicates the maximum amount of horse power the
motor can sustain over a short period of time. Advertising just
the Peak duty horse power is a marketing trick to make the
treadmills motor appears more powerful then it really it is. The
safest bet is to look for those treadmills with the 2HP on up
Continuous duty motors.
Running surface (belt) - Depending on your height, or
the length of your legs are, running surface can be a vital
importance when reviewing treadmills. The running surface can be
drastically differing from treadmill to treadmill so you will want
to pay close attention to whether the running surface, for the
treadmill you are looking at, meets your needs.
Note: Running on the treadmill will require more running
surface then just using it for walking.
Cushioning - Cushioning is the treadmills shock absorption
ability. Simply put, the better the cushioning the better the
absorption. The benefit for better cushioning or shock absorption
is that there will be less strain on your knees and joints. Keep
in mind that a treadmill with less cushioning will provide a
harder running surface.
Weight capacity – Treadmill weight capacities can range
from under 200 pounds to over 400 pounds with the prices adjusting
accordingly. You can use the treadmills weight capacity ratings
to help judge the durability for the treadmill (although weight
capacity should not be the only tool to help judge treadmills
durability).
*Note: Make sure the weight capacity for the treadmill
that you are looking into purchasing doesn’t just meet but exceeds
your current weight.
Storing ability - Is your space limited and you need a
folding treadmill or do you have enough space for a non-folding
treadmill? Non-folding treadmill are more stable than the folding
treadmill and that is why they are typically the more expensive
treadmills. However, with that being said, there are a lot of
great folding treadmills out there and if space is an issue you.
What features are you looking for? Some of the great
features offered by many treadmills are Heart Rate control, Pulse
grip, Incline level, much more. Not all treadmills offer every
feature so keep in mind which features are most important to you
in your purchase.
Warranty - What is covered in the warranty and for what
duration of time? Treadmills are an investment in your health but
they do come with a price tag. As with any large purchase, you
are going to want to make sure your investment last.
Most manufactures offer a lifetime warranty for the frame while
individual parts have different levels for their warranty. You
definitely will want to take in consideration the warranty for the
motor. The motor pretty much is the treadmill and the most
expensive part to fix.
In addition to the duration of the warranty you may also want
to take in consideration on whether or not the treadmill will be
serviced in your home or has to be sent away for repair. Sending
parts away can be expensive and time consuming to fix.
Tying it all together
In conclusion you will want to look for treadmills that offer a
2HP on up continuous duty motor. Also you will want to take in
consideration the treadmill running surface, cushioning ability
for shock absorption, and weight capacity. Depending on your
needs for storage ability you may want to consider a folding
verses non-folding treadmill. Also when looking for a treadmill
that meets your needs try to identify other key features that you
may want such as the treadmills incline level, Heart Rate control
and other features. Last but not least do forget to look into the
treadmills warranty. Most frames are already covered by a
lifetime warranty so pay close attention to the warranty for the
motor and electronic parts.
Now that you know what to look for it is time
to find a treadmill that meets your needs. One4Fitness.com offers
reviews on a variety of treadmill models. You can read the
individual reviews at
http://www.one4fitness.com/modules/treadmills/index.php.
Treadmills
