Exercise Plus Nutrition | Treadmill

A Treadmill is a piece of exercise equipment which allows you to walk or run on the spot, at a speed which duplicates walking or running outdoors.  Instead of paying fitness club fees on a month to month basis it is more economical to buy a machine which you can use for years. It is a good idea to do some research before you buy a treadmill.  Try and think of how you would use it.  Do you instead to run on the machine or are you planning to just walk or jog.  This will help you to determine the type of machine you need. Walking on a treadmill does not put the same pressure on the machine, as does running. So if you are sure you only want treadmills to walk on then you need a completely different machine to one you wish to run on.  You will be required to spend more money if you wish to run.

The motor is the most important feature of the treadmill; it is worth it to invest in a powerful electric motor. There are two factors to a motor, its continuous duty horse power and its peak horse power. Most manufacturers quote their peak horse power you should really take note of its continuous duty horse power. You will need to look for a machine with 1.5 to 2.5 continuous duty horse power.  You should also pay considerable attention to the belt; a Treadmill can have a poorer quality belt.  It is better to get a thicker belt, at least 2 ply as this will last longer and you will not have to replace it.

It is important to try out as many machines as possible.  You need to look for a sturdy machine, it is undesirable to have a running machine which is shaky or jerks when you walk or run on it.  You need to check the hand rails are secure and sturdy enough to take your body weight.  The belt needs to be long enough to accommodate your stride and also wide enough.  Other exercise machine such as a Spinning Bike is completely manual and do not need as much consideration of electrical parts.  Make sure you have a warranty for as long as possible on a treadmill.

It is important to have a model of treadmill which allows you to programme a workout or has pre set workout programmed into the machine, as these types of feature stop you from becoming bored and motivate you to increase your fitness. You should look for a machine with easily adjustable incline and speed. You will need a water bottle holder and a heart rate monitor is an added advantage. As you would then be able to incorporate interval training into your programme.

You will need to take into account the space you have to put your new machine and how noisy it is.  If you are thinking of watching TV or listening to music while you are on the treadmill, it is important to the quietest machine available. If you wish to get some ideas on interval training take a look at the Elliptical Fitness page.