Purchasing a Treadmill

by Vicki Pierson, Personal Trainer

Regardless of the new gadgets and gizmos hitting the home exercise equipment market these days, the treadmill continues to hold onto its popularity. Why? Simply put, the treadmill is one of the most superior pieces of equipment for a cardiovascular workout.

The treadmill ranked number one in burning calories at a perceived exertion intensity level of somewhat hard and hard in a study at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee. Calories burned on the treadmill for 60 minutes, on average, was 865-705. What other machines did it compete against and how did they rank? The stair machine (746-637), rowing machine (739-606), stationary cycle with levers (709-509), cross-country ski machine (678-595) and the stationary cycle (604-498). This is only one of many studies that puts the treadmill at the head of the pack in the race for superiority.

For the average consumer and fitness enthusiast, the treadmill scores high from a common sense viewpoint as well. Here are just a few reasons why the treadmill is a good investment.

The treadmill can be used by people of any age. Depending on your requirements, you can have a low or high impact workout. For those who don’t have good balance, hand rails provide you with support while walking.

The treadmill spans the spectrum of speed for versatility. It’ll take you on a leisurely walk, get your heart going with a power walk and turn up the heat with a heart pumping jog or run.

Most treadmills adjust for incline. Increasing the incline allows you to add intensity to your workout without increasing speed.

The treadmill doesn’t require you to be too terribly coordinated. You’ve already mastered the required movement, nothing fancy, just one foot in front of the other.

The treadmill works the large muscles in your body for an excellent cardiovascular workout. Done for 30+ minutes, 4-5 times per week, at a moderate intensity and you’re on your way to a healthier lifestyle.

Once you’ve decided to purchase a treadmill, now what? First and foremost, get educated about treadmills! Then shop around, test them out, and compare various models. Here are some things to look at:

Frame:

Hand Rails: The location of the hand rails is a matter of preference. Whether you desire a handlebar in front or two side rails, be sure they are sturdy and don’t get in the way of your arm swings.

AC or DC Motor: Most home units are DC, but commercial treadmills may have either AC or DC. AC motors tend to be noisier and generally require a dedicated power line.

Horsepower: Check for the continuous-duty rating for the motor’s true horsepower. Anything less than 1.5 continuous-duty horsepower can quickly be worn out.

Speed: Most treadmills run from 0 to 10 mph. A good treadmill will match the pace you feel comfortable walking or running. A safe starting speed of 0.5 mph or less is also very important for safety reasons.

Belt: Be sure the length of the walking/running surface is long enough for your longest stride. The width of the belt should be no less than 16" from a wear and tear standpoint as well as comfortable striding. Be sure you can comfortably reach the treadmill controls without stepping on the motor housing as well.

Deck: This is one of the critical quality elements of the treadmill. Quality decks shouldn’t need much maintenance and they operate at a low temperature.

Impact Resilience: This is the treadmill’s ability to absorb the force from the impact of your feet. The lower the impact on your body, the better.

Incline Adjustment: There’s a variety of ways to adjust the incline of a treadmill, from the automatic incline which changes depending upon your heart rate, to pushing a bottom on the console, to the less sophisticated methods of a manual hand crank or manually setting pins. Quality electronic incline adjustment shouldn’t be noisy or cause the treadmill to shake at any grade.

Control Panel: Generally computerized panels are standard on most treadmills. They range from basic and simple to the complex and fully programmable. It all depends on what bell and whistles you want. Price is influenced by the control panel options, so purchase only what you will regularly use.

Heart Rate Monitors: This is generally an optional feature. Accuracy varies widely with the ear and finger clips being less accurate than the chest strap monitors.

Warranty: A good treadmill will have a lifetime warranty on the frame and get a guarantee of 2 or more years on moving parts. Don’t pay extra for manufacturer "extended warranty plans."

Price: Keep in mind, you get what you pay for. You’re going to invest $1,000 and up in a good quality motorized treadmill. Spending this kind of money ought to motivate you to do your homework and purchase wisely.

If you’re in the market to seriously educate yourself about treadmills, do your research! Take your time shopping around, know what you’re looking for and remember, prices on these higher ticket items are usually negotiable!

References:
The Famous Runner’s World Treadmill Study at http:/.www.runnersworld.com/shoes/readmill.html
How to Shop for a Treadmill at http://www.montana.com/stafford/treadmill.html
Treadmills at http://www.bodytrends.com/treadbuy.htm
ACE Consumer Matters, Treadmills Top the List, Sept./Oct. 1996 (Vol. 2, No. 5) pg. 3.