A running treadmill acts as one of the most important workout packages which is ideal for joggers and runners. The quest of obtaining a well sculpted body is increasing which is directing people to gyms, exercise clubs and in certain cases—crash diets. Since people find it difficult to maintain their jogging and gym routine, they prefer to have a treadmill running machine at home.
A number of brands are manufacturing treadmills which vary in features, price and functionality. Due a number of choices available, the task of buying the right kind of treadmill becomes confusing. However, by taking into consideration the following points, the task becomes simplified and less daunting.
Price is the first concern when it comes to buying treadmill as it is not an inexpensive purchase. It is unlikely to find a treadmill for running which is priced below US$1000. The cheapest machine will fall in the range of US$1000 to US$1500; mid range is between US$1500 to US$3000; and the high quality treadmill is for US$3000 and up. A running treadmill is an investment in health and it is unreasonable to compromise on fitness by saving a thousand bucks or so. However, a smart solution is to buy a used treadmill from some relative who is no more using it or from auctions, but before that it is important to ensure that the equipment is in good working condition.
An electric motor is the heart of a treadmill. The unit to measure the motor power is Horse Power or HP. To get the best running experience on a treadmill, the treadmill with a horse power of more than 1.5 should be purchased. Less power than 1.5 will burn out the battery in less time and result in expensive motor repairing. There are two different ratings of motors and horse powers—continuous duty and peak duty. The former is suitable for continual usage of 24 hours whereas, the latter gives the maximum power potential which loses its momentum after some time. A continuous duty rating is usually preferred.
The running area on the treadmill is called the treadmill belt. The average width of a treadmill is 17 inches and in some brands, 20 inches. The average length of the belt is 51 inches and for those who are tall, should ask for 56 inches in order to accommodate the stride.
Cushioning is one of the important features of a treadmill. It absorbs the force of the step and protects ligaments and joints while running on a treadmill. Poor cushioning results in muscle pulling, cramps and strains. A good cushioning prolongs the life of the treadmill.
Likewise, the stability of a treadmill should be ensured before its purchase. This can be done by running on the treadmill wearing the workout shoes and clothes. The belt should be able to put up the stride. The ride should not be shuddering or jerky and the hand rails should give a firm grip and does not obstruct the motion of the arm.
It is important to ensure that the treadmill console displays the heart beat rate, time, speed, calorie burnt and control buttons, which are arranged in a user friendly manner.
The warranty of a treadmill varies from brand to brand. It is directly proportional to the amount of money invested. Ideally, the machine should come with 2 year warranty on appearance, 5 years on the electric motor and approximately 10-12 years on the main frame and functionality.
It is wise to check that the treadmill does not make any noise and comes with accessories such as a book rack, a water bottle pocket, glass stand and mp3 player.
A good quality treadmill can be purchased from online stores but the better option is to make the purchase from a local sports store so as it do a test running before investing a fairly large amount into it.
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