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Treadmill Buying Tips
by: Gary Gresham
These treadmill buying tips will make you aware of important considerations before you go treadmill shopping. A treadmill is the most popular piece of fitness equipment today and will last for many years. So you want to look for everything you want now as well as everything you’ll need as you become more fit.
Treadmill Buying Tip # 1 Your Workout Area
Make sure the treadmill is going to fit in the room where you will be using it. A treadmill can look small in the store but can become huge once you get it in your workout room at home.
Get the treadmills measurements and make sure it fits well in your room and isn’t crammed in a small space. Your workout area should be pleasant so you will enjoy it and workout more often.
Treadmill Buying Tip # 2 Price
You get what you pay for in a treadmill but make sure you get the best in your price range. Read the treadmill reviews and ratings because these usually come from unbiased sources.
Treadmill Buying Tip # 3 Motor
One of the most important elements of any treadmill is the motor. Look for a motor with a continuous duty power rating. You’ll see other ratings such as, peak duty and treadmill duty but they don’t mean much. Continuous duty power rating is a more accurate measure of motor power and this kind of motor will give you better performance with longer life.
Most treadmill motors range from 1.5 HP to 3.0 HP with the less expensive treadmills offering lower power motors that simply will not last. Look for at least a 2.0 HP continuous duty motor and this should be adequate. If you run a lot on your treadmill you might want to get a 2.5 HP motor.
There are AC and DC motors with most home treadmills using a DC motor because they are quieter. AC motors are mostly used in commercial treadmills and require much more power. The AC motor will also require a dedicated power line and will be much noisier.
For a home treadmill, look for a DC motor with a minimum 1 year warranty for a quieter workout. A lot of people watch TV or listen to music while working out so motor noise is a very important consideration.
Treadmill Buying Tip # 4 Running Or Walking Surface
Common mistakes made when buying a treadmill is thinking all running or walking surfaces are the same. They are not the same and here is what you look for.
Look for a 2 ply surface belt with a minimum width of 17 inches. If you are a runner, get a running or belt surface length of 60 inches as a minimum. If you just want to walk on your treadmill look for a minimum belt surface length of 48 inches. These lengths will provide a more comfortable stride for walking or running.
Treadmill Buying Tip # 5 Inclines
Look for an electronic incline that can be adjusted by pushing a button on the console. There are manually adjusted inclines but they have to be set before you begin using the treadmill. Quality treadmills will have this automatic electronic incline feature and you’ll be much happier with it. Look for the incline feature to range between 0% and a minimum of 10% but higher is better.
Treadmill Buying Tip # 6 Low Impact Deck
Treadmills with low impact or have a shock absorption system are much easier on your back and all of your joints. But a treadmill deck should not feel too soft or spongy. Read the treadmill reviews and ratings to know the type of cushioning system each manufacturer uses.
Treadmill Buying Tip # 7 Frame
Look for a high alloy steel or a heavy aluminum treadmill frame. Steel is the best choice because it is heavier, sturdier and will last the longest. The weight of the steel frame also gives your treadmill more stability.
Treadmill Buying Tip # 8 Warranties
Most quality treadmills offer lifetime frame warranties, but with regular use, your treadmill will require service at some point. Look for a warranty with a minimum of 1 year labor and 1 to 3 years for parts on the motor, deck, belt and electronics.
Motors and belts may require to be serviced by a technician. So make sure you purchase your treadmill from a company that provides accessibility to a technician.
Even if you purchase your treadmill from the Internet, several manufacturers work with quality fitness service companies close to where you live.
Treadmill Buying Tip # 9 The Overall Feel
The treadmill you choose should feel sturdy, be comfortable for you to walk or run on and be easy to use.
Options like heart rate monitors, electronic displays, custom programs and interval training are something only you can decide on.
These buying tips are for the critical considerations like structure, motor, belt and frame. Buying a quality treadmill means you will have fewer breakdowns while experiencing a much better workout.
The bottom line is shop around, read the treadmill reviews and ratings and look at your treadmill as a long term investment in your overall health. That is the best treadmill buying tip you can get.
About The Author
Gary Gresham
This article is supplied by http://www.treadmill-info.com where you will find valuable information, ratings, reviews, articles and buying tips before you make the investment in quality fitness equipment. For more fitness related articles go to: http://www.treadmill-info.com/articles_1.html.
A heart-rate monitor can be an excellent training tool for a first time Ironman Triathlon hopeful. In a nutshell, following a heart-rate monitor program teaches your body to burn fat as opposed to carbs. It teaches you to be aerobic as opposed to anearobic.
AEROBIC-Workouts where you are burning fat as your source of energy.
ANEAROBIC-Workouts where you burn carbs as your source of energy.
For an event like the Ironman Triathlon, where endurance is paramount, teaching your body to burn fat is ideal for a very simple reason.
Your body stores a lot more fat then it does carbs. So during your Ironman Triathlon, if you burn fat and not carbs, you won’t use up your glycogen stores too quickly. Glycogen, simply put, is stored carbs. In a physically demanding event like the Ironman Triathlon, once you use up your glycogen stores, you will hit the proverbial wall and your pace will slow big time. Even walking will become extremely uncomfortable.
A heart monitor will guide you in staying in your fat burning range. There is a reliable formula for finding your maximum aerobic heart rate. The idea is to NOT go over this heart rate in the early months of your training. If you are in poor shape to start with, you will be training at a very slow pace at first. If the program is done properly, you will find that eventually you will be able to train at a faster pace and still stay below your max. Also, by staying out of the anearobic zone, your recoveries from training will be much faster and less painful. Better still, your chances of being injured will be diminished.
I have trained with a heart rate monitor for years and have had great success. I would highly recommend giving it a try.
If you decide to, here is how to figure out your max. aerobic heart rate:
The key number is 180. Subtract your age(no cheating).
When you begin, if your physical fitness really sucks(and don’t worry, we’ll change that)take off ten more beats.
If you have trained a few days a week for several years, don’t change the number.
If you have trained like an all-star for a few years and are in really good shape to start, add five beats.
If you are almost set to retire(over 60), add five beats.
If you are still in your teens, add five beats.
Now that you have that magic number. Your maximum aerobic heart rate, strap on that monitor and away you go. I would suggest using the monitor in the run and bike portions of your Ironman Triathlon training. It doesn’t work that well in the pool, because you basically have to stop to check your monitor. Its pretty difficult to track while you’re swimming.
Use it on all your runs for sure and always start out running slowly for 10 or 15 minutes, then let your heart-rate get to within 20-25 beats below your max. If you are in really poor shape, it will seem very slow to you. THAT’S OK! Be patient. It will improve. Over the weeks you will teach your body to burn fat and like magic you will start running faster without going over your max. Here is how to do a test so you can actually see your progress. Do your initial test the first few days you start heart-rate monitor training.
Find somewhere(a track etc.)where you can run an exact measured mile. Warm up for 15 minutes and stay 20-25 beats below your max. After your warm-up, pick up speed so that when you hit the start line for your mile, you are right on your maximum aerobic heart-rate.
Begin your stop watch when you hit the start line. Stay in a very tight range for the whole mile. For example, if your max. rate is 130, stay between 125 and 135 through the whole test. The idea is to average 130–your max. rate. Stop your timer right at the end of the mile. Record that time.
In one month–not before–do the exact test again. If you have trained on a regular basis (4-5 times a week)and used the monitor properly you WILL see an improvement.
FOR EXAMPLE: If your first test resulted in a mile time of 9 min 40 seconds and your second test had a time of 9 min 15 seconds, then CONGRATULATIONS! You are teaching your body to burn fat. YOU ARE BECOMING AN AEROBIC MACHINE! YOU ARE BECOMING FITTER! You are training at the very same heart-rate as when you started, but are able to run faster without any added stress.
Do the test every month(not every week). Your mile time will continue to drop and your fitness level will improve as well if you train on a regular basis. After 4 months or so when you have developed a sound aerobic base, you will be able to start adding some anearobic work-outs. This is an indication that you come a long way. GOOD FOR YOU!
Should you decide to use a heart-rate monitor in your training, I feel sure you will improve your chances of finishing your very first Ironman Triathlon.
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