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It’s hard enough to exercise at the best of times, and during the winter months, it gets worse. It seems we come up with the most excuses during the cold months for not exercising. The festive season makes it even easier to gain the pounds. For most people, a health club membership is sufficient to keep in some sort of shape but many people have started looking for alternatives. With monthly membership fees going up every few months, investing in treadmills and exercising at home seems a healthier option for the wallet too!
The convenience of being able to work out when you want in the comfort of your home especially during the cold winter months seems a win, win situation. Owning a home treadmill can mean avoiding over-crowded gyms and not wasting time commuting to a health club.
But with the variety of treadmill brands, models on the market, how can you choose the right one for yourself? Well there are some excellent online resources that you can choose to look at. There are forums such as runner’s world which is an excellent choice with many experts hanging out to help you with questions you may have. There are also sites such as best home treadmills owned by a fitness enthusiast and personal trainer who reviews treadmills based on design, features, performance, price comparison and warranty. Carrying out research is important in finding the right home treadmill for you, because one treadmill is never suitable for all.
The very first thing you need to do, is decide what you need the treadmill for? It sounds fairly obvious but many people forget what they really need and they end up spending money unnecessarily. Decide on whether you need a treadmill for walking, jogging or running. Decide on your budget and begin your search in that price category. For a decent treadmill, you need to spend at least $1000 USD. Generally, the more you spend on a treadmill, the better the quality and features you will get. You need to keep an eye on sales and bargains. Retailers always offer price reductions or substantial price reductions, so it’ worth checking often.
It’s also important to pay attention to the warranty of the treadmill you want to purchase. Good warranties usually indicate a quality treadmill that is backed by the manufacturer, that is less likely to breakdown or have any mechanical problems.
A quality treadmill should be able to withstand continuous impact. Did you know that when your body impacts the treadmill, it is 2.5 times your body weight? You want the treadmill to be durable enough to withstand your body weight.
Try to find a treadmill with a 2.5 HP (Horsepower) motor and above. A powerful motor will allow you to get more out of the treadmill as you can do more intense workouts. The motor is one of the most significant components on a treadmill that drives the tread belt. It’s the difference between a smooth running machine and a noisy treadmill that doesn’t perform well. A 3.5 HP treadmill is suitable for serious runners, but if you want a treadmill for jogging a 2.5 HP and above will suffice.
It’s important to look at the treadmill's deck specifications. A 20”x58” indicates a good size that should accommodate most people. If you are over 6 feet 2 inches tall or have a longer stride, go for a deck size of 22”x60” as a minimum. Also make sure the deck provides a soft landing, cushioning system that protects your knees and joints upon impact.
The True PS100 treadmill is one of the best home treadmills in terms of price, design and quality. It comes with a 3 HP motor and a large walking area.
Make sure you purchase machines with decent rollers. A 2.75 ply roller will allow less noise and belt heat up.
Many treadmills come with various features. There are some machines that offer several workout programs which are convenient if you are looking to share the treadmill with others. For those looking for media accessories, there are iPod sockets, speakers and mp3 facilities on some machines.
There are built in heart rate monitors that are useful. The heart rate controls can be adjusted during workouts according to the heart rate.
Many folding treadmills now feature a soft drop facility that makes folding and storing a treadmill much easier. An example of this is the Bowflex series 7 treadmill.
Treadmill technology has improved that you can now even control the start, stop and speed features by simply waving the hands over the rails. It’s called motion control and there are various machines that are offering this technology.
Those are just some of the features you can now look for in your potential treadmill. It’s important to do your research and take your time when shopping around. Treadmills usually don’t come cheap so it’s important to make the right choice and spend your cash wisely. By making sure the treadmill is suitable for your needs and has proven record for solid performance you will be in a position to enjoy working out 365 days of the year.
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