Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Things to consider when buying a treadmill..

By Manuelle Fergus

As they are getting busier and busier nowadays, people rarely have the time needed to go to a gym; but in time, they have learned that it's a very important thing to follow an exercising routine. That's why most of them turn to home exercising equipment, such as treadmills, to solve their time related problem.

As more and more people are facing the same problem, the demand for home fitness equipment has greatly increased(especially the demand for treadmills). Buying a treadmill is considered by exercise and fitness experts to be one of the best fitness purchases you can make and that's because it doesn't get old or loses popularity. This is not a very difficult process but there are some important things you should consider, some important features and you should be a little self-aware of your needs and desires that you expect it to fulfill for you.

One of the most important things to consider when making a decision is to try it out, see how it feels and acts. There's no better way to make an idea about it; however, if you aren't able to do that(like in an internet purchase), read some reviews at least. Now, here are a few pretty important things to consider when purchasing a treadmill, with some considerations about particular features:

* it should be a stable machine with a running belt as wide as possible - of at least 18 to 20" wide and 48" long * a low impact running surface should be an essential feature as it protects your joints, knees and back from strain or damage by a special technology * an emergency shut-off and side rails or safety bars - reachable, sturdy - are also important * the warranty and the expected maintenance and service represent an important sign for the machine's quality * the treadmill should have a continuous rated motor of at least 2.5 to 3.0 horsepower * the speed it can reach should be proper for your fitness goals, adequate for your intended use (0.1 to 8 miles per hour - for walking and running) * an incline range of 0 % to at least 10 % would also make you workout more comfortable etc.

Besides all these essential specifications, there would be some useful treadmill features you should also consider, such as: a folding up design which would make the storage much easier, a heart rate monitor which would help you to get the maximum benefit from your workout or a computer console that would feature a number of workout routines.

In conclusion, a home treadmill is a very good acquisition, but you should consider many aspects before making a purchase; in the end, you are the one making the decision, so be sure you make the optimal choice based on your needs. - 16759

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