The Home Buyers Guide To Choosing A Treadmill
August 18, 2009 by Treadmills and Elliptical Trainer Tips
Filed under About Treadmill
Ohiyo!
Hello again from the Far East on the West Coast, and greetings from the DOJO. This week, before I get in to the nuts and bolts of the treadmills and the ellipticals I work on, I’m going to start with a quick guide to how to choose a treadmill — well, how to choose a residential / home grade treadmill. Choosing a commercial treadmill tends to be a bit easier — go Star Trac, Matrix, Landice or Life Fitness and, in spite of their great ellipticals, avoid Precor treadmills. Precor is a great company, they just don’t quite have treadmills down as well as the other companies. With the commercial treadmills it’s kind of like choosing between a BMW, a Mercedes and a Lexus. It’s all about bells and whistles more than performance…they’re all great machines and we’ll talk about them another time.
Home treadmills are a tough sea to navigate for most buyers — there are so many different brands and they all look alike to outsiders. Luckily, over the past 20 or so years, I’ve had to repair just about every treadmill ever made. In other words, my pain will be your salvation!
My first piece of advice is: avoid anything and everything from Icon Health and Fitness. They’re the manufacturer of the units you’ll find at places like Sears — nothing against Sears, but the treadmills they sell tend to be on the lower end of the quality scale. Their treadmills seem to have specs that are too good to be true for their cost and, truth be told, they are. The old proverb, “you get what you pay for” comes in to play with them. Small motors with high RPMs to give them a perceived higher horsepower (most of their motors should really be rated at under 1.5 HP regardless of what they tell you — a motor the size of a soda can should not be powering a full sized treadmill!), lots of plastic pieces, tiny rollers, and generally unstable machines are par for the course for the Icon brands like Proform, Weslo, Healthrider and Image. Just stay away from them! There are better treadmills even at the more affordable prices that Icon tempts the unlearned consumer with.
On with translating the arcane lore that is treadmill purchasing for the lay person.
Let’s start with the motor. The first thing you want to do is make sure the motor is rated with “Continuous Duty.” Any sales person or manufacturer who gives you a “Peak” rating is trying to sell you a bag of magic beans. Peak is best described as the maximum a motor will perform at before it breaks down. What’s more imporant is: how the heck is that motor going to perform when you’re actually using it? Another thing a shady salesperson might mention is that a common home circuit (120v/15amps) will only let you run about 2.5 HP and any motor larger than that is a waste of money. Technically that is true (about the amps vs. HP, not the waste of money), but the larger motors will tend to last longer as they are not running at the higher RPMs of a smaller motor. And, if nothing else, the larger the motor, the smoother the “ride.” A bigger motor will allow you to run or walk on it without slipping.
The next thing to look at is the size of a treadmill’s rollers. The bigger the rollers, the longer your belt will last and the better the running experience.
Next, and this is my favorite thing — especially when recommending cardio equipment to my in-laws — the warranty. Like anything else, the better the warranty the more piece of mind you will have. The 5 year parts warranty on Spirit treadmills, for example, is one of the best in the business. For me, the more faith a manufacturer has in its own product (i.e. the warranty), the more faith I have in that product. Of course, doing repairs I absolutely love the lower end warranties as it means more paying work for me!
What’s next? The weight and stability of the machine. There is nothing worse than getting on a treadmill and having it move back and forth, or shake, or, even worse, creak as you run on it. The heavier the unit the longer it will last. If you’re used to running on a treadmill at your local gym and then get on most home units, you’ll immediately notice the difference. You don’t want to be running around on something that feels like it is going to fall apart now do you? Don’t answer, that was a rhetorical treadmill question.
The tread and the deck are where most problems for treadmills happen. When the friction from your running builds up between the deck and the tread, the badness begins. Stick with the 4-ply belts/treads that help to reduce the amount of friction, and look at units with reversable, phenolic wax coated decks. Reversable decks let you flip over your running surface to use the opposite side when the original wears down. It’s like having a free second deck if you wear out the first one.
Programs. Don’t be fooled by this. Most people only wind up using 3-4 programs. If the treadmill has 20, that’s cool, but you’ll rarely use them. If you do heart rate training, then heart rate control is great. If not, it’s just an extra you’ll never use…like the clock you’ve never set on your VCR.
Speed and Incline are worth talking about. Most treadmills can go up to about 10 miles per hour and a 10 degree incline. Don’t let speed or incline become a deciding factor unless you’re doing a lot of high speed or high incline training. Obviously, electronically controlled speed and incline are the way to go. If those feature are manual just move on.
Finally, test out the shock absorbtion. You want to make sure you aren’t running on a hard surface. This is a “feel” thing more than a “scientific” one. If the deck is bouncy, move on. If the deck feels like running on concrete, move on. If the deck moves from side to side, move on. You want to find a deck that feels good, with just enough give and little to no lateral motion.
Beyond that fans, speakers, cup holders, magazine racks and even television sets on the treadmill’s console are all just icing on the cake. It’s better to get a good treadmill without a fan or TV and spend $50 to buy your own than to get a crappy, fully loaded treadmill which will eventually just become an expensive coat rack for dirty clothes.
Now, I know I alread typed “finally” but there is one last piece to consider: PRICE. You can only get what you can get but don’t be fooled into buying a lemon. There are decent (and some downright Great) treadmills at just about every price point. I’ll go over some of the best, at least in my experience, treadmills in the under $1000 range in the next week.
Don’t despair, there is a good treadmill out there you can actually afford
Thanks to The Treadmill Sensei for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:
Hello again from the Far East on the West Coast, and greetings from the DOJO. This week, before I get in to the nuts and bolts of the treadmills and the ellipticals I work on, I’m going to start with a quick guide to how to choose a treadmill — well, how to choose a residential / home grade treadmill. Choosing a commercial treadmill tends to be a bit easier — go Star Trac, Matrix, Landice or Life Fitness and, in spite of their great ellipticals, avoid Precor treadmills. Precor is a great company, they just don’t quite have treadmills down as well as the other companies. With the commercial treadmills it’s kind of like choosing between a BMW, a Mercedes and a Lexus. It’s all about bells and whistles more than performance…they’re all great machines and we’ll talk about them another time.
Home treadmills are a tough sea to navigate for most buyers — there are so many different brands and they all look alike to outsiders. Luckily, over the past 20 or so years, I’ve had to repair just about every treadmill ever made. In other words, my pain will be your salvation!
My first piece of advice is: avoid anything and everything from Icon Health and Fitness. They’re the manufacturer of the units you’ll find at places like Sears — nothing against Sears, but the treadmills they sell tend to be on the lower end of the quality scale. Their treadmills seem to have specs that are too good to be true for their cost and, truth be told, they are. The old proverb, “you get what you pay for” comes in to play with them. Small motors with high RPMs to give them a perceived higher horsepower (most of their motors should really be rated at under 1.5 HP regardless of what they tell you — a motor the size of a soda can should not be powering a full sized treadmill!), lots of plastic pieces, tiny rollers, and generally unstable machines are par for the course for the Icon brands like Proform, Weslo, Healthrider and Image. Just stay away from them! There are better treadmills even at the more affordable prices that Icon tempts the unlearned consumer with.
On with translating the arcane lore that is treadmill purchasing for the lay person.
Let’s start with the motor. The first thing you want to do is make sure the motor is rated with “Continuous Duty.” Any sales person or manufacturer who gives you a “Peak” rating is trying to sell you a bag of magic beans. Peak is best described as the maximum a motor will perform at before it breaks down. What’s more imporant is: how the heck is that motor going to perform when you’re actually using it? Another thing a shady salesperson might mention is that a common home circuit (120v/15amps) will only let you run about 2.5 HP and any motor larger than that is a waste of money. Technically that is true (about the amps vs. HP, not the waste of money), but the larger motors will tend to last longer as they are not running at the higher RPMs of a smaller motor. And, if nothing else, the larger the motor, the smoother the “ride.” A bigger motor will allow you to run or walk on it without slipping.
The next thing to look at is the size of a treadmill’s rollers. The bigger the rollers, the longer your belt will last and the better the running experience.
Next, and this is my favorite thing — especially when recommending cardio equipment to my in-laws — the warranty. Like anything else, the better the warranty the more piece of mind you will have. The 5 year parts warranty on Spirit treadmills, for example, is one of the best in the business. For me, the more faith a manufacturer has in its own product (i.e. the warranty), the more faith I have in that product. Of course, doing repairs I absolutely love the lower end warranties as it means more paying work for me!
What’s next? The weight and stability of the machine. There is nothing worse than getting on a treadmill and having it move back and forth, or shake, or, even worse, creak as you run on it. The heavier the unit the longer it will last. If you’re used to running on a treadmill at your local gym and then get on most home units, you’ll immediately notice the difference. You don’t want to be running around on something that feels like it is going to fall apart now do you? Don’t answer, that was a rhetorical treadmill question.
The tread and the deck are where most problems for treadmills happen. When the friction from your running builds up between the deck and the tread, the badness begins. Stick with the 4-ply belts/treads that help to reduce the amount of friction, and look at units with reversable, phenolic wax coated decks. Reversable decks let you flip over your running surface to use the opposite side when the original wears down. It’s like having a free second deck if you wear out the first one.
Programs. Don’t be fooled by this. Most people only wind up using 3-4 programs. If the treadmill has 20, that’s cool, but you’ll rarely use them. If you do heart rate training, then heart rate control is great. If not, it’s just an extra you’ll never use…like the clock you’ve never set on your VCR.
Speed and Incline are worth talking about. Most treadmills can go up to about 10 miles per hour and a 10 degree incline. Don’t let speed or incline become a deciding factor unless you’re doing a lot of high speed or high incline training. Obviously, electronically controlled speed and incline are the way to go. If those feature are manual just move on.
Finally, test out the shock absorbtion. You want to make sure you aren’t running on a hard surface. This is a “feel” thing more than a “scientific” one. If the deck is bouncy, move on. If the deck feels like running on concrete, move on. If the deck moves from side to side, move on. You want to find a deck that feels good, with just enough give and little to no lateral motion.
Beyond that fans, speakers, cup holders, magazine racks and even television sets on the treadmill’s console are all just icing on the cake. It’s better to get a good treadmill without a fan or TV and spend $50 to buy your own than to get a crappy, fully loaded treadmill which will eventually just become an expensive coat rack for dirty clothes.
Now, I know I alread typed “finally” but there is one last piece to consider: PRICE. You can only get what you can get but don’t be fooled into buying a lemon. There are decent (and some downright Great) treadmills at just about every price point. I’ll go over some of the best, at least in my experience, treadmills in the under $1000 range in the next week.
Don’t despair, there is a good treadmill out there you can actually afford
Thanks to The Treadmill Sensei for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:
Treadmill weight loss workouts to build a leaner, healthy and fit body.
August 18, 2009 by Treadmills and Elliptical Trainer Tips
Filed under About Treadmill
ill weight loss is one of the more successful methods of losing weight. Treadmill weight loss helps individuals to loose weight by implementing workout routines on a treadmill machine. A treadmill weight loss workout enables user to build a healthy and fit body. Doctors, medical specialists, gym trainers and health specialists provide treadmill weight loss workout tips to individuals who desire to lose weight, build body sculptures and get into shape.
Treadmill walking workouts for weight loss have consistently provided quality results and lasting benefits. These exercises allow people to work at their own pace to burn calories effectively.
Using a good treadmill workout program has worked for many people and individuals. Treadmill workouts not only enable users to lose weight but also help users to maintain their weight loss. Treadmill weight loss is achieved by performing workouts on treadmills by virtually any age group and individuals of any activity level.
It helps people to lose weight and maintain weight loss by implementing a treadmill workout routine. A sensible, healthy and planned diet that will help users to shed their weight by unwanted pounds is implemented with along with the workout. While performing workouts on treadmills to reach treadmill weight loss targets, users need to be consistent in their planned workouts. Treadmill weight loss can be achieved if the user spends a certain length of time on the treadmill machine.
Treadmill weight loss workouts make the user walk or jog on a treadmill for certain time length and at least 5-6 days per week. Treadmill weight loss requires workouts that user spends 45 minutes or more per session on a treadmill machine. Consistency in treadmill workouts is the key to the success of treadmill weight loss.
Initially treadmill weight loss workout starts at a nice and easy pace but over the period of time the intensity and length of the workouts is increased to achieve the targets of treadmill weight loss exercise. During treadmill weight loss workout users need to keep in mind that they have their body moving for as long and fast as they can and still remain comfortable. The faster the pace during treadmill weight loss workouts on a treadmill, the more calories will be burned which will eventually lead to weight loss. Regular workouts on a treadmill increase the body’s metabolism and make more weight loss.
Treadmill weight loss exercise is the best way to lose weight provided users plan their workouts on a treadmill and make it a daily habit. Consistency in maintaining workouts is the key to success of treadmill weight loss.
Treadmill weight loss tips during walking workouts on a treadmill include maintaining a proper posture of the body, keeping the head up, relaxing the neck, swinging the arms at sides, holding the tummy in, keeping the hips relaxed & loose and concentration on breathing. Treadmill weight loss tips also include listening to music, watching TV, or talking to a friend next to you to avoid the boredom during treadmill weight loss workouts.
Treadmill weight loss workouts include numerous programs. Making treadmill weight loss workout a daily habit makes achieving weight loss ambitions more likely. Incorporation of 3-4 treadmill workout sessions each week is a planned program of treadmill weight loss. Forcing the body to become conditioned to more intense workout is another treadmill weight loss program. Treadmill weight loss sessions or interval workouts cause people to burn more calories and make the workout less monotonous. Treadmill weight loss workout includes swinging of arms and variety of arm movements during walking workouts, which increases the metabolic rate and causes weight loss.
Treadmill weight loss workouts help users to achieve their weight loss goals and have a positive impact on all aspects of their life including fitness, the way they look, the way they walk, etc. Treadmill weight loss workout on a treadmill machine is a simple way to reach weight loss goals.
Thanks to Saurya Ghosal for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:
Treadmill walking workouts for weight loss have consistently provided quality results and lasting benefits. These exercises allow people to work at their own pace to burn calories effectively.
Using a good treadmill workout program has worked for many people and individuals. Treadmill workouts not only enable users to lose weight but also help users to maintain their weight loss. Treadmill weight loss is achieved by performing workouts on treadmills by virtually any age group and individuals of any activity level.
It helps people to lose weight and maintain weight loss by implementing a treadmill workout routine. A sensible, healthy and planned diet that will help users to shed their weight by unwanted pounds is implemented with along with the workout. While performing workouts on treadmills to reach treadmill weight loss targets, users need to be consistent in their planned workouts. Treadmill weight loss can be achieved if the user spends a certain length of time on the treadmill machine.
Treadmill weight loss workouts make the user walk or jog on a treadmill for certain time length and at least 5-6 days per week. Treadmill weight loss requires workouts that user spends 45 minutes or more per session on a treadmill machine. Consistency in treadmill workouts is the key to the success of treadmill weight loss.
Initially treadmill weight loss workout starts at a nice and easy pace but over the period of time the intensity and length of the workouts is increased to achieve the targets of treadmill weight loss exercise. During treadmill weight loss workout users need to keep in mind that they have their body moving for as long and fast as they can and still remain comfortable. The faster the pace during treadmill weight loss workouts on a treadmill, the more calories will be burned which will eventually lead to weight loss. Regular workouts on a treadmill increase the body’s metabolism and make more weight loss.
Treadmill weight loss exercise is the best way to lose weight provided users plan their workouts on a treadmill and make it a daily habit. Consistency in maintaining workouts is the key to success of treadmill weight loss.
Treadmill weight loss tips during walking workouts on a treadmill include maintaining a proper posture of the body, keeping the head up, relaxing the neck, swinging the arms at sides, holding the tummy in, keeping the hips relaxed & loose and concentration on breathing. Treadmill weight loss tips also include listening to music, watching TV, or talking to a friend next to you to avoid the boredom during treadmill weight loss workouts.
Treadmill weight loss workouts include numerous programs. Making treadmill weight loss workout a daily habit makes achieving weight loss ambitions more likely. Incorporation of 3-4 treadmill workout sessions each week is a planned program of treadmill weight loss. Forcing the body to become conditioned to more intense workout is another treadmill weight loss program. Treadmill weight loss sessions or interval workouts cause people to burn more calories and make the workout less monotonous. Treadmill weight loss workout includes swinging of arms and variety of arm movements during walking workouts, which increases the metabolic rate and causes weight loss.
Treadmill weight loss workouts help users to achieve their weight loss goals and have a positive impact on all aspects of their life including fitness, the way they look, the way they walk, etc. Treadmill weight loss workout on a treadmill machine is a simple way to reach weight loss goals.
Thanks to Saurya Ghosal for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:
Treadmill Buying Tips
August 17, 2009 by Treadmills and Elliptical Trainer Tips
Filed under About Treadmill
Checking out treadmill ratings and treadmill reviews are an absolute must. A well-constructed treadmill is a piece of home exercise equipment that every member of your family can enjoy, from young to old. Treadmills are simple to use, but can be dangerous in the wrong hands or around children.
AC motors that are found in some treadmill units run at one continuous speed and rely on a transmission to regulate speed whereas units powered by DC motors use variable voltage to regulate the speed at which the belt spins. There are two types of frames - aluminum and steel; steel is heavier than the more expensive aluminum, which potentially increases stability but steel (not aluminum) may also rust or corrode from sweat. With treadmills you need to watch out for the impact involved when your feet hit the belt; your body absorbs up to two and a half times your body weight.
A heart rate monitor enables a treadmill to automatically adjust the speed and/or the incline to keep your heart rate within the most optimum zone. Quite a few of the treadmills available today have the ability to add an incline to your workout to duplicate running or walking uphill, thereby increasing the intensity of your workout. The more expensive treadmill models will offer a selection of preprogrammed exercise routines.
A heart rate monitor is a very good, useful feature to look for on a machine. Safety features on a treadmill are especially important if you plan to work out alone or if you have small children who might accidentally start up the treadmill. Features such as extra cup holders, built-in fans, CD players and other electronic gizmos may be handy but not essential for you to get an ideal workout.
Display panels should be easy to read and straightforward to operate. Some excellent features, like heart monitors and safety keys that automatically stop the treadmill if you slip, will contribute to the enjoyment and safety of your treadmill workout or help add motivation.
It’s definitely possible to find a good model that’s not very popular, but is still a good buy. When buying a treadmill, the best savings will be for an online purchase, generally saving up to 45% over brick and mortar stores. If you’re planning to use a treadmill purely for walking you’re not likely to need an expensive top-of-the-line machine.
Treadmill manufacturers are competing for your business and price wars are creating big savings for buyers. If you can afford to buy a treadmill with a heart rate monitor, it’ll be a good investment in your health. It’s important to set a strict budget and then stick to it.
Make sure to add the cost of shipping when buying a treadmill online; quality models can be heavy and shipping will cost more, but some manufacturers do offer free shipping. After-sales service is another important issue to think about; find out if they’ll promptly repair or replace your treadmill if there is a problem. Be careful not to believe the marketing hype if you’re looking for a cheap treadmill; the truth is you get what you pay for.
When you’re reading treadmill ratings or treadmill reviews, they’ll usually cover safety statistics, the heart rate monitor, the various merits of the interactive model and computer fitness programs and levels. If there’s a treadmill you’ve enjoyed using regularly at your local gym or fitness center check to see if there’s a home version available in your price range.
When planning your purchase always take into account any other members of your family, or roommates, who’ll be using your treadmill. When your equipment is up and running, get the right lubricants and cleaners to take good care of it.
As you increase your fitness levels, a quality treadmill will continue to assist your exercise needs as you progress to light jogging or to running. Selections of preprogrammed exercise routines are not essential to obtaining a good workout from a treadmill, but they do help to provide motivation.
Running or walking on a treadmill can be an effective way to workout compared to other more complex cardiovascular exercises. Treadmills are known to provide one of the best ways to improve cardiovascular fitness.
By following the above tips you’re sure to find the best treadmill for you. No matter what your reasons are for buying a treadmill, be sure to find one that fits your needs and the needs of your family. Buying a treadmill is an excellent investment for getting into shape, understanding of course, that you actually use it.
Thanks to Helen Hecker for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:
AC motors that are found in some treadmill units run at one continuous speed and rely on a transmission to regulate speed whereas units powered by DC motors use variable voltage to regulate the speed at which the belt spins. There are two types of frames - aluminum and steel; steel is heavier than the more expensive aluminum, which potentially increases stability but steel (not aluminum) may also rust or corrode from sweat. With treadmills you need to watch out for the impact involved when your feet hit the belt; your body absorbs up to two and a half times your body weight.
A heart rate monitor enables a treadmill to automatically adjust the speed and/or the incline to keep your heart rate within the most optimum zone. Quite a few of the treadmills available today have the ability to add an incline to your workout to duplicate running or walking uphill, thereby increasing the intensity of your workout. The more expensive treadmill models will offer a selection of preprogrammed exercise routines.
A heart rate monitor is a very good, useful feature to look for on a machine. Safety features on a treadmill are especially important if you plan to work out alone or if you have small children who might accidentally start up the treadmill. Features such as extra cup holders, built-in fans, CD players and other electronic gizmos may be handy but not essential for you to get an ideal workout.
Display panels should be easy to read and straightforward to operate. Some excellent features, like heart monitors and safety keys that automatically stop the treadmill if you slip, will contribute to the enjoyment and safety of your treadmill workout or help add motivation.
It’s definitely possible to find a good model that’s not very popular, but is still a good buy. When buying a treadmill, the best savings will be for an online purchase, generally saving up to 45% over brick and mortar stores. If you’re planning to use a treadmill purely for walking you’re not likely to need an expensive top-of-the-line machine.
Treadmill manufacturers are competing for your business and price wars are creating big savings for buyers. If you can afford to buy a treadmill with a heart rate monitor, it’ll be a good investment in your health. It’s important to set a strict budget and then stick to it.
Make sure to add the cost of shipping when buying a treadmill online; quality models can be heavy and shipping will cost more, but some manufacturers do offer free shipping. After-sales service is another important issue to think about; find out if they’ll promptly repair or replace your treadmill if there is a problem. Be careful not to believe the marketing hype if you’re looking for a cheap treadmill; the truth is you get what you pay for.
When you’re reading treadmill ratings or treadmill reviews, they’ll usually cover safety statistics, the heart rate monitor, the various merits of the interactive model and computer fitness programs and levels. If there’s a treadmill you’ve enjoyed using regularly at your local gym or fitness center check to see if there’s a home version available in your price range.
When planning your purchase always take into account any other members of your family, or roommates, who’ll be using your treadmill. When your equipment is up and running, get the right lubricants and cleaners to take good care of it.
As you increase your fitness levels, a quality treadmill will continue to assist your exercise needs as you progress to light jogging or to running. Selections of preprogrammed exercise routines are not essential to obtaining a good workout from a treadmill, but they do help to provide motivation.
Running or walking on a treadmill can be an effective way to workout compared to other more complex cardiovascular exercises. Treadmills are known to provide one of the best ways to improve cardiovascular fitness.
By following the above tips you’re sure to find the best treadmill for you. No matter what your reasons are for buying a treadmill, be sure to find one that fits your needs and the needs of your family. Buying a treadmill is an excellent investment for getting into shape, understanding of course, that you actually use it.
Thanks to Helen Hecker for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:
For more information on saving money on treadmills and best buy shopping for treadmills online and offline go to http://www.Best-Treadmill-Tips.com Helen Hecker R.N.’s website specializing in treadmill tips, advice and resources, including information on treadmill ratings and treadmill reviews
Basic Guide To Buying A Used Treadmill
August 17, 2009 by Treadmills and Elliptical Trainer Tips
Filed under About Treadmill
Treadmills are very helpful exercise equipment, but they can be quite costly. People who have tight budgets but still want the expediency of a treadmill at home could opt for a used treadmill.
There are many people who buy class treadmills and then find that they do not have the time or liking to work out. Such treadmills often find their way to used treadmill stores. Those treadmills may be hardly used at all yet can be found at dirt-cheap charge.
Used treadmill sellers also tweak their treadmills a little and renovate them, so that the resold product is sometimes better than the original one. Used treadmills can be found in stores that sell used exercise apparatus but most used treadmill sales take place over the Internet.
Occasionally gyms and health clubs may sell their old treadmills when they plan to modernize. These treadmills are generally the best. Treadmills used in gyms and health clubs are sturdier and more heavy-duty than home treadmills.
Before buying a treadmill
Before buying a treadmill one has to keep few things in mind. The treadmill to be purchased should be in the customer’s budget. It should provide natural walk or run. It should have a good motor. The treadmill duty rating should fall continuous and peak. It should have a longest warranty on the motor.
The treadmill should have stability and smooth ride. There will not be acceptance for shaky and jerky ride. One has to have a sturdy feeling and have a good position to grip easily. There should not be any block for arm motion. There must be a wide belt, which is long enough for the stride. The incline and speed can be easily adjustable from the console. It must have a good monitor. It must be easily foldable. One has to check its movements. It should not make any noise and occupy less space.
As going for a used treadmill, the first thing to check is that the moving parts all function correctly. In fact, one must use the treadmill for a couple of minutes to see that everything is in working order. If the treadmill belt moves clumsily, then there is a trouble with it. Treadmills also tend to get noisier as their lubrication wears off. Check that the used treadmill is not too noisy. Be sure to ask the storekeeper about the history of the treadmill before purchase.
A skilled eye can assume the wear and tear of the treadmill by observing the tread of the belt, the paint on the handrails, the functioning of the console. Without the console functioning properly, one may not be able to use most of the features of the treadmill.
Compare the price:
The cost of a used treadmill depends on its age and quality. Be sure to crosscheck the current original price of the treadmill. There should be enough difference in the costs of the new and used treadmills to reimburse for its usage.
Used treadmill sellers also give short-term warranties. There is no point buying a used treadmill that is already of a cheap make. If at all one decides to buy a used treadmill, opt for the high-quality products. Cheaper treadmills are less sturdy and may break down within days of installation at the house.
Thanks to Paul Hata for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:
There are many people who buy class treadmills and then find that they do not have the time or liking to work out. Such treadmills often find their way to used treadmill stores. Those treadmills may be hardly used at all yet can be found at dirt-cheap charge.
Used treadmill sellers also tweak their treadmills a little and renovate them, so that the resold product is sometimes better than the original one. Used treadmills can be found in stores that sell used exercise apparatus but most used treadmill sales take place over the Internet.
Occasionally gyms and health clubs may sell their old treadmills when they plan to modernize. These treadmills are generally the best. Treadmills used in gyms and health clubs are sturdier and more heavy-duty than home treadmills.
Before buying a treadmill
Before buying a treadmill one has to keep few things in mind. The treadmill to be purchased should be in the customer’s budget. It should provide natural walk or run. It should have a good motor. The treadmill duty rating should fall continuous and peak. It should have a longest warranty on the motor.
The treadmill should have stability and smooth ride. There will not be acceptance for shaky and jerky ride. One has to have a sturdy feeling and have a good position to grip easily. There should not be any block for arm motion. There must be a wide belt, which is long enough for the stride. The incline and speed can be easily adjustable from the console. It must have a good monitor. It must be easily foldable. One has to check its movements. It should not make any noise and occupy less space.
As going for a used treadmill, the first thing to check is that the moving parts all function correctly. In fact, one must use the treadmill for a couple of minutes to see that everything is in working order. If the treadmill belt moves clumsily, then there is a trouble with it. Treadmills also tend to get noisier as their lubrication wears off. Check that the used treadmill is not too noisy. Be sure to ask the storekeeper about the history of the treadmill before purchase.
A skilled eye can assume the wear and tear of the treadmill by observing the tread of the belt, the paint on the handrails, the functioning of the console. Without the console functioning properly, one may not be able to use most of the features of the treadmill.
Compare the price:
The cost of a used treadmill depends on its age and quality. Be sure to crosscheck the current original price of the treadmill. There should be enough difference in the costs of the new and used treadmills to reimburse for its usage.
Used treadmill sellers also give short-term warranties. There is no point buying a used treadmill that is already of a cheap make. If at all one decides to buy a used treadmill, opt for the high-quality products. Cheaper treadmills are less sturdy and may break down within days of installation at the house.
Thanks to Paul Hata for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:
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Treadmill Review 2009
August 15, 2009 by Treadmills and Elliptical Trainer Tips
Filed under About Treadmill
The followng is a synthesis of information provided from ConsurmerSearch.com. They, in turn, have sythensized reviews from multiple sources
Best Among Cheap Treadmills
Golds Gym 450
Few professional reviewers pay much attention to super-cheap treadmills, but TreadmillDoctor.com does rank the Gold’s Gym 450 alongside other models. TreadmillTips.com’s review doesn’t refer to any testing, but it does a better job outlining the Gold’s Gym 450’s features than TreadmillDoctor.com does. Nearly 400 users post mostly positive reviews for this treadmill at Walmart.com, but they often post soon after purchase, so these reviews don’t shed any light on the Gold’s Gym 450’s durability over the long term.
The Gold’s Gym 450 has one thing going for it, reviews say: It’s cheap. Experts find little else to praise about this treadmill, although one reviewer points out that it does include some nice features for a machine at this price point, such as a quick-set speed control and power incline. Reviews recommend the Gold’s Gym 450 more often than other under-$500 treadmills, such as the ProForm 380E (*est. $400), which has a slightly weaker motor and lower user weight limit. Owners say the Gold’s Gym 450 works well for walking, and the belt is both short and narrow. Experts are leery of this treadmill’s short warranty (5 years motor, 1 year frame, 90 days parts and labor). They are more likely to recommend spending a little more for a sturdier treadmill, such as the Gold’s Gym Maxx Crosswalk 650 (*est. $600).
Best-Value Treadmill for Walking
Golds Gym Maxx Crosswalk 650
Expert testers at TreadmillDoctor.com and Consumer Reports rate treadmills on several measures and then clearly rank the best models. TreadmillTalk.com’s review is based on other experts’ and users’ opinions, rather than on its own testing. The Gold’s Gym Maxx CrossWalk 650 gets plenty of user feedback at Walmart.com, giving some insight into how this treadmill performs for its owners.
The Gold’s Gym Maxx CrossWalk 650 is the least expensive treadmill that experts recommend with any enthusiasm. Unlike other budget treadmills, such as the Gold’s Gym 450 (*est. $375) — which reviews say probably won’t be especially durable — the Maxx CrossWalk 650 comes with a lifetime warranty on its frame and 25 years on its motor. Reviewers are impressed with upscale features such as adjustable cushioning and quick-set speed and incline controls. However, experts and users find fault with some features, such as the hand-grip heart rate monitor that fails to work properly in several reviews. The one-year parts-and-labor warranty is relatively short, and the Maxx CrossWalk 650 isn’t recommended as often as the more expensive Sole F63 (*est. $1,000) with its heftier warranty. Reviews also recommend the CrossWalk 650 only for walking, saying the 1.75-hp motor isn’t powerful enough for running.
Best Value for Walking and some jogging
Sole F63
TreadmillDoctor.com and Consumer Reports test the Sole F63, score it on several measures and rank it against other treadmills. Reviewers at TreadmillSensei.com, TreadmillTalk.com and About.com make only brief comparisons between the Sole F63 and other treadmills, and they do not mention testing the F63 themselves.
If you mostly walk or jog on your treadmill, reviews suggest you probably don’t need to spend more than $1,000. Experts are most likely to recommend the Sole F63, which has the best warranty in its price range (lifetime motor and frame; three years deck, electronics, belt and rollers; and one year labor). You won’t find a warranty like that on cheaper treadmills like the Gold’s Gym Maxx CrossWalk 650 (*est. $600), reviews say. However, if you plan to run a lot on your treadmill, critics say you may want to step up to the Sole F80 (*est. $1,500), which offers more speed, a more powerful motor and bigger rollers than the F63.
Best All-Around Treadmill
Sole F80
A variety of specialty treadmill-review websites, including TreadmillDoctor.com, TreadmillSensei.com, TreadmillTips.com and Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com, weigh in on the Sole F80, as do owners posting at Amazon.com. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports does not include this treadmill in its comparison tests, nor is it tested by Runner’s World.
All of the sources we consulted are in solid agreement about the Sole F80 folding treadmill, calling it the best treadmill in its price range. This machine has a generous 350-pound weight limit with big rollers that help reduce wear and tear. One especially credible reviewer praises the Sole F80’s hydraulically-assisted folding action, which makes it easy to store. Its belt is comfortably wide (20 inches) but only 55 inches long, so although the F80 is sturdy enough for running, reviews say tall runners may want to step up to the Sole F85 (*est. $1,750), which has a longer belt. The Sole F80’s warranty (lifetime motor, deck and frame; five years electronics, belt, rollers and labor; and two years in-home service) is one of the best at this price. If you don’t think you’ll do much (or any) running on your treadmill, reviews say you probably don’t need to spend so much. Consider the Sole F63 (*est. $1,000) or Gold’s Gym Maxx CrossWalk 650 (*est. $600) instead.
Best Heavy-Duty Treadmill for Daily Runners
Landice L7 Cardio Trainer
TreadmillDoctor.com and Consumer Reports both subject the Landice L7 Cardio Trainer to expert testing and rank it against other treadmills, but neither provides much information about the model’s features. Runner’s World gets runners to test treadmills, and it provides more detailed test results, but it does not score or rank models. The review at TreadmillSensei.com is longer than the others; it is based on the reviewer’s personal experience with the L7 Cardio Trainer. About.com includes the L7 Cardio Trainer in a list of the best $3,000-and-up treadmills, but it provides almost no information about the treadmills on the list.
If you run on your treadmill every day, experts say the heavy-duty Landice L7 Cardio Trainer) is well worth its relatively high price. Its powerful 4-horsepower motor and inch-thick running deck are built for abuse, reviews say, and you won’t find the L7 Cardio Trainer’s warranty (lifetime frame/parts/wear items, one year labor) on even the best mid-priced treadmills, such as the Sole F80 (*est. $1,500). The L7 Cardio Trainer doesn’t fold up or have that many bells and whistles, but critics are more likely to recommend the more basic L7 Cardio Trainer than any other upscale treadmill. They mostly like the features it does include, such as a wireless chest strap heart rate monitor, which is optional on the less expensive Landice L7 Pro Trainer (*est. $3,000). Another less expensive Landice, the L7 Pro Sports Trainer (*est. $3,000), does include the monitor, but reviews more often recommend the L7 Cardio Trainer with its additional built-in workout programs. More than one review cautions buyers to read the fine print on the Landice warranty, to make sure they don’t do anything to invalidate it.
Best Treadmill for Incline/Decline Training
PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR
We found the best review of the PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR at Runner’s World, which conducts thorough tests of various models. (Since Runner’s World is aimed at serious athletes, it considers treadmills in a higher price range). TreadmillDoctor.com, an online retailer of treadmill accessories, also reviews this model, and we supplemented these analyses with reports from Treadmilltips.com and Bodybuilding.com. Consumer Reports also includes the PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR in its latest roundup of treadmills.
The PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR treadmill is unique in that it features a negative incline (down to a -3 percent grade), helpful for those who want to strengthen the fronts of their legs by simulating downhill running. A wide range of programs includes six “Virtual Reality” courses that automatically adjust the incline along the route. The PaceMaster treadmill has a wide and long 20 by 60-inch belt and a high user weight limit of 400 pounds, so it’s appropriate for heavier individuals. Although there’s a lot of competition in this price range, reviews say the negative incline really sets this model apart. If you are a more occasional runner that doesn’t need the decline feature, you can spend less by considering the Sole F80 (*est. $1,500) or F63 (*est. $1,000), both of which have a 15-percent incline but no decline.
All of the treadmills reviewed above can be purchased at considerable savings from Treadmill Bargains 4U at http://www.treadmillbargains4u.com.
Thanks to Robert Meyer for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:
Best Among Cheap Treadmills
Golds Gym 450
Few professional reviewers pay much attention to super-cheap treadmills, but TreadmillDoctor.com does rank the Gold’s Gym 450 alongside other models. TreadmillTips.com’s review doesn’t refer to any testing, but it does a better job outlining the Gold’s Gym 450’s features than TreadmillDoctor.com does. Nearly 400 users post mostly positive reviews for this treadmill at Walmart.com, but they often post soon after purchase, so these reviews don’t shed any light on the Gold’s Gym 450’s durability over the long term.
The Gold’s Gym 450 has one thing going for it, reviews say: It’s cheap. Experts find little else to praise about this treadmill, although one reviewer points out that it does include some nice features for a machine at this price point, such as a quick-set speed control and power incline. Reviews recommend the Gold’s Gym 450 more often than other under-$500 treadmills, such as the ProForm 380E (*est. $400), which has a slightly weaker motor and lower user weight limit. Owners say the Gold’s Gym 450 works well for walking, and the belt is both short and narrow. Experts are leery of this treadmill’s short warranty (5 years motor, 1 year frame, 90 days parts and labor). They are more likely to recommend spending a little more for a sturdier treadmill, such as the Gold’s Gym Maxx Crosswalk 650 (*est. $600).
Best-Value Treadmill for Walking
Golds Gym Maxx Crosswalk 650
Expert testers at TreadmillDoctor.com and Consumer Reports rate treadmills on several measures and then clearly rank the best models. TreadmillTalk.com’s review is based on other experts’ and users’ opinions, rather than on its own testing. The Gold’s Gym Maxx CrossWalk 650 gets plenty of user feedback at Walmart.com, giving some insight into how this treadmill performs for its owners.
The Gold’s Gym Maxx CrossWalk 650 is the least expensive treadmill that experts recommend with any enthusiasm. Unlike other budget treadmills, such as the Gold’s Gym 450 (*est. $375) — which reviews say probably won’t be especially durable — the Maxx CrossWalk 650 comes with a lifetime warranty on its frame and 25 years on its motor. Reviewers are impressed with upscale features such as adjustable cushioning and quick-set speed and incline controls. However, experts and users find fault with some features, such as the hand-grip heart rate monitor that fails to work properly in several reviews. The one-year parts-and-labor warranty is relatively short, and the Maxx CrossWalk 650 isn’t recommended as often as the more expensive Sole F63 (*est. $1,000) with its heftier warranty. Reviews also recommend the CrossWalk 650 only for walking, saying the 1.75-hp motor isn’t powerful enough for running.
Best Value for Walking and some jogging
Sole F63
TreadmillDoctor.com and Consumer Reports test the Sole F63, score it on several measures and rank it against other treadmills. Reviewers at TreadmillSensei.com, TreadmillTalk.com and About.com make only brief comparisons between the Sole F63 and other treadmills, and they do not mention testing the F63 themselves.
If you mostly walk or jog on your treadmill, reviews suggest you probably don’t need to spend more than $1,000. Experts are most likely to recommend the Sole F63, which has the best warranty in its price range (lifetime motor and frame; three years deck, electronics, belt and rollers; and one year labor). You won’t find a warranty like that on cheaper treadmills like the Gold’s Gym Maxx CrossWalk 650 (*est. $600), reviews say. However, if you plan to run a lot on your treadmill, critics say you may want to step up to the Sole F80 (*est. $1,500), which offers more speed, a more powerful motor and bigger rollers than the F63.
Best All-Around Treadmill
Sole F80
A variety of specialty treadmill-review websites, including TreadmillDoctor.com, TreadmillSensei.com, TreadmillTips.com and Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com, weigh in on the Sole F80, as do owners posting at Amazon.com. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports does not include this treadmill in its comparison tests, nor is it tested by Runner’s World.
All of the sources we consulted are in solid agreement about the Sole F80 folding treadmill, calling it the best treadmill in its price range. This machine has a generous 350-pound weight limit with big rollers that help reduce wear and tear. One especially credible reviewer praises the Sole F80’s hydraulically-assisted folding action, which makes it easy to store. Its belt is comfortably wide (20 inches) but only 55 inches long, so although the F80 is sturdy enough for running, reviews say tall runners may want to step up to the Sole F85 (*est. $1,750), which has a longer belt. The Sole F80’s warranty (lifetime motor, deck and frame; five years electronics, belt, rollers and labor; and two years in-home service) is one of the best at this price. If you don’t think you’ll do much (or any) running on your treadmill, reviews say you probably don’t need to spend so much. Consider the Sole F63 (*est. $1,000) or Gold’s Gym Maxx CrossWalk 650 (*est. $600) instead.
Best Heavy-Duty Treadmill for Daily Runners
Landice L7 Cardio Trainer
TreadmillDoctor.com and Consumer Reports both subject the Landice L7 Cardio Trainer to expert testing and rank it against other treadmills, but neither provides much information about the model’s features. Runner’s World gets runners to test treadmills, and it provides more detailed test results, but it does not score or rank models. The review at TreadmillSensei.com is longer than the others; it is based on the reviewer’s personal experience with the L7 Cardio Trainer. About.com includes the L7 Cardio Trainer in a list of the best $3,000-and-up treadmills, but it provides almost no information about the treadmills on the list.
If you run on your treadmill every day, experts say the heavy-duty Landice L7 Cardio Trainer) is well worth its relatively high price. Its powerful 4-horsepower motor and inch-thick running deck are built for abuse, reviews say, and you won’t find the L7 Cardio Trainer’s warranty (lifetime frame/parts/wear items, one year labor) on even the best mid-priced treadmills, such as the Sole F80 (*est. $1,500). The L7 Cardio Trainer doesn’t fold up or have that many bells and whistles, but critics are more likely to recommend the more basic L7 Cardio Trainer than any other upscale treadmill. They mostly like the features it does include, such as a wireless chest strap heart rate monitor, which is optional on the less expensive Landice L7 Pro Trainer (*est. $3,000). Another less expensive Landice, the L7 Pro Sports Trainer (*est. $3,000), does include the monitor, but reviews more often recommend the L7 Cardio Trainer with its additional built-in workout programs. More than one review cautions buyers to read the fine print on the Landice warranty, to make sure they don’t do anything to invalidate it.
Best Treadmill for Incline/Decline Training
PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR
We found the best review of the PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR at Runner’s World, which conducts thorough tests of various models. (Since Runner’s World is aimed at serious athletes, it considers treadmills in a higher price range). TreadmillDoctor.com, an online retailer of treadmill accessories, also reviews this model, and we supplemented these analyses with reports from Treadmilltips.com and Bodybuilding.com. Consumer Reports also includes the PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR in its latest roundup of treadmills.
The PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR treadmill is unique in that it features a negative incline (down to a -3 percent grade), helpful for those who want to strengthen the fronts of their legs by simulating downhill running. A wide range of programs includes six “Virtual Reality” courses that automatically adjust the incline along the route. The PaceMaster treadmill has a wide and long 20 by 60-inch belt and a high user weight limit of 400 pounds, so it’s appropriate for heavier individuals. Although there’s a lot of competition in this price range, reviews say the negative incline really sets this model apart. If you are a more occasional runner that doesn’t need the decline feature, you can spend less by considering the Sole F80 (*est. $1,500) or F63 (*est. $1,000), both of which have a 15-percent incline but no decline.
All of the treadmills reviewed above can be purchased at considerable savings from Treadmill Bargains 4U at http://www.treadmillbargains4u.com.
Thanks to Robert Meyer for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:
The writer operates a blog and store, Treadmill Discounts 4U, selling treadmills and ellipticals at http://www.treadmillbargains4u.com. He has another store featuring a full line of exercise equipment at http://heartsmartexercise.com
