Today, fitness equipment manufacturers are trying to meet the high demand for home exercise treadmills. There are many competing models of treadmills, from inexpensive to expensive, to choose between. Of all the different types of home exercise equipment that have come and gone, the home exercise treadmill has lasted throughout the years.

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. A few treadmill models, which have rollers, are powered by the user rather than a motor. Treadmill cushioning absorbs the force of your step; get good cushioning to lower the impact on your joints and ligaments.

Some treadmills monitor your heart by way of sensors built into the frame, which is gripped by your hands, but can only be done if you’re walking not running. Less expensive treadmill models require you to manually change the incline, which can be very frustrating if you want to make adjustments midway through a workout session. One of the key things to remember is that the larger motors tend to run cooler and usually require less repair and maintenance.

A heart rate monitor is a very good, useful feature to look for on a machine. The newest models of treadmills come with many extra features that you may not need. Most treadmills come with an electronic console that displays workout feedback such as speed, distance traveled, time you’ve been working out, and calories burned.

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.

Keep in mind that what feels right to you may not accommodate others around you as comfortably. Most manufacturers of commercial treadmills found in gyms and health clubs also produce home versions. You might want to bring your water bottle and towel to the treadmill store and try out their treadmills.

One indication of the likely longevity of any treadmill is to check out the length of the manufacturer’s warranty; the longer the better. 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. Buying a treadmill online has become the way to go for most people; it’ll save you both time and a lot of money.

Do your research; treadmills are an important investment, regardless of the price, and if it’s not right for you, you don’t want to find out after you’ve set the treadmill up at home. Before buying, make sure the deck area provides enough space for you to exercise in comfort and the belt should work smoothly without slipping or sticking. Treadmill manufacturers are competing for your business and price wars are creating big savings for buyers.

Check out the level of noise that a treadmill makes during operation; something that many buyers overlook. Less expensive treadmill models may be fine for walkers but may not hold up as well for regular or seasoned runners.

The first thing to consider when shopping for a home treadmill is what you need it to do for you. The more incline variation offered in a treadmill unit, the more expensive the model will be.

Be careful, because any type of jogging or running, whether on a treadmill or not, puts strain on leg and hip joints. Selections of preprogrammed exercise routines are not essential to obtaining a good workout from a treadmill, but they do help to provide motivation. Better quality treadmills provide excellent cushioning to limit the impact on knees, ankles, hips and lower backs. The more programs the treadmill has to offer the more you can vary your workout and you’ll be likely to continue exercising on a regular basis.

Besides spending your money on a treadmill make sure you spend time on it! By following the above tips you’re sure to find the best treadmill for you. A treadmill is a good investment for anyone who has decided to make a conscious effort to become healthy and fit.



Thanks to Helen Hecker for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:

Manual Folding Treadmill

Can you answer Samantha’s question about Treadmill?:

I go to the gym usually 2 - 4 times a week, and I have lost a bit of weight, but I still have a bit of flab on my stomach. I usually go on the elliptical for 45 minutes, and then the treadmill for 45 minutes (alternating 5 minutes running/brisk walk). I’m just wondering, what do you find burns flab better, an elliptical trainer, or a treadmill?
Thank you.

Sole F83 Fitness Treadmill

Buying an elliptical? You may want to look at several elliptical trainer ratings before buying to get an idea of which elliptical trainers are best for you.

Before you look at elliptical trainer ratings however, here are a few things you should know about how elliptical trainers are rated:

#1 Elliptical Trainers are Rated in Specific Price Groups

There are really 3 categories of elliptical trainers: Economy Buys, Mid-priced and Commecial Grade ellipticals.

Economy buys range from about $300 to $1000. Mid-priced ellipticals range from $1000-$2000. High End or Commercial elliptical trainers range from about $2200 and above.

When experts go to rate elliptical trainers they usually compare the elliptical trainers within price class.

So just because an economy elliptical trainer gets 5 stars and a mid-priced elliptical gets 4 stars, that doesn’t mean the economy elliptical is better than the mid-priced elliptical. It just means that compared to other economy elliptical trainers, that one is superior.

#2 Experts Value Elliptical Features Differently

Ever wonder why certain elliptical trainers get rated highly by some experts and not by others? It’s because different elliptical trainer raters value some features over others.

So for example, while Consumer Reports may give more weight to long warranties and stability, Consumer Guide may value smoothness of ride or ease of use.

It doesn’t mean one elliptical trainer is better than another - it could just mean they are rated using different criteria.

#3 Use Caution When Reading User Elliptical Ratings

In addition to expert elliptical ratings, there are also websites that allow people to write a personal review of their crosstrainer. While these can be helpful when shopping for an elliptical, be cautious of basing your decision just on these ratings.

Exercise equipment is big business and some companies are not above having one of their employees post negative reviews on their competitors.

Also, no one elliptical brand has a perfect track record - sometimes even the best brands make a dud. And those are usually the people that go online to post a negative review. Those people who are happy with their elliptical are less likely to post a comment.

Bottom Line? Take user ratings with a grain of salt and compare them to your own research when deciding on your elliptical trainer.

So those are three key things to keep in mind when looking at elliptical trainer ratings. Hopefully they will help you choose the very best elliptical for you!



Thanks to Kathryn Oneill for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:

Best Elliptical Machines

Of all the different types of home exercise equipment that have come and gone, the home exercise treadmill has lasted throughout the years. The quality and features of any treadmill is reflected in the price. Basic treadmill models can start at $100 and can go up to $5000.

A treadmill consists of a wide belt that’s stretched over a bed and around two or more rollers. For a standard treadmill motor look for HP of around 2.5HP, this will ensure an easy and smooth action. 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.

Some treadmills monitor your heart by way of sensors built into the frame that are gripped by your hands, but can only be done if you’re walking not running. The console indicates the belt speed and other factors, such as heart rate, miles per hour, and distance. 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.

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. Adjustable inclines let you vary the steepness of a hill. People, who don’t have enough room for a bulky exercise machine, may want to consider a folding treadmill; they collapse to allow for easy storage.

A pre-programmed workout registers your heart rate without being connected to the treadmill by a cord or wire. One of the key things to remember is that the larger motors tend to run cooler and usually require less repair and maintenance.

The more incline variation offered in a treadmill unit, the more expensive the model will be. Consider the cost of maintaining your treadmill as well. Did I mention to make sure to check out the warranty fine print, this is very important.

You might want to bring your water bottle and towel to the treadmill store and try out their treadmills. You’ll probably want to buy a unit with a motor that delivers 1.5 to 3 continuous, not peak, horsepower. When buying a treadmill, the best savings will be for an online purchase, generally saving up to 45% over brick and mortar stores.

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. Warranties can last for ninety days or a lifetime, read the fine print. 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.

A major consideration when buying a treadmill is how the machine is constructed. Buying a treadmill online has become the way to go for most people; it’ll save you both time and a lot of money.

Noise from the smallest repetitive sound can drive you nuts over a period of time and give you another excuse not to exercise. Less expensive treadmill models may be fine for walkers but may not hold up as well for regular or seasoned runners.

Be careful, because any type of jogging or running, whether on a treadmill or not, puts strain on leg and hip joints. Selections of preprogrammed exercise routines are not essential to obtaining a good workout from a treadmill, but they do help to provide motivation. Walking, whether on a treadmill or not, is one of the best approaches anyone can take toward physical fitness. Running or walking on a treadmill is an effective way to workout compared to other more complex cardiovascular exercises.

And remember, home exercise treadmills are a large investment financially and in your fitness and much thought and preparation should go into the purchase of any new treadmill. By following the above tips you’re sure to find the best treadmill for you. For most people buying a home exercise treadmill is going to be a major investment.



Thanks to Helen Hecker for contributing this article to our Treadmill blog:

Used Life Fitness Treadmills

Can you answer Ash’s question about Treadmill?:

I really want to get a nice body and I want to get a home gym so that I don’t have to go to the gym. What are some good home gyms and what would be the cost of the machine? Thanks to all who answer!

Elliptical Cardio Cross Trainer