Electric Treadmill

What to Look for in an Electric Treamill

Now that you have decided on an electric treadmill as your preferred exercise equipment, it’s time to get serious and search for the right machine. We have listed some of the basic criteria you should look for in a quality treadmill below.

Foot Print/Flexibility

The first consideration should be the size of the machine and convenience features related to storage of the machine. Obviously you have a particular place in your home in mind for the location. Make sure to measure the space you intend to use and leave enough extra space for people to move around the unit. Don’t do things backwards and buy a machine by visual estimation only to get home and find out it doesn’t fit or is too cramped for your space. If you are limited on space, there are units with smaller foot prints and also some that will fold up when not in use.

Frame

A high quality frame will save you maintenance down the road. Welded vs bolted is sturdier in general but the quality of metal also makes a difference. Aluminum frames are more light and easier to move around if need be. A high grade steel will also be very strong and should last longer.

Motor

You want to find out if the motor is rated for “Continuous Duty”. This means it was designed for continuous use and it should last a long time. Horsepower is also something to consider. Talk to your professional sales person to insure the horsepower is sufficient for the weight of the heaviest person who will use the machine.

Running Deck

A unit with a low impact running surface is preferable. The lower the impact the less strain on your joints. Quality decks will have large rollers. The larger the roller, the longer they will last. The running deck should be thick and made of multiple ply material.

Program Features

Though it’s OK to get as many program features as you can, it shouldn’t be your main criteria. There are many different features available but concentrate on the quality of construction of the machine itself and then get the best features you can find second. It is important to have some sort of shut off feature in case of an accident. The best of these are auto shut offs activated by wrist straps connected to the runner. With these the machine will stop running even if the runner passes out and is unable to activate the controls themselves.  There should be at least an emergency stop switch or button and the more visible and apparent it is the better. (i.e.  big red button :) )

Where to buy?

Treadmills are a dime a dozen. You can find cheap treadmills almost anywhere. Big box stores, department stores, electronic stores, sporting goods stores, etc……. We recommend you purchase your unit from a reputable store that deals with quality machines.  Do your research on line by visiting some of the advertising sponsors on this page and look for the features we have recommended. Whether you ultimately buy on line or at a local specialty store, you can do all of the research from the comfort of your home on the Internet. Best wishes on your search and we hope we have given you some additional ammunition to help find the right machine. Check back with us often for more informative articles on how to choose a treadmill for sale.

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High End Electric Treadmills

Obviously most people will begin their search for any type of equipment by determining how much they want to spend. Here we will address the benefits of some of the more expensive options when it comes to the electric treadmill. Though price level isn’t always a direct indication of value, you usually get what you pay for in general. There are many benefits available if you can spend the extra dollars and avoid the cheap treadmills.

Durability

This is probably the most apparent benefit to spending a little more on electric treadmills. The high end units usually hold up longer and can take more abuse. If you are going to use the unit consistently or if you weigh more than average, it might be wise to opt for a higher quality machine. There will definitely be savings over the long hall when it comes to maintenance.

The quality of the following components all come into play with regard to longevity and durability:

Frame – High end units usually have a much more rigid frame made with thicker gauge materials. Steel is often used and is much more durable than light gauge aluminum frames.

Motor -There are many different quality levels of motors out there. The motor needs to be designed for constant, heavy load usage or “continuous duty”. The more the horsepower the better. This is particularly important if the user weighs more than average. A good indicator of the quality of the motor is the length of the warranty. Lifetime is obviously the best.

Track -As we discussed in previous posts, the thicker the material the more durable it will be. It should also be made with multiple plies.

Rollers- Larger rollers will last longer and will cause less impact on your joints. You want to look for a “low impact” unit. You should definitely try out as many different models as you can. The quality units will feel much nicer and you will experience what is meant by “low impact”. This is beneficial to your ability to use the machine on and extended basis without damage to your joints.

Electronics – Last but not least, the higher end units will have many more features available. You don’t need to have over kill on this point but some of the features can be nice to have. Inclining ramps with the right program can simulate many different types of terrain, make the run a lot more interesting and allow you to target different areas of the body with your workout. If the program is run by replaceable batteries, it probably isn’t very high end.

These are just some of the benefits to consider when looking for a treadmill for sale. We suggest that the best way to find out what works for you is to go run on many different models and ask lots of questions. You can also do a lot of research before you go try them out by visiting some of the adds found on this site. Sole treadmills are a great choice.

Good luck in your search.

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Benefits and Choices

Adding a treadmill to your home gym is the best way to ensure that you are reaching your daily or weekly exercise goals. An electric treadmill will enable you to customize and track the cardiovascular benefits of your workout as well as the number of calories burned per session to aid in weight loss. No other piece of exercise equipment is so well suited to promote general wellness regardless of your fitness level when you begin use. If you are considering investing in one of the many motorized treadmill models that are currently on the market, there are a few features common among the best-motorized treadmills that will help you reap maximum benefit from your workout.

Most electric treadmill options are capable of monitoring heart rate and estimating the number of calories that are burned with each session. When shopping for a new treadmill, make sure that all models that you are considering offer this feature. A heart rate monitor should be used to ensure that you maintain a safe heart rate throughout your walk or jog, and that your workout is vigorous enough to provide optimal cardiac benefits.

A number of treadmills are sold with pre-programmed exercise plans that may be tailored to your fitness level and workout goals. Investing in a treadmill that offers this feature will allow you to monitor your progress with the touch of a button. Included programs will automatically vary the speed, incline, and length of your jog. Exercise programs will give you the benefits of a trainer at a fraction of the cost, all from the comfort of your home. To ensure that you get the most use out of your treadmill, make an initial investment in a model that offers programs for both beginners and more seasoned athletes. This way, your electric treadmill can grow with you.

One can find a treadmill for sale through almost any store or website that carries exercise equipment. The features in which you are interested will help determine the cost of the equipment, but a high quality, fully equipped treadmill will often cost $1,000 or more. Though this is a large investment, most major manufacturers offer generous multiyear warranties and a limited window for returns. Take advantage of these offers to test a few models to find the best fit for your home and lifestyle.

If you have the money to invest, the high end products are very well built and offer additionals benefits over the norm.  If you are ready to look around at what is available,  the links on this page are a good place to start your search. Remeber, cheap treadmills are not necessarily the best approach.

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