Finding the Right Treadmills for You

C'mon, admit it. It's happened to all of us. You bought a great looking piece of exercise equipment on a whim. Maybe you even used it for a couple of days. After that, it sat abandoned while you tried not to look at it. Impulse buys rarely end well. But if you take some time to think about your exercise needs and find the treadmill that's right for you, you might be well on your way achieving fitness in the privacy of your own home.

Before buying a treadmill, take some time to think about what you want. Do you plan to use it for walking or jogging? How much are you willing to spend? What kind of space constraints do you have? (I once bought a lovely treadmill that didn't fit anywhere in my apartment. It's collecting dust in a storage shed even as I write this.)

Next, hit the town. If possible, do your shopping at a fitness store rather than a general "sports" store, as the fitness store employees here will be much better versed in their products than employees who have to deal with fitness equipment, camping equipment, sports equipment, etc.

Motors

Probably the most important thing to look for in a treadmill is the motor. Get the most motor you can for your money. Larger and heavier motors will last longer, and they will not get as hot while you are exercising. If you plan to use your treadmill for walking only, you can get away with a 1 to 1.5 continuous horse power. If you plan to run or jog, you will want to get a motor with 2 to 3 continuous horse power.

Deck Thickness and Walking Track

It's no fun to buy a new piece of equipment only to discover that your joints don't take properly to it. Therefore, you must make sure that the deck is thick enough to adequately cushion your ankles, knees, and hips. Three-fourths of an inch thickness is probably okay for walking; running will require at least an inch thickness. If you're heavy or have bad joints, get all the cushioning you can afford.

The walking track should be long enough for you to stride/jog without having to shorten your gait, and wide enough for you to walk comfortably.

Don't be shy about trying out equipment in the store. It's absolutely necessary for you to find what works best for you.

Electronic Board

Here is where you can save some money. Many treadmill manufacturers add extra features to the board so they can raise the price of their equipment. Don't fall for it. The information you really need is speed/incline, distance walked, time elapsed, and perhaps calories burned. A heart monitor is nice but probably not necessary unless you're a cardiac patient.

Whether you have a few hundred dollars to spend or a few thousand, if you know what you want and shop patiently, you'll be able to find the treadmill that's right for you.

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