Treadmill features to help you maintain your fitness level.

Treadmills are more popular now than ever as they offer an efficient way for people to maintain a good level of fitness. With regular use (3-5 times a week for 20 minutes or more), you can expect to strengthen your cardiovascular system and improve muscle tone. Treadmills also provide a very efficient means of reducing body fat and they have musculoskeletal benefits as well. Treadmills aren’t just for running — they're great for exercise walking too. But deciding what treadmill to purchase can be challenging – you need to examine the treadmill features to ensure you make the right decision.

Most features on treadmills today are powered by an electric engine that allows you to adjust your running speed, incline difficulty and, usually, select workout programs automatically. Here are the key treadmill features to look for when making your purchasing choices:

Maximum speed: This is the top speed of the treadmill belt. Most treadmills have a maximum speed of ten miles per hour which is sufficient for most users.
Handrails: Some runners and exercise walkers feel more comfortable and safer using handrails as support.
Preset programs: Preset programs automatically change the speed and/or incline of your workout and are a good way to alleviate boredom. Some models also offer custom programs that essentially replay your favorite workouts, and a few will even adjust your workout according to your pulse rate.
Heart-rate monitor features: There are three basic types of heart-rate monitors. The best treadmill feature is the wireless pulse sensor, which straps around your chest.
Treadmill Folding feature: A handy convenience feature if you have limited space for your machine.
Upper-body workout feature: Some treadmills provide various means of exercising your arms and upper body while you run or walk.
Downhill feature: Most features allow you to adjust the incline via a switch to make your workout more challenging. Typically, adjustments are made in .5 percent increments, up to a 10 percent grade.

Author Notes:

Ali contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.buy-treadmills.com. Your online source for treadmills.