Treadmill evaluations can help you to buy a treadmill .  
 

January 21, 2005

By: Ali
Website: http://www.buy-treadmills.com

Treadmill evaluations can help you to buy a treadmill .

Treadmills remain the most popular exercise machine available today. Buying a treadmill can be costly, but the purchase of a treadmill provides a myriad of health benefits. Treadmills allow users to train for a wide range of sports or activities or such maintain a level of general health and fitness. Treadmills help people to keep maintain endurance, burn calories, and can help you efficiently maintain your weight. It's very important to use treadmill evaluations that can lead you toward your specific fitness goals, as well as sustain its performance through the amount of use you will give it. So use treadmill evaluations and buy accordingly.

Important Treadmill Features include:

Motors

  • Motorized treadmills have one motor that drives the belt and another (the lift motor) that raises and lowers the running bed to create an incline
  • Motors allow you to set the pace for your workout so you can stay on track
Horsepower
  • Horsepower is the measurement of power of a treadmill motor; manufacturers use two measurements for horsepower: continuous and peak
  • Continuous horsepower is how powerful a treadmill can continually operate without dropping off
  • Peak horsepower is the maximum horsepower a treadmill can generate for a short period of time
  • Use the chart below to help you select the right motor based on your intended use:
  • Choosing the Right Motor
    Your WorkoutRecommended Horsepower
    Walking or light jogging1.0 hp - 1.5 continuous hp
    Running1.5 hp - 2.0 continuous hp
Incline
  • Treadmill incline mimics walking or running up hills, making your workout more challenging, burning more calories and further increasing muscle tone
  • Manual incline means you change the incline yourself; this is usually offered in 4 different placements, such as 3% incline, 5% incline, 7% incline and 9% incline.
  • Power incline offers you automatic adjustment so you can change the incline while you're walking/running to add variety and challenge to your workout; most treadmills offer a powered incline from 0%-10%
Belts/Decks
  • The thicker the deck, the more cushioning and comfort it offers your legs/joints
  • Belts vary in length, depending on whether the unit is geared more for walkers/joggers or runners.
  • Some people prefer the smaller, more compact version for a workout because it forces them to keep a quick pace
  • Others find the wider and longer belts to be more comfortable and a better fit for their longer stride
Speed
  • Most treadmills offer speed setting from 0 to 10 mph
  • Most people walk in the 3-6 mph range, runners from 6-10 mph
Computer Controls
  • Most treadmills have some sort of computer programming, ranging from a simple odometer and speedometer to pre-programmed workouts and storage capabilities
  • Computer controls can provide feedback such as speed, distance, heart rate, pace, calories burned, laps taken, time elapsed, incline and more (depending on the particular treadmill)
  • Heart rate monitor capabilities are a valuable addition for your fitness routine. Once your target HR zone is programmed in, your treadmill will adjust speed and/or incline according to HRM readouts in order to keep that desired heart rate zone, offering optimal workout efficiency for weight loss and total-body conditioning
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About The Author:

Ali is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.buy-treadmills.com.  Your online source for treadmills.

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