Treadmill Buying Guide - Part Two

Incline & speed
One way to increase the intensity of your workout without walking faster is to increase the elevation of the treadmill. Look for an automatic electric incline feature that can elevate the machine from 0% to at least 10%. Usually, the higher a machine can incline, the more expensive it will be.

Cheap treadmills use a manual crank with hydraulic pistons to elevate the treadmill. Be aware that these treadmills may not be able to support your weight properly in the elevated position.

The top speed of the treadmill should reach at least 8 miles per hour. If you are a serious runner, look for a higher speed capability.

The incline and speed buttons should respond quickly when pressed. You don’t want a sluggish response when you need to slow down or speed up the machine especially when you are running at a fast pace. The belt should respond smoothly and not with an abrupt jerk. The same goes for the tilt mechanism when the treadmill is raised or lowered.

Display console
The display console should be large enough and high enough that you can read the numbers and functions without having to look down, which can make you dizzy.

The average console will display speed, pace, incline, time, distance, heart rate and calories burned. The numbers should be easy to read.

Extras that are nice to have are a reading ledge so you can read while you work out and side trays that can hold a water bottle, a portable music device or your towel.

Programs
All treadmills have a manual program that allows you to start the machine by just pressing a button, then adjusting the speed and incline as you wish. Then there are pre-set programs ranging from simple to advanced. The more advanced programs a treadmill offers, the more expensive it will be. You may not need all the programs.

On the other hand, you should also consider that as you become more fit, you may want the additional motivation of more challenging workout programs.

The treadmill should have the option of allowing you to switch from a pre-set program to the manual mode and vice-versa without having to start all over again.

Heart rate monitoring
If your doctor wants you to exercise at a specific intensity or you just want to know if your heart is working out at the appropriate heart rate range, then you will need some way of monitoring your heart rate.

The cheapest way is by manually feeling for your pulse at the side of your neck or at your wrist and counting the number of beats you feel for ten seconds then multiplying that by six. However, this is not that easy to do when you are walking or running.

It is more accurate to use a heart rate monitor consisting of a chest strap that picks up your heart rate and a wristwatch receiver that displays the results. Some machines will display the results picked up by the chest strap on the console’s display panel.

Other machines have hand sensors that you hold a few seconds and your heart rate is displayed on the console.

However, in all these cases, you will still have to manually adjust the treadmill’s speed or incline to stay within your target heart rate. If you don’t want the hassle, then opt for a more expensive machine that has interactive heart rate control. The machine will then automatically control the speed and incline to match the heart rate range that you have set.

Watch out for ear-clip heart rate monitors that come with lower-end treadmills because they are 40% less accurate than the chest strap models.

Safety features
A treadmill’s powerful motor can unceremoniously throw you off if you are not careful so an emergency shut-off system is a very important feature. The treadmill should have a magnetic key plugged into the console, which is connected to a clip that you attach to your clothes. If you are pulled backwards, the cord of the clip yanks the key out of the console making the treadmill stop automatically. Another type of system is an emergency stop button that should be prominently displayed on the console.

Position your treadmill at least six to eight feet away from any walls, windows or furniture so that if you should be thrown off you won’t slam into anything.

Side rails are helpful for balance and can give you a perception of security that you won’t fall off sideways but they should not get in the way of your swinging arms when you walk or run.

Foldable treadmills are a great space-saving invention but check how sturdy the safety latches are so the treadmill does not accidentally open from the folded position. Also, the latch mechanism should be high up so that small children will not be tempted to touch it.

And speaking of children, a treadmill is not a toy. It is a powerful machine that can seriously hurt young children. So do not allow your children to play with your treadmill.

Limited budget
If you have a limited budget, the barest minimum that you should expect from a lower end quality treadmill is a stable steel frame, 1.5 continuous horse-power motor, a belt size of at least 18 to 20 inches wide and 48 inches long, speed range of 0.1 to 8 miles per hour, incline range of 0% to 10%, and a reliable dealer who will give your treadmill the tender loving care it needs to last a long time.

Sources: American College of Sports Medicine, Runner’s World Magazine, and Better Homes & Gardens Treadmill Buying Guide

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