Treadmills | Cardiovascular Equipment

EXERCISE EQUIPMENT

TREADMILLS
ProForm
BowFlex
Horizon

TREADMILLS ARE CARDIOVASCULAR EQUIPMENT

Here is a handy guide to use before you buy a treadmill or even another exercise machine. If more than one person will use the treadmill regularly then plan for the heaviest user and the most demanding use. A walking program can provide the same cardio exercise benefits of jogging so if the goal is to just stay in shape then a motorized treadmill with a top speed of 6 MPH or so would suit you fine. Walkers should also consider a manual treadmill. Serious runners want a top speed of 10-12 MPH and a belt area with a stride length that accommodates their natural running gait. If that's important then measure your runner's stride and match it against the treadmill manufacturer's specifications. Horizon Fitness has a diverse line of mid-priced treadmills designed for walkers and runners.

In either event get the highest continuous duty horsepower (CHP) motor you can in the price range you're shopping in, particularly if one of the regular users is more than 250 pounds. Look for the continuous duty rating specification and not peak or other HP measurement. Bigger is almost always better. Many experienced treadmill users will tell you that 2.0 HP is the minimum motor rating to consider but walkers only would probably be OK with 1.5 HP. Manufacturers often provide recommendations for maximum capacity.

Treadmill brands use different methods to cushion the belt landing area. Specifications can be hard to decipher so read the treadmill reviews to see if poor cushioning is an issue with any particular model. One of the unsung benefits of treadmills is that you experience impact similar to outdoor exercise. Most gym equipment and even some treadmill sales material downplay impact but you need it to build and maintain bone density and muscle strength.

Treadmills provide good indoor exercise but one of the tradeoffs to convenience is size. Many if not most motorized treadmills take up as much floor space as a small couch and weigh more than 200 pounds. That may or may not be a concern but you have to be aware of the dimensions. If floor space is tight you can find a good quality, full-size folding treadmill from Proform and Bowflex. Walkers and apartment dwellers should consider a manual treadmill, most of which weigh-in around 50 pounds. Some even fold. That way when you need the space or even when it's time to move you can hang on to your treadmill instead of putting it in the used exercise equipment classifieds.

If you're budgeting then first put your money into the basics like motor size, belt length, and construction quality. If there is any cash left over then go for the extra features. Heart rate telemetry, and the ability to program the speed and incline of the running surface during sessions are the most common.