Treadmills provide a great workout and help keep your heart and lungs healthy
and muscles toned. If you're looking to invest in a piece of fitness equipment
that is also in investment in yourself and your future, a treadmill is
certainly something to consider. Below we have included several points to think
about when buying a running machine.
The Motor & Horsepower
The motor is the most important part of the treadmill as it takes the most
wear. The horsepower ratings can be confusing; the recommended figure to shop
for is a minimum of 1.5 to 2.5 of continuous horsepower (HP). It is also
recommended to look for the longest warranty possible on the motor, 2 years or
more. However, many of our runners come with an outstanding lifetime warranty
on the motor!
Features & Programs
It's a good idea to choose a treadmill with a variety of features. This keeps
the workout fresh and different each time. Many treadmills come with preset and
customisable programs. This means you can choose a workout program that suits
your targets for that day. Whether that's fat burning, cardio vascular
conditioning or an uphill challenge, there will be one to suit you. If not you
can create your own!
Control Panel
It is often best if the control panel on your treadmill is easy to use and
read, with large buttons for simple use whilst training. Many models have
controls on the handrails for increasing and decreasing the speed and incline.
Some models also have TV and DVD players built in. However, this usually comes
at an extra cost and is not necessary if you are on a budget.
Speeds
Most treadmills run from 0 to 16km/h. This is usually more than enough even for
a running enthusiast. If you're just using the treadmill for walking or jogging
then you could choose a different model which has a lower speed and may well
save you money. As a rough guide anything above 11km/h can be classed as
running. So treadmills that go up to 13km/h are likely to be enough for most
people.
Incline
There are 2 different types of incline found in our treadmills; electric and
manual. Electric incline is usually found in the higher quality models and
means you can adjust the gradient without having to step off the treadmill.
Gradient levels on a quality treadmill are usually between 0 and 10%. This is
quite adequate as using any more incline can put too much strain on you and
heightens the risk of injury. Many people who are looking to save money on a
treadmill will go with the manual incline. This feature is usually cheaper than
buying a model with an electric incline. However, due to some recent price
reductions you can now buy a treadmill with up to 10% electric incline for well
under 600. We provide details of the type of incline each treadmill has to
offer in the product descriptions. It's now up to you to decide which is right
for your needs and budget.
Space & Design
If you only have limited space you may want to think about investing in a
folding treadmill. They are easy to tuck away after your workout and take up
little room. One of the most compact treadmills we offer is the i-Run treadmill which is part of the Reebok Treadmills range.
If space isn't too much of a problem you might be more interested
in a static treadmill. They are generally more stable and sturdier than folding
treadmills and are preferred by any serious runner, but they do come at a much
higher price and have similar standards to those found in commercial gyms.
However, in the last few years there have been considerable design improvements
that have contributed towards many folding models being just as good as the
stationary treadmills.
Manual or Motorised Treadmills
Many people are tempted to go for a manual treadmill instead of a motorised
treadmill due to the considerably lower costs. However, there are many
drawbacks to be found with manual treadmills. Manual running machines can be
difficult to move with your feet without using a very high level of incline,
and then once you are moving you are unable to change the incline back. The
lower price also means the treadmill is likely to be less sturdy and made using
poor quality components. If you are looking to use a runner for a long time and
see it as an investment, we would recommend you always opt for a motorised
model.
Warranty
It is important to make sure you receive a good warranty with your treadmill.
It gives you extra piece of mind and means your running machine doesn't cost
you any more money further down the line. Buying a treadmill is an expensive
investment and you want to make sure that help is at hand should anything go
wrong. The treadmill motor is the part where the most stress occurs. However,
with many of our ranges there are free lifetime warranties on the motors. We
give all the warranty information in the product descriptions in order to
assist you in making an informed decision.
Overview
Treadmills are an excellent training partner for fitness progress at home.
However, we recommend that you should be willing to spend sufficient money so
that the treadmill becomes a part of the family. You want to get the most from
you runner without it turning into an expensive clothes hanger or a new way of
walking the dog!