If you’re buying a treadmill, chances are you’ll want to research before you buy. Everyone wants to get the best deal for a discount price. They also want to find the best treadmill to suit their workout needs.

So you’ll probably be interested in looking at various treadmill ratings or reviews. But why are there so many different ratings and which one is the most accurate? Here’s a few things most buyers don’t know about treadmill ratings.

There are really 2 types of treadmill ratings

1 Consumer Ratings

2 Expert Ratings

User Treadmill Ratings

Consumer treadmill ratings are done by the layperson who has bought and used the specific treadmill. Many websites allow anyone to go online and post a review of their treadmill.

Customer reviews and ratings can be very valuable when searching for a treadmill – however keep in mind several things

1 No treadmill has a 100 perfect track record. Even the BEST treadmill manufacturers sometimes make a dud.

And it’s usually the people that have had BAD experiences that leave negative reviews of their treadmills, not the many that have had good experiences with the same treadmill.

They have every right to do this and hopefully the treadmill manufacturers read these reviews and do something about them. Just remember that one bad review doesn’t prove it’s a low quality brand.

2 The treadmill industry is growing more competitive each year. And marketing is a huge portion of the treadmill industry since treadmill manufacturers KNOW you’re going to research treadmill ratings before you buy.

So while I’m not making any accusations, I have read ‘customer reviews’ that are clearly NOT written by the average buyer. They sound like they’re written by somebody working for the competition – someone well versed in the art of sales psychology and who knows more about treadmills than the average person. Again, not making any accusations here – just keep this in mind when reading user ratings online.

Rule of Thumb Use common sense. If it sounds like it’s written by a treadmill salesperson, take the treadmill review with a grain of salt.

Expert Treadmill Ratings

There are also expert treadmill ratings. These are the ratings written by the experts in the fitness industry. People like Consumer Reports, Runner’s World, Consumer Guide, Men’s Health, Prevention Magzine are just a few out there. These people rate and review various treadmills at various times in the year.

While these ratings are much less likely to be tainted by biased reviewers, here are a few cautions to keep in mind while reading them

1 Each rater has a different rating system and may rate treadmills on such factors as price, cushioning, stability, quietness, belt area, warranty, console, electronics, programs, incline and quality of parts.

So while one reviewer may put more emphasis on cushioning the other may put more emphasis on warranty. It’s nothing to get confused over – just understand that different experts value different features. They’ll usually have an area where they list exactly how they rated the treadmills and which features they valued highly in their review.

2 Expert ratings also usually don’t have time to look at EVERY treadmill brand on the market. Nobody does. We’ve been reviewing treadmills for over 3 years and we still haven’t covered all the brands.

So just because a certain brand isn’t in the ratings, doesn’t make it a poor quality brand. Try to find other reviews on a brand if you can’t find it in your favorite expert ratings list.

One last thing Many treadmill ratings are also based on comparison to other similarly priced treadmills on the market.

So if you have a 1000 treadmill that gets 5 stars – that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s better than a 2000 treadmill that gets 4 stars. It means that compared to other 1000 treadmills it is one of the best values.

By remembering these things when sifting through treadmill ratings, you’re less likely to be confused. And it will be easier to choose the best quality treadmill for your needs.

Most people buying a treadmill want one with an incline also called treadmill elevation.

It used to be that incline on a treadmill was a bonus feature. However today, most motorized treadmills come with an incline option. The difference seems to be in the amount of elevation available.

If you’re looking for an economy treadmill under 1000 you’ll probably find most treadmills only come with a 10-12 incline however that can be enough for most people – especially for those new to treadmill exercise.

When you get into the mid-priced treadmills 1500 you’ll start to see elevations of 12-15. And in most premium treadmills you’ll find inclines of 15.

If you’re in top shape and really want a challenge, then you’ll probably want a 15 incline. However if you just want a treadmill for gentle walking, a 10 elevation might suit you perfectly.

Of course, the mother of incline treadmills is the incline trainer. This is a treadmill that also gives you much more elevation than normal treadmills – up to 30.

You’ve probably heard about the Bowflex Treadclimber. The Bowflex Treadclimber is a hybrid stair climber and treadmill. TreadClimbers have two separate, smaller treadmill belts one for each foot that you walk on. These individual belts also move up and down, meeting every step you take.

Nordic Track also has an incline trainer available – called the Nordic Track X5. This machine has only one treadbelt like a treadmill and offers elevations of up to 30.

An incline trainer treadmill is way more than most people need. But if you want to burn as much as 500 calories in 20 minutes, you can do it with with one of these units.

While incline trainers are excellent for burning calories, the downside is you’re going to pay for them. Prices start at around 1600 for basic models. Because of this, these trainers are used mostly in commercial settings like gyms or office fitness facilities.

So why the big deal about treadmill inclines?

Walking on an elevation can help super-blast your calorie burn. You can burn up to twice or even 3 times the calories by walking on an incline vs. walking on a level surface.

Plus if you’re looking to build intervals into your workout, walking on an incline for 30 seconds to 2 minutes can be a great way to interval train and boost your post workout calorie burn.

So in general an elevation on a treadmill is a great tool to have. It can help you get in shape and burn calories much faster than simply walking on a level surface.

Regardless of which incline percentage you choose, just remember to wear high quality running shoes and enjoy your workout!

Whether you are a fitness buff or a complete exercise beginner, a treadmill can be a wise investment. But with the hundreds of companies out there selling treadmills, there is an array of options to choose from.

In this article, I will discuss four of the most important items that you should look for, when shopping for a treadmill.

Motor

When shopping for a treadmill, the most important consideration is the motor.

The majority of treadmills operate on a DC electric motor that provides an easy to control electric current. Quality treadmills use a power output anywhere from 1.5 to 5 horse power Hp. Obviously the larger Hp will be more expensive.

If you are using your treadmill for your home and for only a few people, then 2 Hp is all you need.

Running Deck

Since you will be doing your exercise entirely on the deck of the treadmill, it is very important that you find one that will fit your frame and provide comfort.

Usually running decks on most treadmills come with two rollers on each end, which help operate the belt. The deck is generally composed a wooden or fibre board that provide some level of spring every time a foot impacts on it. Shock absorbance is important to preventing injury.

When shopping for a deck you should primarily look for decks that can maximize the impact of your legs. In addition, look for at least a 60 length and 20 width. This will provide enough room for the average person’s running stride. If you are bigger, then you might need more room.

Frame

Treadmill frames should be composed of a steel or aluminium material. Over time, these frames are known to be much more durable then plastic or wood frames. Durability is the key, so only select a frame that can take a pounding without breaking.

Console

The final factor to consider is the console. This is the one section where treadmill retailers overwhelm consumers with a bunch of jargon and cool sounding gadgets.

When you shop for treadmills, the important item you should look for is a control panel that will display your speed, time, pace and distance. Anything beyond that is your personal preference. While many people love extras, you can get by with just these items.

So if you have a little more in your budget, you can look for some factors such as

Programmed workouts
Incline settings
Maximum speeds going up to12 mph
Safety features that allow for quick turning off of the machine
Heart rate monitors that can be clipped to your chest, ear or finger
Entertainment functions that can help distract the user

Buying a treadmill can be confusing because of the technical terms and jargon. By understanding the basics of what you need, then you can ignore all the fancy sounding names and focus on what is important. When you understand the basics of a quality treadmill, then it will be easy to find one that is perfect for your home and budget.

A few days ago I testified a bit on how to properly choose a home residential grade treadmill. This time, since it has been a quiet day at the DOJO, I am going to ramble a bit on the ins and outs of remanufactured commercial equipment. This guide can be used not only for cardio equipment like treadmills and ellipticals, but also for strength equipment…although I get more than enough of a strength workout every day lifting and moving heavy treadmills around the DOJO.

Remanufactured equipment sometimes called refurbised or reconditioned — it all depends on which company you are dealing with has taken off quite a bit in the last few years as gym owners and home buyers both have realized they can purchase ultra high quality commercial equipment, in great condition for a fraction of the cost. Most remanufactured equipment with sell for 30-70 off of the original price! If you’ve ever wanted to have a Precor Elliptical or Life Fitness treadmill in your home, now you can!

The single most confusing thing about remanufactured equipment is just what it means…and what the difference between a remanufactured treadmill, a refurbished treadmill and a reconditioned on is. Unfortunately for buyers and poor service techs like the Treadmill Sensei, there are no industry standard definitions for these terms and what you get will vary from company to company. If you are going to buy remanufactured or refurbished or whatever equipment, make sure to ask what a companys definition of what they are selling you is because you might be surprised at the answer. Some companies will just wipe a unit down, touch up the paint and then send it out the door as “remanufactured.” Beware of these companies!

Lets go over the life of a piece of gym equipment destined for remanufacturing…this is something I do nearly every day for my repair clients so I know of what I speak!

Most larger gym chains lease their equipment instead of buying it. This allows them to trade in their equipment every few years. Once that equipment has been returned the the manufacturer, it is then resold to a remanufacturer or reseller who then turns the unit over for remanufacturing to someone like your Treadmill Sensei. A quality remanufacturer will then strip the unit down to the frame, sandblast it to remove any traces of rust a number of less reputible vendors will just paint over rust and then repaint it using the same high end paint 250-300gallon! used by the manufacturers themselves. We do powder coating here at the DOJO, but the regular repaints can be almost as good. At this point, all wear items are replaced — bearings, grips, rollers and so on. Diagnostics are then run on the electronics to make sure they are up to snuff and then cleaned up or replaced. On most equipment treadmills and ellipticals, for example the majority of problems will, luckily, come in the form of the control board. I say “luckily” because the boards can generally be replaced for 30 or so and take almost no time to reinstall. Also, most structural problems with a treadmill or elliptical will pop up in the first 30-60 days. Once you’ve made it past that point you should be in the clear and have a fine piece of equipment on your hands.

In my personal experience, and this may be because the DOJO turns out great work, remanufactured units tend to have a much lower rate of problems or defects when done correctly. This is because the treadmills and ellipticals or strength equipment are gone over with such a fine tooth comb and service so completely that any defects or problems which might have been missed by the manufacturer are caught and fixed as part of the servicing.

With a little bit of research, going the remanufactured route will allow a smaller fitness facility to compete with larger chains by offering competitive fitness equipment while saving money. In fact, many fitness trainers and gyms are finding they are able to reach a profit much earlier by taking advantage of the lower cost and high reliability of remanufactured equipment.

For home buyers, remanufactured equipment lets you purchase the same high end commercial equipment you work out on at your local gyms for a fraction of the price. And, if you’ve ever tried to go from working out on a Life Fitness, Matrix, Star Trac or Landice to working out on a crappy Proform machine, you’re already familiar with the disappointment a lot of wind up experiencing when they try to make the transition. Buying remanufactured lets you stick with what you know.

A quick tip on where to buy remanufactured equipment places like Megafitness, Big Fitness, Fitness 909 and Fit4Sale sell it, but the highest quality units seem to be coming out of Treadmills Central right now. I’ve seen a number of their Precor 544 and 546 units, as well as quite a few Life Fitness 9500 Rear Drive Ellipticals, Star Trac Treadmills, and Matrix Ellipticals at a recent Fitness Trade Show, and I’ve been impressed every time.

Good luck with your purchasing and feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions or comments. The DOJO is always open.

-The Treadmill Sensei

You have probably all seen the various fitness equipment commercials. The claims made in these commercials tend to stretch credibility to the limit. You are invited to “Get the perfect abs in 10 minutes a day” or even ” Have a sculpted body in no time.” Each machine claims to use cutting edge technology with the express purpose to get you in shape and lose pounds with a minimal effort. Oh boy! If it was only that simple.

We all desire to look great and feel healthy but you have to put some work in. This usually takes the form of a vigorous exercise schedule combined with a properly balanced diet. In order to lose weight and achieve a well toned body you will have to burn calories on a regularly basis. You don’t have to be a genius to figure that out.

There is a plethora of fitness equipment on the market and most are just fads which are fashionable for a few months then disappear never to see the light of day again. There is, however, one that is still a major player, and that is the treadmill. Torso Track, Total Gym 10002000, Ab Sculptor, Ab Rockers, Ab Doers, Slam Man, Thighmasters, Toning System, Door Gym, Orbitrek are the latest thing one day and then forgotten the next.

You may ask yourself why you never see treadmills sold on infomercials? The reason is simple. It is because it is not a high profit, hyped up, exercise gadget, which is more the product of clever marketing than a serious piece of exercise equipment. Most infomercial equipment is designed for just one purpose, to make as much money as soon as possible before people discover that they don’t work. Most of the price of this equipment is used in order to market it.

So who would possibly want to buy this stuff? Usually it is people who mistakenly believe that there are shortcuts to weight loss and getting in shape. Achieving your fitness goals requires that you put in some work and the results will not happen over night. No machine is going to produce the results you desire without commitment from yourself.

Have you ever seen any infomercial equipment at a health club? No, because they don’t work and they’re not built to last. What you will see, however, are a number of treadmills, often with people waiting their turn to use them.

It really boils down to this. Getting fit is really the prodcut of two things – time and effort. The more time and effort you put into exercising the more calories you are going to burn and the more weight you will lose. If you are looking for fitness equipment that will maximize your efforts, then a is the obvious choice.

Treadmills have become extremely popular over the years. They are specifically designed to enhance the most popular form of exercising – running and walking. Treadmills are built on the idea that the more effort you put in, the more you get out. As other fitness equipment fads come and go, treadmills gain popularity and get results.

The two most popular forms of exercising are running and walking. Whether you are a casual walker or a serious runner, a treadmill can accommodate your exercise needs. Set the speed and incline to suite your desired cardiovascular goals. You can do a power walk up an incline or a heart pumping run at high speed.

The treadmill is unsurpassed for a cardiovascular workout. It works the large muscles in your body. According to a recent study calories burned on the treadmill for 60 minutes averaged 865 – 705. Contrast that with; The stair machine 746-637, rowing machine 739-606, stationary cycle with levers 709-509, cross-country ski machine 678-595 and the stationary cycle 604-498. As you can see from the figures the treadmill is unmatched for burning calories.

Ecercise treadmills wil give a good workout whatever the weather. In warm or wet regions, you don’t need to be concerned about heat exhaustion in hot and humid weather.

Injuries that plague runners and walkers due to the constant pounding of joints on asphalt and concrete are eliminated or drastically reduced by users of treadmills. Injuries are less common and stress is reduced on those critical joints. Achilles tendons, knee joints, back muscles, ankles, thighs take less of a beating, which guarantee that you’ll continue to walk or run into your old age.

As treadmills become more sophisticated so does the versatility of the workout. Speed and incline have always been a feature on motorized treadmills, but now your workout is enhanced by a variety of preprogrammed computerized exercises. Simulate running up and down hills, focus on cardio exercise, concentrate on burning calories, or work on speed training. Often treadmills have preset programs with various levels of intensity. In addition you can program your own workout, combining speed with incline.

A good treadmill is a balance of power, stability and fun. Your ability to find the right machine will depend upon why you want one and how much you can pay. Buy the best machine you can afford paying attention to the following features

Frame High alloy steel is usually more durable than aluminum, however they are heavier and must be coated to protect the treadmill from rust. Get on the treadmill, if it feels wobbly and flimsy, then it is. Selected a welded frame over a bolted one and avoid all plastic frames.

Hand Rails The location of the hand rails is a matter of preference. Whether you desire a handlebar in front or two side rails, be sure they are sturdy and don’t get in the way of your arm swings.

AC or DC Motor Most home units are DC, but commercial treadmills may have either AC or DC. AC motors tend to be noisier and generally require a dedicated power line.

Horsepower Check for the continuous-duty rating for the motor’s true horsepower. Anything less than 1.5 continuous-duty horsepower can quickly be worn out.

Speed Most treadmills run from 0 to 10 mph. A good machine will match the pace you feel comfortable walking or running. A safe starting speed of 0.5 mph or less is also very important for safety reasons.

Belt Be sure the length of the walkingrunning surface is long enough for your longest stride. The width of the belt should be no less than 16″ from a wear and tear standpoint as well as comfortable striding. Be sure you can comfortably reach the treadmill controls without stepping on the motor housing as well.

Deck This is one of the critical quality elements of the treadmill. Quality decks shouldn’t need much maintenance and they operate at a low temperature.

Impact Resilience This is the treadmill’s ability to absorb the force from the impact of your feet. The lower the impact on your body, the better.

Incline Adjustment There’s a variety of ways to adjust the incline of a treadmill, from the automatic incline which changes depending upon your heart rate, to pushing a bottom on the console, to the less sophisticated methods of a manual hand crank or manually setting pins. Quality electronic incline adjustment shouldn’t be noisy or cause the machine to shake at any grade.

Control Panel Generally computerized panels are standard thesedays. They range from basic and simple to the complex and fully programmable. It all depends on what features you require. Various control panel options can push up the price so purchase only what you will regularly use.

Heart Rate Monitors This is generally an optional feature. Accuracy varies widely with the ear and finger clips being less accurate than the chest strap monitors.

Price As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. You’re going to invest 1,000 and up in a good quality motorized machine. Spending this kind of money ought to motivate you to do your homework and purchase wisely.

It is important to get yourself on a regular routine. The more time you spend on it, the more calories you burn and the more weight you lose. Find a fitness program that works for you. Depending on your preference, you could combine your workout with music, television or videos.

If you would like to learn more about exercise treadmills, visit where you can obtain more detailed information.

So, you’ve spent the weeks you needed to research, try out, choose and purchase your brand new treadmill. You’ve gotten it assembled and begun your daily workouts…so what now? Well, even the highest end commercial treadmills need a bit of love and affection to keep them purring like a kitten. This guide will tell you everything you need to know to keep your treadmill in tip top shape.

Tip 1
The first thing you are going to want to do is get a good treadmill mat to go underneath your unit. Despite what you think, a treadmill mat isn’t as much for protecting your floor as for protecting your treadmill. You see, a treadmill’s motor builds up a huge static charge as you work out. The charge will suck dust, lint and debris into your motor, causing it to clog and run inefficiently. The more gunk in your motor the worse it will run and the shorter its lifespan will be. Sliding a nice treadmill mat underneath your equipment will help reduce that static and the amount of stuff getting sucked up in it. As a bonus, you’ll also be protecting your floor and carpet. Watch out for cheap mats, tho. If you pick up a budget treadmill mat you run the risk of having it stain your hardwood floor or stick to your carpet. Supermat is a great brand of treadmill mat and can be purchased for as low as 35.

Tip 2
Sticking with dust and dirt, make sure to dustclean your treadmill once every other week. Take special care with the belt area as any build up should be cleaned off right away or you’ll risk reduced performance.

Tip 3
I know it’s going to sound over obvious, but make sure to keep your power cord well away from the base of the unit and the incline mechanism. You have no idea how many cords we end up replacing on our service calls.

Tip 4
If you find your belt slipping, it may be because the belt tracking is off. You can adjust your tracking the same way you make sure the belt is properly aligned, with the alignment screws at the rear of your treadmill. An allen wrench is all you need. A quick quarter clockwise turn should tighten everything back up. Make sure never to turn either side more than a quarter turn at any given time because you the adjustments levels are very fine. Keeping your belt aligned will reduce the load on you treadbelt and belt guides. Check out your owner’s manual for more information.

Tip 5
A lot of times the cause of miss aligned on a treadbelt is from the unit not being level. Make sure to get your treadmill level.

Tip 6
Unless specifically isntructed by your owner’s manual, do not use silicone or oils to lubricate your treadmill’s deck. A clean, dry, dust-free bed and belt combination is ideal for a long-lasting treadmill. If your manual recommends the use of a silicone spray for lubrication, make sure to precisely follow application and scheduling instructions. Some treadmill decks may require initial waxing to help reduce friction with the belt. Do not wax a deck unless recommended by the manufacturer. Lubrication to pretreated wax decks may interfere with the wax.

Tip 7
The lowest level of friction between your belt and deck is desired. If the amount of friction is too high, you’ll end up with damage and wear to both your motor and your year. The best way to judge a low friction belt is that it will slide when the power is off and you can manually walk the belt when the treadmill is powered down. Improper lubrication can lead to overworking your motor.

Tip 8
One of the main problems on most treadmills home and commercial is in the control board. As with any computer, the treadmill’s control board is subject to power surges, improper grounding and so on. The best way to protect your treadmill’s computer brain is to unplug it when not in use and use a grounded plug when powered on.

Tip 9
Read your user’s manual. I know, I know…”who really reads those darn things?” Well, you should. Just about everything you need to know will be found in that little book that came with your treadmill. Pop it open while you’re in the bathroom for a good read.

Tip 10
Never operate your treadmill while wet. Bad idea for so many reasons.

Tip 11
Last but not least, if you are having trouble with your treadmill and need it fixed…then call the Treadmill Sensei! That’s what we do! Ok, so it’s a shameless plug…but it’s my website so nyah.

Anyway, a few simple steps and you’ll be able to take care of your treadmill so it can continue to help take care of you for years to come

-The Treadmill Sensei

While treadmills are a great alternative to real running and complicated exercises, however, they are not without their downsides.

To start off with, treadmills can be very expensive, especially if you buy one with all the luxurious special features. By the time you add in sales taxes, delivery charges and all the rest, youre looking at a pretty significant chunk of change. Of course, theres nothing saying that you need to get one with absolutely every feature around if its your first treadmill, youll be absolutely fine with a more basic model, whatever the salesman might tell you.

The next problem is that treadmills can be very large, and there might not be space in your house. Again, this problem is quite easily solved, as long as you keep your wits about you and realise exactly how big the treadmill youre buying is, instead of just blindly choosing one that takes your fancy and hoping for the best. There are surprisingly small treadmills on the market for smaller homes all you have to do is look for them.

Some people complain of loud motors on some cheaper treadmills, and it can be annoying if youre not used to it. A good solution is to put on the TV or listen to some music, which also helps with the boredom that many people experience when they just run on a treadmill and do nothing else at the same time.

The final point is one that is important to people who are training for actual races. As treadmills have no wind resistance, they are quite unsuitable for training for real outdoor running you should be getting out there and doing it on a track instead. While a treadmill can come close to simulating wind resistance if you adjust its slope gradient, its not good enough for serious training, and you might injure yourself if you run a race after only training on a treadmill.

Treadmill machines are a great way to workout. They are high impact cardio vascular machines and help to burn calories fast. However before one buys a treadmill machine, it’s important to know about the various models and types, which are readily available in the market. This helps people to choose what is best for them. The cost of the treadmill machines can be as low as 200 and can go as high as 3000. Therefore it’s essential that one has a budget and buys according to their requirements. This also gives the power of negotiation in the hands of the customers.

The higher end of the treadmills has various functions, various resistance levels, control panel and adjustable speeds. Since there are so many treadmills, which are available in the market, a customer can get confused. Therefore to make the confusion go away, customers should read the, the reviews make it easier for customers to make a decision about treadmill exercise machines, thus, these reviews are advantageous for everyone. The factors on which the reviews of the exercise treadmills rests are the price, the various resistance levels offered, the control panel, whether the running belt can be folded away or not and the number of years for which the warranty is offered.

Warranty should be considered when the treadmills are been purchased especially if they are powered. Since they are going to be used regularly, there are chances that at times, some component may go bad. Therefore there should be a warranty of at least three years for the mechanical parts. Decent reviews describe which treadmill exercise machines are good and those that don’t reach up to the mark. You can look at these reviews on the websites as well as in exercise magazines.

Online is a cheaper method and you have access to the equivalent of hundreds of magazines, however the quality will not be as good.

Today everybody has become health conscious and wants to stay fit, but going to the gym can be a luxury which many people do not enjoy because of time constraint. You can solve this problem by getting a treadmill for your home. Not only can you workout at home without having to go anywhere, you can also exercise at your convenience anytime you want. A treadmill is a piece of exercise equipment where you run on the spot, without moving any distance. You can exercise while watching TV, or even read while you run. Even when there is bad weather you can run indoors.

The working system of a treadmill is the belt system. The top of the belt moves to the rear, allowing you to run an equal and necessarily opposite speed. The speed and the distance covered can be set or measured. You can also change the rate of speed when you need. Because all factors of the run are known, the exact energy spend is able to be calculated. Some treadmills also have special built-in features such as heart rate monitors, step count, amount of calories burnt, etc.

How to choose the right treadmill

Well, after deciding you want to buy a treadmill for yourself, but looking at the number of different treadmills available, you may get confused as to which one is best. There are lots of things you need to consider. Price is of course something you need to consider, but remember never to compromise on money when it comes to your fitness and health; after all you do not want to feel sorry later. Don’t become a slave to price. Consider the durability and functionality first, and then come to the price.

Before you set out to buy a treadmill, first decide where you want to put it, and measure up the space. If space is an issue, you may want to choose a model which folds for storage. One important factor that you need to consider while choosing the treadmill is its motor. Choose one that has a larger and heavier motor if you are looking for long lasting and durability. There are two ratings of horsepower. Peak duty rating is rated on the treadmill tag, and continuous duty rating, which is very important as it determines the quality and the duration of the treadmill, is stamped on the motor. Get a 1.5 continuous duty horsepower or higher if your weight is more than 185 pounds.

Pay attention to the size of the walking track and the walking deck. Get a thick size deck at least 34 inches thick, for comfort of the feet and legs. The length of the walking track should be at least 48 inches and the width about 17 inches, so that you do not step off the track. You can get a longer track if you are going to run on the treadmill. Next check the shock absorption. Avoid buying treadmills that have shock absorbers on the legs as this is not effective shock absorption. The treadmill’s suspension must be directly under the walking deck to provide effective cushioning for the legs, feet and back. Foam or rubber is used for the padding. Foam can be softer and more comfortable than rubber, but it requires more time to return to its original size after impact, where rubber can recover to full thickness instantly and is a better shock absorbent.

Some treadmills even have a range of special preset exercise programs that can automatically change speed and can even measure your heart rate. They can be more expensive than the usual treadmills, so if you are on a limited budget you could always buy a cheaper one and get a separate heart rate monitor and develop your own programs.

Bring one home!

Walking is a very effective exercise which everybody is able to do. It is basic, doesn’t require a lot of coordination, and can be an excellent way to deal with stress by clearing your head. Anybody of any age can do it, and it is the same for a beginner as well as for an athlete. So, if you are an indoor person, cannot go to a gym, or if you do not get time to go out to exercise, you can get a treadmill and exercise at home whenever you can and want to.