What things should I consider when buying a treadmill?
When you are ready to buy a treadmill, you are going to want to make the
right decision the first time. Though treadmills are not the most expensive
pieces of exercise equipment, they are still pricy, and the cost of
purchasing one that you ultimately do not want is high for two reasons:
·
Treadmills are expensive and not always easy to return used.
·
If you do not like using your treadmill the first time, it is hard to
motivate yourself to continue.
Because treadmills are such an important exercise tool, it becomes necessary
to find a good treadmill the first time for no other reason than you want to
keep yourself motivated to jog and run.
There are many things that you should consider about the treadmill before
you decide what to purchase. Some of these include:
·
Electrical or Self Powered
Not all treadmills are motorized. Some treadmills expect you to get the
treadmill working yourself through the force of your feet. If you really
want to keep yourself motivated, you do not want these unmotorized
treadmills. They are difficult to use, and many people choose to quit them
early. Expect to get a motorized treadmill, as few people are able to stick
with the treadmills that do not have motors.
·
Horsepower
If you are going to be running on the treadmill often, you need to find a
treadmill with good horsepower from its motor. You should check out the
continuous horsepower as well as the peak horsepower, as both of these
affect both the success of the machine and the lifespan. A good treadmill
for running will have a continuous horsepower of 2.0, with a peak of 3.0 or
more, while a good treadmill for walking will have a horsepower of 1.0 with
a peak of 2.0 or 2.5. A 1.5 HP is adequate for most joggers, but 2.0 is a
better choice. Also, make sure that the peak and continuous are at least 1
HP apart. Any closer, and the lifespan of the motor will be cut short.
·
Folding Capabilities
One thing you may want to consider is whether or not you want a treadmill
that is able to fold up and save space. The answer is not as simple as you
would think. A folding treadmill is useful for storing when you have guests
over and need to make space, but many people report that once they have
folded up their treadmill they have less of a desire to use it. If you have
the space to dedicate, you may not want a treadmill that folds so that
viewing it helps keep you motivated.
Finding the Right Treadmill
Once you are ready to purchase a treadmill you will no doubt look at many
more than these three items. You need to find a reliable one that can
support your needs. But all three of these are important considerations for
anyone looking to buy a new treadmill.
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