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Treadmills have experienced
substantial growth over the years. They are designed to
enhance the most popular form of exercising - running and
walking. Treadmills are built on the basic premise that
the more effort you put in, the more you will get out. As
other fitness equipment and gimmicks gather dust,
treadmills continue to 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.
Treadmills can guarantee a
consistent workout in all seasons. In warm or wet regions,
you don't need to be concerned about heat exhaustion in
hot and humid weather.
For walkers and runners
alike, injuries are common from the constant pounding of
joints on asphalt and concrete. Particularly higher end
treadmills offer surfaces that absorb impact and reduce
pressure. 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 treadmill 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 treadmill 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 walking/running 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 treadmill to
shake at any grade.
Control Panel: Generally
computerized panels are standard on most treadmills. They
range from basic and simple to the complex and fully
programmable. It all depends on what bell and whistles you
want. Price is influenced by the control panel options, 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: Keep in mind, you
get what you pay for. You're going to invest $1,000 and up
in a good quality motorized treadmill. Spending this kind
of money ought to motivate you to do your homework and
purchase wisely.
Of course buying a
treadmill is just the beginning. You won't lose weight
looking at it. 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're in the market to
seriously educate yourself about treadmills, visit www.treadmilladviser.com
where you can obtain more detailed information.
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About
The Author
Paul
Reeve is a Personal Trainer responsible
for training individuals one-on-one and
assisting them in achieving their health
and fitness goals and providing them with
guidance, support and motivation.
Presenter and lecturer for Fitness
Professionals, Sports Organizations, Sport
Coaches, Corporate and Community
Organizations. Webmaster for www.treadmilladviser.com
- providing informed advice on exercise
treadmills. |
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