Even though you want to stay in shape and stick with all of your fitness goals, getting to the gym is not always the easiest thing to do because of the time it takes and your busy schedule. But you can fix this by working out from home, with a great treadmill that will provide an excellent workout. You will be able to work out at any time, without any hassle or inconvenience. You can exercise while watching TV, or even read while you run. Even when there is bad weather you can run indoors.
Knowing the basics of how a treadmill works is of course important. Basically a treadmill works with a belt system that moves back to the rear of the machine as you run forward. Changing the speed is always easy to do, and you’ll be able to enjoy many other features such as heart rate monitoring, calories burned displayed and much more.
Now you may be itching to learn how to choose a great treadmill for your own needs. Of course, this was all just the most basic information about treadmills. Now how are you supposed to make a decision between all of them that are available? Many people start their search with consideration of price. This is important because treadmills can get very expensive. 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. Consider the durability and functionality first, and then come to the price.
A main consideration when you’re ready to buy a treadmill is how large the machine is. Before you set out to buy a treadmill, first decide where you want to put it, and measure up the space. Also keep in mind that many can be folded up to make storage easier and less obtrusive. The motor of the treadmill is also very important, but it’s something that many people overlook. A larger and more powerful motor will end up lasting longer and providing more consistency. 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. A 1.5 continuous duty horsepower engine is a good place to start for an average adult male.
You’ll also need to focus on the specifications of the deck itself. Get a thick size deck at least 3/4 inches thick, for comfort of the feet and legs. In terms of the other sizes for the deck, you want one that at a minimum is 48 inches long and 17 inches wide, so you have plenty of room to work with as you are on the treadmill. After looking at all of these measurements you want to pay attention to shock absorption. The treadmill’s suspension must be directly under the walking deck to provide effective cushioning for the legs, feet and back. You’ll see that either foam or rubber is used for padding, and each has their own advantages and drawbacks in terms of comfort and durability.
One of the great features of treadmills is that you’ll be able to choose between a variety of exercise programs and preset programs and you’ll be able to instantly change speeds and even inclinations. Of course, the more of these features and other advanced specifications that you have on your machine, the more money you will probably have to spend.
So if you’re ready to bring a treadmill home today, then all of this should help you get started with your decision process. A great place to start is with a Bowflex treadmill such as the Bowflex 7 Series treadmill which is amazingly capable and powerful and is loaded with features. You’ll save all of the time and hassle as opposed to the gym and you’ll have no excuses to not get into fantastic shape.
