When it comes to home fitness, treadmill workouts can be an ideal choice. Running or doing intervals on a treadmill burns a lot of calories, and you don't have to worry about weather, road conditions, or child care. But buying a fitness treadmill is a big investment. Here's what to consider before you make your selection. Once you know what you want, see advice on
buying treadmill equipment.
Measure Twice, Buy Once
Where will you keep your treadmill? Measure the area carefully. Most treadmills are at least 5 feet long and 2 feet wide. Slightly shorter-length fitness treadmills are OK if you plan to use them for walking or light jogging only. If you're a runner, you'll need a longer deck (that's the surface of the treadmill). Also be aware of headroom, often an issue in basements. Some experts advise against folding treadmills. "A greater number of joints compromises stability and durability. Plus, a folding treadmill tends to stay folded," says Shari Feuz, a kinesiologist and certified personal trainer in Vancouver, Canada.
Fitness Treadmill Power Pointers
Check the continuous duty (not peak duty) power rating of any treadmill you are considering. You'll need a continuous duty horsepower of 2 miles per hour for walking or jogging; if you or someone else in your family will be running regularly on the treadmill, get a motor rated at least 2.5 or 3 miles per hour. "A treadmill with insufficient horsepower may break down due to overheating and excessive stress," says Brad Schoenfeld, a personal trainer in New York and the author of Women's Home Workout Bible. If you are a runner, you need a treadmill that will allow you to go up to 10-11 miles per hour.Weigh In
Make sure any treadmill you buy will safely accommodate your weight and that of any other family members who will be using the machine. The American Council on Exercise recommends that the motor and deck be able to handle at least 180 pounds.Play It Safe
A safety shut-off switch or key is important for any treadmill, but absolutely
essential for one in a home with children. "I wouldn't purchase a treadmill without a safety shut-off switch," says San Diego, California personal trainer Mike Deibler. "When you are working out, things can happen. You can slip on sweat or get distracted, or you are just too tired to keep up with the speed. The shut-off switch can prevent serious injury. There is no reason to take that chance." Store the safety key out of kids' reach so they can't operate the treadmill.
All Feet on Deck
Check the specs of the deck on any fitness treadmill you're considering. "The running deck should be low-impact to absorb your footsteps by flexing with each step. This will help avoid ankle, knee, hip, and back problems that can occur from the pounding of your feet," says Marc Tinsley, a chiropractic physician, personal trainer, and author who practices in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Dr. Tinsley recommends that the deck be at least an inch thick, and the belt should be two-ply. Trainer Brad Schoenfeld notes that a reversible deck is a good investment, since it doubles the lifespan of your treadmill.Going Up? Treadmill Inclines
To boost fitness, treadmills with an incline are the way to go. Look for a model that allows you to easily raise or lower the deck with the touch of a button. Your treadmill should incline to a grade of at least 10 percent; aim for 15 percent if you are (or hope to become!) a more experienced runner or walker. Some more expensive treadmills now also have a decline option, which allows you to simulate walking or running downhill.Built-in Fitness: Treadmill Workout Options
To alleviate boredom, you may prefer a treadmill that comes with preset workouts. Check the range of offerings. If setting up your own workouts is important to you, seek out a model that allows that. Be sure preset routines meet your goals, says Dr. Tinsley. "Don't pay more for 20 pre-programmed workouts if you're only going to use ten. Some models even have the ability to download new programs," he adds. Overall, invest in durable construction over extras such as fans, built-in MP3 players, and the like. But if a particular feature will motivate you to use the treadmill more, then make it a must-have.On Display
Look for a display that shows time, distance, speed, and incline. The ability to change speed in small increments (0.1 mph) makes workouts more customizable. "Don't let fancy computerized gadgetry sway you," says Schoenfeld. "Make sure you can readily locate and operate the buttons. Look for LED displays that are well-lit and easy to read." Many fitness treadmills offer calorie counters, but they aren't always accurate. The same goes for heart rate monitoring that requires you to grip a sensor. You may be better off with a stand-alone
heart rate monitor that you can use for non-treadmill workouts too.
