So
you have decided to buy a treadmill and you say you would walk a mile to get the
best price, but what you really want is the best buy on the right model. Finding
the best buy, however, isn’t always that easy. With an increasing awareness
and emphasis on physical fitness and increasing market demand, manufacturers of
treadmills and other fitness equipment are providing consumers with an ever
increasing range in quality, performance, and price. You can find a
non-motorized treadmill for $199, home units from $400 to $4000, or commercial
& medical grade units from $3000 to $10,000.
For even an average treadmill user it’s obvious that a $199 unit will not last, and unless you are a medical rehab. center you do not need a $10,000 unit, so what about the units in between ? Different levels of quality and performance of the basic components of a treadmill are used to satisfy the wide variety of needs for the market today. Other factors to consider are those associated with the seller and manufacturer of the equipment such as their ability to deliver and install, provide training, and provide warranty and/or long term maintenance.
Here are some rules of thumb to think about when making your purchase:
1. Don’t Skimp on Quality A better quality treadmill may cost a little more, but it is likely to be a lot cheaper than the medical expenses for coronary care. The American Heart Association reports that the average cardiac catheterization cost $10,880 in 1992 while in 1996 coronary bypass surgery went for $44,820. The treadmill ranked as "Best Buy" in the December 1999 issue of Runner’s World costs less than $2000.
2. Talk to an expert Go see a fitness specialty dealer near you, their whole business is fitness and they know treadmills. Regardless of where you buy, the education makes you a better buyer and is well worth your time. A caution to you Internet buyers: Many quality fitness equipment manufacturers will not honor their warranty unless the equipment is purchased from and installed by an authorized dealer for you area.
3. Look for stability, comfort
and low noise The foundation of a
treadmill is its frame. Welded construction is better than bolted whether
aluminum or steel it’s sturdiness you want. Looks can often be deceiving, so
jump on the treadmill (literally) and give it a shake. An unstable treadmill
will be uncomfortable to use, since it amplifies the feeling of falling. An
unstable treadmill is also usually an indication of the units’ overall
quality. Make sure you like the feel of the soft/hardness when you walk &
run, since there are a variety of "feels" to choose from. And most
important if the treadmill is for your home, you don’t want the sound of a
freight train in your rec-room. If you plan to listen to music or watch TV while
you exercise, listen for a model with lower noise output.
4. Bigger is better When it comes to treadmill motors, bigger physical size is usually better. A larger motor can handle the heat better and usually provides more power. The motor work output, measured in horse power (HP) is perhaps one of the most abused specifications for comparing treadmills. Unfortunately since horse-power can be quoted using one of three different measures, it can be difficult to compare. One HP "continuous duty" is really better than one HP "peak duty" and one HP "treadmill duty" falls somewhere in between. Accordingly, better units offer 1.5 to 2.5 HP continuous duty. A good motor is about the size of a 2 liter bottle. Steer clear of anything less than 1 HP continuous and be wary of 3 to 5 HP Peak Duty. Often motors quoted at peak duty or those tested under very high RPMs are physically smaller than a quality motor. Ask to look under the hood.
5. If you use It, it will need service A treadmill that is used regularly (which is the main idea here, use it and lose weight) will require some minor maintenance and eventually service. Heat from friction is the culprit and eventually a treadmill that gets use, will have to have a belt and/or deck replacement, just as a car needs new tires. Where and from whom your going to get this service, should be one of the top criteria for your selection.
6. Electronic motivation
Everyone knows it is hard to get motivated to exercise, but many treadmills have
a variety of controls and preset programs to help you get started quickly and
track your progress. The newest feature in the arena is "heart-rate
control", where the treadmill is set by you to keep you in the recommended
"heart rate training zone" during your workout, to maximize the
benefit of your time spent exercising.
7. Look at the ratings Each year Consumer Guide and Consumers Digest publish their ratings for treadmills. Look for repeat performers like the Aerobics Pacemaster Pro a "Best Buy" pick for 1998 and 1999 in both guides. Another good rating source is Runner’s World. The premier running magazine publishes a rating every other year. The December 1999 issue rates the top scoring True 500 HRC as "Editors’ Choice" and the Pacemaster as "Best Buy". Finally a new comer to the rating game is the non-profit American Council on Exercise, whose recent rating was generated from an independent poll of 20,000 treadmill owners, also found True and Pacemaster to be "Overall Customer Satisfaction" award winners.
About the author:
Mark Mutch, now employed by Exercare Fitness Equipment, has worked in the fitness equipment industry for 12 years. He holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, an MS from Rochester Institute of Technology and is a Certified Personal Trainer by the American Council on Exercise.