There are many different types of cardio fitness equipment that people can now purchase for use in their own home. The treadmill (along with the exercise bike) was the original machine of choice for most who were serious about keeping fit and loosing weight and is till one of the most popular today.
There are hundreds of different makes, models and types of treadmills on the market now. This can make it very difficult for make a decision when you are looking to buy. In this guide we will try to breakdown the things to consider before deciding the best treadmill for you.
One of the most important things to consider is the capacity of the motor. Check out the amount of horsepower or “HP” the motor is. Cheap treadmills generally have a small motor that will struggle at higher speeds and body weights and will generally not last long if worked hard. As you go up the range the motors become more powerful allowing higher speeds (for running and jogging), higher inclines and of course are capable of being worked harder.
There are also three basic grades of treadmill. Most can defined as being home use, light commercial or commercial. Obviously very heavy use equipment like that in a gym needs to be built to higher standards and this heavy duty build comes at a cost. It is overkill to buy a commercial treadmill for home use but many choose to buy a light commercial grade unit for their home. This is a good choice if you have the money and are serious about your cardio. These models typically will last longer and be pretty much maintenance free.
The display panel or console is something that varies greatly between models. Most have all the basics such as giving feedback on distance, time, speed, calories burnt, incline etc. The more high end models implement more advanced features like built in fitness programs, heart rate monitors. Some even have built in dvd players, TVs and are internet enabled!
Of course, like any purchase, price is of major importance when you are looking to buy a treadmill. You may be tempted to buy a cheap treadmill but many of these very cheap models can end up costing you more in the long run in parts and maintenance.
One of the best ways to get a bargain when purchasing is to buy a treadmill online. Fitness stores like Big Fitness offer discounted prices on their range of treadmills and will do free delivery, which shouldn’t be overlooked because the shipping of the bigger models can be quite expensive.
