What To Look For In A Treadmill

The main items to look for in choosing a treadmill are the motor, incline motor, the belt and deck size, the belt, controls and displays, heart rate monitor and control, rollers and of course the companies reputation.

Treadmill Motor
A treadmill motor is one of the most significant components to consider when buying a treadmill. It is what drives the treadbelt. Depending on the quality and power, it can make the difference between a smooth running machine and a loud noisy treadmill that struggles to run.When comparing treadmill motors you want to go by the horsepower of the continuous duty, not peak horsepower. Peak horsepower is the maximum horsepower a treadmill can reach. Continuous-duty horsepower is a measure of sustained power during regular use. The continuous motor power is what is consistently delivered during heavy usage, over an extended period of time. It’s like buying a stereo system. They advertise peak power and RMS or continuous power. You can have a thousand watts of peal power and only 15 watts of RMS or continuous power. Not very loud for most of the time. Since peak horsepower is usually significantly higher than a motor's continuous capability, continuous horsepower is a better indicator of which treadmill will accommodate your intended exercise use. Generally speaking, the larger the motor the more powerful it can operate at a continuous rate. Although some quality motors may have a lower continuous duty hp rating, and yet be better.Continuous duty is the standard in comparing horsepower. Unfortunately there is no official standard rating and often treadmill manufacturers will exaggerate the actual continuous duty horsepower. Regardless, the continuous duty horsepower rating will give you some guideline. An indication of the quality of the motor will often be reflected by the extent of the warranty. A 90 day warranty will suggest lack of quality. A warranty of 5 years or more tells you that the motor is built to last, or otherwise the company would go broke having to replace them. As a guide, if you only walk a 2.0 HP continuous duty motor would work, if you are going to jog a 2.5 HP continuous duty would be better and if you are going to run a 3.0HP or larger would be best. If you are over 200 lbs you may want to add .5 hp to the motor level.

Incline Motor
Incline raises the treadmill's running bed for increased resistance. Treadmill incline are like walking or running up hills, making your workout more challenging, in addition to burning more calories and further increasing muscle tone. Power incline offers you automatic adjustment so you can change the incline while you're walking/running to add variety and challenge to your workout; most treadmills offer a powered incline from 0%-10%. Some high-end models go up to 15%. Elevation mechanisms come in many different forms. The most effective and durable elevation assemblies are worm-gear actuator driven electronic elevation motors. Worm-gear electronic elevation systems use a separate, powerful motor to elevate the treadmill while in use. Typical elevation motors will have a thrust value from 400 to 1000 pounds, therefore pushing up the deck without any hesitation while exercising.

Belt/Deck Size
Belts vary in length, depending on whether the unit is geared more for walkers/joggers or runners. Belt widths range from 16" to 22", while lengths vary from about 45" to 62"s. In most cases you want to stay away from 16" belts. They are extremely narrow and offer very little room to move. For walking an 18" belt is adequate, but if you are going to jog or run we suggest a 20" belt. We recommend the following guideline for treadmill belt and deck lengths. For walking 50" - 52" is adequate, depending on your height. If you plan to jog we suggest at least 54". If you are tall or a runner with long strides, you should be looking at a 58"+ belt. Note: Many manufacturers measure the length by the extent of the deck. That is not a true measurement, since part of the deck is covered by plastic shrouds. You want to know the actual length of the belt surface that you can walk or run on.

Treadbelt
With a treadbelt you want low noise and high performance. You want a minimum 2-ply belt for long wear and sufficient cushioning. Quality treadmills will have belts that are pre-lubricated/waxed to provide minimal maintenance (if any). Expect up to 25,000 miles of service by simply keeping the unit clean (free of dirt). This lubrication/wax system is a special blend of high-pressure synthetic compounds. The design and make-up of a treadbelt is a science onto itself. What is important is you want a belt that will provide extended wear and comfort. Once again, warranties on the belts are an indication. Any warranty less then a year would suggest potential problems in the future. It is important to keep your treadbelt clean. Dirt, dust, dog hair, etc., can get into the machinery and cause problems.

Console Controls and Displays
Computer panel displays are either LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) OR LED (Light Emitting Diode--easier to read because it is brighter). The displays come in all shapes and sizes. In addition, you can find quality treadmills that have ¼ track displays and heart zone readings.Most treadmills have some sort of computer programming, ranging from a simple odometer and speedometer to preprogrammed workouts and storage capabilities. Computer controls can provide feedback such as speed, distance, heart rate, pace, calories burned, laps taken, time elapsed, incline and more (depending on the particular treadmill). Seeing these progress readouts offers motivation to increase intensity and add challenges to your workout. The programs are either pre-set or with more expensive models, they can be programmed specific to the speed and incline challenge you would prefer.

Heart Rate Monitor and Control
There are a variety of heart rate options available on treadmills. The basic is heart rate monitoring, where you hold the siderails to get a read-out of your heart rate. There is also heart rate control, where either through holding the siderails or by with a wireless chest strap, the intensity of your workout is controlled by your heart rate. This allows you to keep your workout within a preset zone. Most treadmills maintain your heart rate zone by adjusting the incline. Although some also have the option of allowing the speed to adjust the rate. The treadmill determines a pre-set maximum target heart rate based upon the users sex, height, weight and age, or the user can adjust it to whatever maximum target workout rate they want. (This should be subject to the user's physical condition and determined after consulting with a physician.)

Rollers
A major component in providing no hesitation walking/running and long treadbelt life is the roller system. In design, there is no substitute for size. Basically the larger the roller the better. That's why commercial treadmills will oversize the roller design with very large diameters.Large treadmill rollers can offer the following advantages: Treadbellts can run with less tension. Less tension results in longer life to both the belt and roller bearings. This is because the larger roller diameter has more area to "grip" the belt (traction) and prevent slippage. Large rollers turn more slowly at all speeds. This obviously reduces bearing wear. For example, treadmills with 2.5" rollers run up to 43% slower then smaller rollers. Small rollers mean small bearings. Large bearings in rollers mean large load capacity, up to 40% more! This adds longer life. Treadbelt doesn't have to bend as sharp as it is forced over larger rollers. Support fibers (polyester) in the belt will last longer by staying cooler and not flexing as much. The more flex, the more heat, especially on a very tight belt (necessary to prevent slippage) with units using small rollers. Larger rollers have more surface mass to absorb treadmill belt heat. Treadbelts can run hot! The cooler they operate, the better. The backing lasts longer, the splice is stronger and the PVC top coat doesn't "migrate" (bleed through) to the deck (causing friction). Better precision bearing alignment is maintained. Because with large roller size, you also get much more strength. Larger axles (bigger bearings) are also stronger to minimize flexing between the mounting points of the roller.

Reputation of the company.
Only purchase from a business that is known for both the quality of their products and their commitment to customer satisfaction. We strongly recommend that you do your research before you buy. It will pay off in the "long run." The most important buyer's guide recommendation. The warranty reflects the quality of a treadmill. A 90 parts and service warranty suggests the machine will not last long. A warranty that covers the parts for a number of years and has a one year service warranty suggest the treadmill is built to last. You can read more about this at http://www.treadmill-ratings-reviews.com/info/tread_features.htm.