Today everybody has become health conscious and wants to stay fit, but going to the gym can be a luxury which many people do not enjoy because of time constraint. Having a treadmill around the home is a great way to solve this problem because you will be able to workout from your own house without driving anywhere, sitting through traffic or wasting any time. You will be able to work out at any time, without any hassle or inconvenience. Whether you want to watch TV or read a book while you workout, or whether you want a great workout while there’s bad weather outside, you’ll always be covered.
Knowing the basics of how a treadmill works is of course important. It operates with a moving belt, which moves back to the rear of the machine at a set speed, and you have to run forward at the same speed to stay even with it. It will be easy to adjust this speed as you need, along with other adjustment factors such as inclination. Plus you will be able to monitor your heart rate, see how many calories you burnt off and more.
How to choose the right treadmill: Once you’re ready to make a purchase, you’ll see that there are dozens and dozens of choices that you will have to choose between. So which factors are you supposed to pay attention to? 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. You want to ensure you get all of the features that you are looking for, and you want to make sure you get a high quality and long lasting machine.
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. If space is an issue, you may want to choose a model which folds for storage. The motor of the treadmill is also very important, but it’s something that many people overlook. Choose one that has a larger and heavier motor if you are looking for long lasting and durability. 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. For an average adult male, you want a motor with at least 1.5 continuous duty horsepower.
You also of course want to see the other measurements and specifications for the treadmill that you will be purchasing. Get a thick size deck at least 3/4 inches thick, for comfort of the feet and legs. The length of the treadmill should be about 48 inches or longer, and the width should be at least 17 inches. Next check the 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 have choices between rubber and foam padding, rubber is better at shock absorbing and recovers quicker, while foam will generally be softer and more comfortable.
Finally, don’t forget to consider all of the extra features of your treadmill. Features can include preset exercise programs, levels of inclination and different degrees of monitoring and displays. Depending on how much you’re willing to spend you’ll find treadmills with all of the features and many more to match your needs.
So are you ready to go out and buy a treadmill?. 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.