Treadmills

• There are lots of elements to consider when buying a treadmill, such as how much use it will get, where will it fit, how much will I have to spend and what should I look for in a top quality treadmill?


• There are so many brands and types to choose from, it can be a daunting prospect. Remember to take the time to have a good look around, get an idea of prices and brands and don’t be afraid to ask questions.


• It is a major purchase, so here are some helpful tips on choosing the best quality treadmill.

Continuous duty rating – this is the horsepower rating for steady 24 hour motor usage. It can be found stamped onto the metal plate on the DC motor. This rating should be at least 1.5hp.

Motor - A test to check the quality of the motor is to set the treadmill at low speed, grasp a railing and trying to slow it down a little with your foot. If you hear groaning or straining, then the motor may be of poor quality.

Torque - The motor should also deliver high torque at low speeds, so check and see how the treadmill performs at low speeds (under 1mph).

Motor Boards - For motor controllers there are 2 types – SCR and PWM. A PWM board will be quieter, less costly, have a longer life, higher tolerance to heavy use and extended motor performance.

Speed - Most treadmills have speeds of 0-10mph, unless they are designed for walking only. A safe staring speed is around 0.5mph.

Belt - The belt should have plenty of room for your longest stride, and you should be able to reach the monitor easily without walking onto the motor housing. 17” by 48” is an average sized belt.

Incline - The incline should be quiet and wobble-free. An electric incline with rack and pinion is ideal but a little more costly. The incline should not be more than 10%.

Control Panel – these are either Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Light Emitting Diode (LED). LCD panels are common on cheaper models, but LED panels are easier to read.
Panels should be programmable for speed, easy to use with easy to find buttons.

Features - Top of the range treadmills offer programmable speed, incline, distance, time, heart rate and emergency shut off. If you are going for a top end treadmill it would be worth getting one with error messaging. This will tell you what has gone wrong and save you time and effort puzzling over it.

If you want a treadmill with heart rate control it is best to choose an interactive one. The most accurate heart rate monitors are chest straps.

Frames – These should be welded instead of bolted. High alloy steel will be more durable and stable than aluminium, however aluminium will not rust.

Safety – the treadmill should have safety features such as emergency shut-off, ability to limit incline and speed, a gradual start/stop and accessible hand rails.

Warranty - It is best to look for a lifetime warranty on frames and at least 2years on moving parts and motor/electronic parts.

Tips

• Always read the owners manual, and adhere to the guidelines, especially regarding deck and belt maintenance.



• Never use household lubricants – use special petroleum free lubricants.



• Keep out of dusty, dirty areas



• Do not use with wet shoes



• If in doubt, ask someone.