Life Fitness Treadmill. Treadmills are an incredibly popular option for home gyms. Having a treadmill in your home can make it easier and faster to squeeze in a workout. There are many different treadmills on the market--from the $200 manual treadmills to the $5,000 top-of-the-line models you may use at your local gym. To make sure you get the most out of your treadmill purchase, there are several different features you should look for in a treadmill.
Electric or Manual
How often will you use your treadmill? If you plan to do a great deal of walking or running on your treadmill, you should definitely look for an electric treadmill, rather than a manual one. Manual treadmills do not have a motor, and you must manually move the belt with your legs as you walk. The cheapest treadmills on the market are manual, but they are not usually recommended for anyone but the most casual walker. They are definitely not recommended for runners.
Size
Choose a treadmill that makes exercise comfortable. Treadmill decks range in size, and some can be shorter and narrower than others. The majority of treadmill decks range from 52 to 60 inches. If you are tall or have a long leg stride, you probably want a deck closer to 58 inches or longer. If you are unsure what length would feel comfortable, be sure to try out a few different models at your local gym or fitness store.
How often will you use your treadmill? If you plan to do a great deal of walking or running on your treadmill, you should definitely look for an electric treadmill, rather than a manual one. Manual treadmills do not have a motor, and you must manually move the belt with your legs as you walk. The cheapest treadmills on the market are manual, but they are not usually recommended for anyone but the most casual walker. They are definitely not recommended for runners.
Size
Choose a treadmill that makes exercise comfortable. Treadmill decks range in size, and some can be shorter and narrower than others. The majority of treadmill decks range from 52 to 60 inches. If you are tall or have a long leg stride, you probably want a deck closer to 58 inches or longer. If you are unsure what length would feel comfortable, be sure to try out a few different models at your local gym or fitness store.
Speed and Incline
It is important to evaluate the speed and incline settings on a treadmill, especially if you will be using the treadmill for race training or speed work. Some cheaper models have speed settings that may only go up to 6 or 7 mph. That may be fine if you will be walking on the treadmill, but runners will want a model that goes up to 10 or 12 mph. Also, check out the incline settings. If you want the ability to do some intense hill workouts on your treadmill, you will want an incline setting that goes up to at least 10 percent.
Fans and Accessories
Some of the fancier treadmill models have comfort features that are especially nice for home gyms. Some models offer built-in fans, which can come in very handy when running indoors. In addition, many treadmills offer cup holders for your water bottle and shelving to hold a book or magazine while you walk. A few of the top treadmill models even have built-in televisions. You will have to pay more for these comfort features, but they can make your workouts more enjoyable.
Safety Features
All treadmills should have a safety stop, so make sure to look for that feature on your treadmill. On some models, the safety stop is a big red button, and on others, it may be a cord you have to pull. You will want to have this feature in case you ever need to suddenly stop the treadmill.
Price and Warranty
A very important feature that many neglect to consider when buying a treadmill is the warranty. Some companies can offer warranties of only 6 months, while higher-end models can have warranties that last the life of the treadmill. A warranty can help you avoid costs down the road if your motor breaks or you need to replace the belt. Finally, price is always a consideration when shopping for a treadmill, but remember that you get what you pay for. If you are planning to use the treadmill regularly, you will probably want to narrow your search to treadmills more than $1,000. Treadmills less than $1,000 are a good choice only for walkers who will only use their treadmill on occasion.
