Treadmills have become
hottest home exercise choice. According to National Sporting Goods Association, treadmill sales have exceeded those of all other home exercise equipment. It's easy to understand why. Next to good shoes, a treadmill may be a runner's best friend. Practically anything your training demands--hills, intervals, tempo, long distance--you can do on a treadmill. And you can log those miles while watching Seinfeld or keeping an eye on your kids, without worrying about heat, cold, wind, ice, cars, darkness, potholes, mean dogs or scary people.
Excited? Good. Now let's take your treadmill education another step and go treadmill shopping. Before we set out, though, a word of caution: Treadmills are expensive, and they're complex. A bad buying decision could leave you with one more inactive exercise hulk languishing in that musty corner of your basement. So tread carefully as we steer through maze of buying a 'mill.
First off, remember as with most things you get what you pay for. A $1,000 treadmill may serve you well, but a $3,000 machine is likely to perform better for a longer time.
The following are some more specifics to absorb before you buy.
How long should a home treadmill last? Retailers tell us range is seven to 12 years, with 10 years about average. Of course, with proper care, some treadmills far exceed average. With neglect, even expensive ones die young. Dust is primary early killer of treadmills, Once a week, take a dry cloth and wipe up any dust between belt and deck. Also keep floor around your treadmill clean and free of dust.
What about warranty?
Generally, longer warranty, higher treadmill's quality--and price. Ideally you should look for a warranty of three years for parts and one year for labor, with dealer-provided in-home service for first year. Most problems, if they occur at all, will crop up in first 90 days. Mostly it will be relatively minor stuff, such as adjustment or replacement of a component.
What's difference between a "home" treadmill and a "club" model?
Manufacturers often separate treadmills into two categories: "home" or "residential," and "club" or "commercial." Good home treadmills are essentially smaller versions of club treadmills. The high-end home treadmill can easily withstand regular daily use and features extensive programming options, often more than are found in club treadmills. Club treadmills come with a superior warranty and a bigger motor that can take round-the-clock beatings. They also carry significantly higher price tags.
What do horsepower ratings mean?
Horsepower (h.p.) is a measure of motor power, and runners will want a 1.5 h.p. or higher "continuous duty" rating for their home treadmill, say most retailers. While higher ratings (2.0 h.p. or higher are common) do indicate a more powerful treadmill, your overall aim should be a machine that efficiently integrates workings of motor, belt and deck to give you a steady ride, which some 1.5 h.p. treadmills accomplish.
