Running on a Treadmill Vs. Running Outside

The importance of fitness cannot be stressed enough. Some suggest that a simple, daily walk is good enough to keep you fit. On the other hand, a lot of people resort to running and jogging to primarily remain fit, burn calories, develop strength and stamina, and strengthen their muscles. With all that it has to offer, the benefits of running cannot be overlooked. When it comes to running, a lot of people have their own views about doing so on a treadmill vs. running outside. While some swear by the exercise equipment that allows you to enjoy exercise while watching your favorite program, others believe that the benefits of running outside cannot be matched by any exercise or fitness equipment. To give you an insight into this debate, presented here are the benefits of both, running outside, as well as running on a treadmill, after which you can decide what suits you the most.

Benefits of Running Outside Vs. Running on a Treadmill

How much better is it to run on a treadmill, than run outside? Let's take a look at the benefits of running outside as against on a treadmill.

• Studies have proven that it is always a better choice to opt for jogging and running outside. There are several reasons for this. For one, when you run outside, you are exposed to different terrain. You could run on a beach, a pavement, or you could run on grass, and these add to the muscular development and strengthening of the legs. This proves as a better option when compared to the smooth surface of a treadmill.
• Moreover, when running outside, you face what is known as wind resistance. Trying to run against the wind makes you utilize more energy. So, you end up burning more calories than what you would while running on a treadmill.
• When you run outside, you expend all of your own energy in the effort of running. When running on a treadmill, the moving belt propels you to run and thus, requires slightly less of your own energy.
• Running outside allows you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, something that is missing when you are running on a treadmill indoors. You are exposed to fresh air, that rejuvenates the mind and body, and you can always resort to a newer route to break the monotony of the same path.

Benefits of Running on a Treadmill Vs. Running Outside

As mentioned earlier, running on a treadmill and running outside, both have their pros and cons. After taking a look at the benefits of running outside than on a treadmill, let's take a look at the other side of the coin and all that it has to offer.

• Though treadmills provide a smooth terrain for running, it is extremely suitable for those who are suffering from, or are prone to muscle injuries. It provides a kind of cushioning to the feet that is not available when running outside.
• Another case in point regarding the smooth belt of a treadmill is that it has been proven more suitable for those who are obese or heavily overweight, since it propels the body and allows them to slowly gain momentum. This allows them to get started on a workout suitably.
• While you may develop more muscle when running outside, it is not a feat that cannot be achieved on a treadmill. Simply by running on a slight incline, your lower body can get as much of a workout on a treadmill, as it does outdoors.
• Treadmills allow you to get your daily run irrespective of the weather conditions outside. If you are the kind who runs outside, with varied conditions, you may have to set aside your daily workout, and start all over when the weather conditions become more suitable for a workout.
• Finally, a treadmill allows you to track the number of calories burned while running, and your heart rate, which is missing when you run outdoors.

Now that you know the pros and cons of running on a treadmill vs. running outside and vice versa, it is for you to decide which one suits you better. The bottom line is that both options allow you to enjoy the benefits of running daily. Just keep in mind this important tip. If you are running solely for the purpose of fitness, you may choose either a treadmill or the option of running outside. However, if you are training for a marathon, it is always better to run outside and get used to the terrain and weather conditions you will be exposed to outdoors. You may train on a treadmill for this purpose, but it is just not enough and running outside becomes essential. Moreover, a treadmill is an expensive piece of fitness equipment, so unless you are planning on setting up a home gym, choosing to run outside may prove slightly cheaper. As such, take your pick and decide whether you would like to burn your calories on a smooth treadmill, or would like to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors by running outside.

How to Compare Treadmills

With fitness awareness breaching new highs everyday and people not finding enough time for regular workouts at the gym, more and more Americans are bringing the gym to their home or workplace. Sale of fitness equipment have reported a steep rise, and treadmills, for obvious reasons, lead the pack. The consumer is willing to spend more money on treadmills, as compared to other exercise equipment. But with the market teeming with countless treadmill brands and models, a question of comparison is bound to arise.

As is the case with any other new purchase, there should be a lot of study before one decides to buy a treadmill. A bunch of questions can crop up in your mind, when you decide to shop for a treadmill. With several brands, each having more than a dozen models, and each manufacturer claiming their product to be superior in one aspect or the other, more often than not the consumer ends up with a raw deal. Going through a readmill buying guide or treadmill reviews and ratings may be a tried and tested way to go about it. But, it would be best to know a few models of various brands in detail, before doing a comparison of these models based on different parameters. This way your selection would be logical, practical and would result in you choosing a suitable treadmill, that suits your requirements. You would then find yourself in a position, where you could save or shell out a bit more, for a few extra features.

Making comparisons on your own, by making a detailed compilation of all the models of various brands, can be a very tedious job. Instead one can go for product reviews in consumer magazines or one could search the Internet. Most of the content is unbiased and comes from reliable sources. If you were previously attending a fitness center or a gym, you can even consult the trainer under whose guidance you have trained and also, then your first-hand experience can guide you to decide on many parameters.

Treadmill Comparison: Important Constraints
There are five parameters or properties of a treadmill, which you must always take into consideration.

1. Motor with Optimum Wattage
The driving motor of the treadmill should not be too powerful or you will have to pay a lot for your workout, literally! Nor should it be too much of a powersaver or it will burn well before it should have lasted. A range of 2-2.5 hp (approx 1500-2200W) should be the power rating of the motor.

2. Cushioning
It is another important aspect which is ignored, most of the time. Proper cushioning is very important for the safety of your joints, back and ligaments.

3. Indicator Panel
A comprehensive indicator panel with a lot of vital data like distance covered, approximate calories burnt, cardio details like pulse rate and blood pressure should be amongst the monitored.

4. Extended Warranty
If you're ready to invest on your health, you deserve to get the maximum. For this, your purchase needs to be backed by an extended warranty. Every component of the treadmill must be covered under this warranty, the period may not be the same though. For instance, the framework may be warranted for more than 20 years, motor for up to 5 yrs and parts and servicing for at least 12 months.

5. Renowned Brand Name
The general perception that a 'good brand name equals good quality' is debatable, though, it is true to a large extent, in case of treadmills. In order to maintain a strong grip on their market share, bigger brands can go a long way to please the consumer. The services of the more experienced players are impeccable and you can bet your money on their quality components. Avoid going for cheap treadmills, as they generally don't prove to be worthwhile in the long run.

Elliptical Machine is Not a Treadmill
Make sure that you never get confused between a treadmill and an elliptical machine. The treadmill vs elliptical debate has been raging for a long time now, but there is no clear winner yet. Also you must compare treadmills and ellipticals, as both have their own advantages. Unlike a treadmill, an elliptical machine focuses on the workout of the entire body. Moreover, those with a history of knee ailments are advised to go for an elliptical, as it is less stressful on the knee joint.

Now, you know how to do a treadmill comparison, and so, keep all these points in mind and have a fair idea of your budget, which will help you pick the most suitable home treadmill. Finally, the decision is all yours to make!

Proform Treadmill Review

Are you planning to buy a budgeted treadmill for a proper workout as a beginner? If yes, then Proform treadmill can prove to be a better option. Proform treadmill is a product of one of the topmost fitness equipment manufacturing company 'Icon Health and Fitness'. In this article, we are going to give you Proform treadmill review on the basis of the manufacturing company's reputation, warranty, quality, performance and customer's feedback. This information has been collected from different sources available in the market which are specially dedicated to treadmill reviews and ratings. So, let's check out the features, pros and cons of Proform treadmill.

Proform Treadmill Features

Proform treadmill serves as the best option for beginners. Following are some of the features which will give you a better idea of a Proform treadmill.

Brand Name
Proform Treadmill is manufactured by one of the top most company, 'Icon Health and Fitness'. The name of the company is so famous that people buy their product only by hearing the brand name. They trust the company and believe in their products.

Affordable Range
Proform treadmill can come under cheap treadmill category as its range varies from $500 to $1300. You can get what you want in the range which your pocket can allow. It is good for beginners who do not want to invest a lot in buying a treadmill. Going through the top models of the treadmill, you can get attractive features at a pretty low price.

Range of Models
There are lots of models of Proform treadmill available which vary in features and ranges. Some of the models which are available in the market are Proform 525 Treadmill, Proform 840 Treadmill, Proform 920 Treadmill, Proform 995 SEL Treadmill and Proform GSX 6.0 Treadmill. Apart from these, there are a few which are now not manufactured or have been discontinued by the company such as Proform 520x Treadmill, Proform 585s Treadmill, Proform 785 Treadmill, Proform 920 Treadmill, Proform 2500 Treadmill, etc.

Innovative Features
There are many innovative features in the top models of Proform treadmills. They are a result of a great research and development work done in the company to make the product better. The best example of their innovative feature is 'iFit Live'. Through iFit, you can stay connected with the world as you can surf Internet, check out Google map, see for a proper workout according to your fitness goals and can also take advice from the experts simultaneously while working out.

Warranty of the Product
The company provides 9 days warranty in all the models of Proform treadmill. Only the top most model offers 1 year warranty for parts and labor. Hence, to give your treadmill little more life, you need to buy extended warranty while purchasing the machine.

Proform Treadmill Pros

• According to various treadmill reviews, Proform treadmill is one of the most affordable treadmill machines available in the market.
• It is one of the best options for people who just want to walk and jog or we can say for beginners.
• Top models offer many innovative features like iFit live, etc.
• You can get many options for workout programs.
• Some of them also come with iPod port, Crosswalk arms, big LCD screen, etc. which makes the workout enjoyable.

Proform Treadmill Cons

• The biggest drawback of Proform treadmill is the warranty given by the company. It is of just 90 days which may compel you to take some Proform treadmill maintenance tips and look into some Proform treadmill troubleshooting.
• It is only meant for people who just want to walk and jog. Hence runners should not even think of buying it.
• In the low range models the product parts, the quality is very low.

As we come to the end of Proform treadmill review, I would suggest you to go for it only if you have a low-budget. There are many other options also available in the market so try to collect information about them too. If you want a heavy machine for running then you better buy a machine which is above $1800. You may have to spend a little more but you will get a good quality machine. So think before you buy and one more thing, always read the manual provided by the company before purchasing any product.

Elliptical Vs. Treadmill

The world has become fitness crazy, hence there are a number of exercise machines, that are introduced in the market. Among one such introduction is the elliptical machines. Is your new year resolution is to get fit this year, hence you are planning to buy either a treadmill or elliptical? Then you most certainly would want to get into the elliptical vs. treadmill debate to choose the best for your needs.

An Elliptical Or a Treadmill? Why?

When it comes to treadmill vs. elliptical machines comparison, it is very difficult to say, which one of the two is the best. The main reason being, each one has a different purpose, when it comes to buying any one of these machines. We will do the elliptical treadmills comparison based on certain points.

When it comes to the first point in the comparison, people always want to know whether one should use an elliptical or a treadmills for weight loss. I would take this as the number of calories burnt by each one of them. The number of calories burnt depends on the stride of the elliptical and the belt length of the treadmill. The smaller the length of the stride, lesser will be the number of calories burnt, as the body will move less. The same is the case, when it comes to a treadmill as well. If the length of the belt of the treadmill is small, you will not be able to take longer strides with it, which will indirectly mean that you will burn less calories. There are a number of tests, which were carried out about the number of calories burnt. Some tests tilt in favor of the treadmills and the other in favor of ellipticals. It therefore means, it will depend on your choice, what is that you would want to use and what are you more comfortable with. Cardio done on both a treadmill as well as an elliptical will also give more or less the same results, as the higher the intensity of the workout, higher will be the number of calories burnt. On a treadmill, you can choose to walk on an incline with a higher speed or walk without incline at a moderate speed. Similarly, you can use a higher intensity program, when you are using the elliptical or use a lower intensity program as well.

After the number of calories comes the impact, these machines will have on the joints. If you have joint problem, especially knee problems, then you may want to choose an elliptical as opposed to a treadmill. The joint impact, when you run on the treadmill is much more than an elliptical workout. However, these days there also some treadmill models available, which come with orthopedic belts, that help in cushioning the impact on the joints.

Let's now see the space requirements in treadmill vs. elliptical trainer debate. Both elliptical as well as the treadmill occupy a decent amount of floor space. The treadmill may score over an elliptical in the space area, as most of the treadmill manufacturers do manufacture folding models of treadmills. These can be folded up, to save the floor space, when the treadmill is not in use. On the other hand, the elliptical machines will occupy the space all the time.

Now is the time to compare costs of elliptical and treadmills. If you are walking on a tight budget, you will want to choose an elliptical as compared to cheap treadmills, as elliptical is more cheap as compared to treadmill. However, make sure you do not buy either a low cost treadmill or elliptical, as they will, in the long run, turn out to be more costlier as compared to the slightly costlier ones.

Treadmills create a lot of noise as compared to an elliptical. The noise of the treadmill stems from the motor and from the person running on it, whereas an elliptical is quieter, as with the elliptical the person is not hitting the deck. Noise is where the elliptical scores over a treadmill hands down.

To conclude the debate between an elliptical and a treadmill, I am of the opinion, that an elliptical scores over a comparable treadmill in the costs department. As far as the workouts done both the machines go, the calories spent are more or less the same, but an elliptical is easier on the knees. It do not rake up maintenance as often as compared to a treadmill. However, I would like to specify, that I am not an enemy of the treadmills. I do use both the treadmill as well as an elliptical, but due to the above mentioned factors elliptical is the preferred choice.

Tips for Treadmill Repair

Everyone must be aware of the fact that eating an appropriate diet and regular exercise are the keys to lose weight. And what about exercising within the comfort of your home without having to worry about the weather conditions. Well, one can achieve this with the help of home exercise equipment. One of the most popular fitness equipment is the treadmill, which can be a part of your home gym. In fact, treadmills are really useful for people who have hectic schedule. Since it has an even and smooth terrain, there is less chance of injury. Also, a workout on the treadmill gives more relaxation to the back and knee. One can enjoy the same pace as walking or running outside, with less energy being spent.

Treadmill Basic Info

There are basically two types of treadmills, namely manual treadmill and motorized treadmill. A manual treadmill runs manually and is portable and inexpensive, whereas a motorized treadmill works with motor and is heavy and expensive. Many of the treadmills come with special features, and the price range varies accordingly. While buying a home treadmill, you should decide which features would be useful to you. If you don't need advanced features in your workout schedule, then it will be a waste to buy an expensive treadmill having full range of special features. A simple advice is to buy the best quality equipment that comes under your budget.

Easy Treadmill Repair Tips

While buying a treadmill, check out the warranty period. Nowadays, lifetime warranty is given for specific parts, like the frame and motor. So, go for the brand that offers the same. Along with purchasing the right type of treadmill, it is very important to learn about the maintenance and repair of treadmills. It is not unusual for any machine to have problems after some time. The same applies to treadmills. After several months or a few years, some parts of the treadmill may not function properly as they should. In case of any such problems arising within the warranty period, you can give it to the company for repairing.

If a problem occurs after the warranty period is over, then you have to pay the repair charge, which undoubtedly comes high. A better option is fixing the treadmill on your own. I am not kidding - you can really try it; it is not as difficult as it seems. If you know the basics of the working of a treadmill, then almost half of your work is done. Going through the treadmill user manual that is provided, will really help you in troubleshooting the problem properly. Try to understand the components and their working mechanism. That way, you can identify the malfunction correctly. Let's take a look at the repair and maintenance tips for treadmills.

• The overall functioning of a treadmill depends on the smooth working of the motor. Hence, regular cleaning of the motor is one of the basic steps of maintaining a treadmill. Vacuuming of the motor on a regular basis keeps it free of dust particles. So, you can clean the motor with the help of a vacuum cleaner.
• If your treadmill is noisy, then you need to replace the motor. One of the common difficulties faced when replacing the motor is about the compatibility of the replaced motor and the treadmill. To avoid such problems, you can consult with the manufacturer regarding company replacement of the same.
• It is important to take care of the belt of the treadmill. Always make sure that you replace the treadmill belt on time. Take particular care about the length and width of the replaced belt, so that you can enjoy the same comfort level as with the original one.
• Another major problem is the belt's balance, which is important for a good exercise. After constant use, the belt may not remain centered. Instead, it may track or shift either towards the left or the right. In case the belt tracks to the right side, you can correct it by tightening the right screw with a screwdriver. Tighten the left screw, if the belt is tracking towards the left.
• It is advisable to apply grease to the chain that supports the tread belt. Using grease regularly makes the belt last for a longer period. Also, check the deck of the treadmill and lubricate whenever it is dry.

This is how, you can detect the treadmill problems and repair them on your own. For other serious defects, you can take the help of a professional any time. In order to keep it in good working condition for a long time, regular servicing is a must. And if you choose to service on your own, always consult the customer service of the particular brand for any queries and problems.

Treadmill Exercise Tips

Today everyone has become health conscious and wants that perfect figure. There are many ways to lose weight, from yoga and pilates exercises to strength training but the most common and effective way to lose weight is with treadmills. Treadmill exercising, is perhaps the most widely used form of exercise all over the world. Burning calories can be easy and fun with the help of a treadmill. However, only if it is used in the right way and with consistency will it yield the best results. It is important to follow treadmill exercise tips, that will not only give you better and faster results but also will make it less strenuous.

Tips for Treadmill Exercise

Always Warm Up
One of the most important treadmill exercise tips is to always warm up. A very common mistake is to start workouts at the pace you want, without warming up. This will lead to sore muscles and possibly even injuries. Besides this, it also means that you will not be able to use all your lower body muscles effectively. The best way to warm up is by walking at a speed of 2 mph for a couple of minutes. For those who are at a higher level of fitness, the speed can be increased to 4 mph.

Vary Speed
Another very common mistake is simply stepping on and walking, running or jogging at the same speed for twenty or thirty minutes continuously. This can not only lead to tiring quickly but also make you bored easily, which will ultimately result in not being an effective or efficient workout. So, it is important to keep changing your speed every 8-10 minutes. You can also try including incline into the workout so as to make it interesting and effective.

Take Intervals
Another treadmill exercise and fitness tip is to take intervals between the workouts. Studies have shown that varying your heart rate increases the metabolism more than exercising at the same rate for a long time without taking a interval. An interval here means that you should vary the speed and the style of the normal treadmill exercise. For example it can be in the form of a sprint or incline. The interval can be anywhere from a minute to 5 minutes, but the important thing is to make each interval, faster or slower than the previous one.

Increase Your Workout Slowly
Another important treadmill exercise tip is to not increase your workout levels very fast. In the beginning, you may be excited to test your limits and increase the level of your workout before you are actually ready. It is advised, that for any cardiovascular exercise, you should stay at one level for four weeks before moving on to the next level. If you try to go to the next level any faster and you may overwork your muscles or injure yourself. This is one of the major causes of a burn out.

Cool Down
Cooling down is as important a treadmill exercise tip as warming up. Just hopping off the treadmill after you finish is not a good idea. It is an open invitation to muscle cramps or even injuries. It is important to slow down the speed of the treadmill and allow your muscles and heart rate to slow down and return to normal before you get off.

Be Consistent
In order for you to lose weight, a very important tip is to be consistent in treadmill exercising. Just by exercising once a week, you will not be able to see results. It is advised to maintain a regular fitness training schedule of 30 - 45 minutes per day for at least 4 days a week. Only when you follow this religiously will you be able to see results.

These were some of the most important treadmill exercise tips that will help you achieve that figure you always dreamt of. Most people continue doing treadmill exercises for a long time without realizing that they should pay attention to how they should do it along with how much time they are doing it for. But, most importantly, think of treadmill exercising as an investment to a healthy future.

Treadmill Workouts to Lose Weight

Did you Know?

In order to burn body fat and lose weight, make sure that your heart rate is above 125 beats per minute. Almost all treadmills have a heart rate monitor that allow you to check your heart rate while exercising.
For those wanting to drop extra pounds and decrease belly fat from the comforts of their home, use of treadmills is a good option. Running or walking in open air everyday, is most of the time not convenient, especially during cold climatic conditions. In such cases, a treadmill comes in handy for losing weight.

Treadmill Workouts for Weight Loss

Walking
The notion that walking does not help to burn fat is absolutely untrue. In fact, walking briskly everyday may allow you to lose weight faster than jogging. A leisurely treadmill walk won't provide any weight loss effects. Speed walking is what you should aim at when on a treadmill. So, when you are walking on the treadmill, you should be able to cover up a mile in 12-14 minutes or 4.4 miles (7-8 km) per hour. So, if you find running too stressful for your joints, you need to walk at this pace on the treadmill for around 25-30 minutes. All in all, if you take your treadmill walking seriously, there is no reason why you wouldn't lose weight in less time.

Jogging
Treadmill jogging also has immense benefits and one of them is that it assists to burn fat effectively. However, one big mistake many fitness enthusiasts make, is holding the front bar of treadmill, while jogging. This is an incorrect way of doing treadmill jogging and certainly would not give the desired results. A 20 minute jogging at a pace of 5-5.5 miles per hour everyday is an effective workout to lose weight fast. Usually, treadmill jogging routines are interlaced with short periods of slow walking to avoid excessive strain on the joints.

Running
In order to burn calories at a rapid rate, running on treadmill for a stipulated period daily, is a must. People finding it unsafe to run outside the house can always prefer running on a treadmill, as benefits are plenty. This exercise equipment also has a feature that allows to increase or decrease the speed of treadmill platform. So, people looking for a rigorous treadmill workouts to lose weight, can always increase treadmill speed. As far as duration is concerned, you need to run for approximately 20-30 minutes at a speed of around 6 miles per hour.

Treadmill Hill Workout
It is said that running outdoors is more difficult as one has to face wind resistance. In order to make treadmill running workout more challenging, one has to simply raise the inclination of the treadmill platform. When running on an inclined treadmill, you need to put more efforts as it increases the gravitational pull against your body. This in turn helps to speed up your calorie expenditure. The inclination expressed in percentage varies from 0 to 15. So, you can gradually increase the inclination as your endurance increases, to burn more calories and lose weight fast.

Speed Workouts
Just sticking to one treadmill workout can be monotonous and extremely boring. To avoid monotony of exercise, a combination of treadmill workouts could be the solution. For instance, adding a few sessions of jogging in between your running treadmill workout will not only help to add variety to your exercise but also reduce the stress on the muscles. Thus, one can discontinue strenuous exercise (running) after every 4 minutes and begin jogging for around 4 minutes. Performing treadmill workout in this manner is less strenuous on the joints, yet effective in losing weight. Thus, alternating between running and jogging repeatedly at regular intervals is more enjoying and allows us to break free from our everyday exercise.

Sprints
Running as fast as possible for a small duration (seconds) is referred to as a sprint. The 100m running competition in athletics is the best example of sprints. In these events that last for 10-12 seconds, the participant has to run at his maximum possible speed to win the competition. Amongst all the treadmill workouts, this is considered to be the most effective to drop those extra pounds. This is because sprints are a very high intensity workout as one has to run as fast as one can. So, the calorie expenditure increases dramatically and also the body continues to burn calories long after the exercise is over.

Tips for Following Sprint Workout

• Before you begin your sprint workout on the treadmill, a 5 minute warm up that involves running at a slow-speed, is a must.
• Once the warm up is over, gradually keep on running until you start breathing heavily. Run at this pace consistently for 4 minutes.
• Now, start your sprint session by increasing your pace and running as quickly as possible. Your sprint session should not last for more than 15-20 seconds.
• After sprinting, switch over to jogging and continue doing it for 4 minutes.
• Again, slowly increase you pace over a period of 5-7 minutes and then sprint at maximum achievable speed for around 20 seconds.
• Although, sprints are beneficial in losing weight, a defective heart will not be able to bear this high intensity workout. So, people with heart problems should stay away from this exercise routine.

Interval Training
This is one of the popular workout routines on a treadmill to lose weight. Interval training is a type of physical activity that consists of alternating periods of low and high impact workouts. Thus, in interval training, short bursts of intense activity is spaced by low intensity exercises. This is more enjoyable and less stressful on the joints than doing a single high intensity workout. An effective weight loss treadmill workouts that incorporates interval training is given below:

Start your workout with a 10 minutes of slow pace walking. This is followed by 30-45 seconds of running and 30-45 seconds of brisk walking. When you are running, your speed should be in the range of 7 to 10 miles per hour. Continue alternating between these two exercises for a stipulated period of time - around 10-15 minutes.

Caution

If you restart your treadmill workout routine suddenly after being 'out of action' for quite some time, then let alone losing weight, you might end up injuring yourself. This is because, skipping a warm up session (slow walking and muscle stretches) can increase the risk of muscle injuries during exercise. A warm up increases blood circulation and improves flexibility in muscles, thereby making you more receptive to any exercise routine. So, before starting high intensity treadmill workouts such as running or hill, make sure to warm up for 10-15 minutes. Also, you need to gradually increase the intensity of your workout to keep any sort of injuries at bay. Wearing proper footwear is also very important to improve comfort level and performance on a treadmill. Running barefoot on a treadmill can make you susceptible to knee-related pain.

Treadmill Workouts and Diet

If you don't want to sabotage your efforts of losing weight, make sure to eat the right food before and after treadmill workout. Our body derives energy primarily from carbohydrates. In order to ensure maximum energy during exercise, make sure to have high carbohydrate foods such as oatmeal 1-2 hours before a high intensity exercise. During exercise, the muscles undergo a great deal of stress and strain. So, post workout, eat protein rich meals to repair exercise-induced muscle damage. Also, while exercising, a person may feel dehydrated due to excessive perspiration. So, to avoid dehydration and replenish lost fluid stores, drink adequate water prior, during and after exercise.

A combination of aforementioned treadmill workout routines for about 20-30 minutes daily, is bound to give weight loss results in a short time. Remember, spending a couple of hundred dollars on a treadmill, is a wise decision and can go a long way in keeping you fit and fine for years to come.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a fitness expert.

Treadmill Desk Reviews

"Work and workout together," isn't it a great idea? This would help in increasing the productivity and maintaining good health at the same time. Keeping in mind the productivity, health and ergonomics, office desks are specially designed that can be clubbed with treadmills. It will serve two purposes at the same time - work along with exercise at home as well as in office. While choosing a treadmill desk for self you must consider some aspects of it like the desk should have a substantial weight, width of the belt should be 20 inches and length should not be less than 55 inches. To be on a safer side, go through as many reviews as you can before bringing home one for yourself. For your convenience, here we have some treadmill desk reviews that would help to take a quick decision.

TrekDesk Treadmill Desk: Features

There are many unique features associated with this desk. These features help the employees to stay healthy along with being equally productive. Following are the TrekDesk review.

• The desk has a separate slot for keeping the objects and accessories.
• The work surface is comparatively more than the traditional workstations.
• Ergonomics while designing this desk have also been considered. The desk can be adjusted according to the height of the user for typing and other use.
• The edges of the table are smooth from comfort point of view. The support system of the desk is durable and strong because it is made of metal base.
• The work surface area of the treadmill is resistant to scuff that adds to the life of the desk. The desk is capable of holding computer systems and laptops of any size.
• The treadmill desk has been designed in such a way that it can be adjusted with most of the treadmills.
• Many features like manuscript holder, trays or files, a separate space for other objects like telephone, cell phone, etc. have been incorporated for official use.
• The elaborate manual describes each and every step to assemble the parts yourself.
• The portable feature of the desk makes the storage and transportation task easier.

Desk-Mill Treadmill Desk: Features

Woodway's have introduced Desk-Mill which is a mini form of the original desk that would help the users to burn extra fat and calories thereby allowing them to work with great comfort and ease. Let us look at its review.

• The height can be adjusted according to the user.
• A desired speed of 0 to 3.5 mph can be selected to burn calories while working.
• The running surface of the treadmill attached to the desk is made of 68m individual rubber slats and has a walking surface of 15.75" x 39".
• The treadmill can bear 400 lbs walking weight capacity of the user.
• This health machine tool uses 148 precision ball bearings that are used for high precision application in such machines.
• Woodway's Desk-Mill uses 2 hp continuous brushless servo motors that go up to 5 hp and requires 120 V power supply for efficient results.

Steelcase Walkstation Treadmill Desk: Features

A traditional health club style treadmill or cardiovascular treadmill does not allow the user to perform his usual desk activities simultaneously. Steelcase walkstation overcomes these limitations making it more user-friendly. Following treadmill reviews and ratings would throw light on this product.

• This machine is a combination of low speed commercial grade and electric height adjustable workstation.
• It is featured with a dynamic load-bearing capacity.
• It has a digital display screen and hi-tech touch pad to control.
• There are many optional parts like adjustable monitor, work tools and privacy screen that may or may not be used.
• For proper balance and grip, urethane high profile edges are provided with the machine.

You can even make a desk yourself. Take proper measurement of the treadmill and shape the wooden plank according to the measurement so that it fits on the top of the treadmill. To build the desk, light weight wood should be used. Implementing the plans is not very difficult and is cost-effective as well. And if you plan to buy it from the store, then you must go through the reviews before bringing home one for self.

Treadmill Reviews

Are you fed up of listening to your friends' teaser jokes on your big double-decker tummy and are looking for a treadmill which performs well and fits in your budget? If yes, then this article will help you for sure. Going to the gym and investing a lot of money sometimes does not make any sense. Here are some reviews on treadmills which will help you to select the best treadmill which you can bring home and can have a perfect shaped body.

This review is based on the treadmill quality, warranty given by the company, product performance, customer's feedback and reputation of the company in the market. These review have been collected from various sources available in the market. One thing should be noted that this is just a review. Before buying any product, you should carefully read the product manual provided by the company. The estimated cost of the treadmills given in this article may vary according to the market conditions. So, go through the below given various treadmill features to have a detailed look on various treadmill comparison.

Reviews of Various Treadmills

There are many treadmills available in the market but as you are not going to buy it every month it is very important to make the best choice. You should look for the quality and range of the treadmill. So, have a look on the treadmill reviews and ratings to save your money from being wasted.

Smooth 5.65 Treadmill
Smooth 5.65 Treadmill is the lowest range of treadmill in our review. It comes with 2 years warranty and costs $999 approximately. Following are some of its characteristic features.

• It has a low maintenance machine with lots of amazing features.
• It comes with a 2.5 continuous duty HP motor.
• To facilitate the music lovers, it has a speaker system with iPod/ MP3 input.
• It has a dual stage gas shock system which makes the height change easy and comfortable.
• 20" x 55" tread-belt makes walking and jogging comfortable.
• 14 workout programs, inbuilt fan and wireless heart rate control makes it the best option in this price range.

NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill
NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill is one of the best options to stay fit and connected to the world, in the range of $1,499 approximately. It has a lifetime warranty on motor, 5-year on parts and 2-year labor warranty. Following are some interesting characteristic features.

• Incorporated with Google and Internet through iFit live. This facility helps to stay connected with the world even while working out. Get new workout with iFit and live instructions from a trained person.
• It has a powerful 3.5 continuous duty HP motor.
• It has one of the best inbuilt sound systems. You can also plug-in with your iPod and MP3 input.
• 20" x 60" tread-belt gives extra space and is very comfortable.
• Full color LCD touch screen display makes this product more demanding.
• If you are thinking to save some money by not connecting to iFit live then don't worry it has inbuilt 30 exercise programs too.

Sole F85 Treadmill
Sole F85 treadmill is said to be made exclusively for runners. It is one of the best folding treadmill. It has a lifetime warranty on motor, 5-year on parts and 2-years labor warranty. It comes with a price tag of $1,999 approximately. Following are some of its characteristic features.

• It has a powerful 3.5 continuous duty HP motor which works very well even under high-speed.
• 60" long running surface which not only makes running comfortable but also helps the professional runners to practice well.
• Extra large 2.75" rollers save the wear and tear of the tread-belts, rollers and motor.
• Wireless Heart Rate Control is a very attractive and useful feature in this treadmill.
• Sole F85 treadmill weighs 280 lbs. Although it is a fold away treadmill, still its weight makes it more solid and stable while using.
• Premium console, LED display, speed and incline controls on side-rails also add to its attractive features.

Landice L7 Pro Sports Trainer
L7 Pro Sports Trainer is specially designed for extensive use and can be used by multiple users. It comes under $3000+ approximately with an online warranty of 5 years and lifetime parts warranty if you get directly from the dealer. Following are some of its features.

• It is a very smooth and quite machine.
• 3 HP continuous duty motor which is much powerful than the other motors of the same quality and power.
• 20" x 58" tread-belt which is quite comfortable but if you want a larger tread-belt then you can go for L8 series which has a 60" tread-belt.
• It has a standard wireless-chest-strap heart-rate monitoring system
• It has a weight capacity of 40 lb.
• Machine weighs 300 lbs which makes it solid and reliable.

Smooth 9.45TV Treadmill
Smooth 9.45TV treadmill is one of the best options in the treadmill and also has a TV. The machine has an overall attractive look. It has a 15" large LCD which gives you a full-fledged experience of watching TV. Its approximate cost is $2,499 with a lifetime parts warranty and 2-year labor warranty. Following are some of its features.

• The 15" large LCD is connected on a separate frame and is located at the eye level to facilitate the view. It can be connected to the cable, satellite, DVD player or games.
• It has powerful 3 HP continuous duty motor.
• 60" long running surface which is specially meant for serious and professional running.
• Adjustable shock absorption system up to 12 levels, makes it more comfortable.
• You can just wave your hand over a sensor light provided in the sidearms to increase or decrease the speed.
• It has a modified wireless heart rate controller.

So now that you know about various treadmill features and reviews, you can easily do a treadmill comparison and can go for the best option. Apart from this, elliptical treadmill may also come to your mind. So, go through the elliptical options too but remember that treadmills are very old in the market and are trustworthy whereas elliptical is quite a recent concept. You can also get proper treadmill buying guide in the market which can give you updates about the recently introduced treadmills. The above given treadmills are the top most in the treadmill ratings in different ranges. Hope you are now able to decide on the treadmill you want to buy.

Exercise Bike Vs. Treadmill

Why is there such a big debate between the exercise bike and the treadmill? It is because these two are the most common forms of cardiovascular exercises. People who go to the gym, particularly to shed some pounds, look at both these machines and think: What exercise should I do today? Well here's the answer to this question for you! In this article I'm going to discuss both machines and talk about the pros and cons of each.

Factors to Consider

There are various parameters which have to be taken into consideration, when we make a comparison between these two workouts. Hence here are some of the factors to consider, while deciding which one is a better form of exercise.

The Calories Burnt Factor
Undoubtedly this will be the most important thing at the back of your mind. The reason you are working out is to burn calories and lose weight. So which one is more effective? We all know that by increasing the speed or the incline, both forms of exercise can be made more intense. But comparing the common speeds of each, we find that the treadmill is more effective. Comparing a common jogging speed of 10 km/h, we find that a normal person burns up to 700-800 calories (depending on the weight), in one hour. On the other hand, if you cycle on a recumbent exercise bike at the average speed of 12-14 km/h, you will burn 560-640 calories (depending on the weight), in an hour. So we can see that the calories burned using exercise bikes are less than the calories burnt using treadmill.

The Boredom Factor
Well this factor will have each one's individual opinion, but out of these two fat burning exercises I find the exercise bike quite boring and dull. There is nothing in the bike that motivates you to go faster and at the end, you will end up at a relatively low speed. On the other hand, a treadmill spurs you on to go faster and pushes you to run at a fast pace for as long as you can. Hence, when it comes to what I like doing more, I would say I enjoy the treadmill more.

Safety and Economics
One of the very important factors to take into consideration is safety. For beginners, a treadmill may be a little tough and there is a chance of people losing their balance and falling off the treadmill, hence sustaining an injury. The chances of falling off an exercise bike are quite rare and it is more comfortable as there is a seat. It is widely suggested that a treadmill puts a lot of stress on the bones and hence is not very good for you in the long run. The exercise bike also enjoys an edge, when it comes to economics as it is cheaper in comparison. An exercise bike does not have a motor and hence the maintenance cost is less too. The treadmill, on the other hand is more expensive and because of the motor it will consume more electricity. Thus an exercise bike scores over the treadmill in both these factors.

Thus the dilemma thus stands at 2-2. Now it is up to you to decide, which of these factors matter more to you and which of them play a bigger role in your decision. The facts of both, exercise bike and treadmill, are in front of you and hence you can take an informed decision.

Manual Treadmill Review

Manual treadmills are fitness machine, which don't need power supply to operate. They are ideal for home workout, and they are smaller and more compact than motor driven treadmill. These kinds of treadmills are supported by a frame which is made from lightweight aluminum. The front of the machine has grips or handlebars to hold, while working out. Usually, there are casters at the bottom, on one side which allow this fitness equipment to be moved easily. When comparing manual treadmill and electric treadmill, you will see that electrical or motor driven treadmills have better advantages, as they provide a more controlled workout at different intensity levels. But, manual treadmills have its own set of advantages, and if you are looking for such a treadmill which meets your own needs then only go for a manual treadmill. Or go for a cheap treadmill. You can find a good treadmill model like Gold Gym 450 treadmill model under $400.

Advantages

• Treadmills reviews show that these treadmills are smaller, lighter and easy to store.
• Compared to electrical treadmill, the manual treadmill prices are very low
• They are low on maintenance. Also, they are more durable and last for many years.

Disadvantages

• As there is no motor in the fitness equipment, you will be driving the machine, which might put more stress on your joints.
• Manual treadmill is not efficient enough to burn the calories off, because it is determined by the user and not by the machine.
• They don't come with the added benefits or features, which are available even in cheap motor treadmills.
• Lastly, adjusting the speed and the incline level can get annoying sometimes, because you want to make it easy enough for the belt to get moving.

Top Treadmills

So, if you are looking for a cheaper type of treadmill, which is lighter and easy to store, then go for manual treadmill. Here are some of the best models available today.

Stamina Products InMotion II
On treadmill buying guide this priced around $200 and is the largest belt of any manual treadmill you will find. It has a 42" long belt and can accommodate even longer legged people for brisk walking. This model is lightweight and has wheels attached to it, which makes moving it very easy. It has a weight holding capacity of 250lbs. It comes with two different incline positions, to add more intensity. Also, it features an electronic display which helps to monitor speed, time and the amount of calories burned.

Phoenix Denise Austin 98510
Another top model of manual treadmills, talked in treadmill reviews and ratings, is the Phoenix Denise Austin 98510. This model has an easy to read monitor and folds neatly for storage, and supports weight till 250 lbs. It comes with an instruction video, and a one year warranty on the frame.

Weslo WLTLO53 Cardio Stride
This cheap treadmill model is priced around $150, and has a large LCD monitor. It is a versatile model on which you can make adjustments for three incline levels. It has a weight holding capacity of 250 lbs, and a short warrant of 90 days.

These were the pros and cons of manual treadmills, how they work and some of the best treadmill reviewed. So, make sure a treadmill suits your fitness goal, and pick from any of the above mentioned manual treadmill to achieve that goal.

Treadmill Belt Slipping

Treadmills are the most preferred exercise equipment when it comes to starting a home gym. With a branded treadmill at home, you do not have to take out time from your busy schedule to hit the health club. And irrespective of the time or weather condition, you can jog or run within the comfort zone of your home. But the most unfortunate part is not many owners consider regular servicing of home treadmills necessary, which is suggested for proper functioning of all machinery products. Ultimately, we end up facing the most common problem, the treadmill belt slipping when running or jogging.

Treadmill Belt Slipping: Reasons

In the present scenario, nearly all health conscious people use the benefits of this exercise equipment. Imagine you wake up in the morning with a good mood and are all geared up for your treadmill workout. You just step on it and find out that the belt is slipping off-center. It can really be a frustrating situation. But, what causes treadmill belt slipping to one side? As with any type of machine, your treadmill is subjected to wear, tear and loosening of the parts with constant usage. The point is you need more than just applying treadmill belt lubricant to maintain optimal efficiency. Probable reasons for a slipping treadmill belt are:

• Too loose or too tight fixing of the walking belt. A properly fixed walking belt should be able to lift from the center by about 2-3 inch.
• The pulley of the front roller system is not contributing its part on gripping the roller. This malfunctioning of the pulley is another probable cause.
• Misalignment of the drive belt, which is positioned between the front roller and the treadmill motor. Very loose drive belt can be a cause of slipping belt.

How to Fix It

A treadmill belt that doesn't remain in the center of the deck is a case of slipping and requires alignment. On the brighter side, repairing this treadmill malfunction can be carried out with simple do-it-yourself (DIY) tips, provided that you have the right kind of tools (hex wrench, screwdriver) with you. Before you busy yourself with treadmill troubleshooting, understand the user guide thoroughly. Look for the machine components associated with the belt. The following are some useful tips for treadmill repair, which you can consider for fixing the slipping belt.

• Switch on the treadmill and see which side the belt is slipping. Most probably, the roller of the particular side requires tightening. Accordingly, you can adjust the bolts located on each side of the belt.
• At the rear end of the treadmill, locate the belt adjustment knobs. Consider adjusting one side to about inch and check whether the belt is moving at the center. If not, make a small adjustment on the other side and check again.
• Refer to the user manual provided with your fitness equipment and check for the optimal tightness of the drive belt. Strictly follow the instructions for tightening the drive belt (if required). While loose drive belts cause the treadmill belt to slip, increased tightness may cause damaging effects to the associated parts.
• Turn on the treadmill and check if the pulley grips the front roller, as it should. If not, replacing the roller will troubleshoot slipping belt problems.

Any malfunction, including slipping of the belt requires correct fixing and servicing before the problem becomes too tough to handle. Otherwise, accidental stepping on it or performing exercises pose dangers of severe falls and injuries. If at all you cannot adjust the belt, get it checked by a professional repairer. After analyzing the belt problem, the repairer may suggest treadmill belt replacement. In general, belt replacement is done if the underside of the belt is worn out and becomes rough.

Proform Treadmill Troubleshooting

Following a strict physical regimen is something every person has become quite conscious about. It is not about the figure consciousness factor alone, but people are also becoming aware of the 'healthy living' factor. For people who do not have much time to walk or jog for long, they resort to these exercise equipment, like walking on treadmills at home, which could be termed as an alternative to the natural physical exercises. And Proform is the largest seller of this product, treadmills! But machines are after all machines and can give problems at the most unexpected times.

How to Troubleshoot Proform Treadmill?

If your treadmill has started functioning bad, the first step to be taken is to troubleshoot the problem yourself. Many a time, even for small problems, one ends up calling the repairman or the customer services, and ends up paying a bomb for a condition which could have been easily solved by oneself. Thus, it is a good idea to learn about Proform treadmill troubleshooting.

General Troubleshooting

• First unplug your treadmill. Wait for a few minutes and then plug it back again in its single outlet surge suppressor (which should be connected to a grounded outlet).
• Check for the circuit connection thoroughly. Many a time, there is a chance that the circuit breaker has tripped. This can be checked for by looking at the tabbed end of the circuit breaker (located near the power cord). If it is protruding, wait for about 5 minutes and reset the circuit breaker by pushing the tabbed end back in.
• Now, try to remove the treadmill key from its slot and try sliding it back into the slot. Check if the key is properly seated.

Console Troubleshooting

• Remove the treadmill key from the slot in console. Unplug the treadmill.
• Remove the three screws that are holding the hood cover (in front of the walking belt) of the treadmill in place.
• If you carefully observe the left side of the treadmill belt, there is a small magnet on the outer side of the pulley (which is located on the left side of the belt). This magnet should ideally line up with a small cylinder (placed in the treadmill frame, which is also called Reed Switch). So when you turn the pulley, the magnet lines up with the Reed switch. Check the length of the gap between the switch and the magnet. It should be about 1/8 inch wide. If it is not, remove the screw that is holding the Reed switch, and try moving it away or towards the magnet to correct the gap until the distance is 1/8 inch wide.

Walking Belt Troubleshooting

• Again unplug the treadmill and remove the key from the console slot. Keep your hands below the treadmill belt and try to lift it. If the belt is centered and properly tightened, one can lift both the edges of the belt about 2-3 inches.
• Carefully observe the back side of the treadmill frame. You will find two rear roller belts to either side of the treadmill belt. If the belt is held too tightly, rotate each bolt counterclockwise (take a one quarter turn), to loosen up the belt a bit. If the belt was loose, when you had lifted it, then turn the rear bolt clockwise (by 1 quarter turn).
• Now rotate the left roller belt counterclockwise (by turn), in case the belt is not exactly in center and has moved towards the right. Similarly, if the belt has moved more towards left, rotate the roller bolt in clockwise direction (by turn).

How to Repair Proform Treadmill?

After working on Proform treadmill troubleshooting and having identified the nooks, the next step is to repair the treadmill. So before starting with steps to repair, make sure you have the warranty card, treadmill manual and the model number.

• When attempting repairs, make sure that your treadmill is unplugged. There is a troubleshooting section in the treadmill manual which will guide you through the above mentioned steps for troubleshooting and fixing up minor issues.
• Sometimes, when walking on treadmill, the device suddenly stops midway. In such a case, there could be a problem with the speed sensor of the treadmill, which may not be getting proper signals. The speed sensor has to be replaced. For that, remove the existing motor assembly first, in order to remove the speed sensor.
• Sometimes, the belt may not glide smoothly, which indicates wear and tear. This indicates that the belt needs lubrication. Steps to apply the treadmill belt lubricant are specified in the manual.
• If the motor itself is not working properly or is creating too much of noise when the machine is on, then one needs to call up the company to replace the motor assembly altogether. Before one opts for this step, it is better to take a second opinion from a professional mechanic.

*Please Note: Repairing Proform treadmills should not be done at troubleshooting centers, but should be undertaken by the company representative only.

However, one has to take extra care when it comes to such expensive machines. Proper maintenance techniques should be adopted to keep your machine running! So if your treadmill requires repair, better to call the customer service of the company to solve your issues with the treadmill. Good luck!!