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!
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