Treadmills

Treadmills are the most popular home exercise equipment. And after our staff testers logged hours on 14 different models, sure enough, even the non exercisers wanted to bring one home. Our engineers took a more cerebral route, checking the treadmills\' noise levels, shock absorption, motor performance, and features. But the verdict was unanimous: There\'s a huge difference between a $300 and a $3,000 model -- though it is possible to get fit using a lower-end version. Here, our six favorites.

Treadmills have become the hottest home exercise choice. According to the National Sporting Goods Association, treadmill sales in the 1990s 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.

Treadmill running also offers a specificity that cross-training activities can\'t match. For instance, if you\'re training for the Boston Marathon, you can hop on a treadmill and simulate the exact grade and speed of your charge up Heartbreak Hill. And while you\'re at it, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, you\'ll be burning more calories per hour than users of rowing machines, stair climbers, stationary bicycles or cross-country ski machines.

Now let\'s consider some important things before 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 the maze of buying a treadmill.

The Five Most Important Considerations.

• How important are the treadmill\'s electronic features--readouts, programmable workouts, heart-rate training capability--to your satisfaction with the treadmill?
• Can the treadmill\'s speed and incline ranges challenge you without the need to constantly run the machine at full power?
• How comfortable are you running on the treadmill? (Do the belt\'s width and length accommodate your natural stride? Do you like the softness/ hardness of the deck? Do you feel safe while running?)
• How frequently are you going to use your treadmill? (A factor in how much money you can justify spending.)
• What\'s the treadmill\'s life expectancy, and what are the details of the warranty? How is repair service provided, and what routine maintenance are you expected to do?



In-store test

While no in-store test run is foolproof, keep in mind these 10 things during your 10-minute test that could portend future treadmill ecstasy--or agony:

•The motor. Does it run smoothly and without eardrum-shattering noise?
•The belt. Does it move consistently at your speed setting, or does it sometimes stutter, slip or slide off-center?
•Surface area. Is there enough room to accommodate your stride, and does the surface feel firm but forgiving?
•The controls. Are they logically arranged and easy to operate?
•The display console. Is it designed in an attractive, sensible way that is informative and fun to read?
•Safety. Are you comfortable with the position of the handrails, and is the emergency shut-off button visible and easy to reach?
•Response time and smoothness. Does the treadmill respond readily to height and speed adjustments, but not so abruptly that it gives you a hard jolt?
•Incline and speed. Do the machine\'s maximum incline and speed satisfy your training needs? Does the treadmill seem stable at top speed?
•Customized, pre-programmed and heart-rate-controlled workouts. Once the dealer gets you started, can you understand and then master the treadmill\'s training features?
•Suitability for runners. All in all, are you confident that the machine was built with a runner\'s needs in mind?





About the author

Paul Gallagher has been a personal trainer for over 10 years and competed in numerous Iron man competitions throughout the world. For further information on choosing a tread mill, be sure to check out the following site..

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