Title:

Get Fit - Choose the Right Treadmill

Author: Stefan Rockhaus

Article:
Today everybody has become health conscious and wants to stay
fit, but going to the gym can be a luxury which many people do
not enjoy because of time constraint. You can solve this problem
by getting a treadmill for your home. Not only can you workout
at home without having to go anywhere, you can also exercise at
your convenience anytime you want. A treadmill is a piece of
exercise equipment where you run on the spot, without moving any
distance. You can exercise while watching TV, or even read while
you run. Even when there is bad weather you can run indoors.

The working system of a treadmill is the belt system. The top of
the belt moves to the rear, allowing you to run an equal and
necessarily opposite speed. The speed and the distance covered
can be set or measured. You can also change the rate of speed
when you need. Because all factors of the run are known, the
exact energy spend is able to be calculated. Some treadmills
also have special built-in features such as heart rate monitors,
step count, amount of calories burnt, etc.

How to choose the right treadmill:

Well, after deciding you want to buy a treadmill for yourself,
but looking at the number of different treadmills available, you
may get confused as to which one is best. There are lots of
things you need to consider. Price is of course something you
need to consider, but remember never to compromise on money when
it comes to your fitness and health; after all you do not want
to feel sorry later. Don't become a slave to price. Consider the
durability and functionality first, and then come to the price.

Before you set out to buy a treadmill, first decide where you
want to put it, and measure up the space. If space is an issue,
you may want to choose a model which folds for storage. One
important factor that you need to consider while choosing the
treadmill is its motor. Choose one that has a larger and heavier
motor if you are looking for long lasting and durability. There
are two ratings of horsepower. Peak duty rating is rated on the
treadmill tag, and continuous duty rating, which is very
important as it determines the quality and the duration of the
treadmill, is stamped on the motor. Get a 1.5 continuous duty
horsepower or higher if your weight is more than 185 pounds.

Pay attention to the size of the walking track and the walking
deck. Get a thick size deck at least 3/4 inches thick, for
comfort of the feet and legs. The length of the walking track
should be at least 48 inches and the width about 17 inches, so
that you do not step off the track. You can get a longer track
if you are going to run on the treadmill. Next check the shock
absorption. Avoid buying treadmills that have shock absorbers on
the legs as this is not effective shock absorption. The
treadmill's suspension must be directly under the walking deck
to provide effective cushioning for the legs, feet and back.
Foam or rubber is used for the padding. Foam can be softer and
more comfortable than rubber, but it requires more time to
return to its original size after impact, where rubber can
recover to full thickness instantly and is a better shock
absorbent.

Some treadmills even have a range of special preset exercise
programs that can automatically change speed and can even
measure your heart rate. They can be more expensive than the
usual treadmills, so if you are on a limited budget you could
always buy a cheaper one and get a separate heart rate monitor
and develop your own programs.

Bring one home!

Walking is a very effective exercise which everybody is able to
do. It is basic, doesn't require a lot of coordination, and can
be an excellent way to deal with stress by clearing your head.
Anybody of any age can do it, and it is the same for a beginner
as well as for an athlete. So, if you are an indoor person,
cannot go to a gym, or if you do not get time to go out to
exercise, you can get a treadmill and exercise at home whenever
you can and want to.