How to Buy a Treadmill Online
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When it comes to pieces of aerobic equipment to buy,
treadmills continue to be the most popular and the most valuable. And why not?
They are simple to use and naturally intuitive. They burn calories effectively
and offer a wide range of exercise options, whether walking, climbing, or
jogging.
In fact, the treadmill has so many uses and so many benefits
that many people want to buy it. For better or for worse, this is also one of
the reasons why it is the most saturated categories in the fitness equipment
industry. And also the reason why it’s difficult to choose the right
product for the right price.
Below are some helpful tips to give you
some idea on what to look for in a treadmill and basically how to buy a
treadmill online.
The first concern you should have when shopping for
a treadmill is your goal. Why are you buying a treadmill? Is it because you
want to be able to keep up with your running routine despite the weather? Or is
it because you prefer running indoors than outdoors?
Consider how
often you will be using your treadmill. If you are only going to use it
occasionally, then you might be better off with a treadmill that comes at a
decent price.
Also, consider other potential exercisers in your home.
Most families will have more than one individual that will likely be using the
treadmill. If your family is one of these, then make sure that your treadmill
answers their exercise needs as well.
When shopping for a treadmill,
it is important that you consider the reasons why you’re buying a
treadmill in the first place. Under-buying or buying a low quality,
under-powered treadmill that doesn’t meet long-term needs of all users in
the household is a mistake you won’t want to make.
However, if
you are indeed looking to buy a treadmill, chances are that you have already
done a lot of research on your own. In fact, you probably already know which
features you want in a treadmill. But if you want a good deal that won’t
turn sour in the long run, another consideration you should have is not all
treadmill brands are the same.
Consider this one situation, for
example:
Choice 1: Brand X: 2.5 HP motor $975
Choice 2:
Brand Y: 1.5 HP motor $799
Choice 3: Brand Z: 2.0 HP motor $1299
The obvious choice would be Choice 1 because, as all treadmill buying
rules state, you should choose the treadmill that provides more motor power for
less. But you shouldn’t limit your choice to that single consideration
alone. You cannot make a buy based only on motor power, since that may not be
enough of a guarantee that the treadmill is a good buy.
It is quite
possible that Choice 3 is the better choice, considering that Brand Z has a
reputation for delivering quality treadmill with extensive warranties. Although
motor power is a good feature to consider when buying a treadmill, you have to
be careful. Look at it in the context of the whole treadmill, including even
the brand.
Another important tip in treadmill buying is don’t
always believe what the salesperson tells you. Of course, we’re not saying
that salespersons are not to be trusted. But in this day and age, it’s a
smart buyer who gets everything in writing first before committing to anything.
After all, salespersons can make mistakes, too, and sometimes these mistakes
can end up costing you.
The last consideration that you have when
shopping for a treadmill is the price. When we say price, we don’t mean
the amount indicated in the price tag. In fact, forget about the price tag all
together and look at the real price of the treadmill.
There is no
doubt that price is one of the most important factors when buying a treadmill.
But sometimes, as you have probably experienced before with a completely
different product, price can be very misleading. So when you are buying a
treadmill, don’t base your decision on the price tag alone and consider
everything else about the product to determine its real price.
What’s in the treadmill motor?
Perhaps the most important
component of the treadmill is the motor. In fact, as stated earlier, most
people tend to base their decision in determining good treadmills on motor
power. So what’s the deal with a treadmill’s motor?
One
difference in treadmill motors, which isn’t always reflected in the
product literature, is whether the manufacturer lists horsepower in terms of
“continuous duty” or “peak performance.” A manufacturer may
be able to get a motor to operate up to 2 HP at peak-performance levels, but
that doesn’t mean that it will perform at 2 HP consistently. Some
manufacturers actually claim that they’ve got a 1.5 HP motor, but when you
push it, you find that the motor can actually reach up to 2.5 HP at peak level.
If you’re on a budget and want a very inexpensive treadmill, our
suggestion is you buy a treadmill with a manual motor instead of an electric.
The reason is simply that manual ones are less likely to break down. However,
the downside to this buying choice is that manuals have the disadvantage of
being slower and more difficult to operate because the user powers the belt.
And so, if the exerciser begins to tire and slows down, the belt slows down,
too.
On the other hand, the belt of an electric model continues at
the same speed, motivating the exerciser to keep going as well.
Other Treadmill Features to Consider
Treadmills vary
according to the type of features they have. Knowing what these features are
can help you in buying a treadmill, whether online or offline.
AC or
DC motor – Most home treadmill units are DC. Commercial treadmills may
have either AC or DC. AC treadmills will likely require a dedicated power line,
considering how their motors tend to draw more power. Not only that, AC also
tends to be noisier than DC.
The thickness of the running belt –
Admittedly, you cannot maintain a straight line while running. If that were
true, you can just go ahead and run on a balance beam, six inches wide. That is
why the thickness of the running belt is an important feature to consider. In
addition, two-ply belts are stronger and less likely to curl at the sides than
one-ply belts.
The length of the running surface – Next to the
thickness is the length. If you are a taller than average person, you might
need more running surface for you to make sweeping strides on your treadmill.
On the other hand, if you want to really challenge yourself with short, brisk
strides, then get a treadmill with a shorter running surface.
The
minimum and maximum speed – Ask yourself whether you’ll be using your
treadmill for walking or running. Treadmills for walking start at 0 or .5 and
go up to around 6 or 6 mph, while those for jogging or running generally start
at 0, .5, or 1 mph and go up to 8-12 mph.
The percentage of incline
– It can range from a low of 2-4% to a high of 15%. The general rule is
the bigger the better, but there are exceptions to the rule: Not all treadmills
with high percentage of incline are good buys, especially if you take in all
the other features of the product. Commercial-grade treadmills often go as high
as 25%.
The type of incline adjustment – The most high-tech
incline adjustment is the automatic incline. This type of incline changes
depending upon the exerciser’s heart rate, sometimes via a wireless
monitor that detects the person’s heart rate and automatically adjusts the
percentage of incline to keep the person within the target heart range. Other
treadmills have electronic inclines that can be altered by pushing a button on
the console, while less sophisticated ones have either a manual hand crack or
other manual adjustment that has to be set before starting to exercise.
Electronic feedback displays of speed, time, and distance – On most
treadmills, these are generally standard, but some treadmills have added a few
extras in their feedback monitor. For instance, some treadmills can display the
number of calories burned or the user’s heart rate. In addition, most
treadmills offer preset and/or customizable programming capabilities. This is a
pretty nifty feature to have since you can now design your own program with the
use of the customizing capabilities of your treadmill.
Features to Look for in a Good Treadmill
Sometimes, knowing the
features of a typical treadmill is not enough to help you determine a good buy.
So below, we have provided you with a list of features to covet in a treadmill:
Emergency Shut Off – Usually, these are magnets or buttons you
yank or push to cut power instantly. This is very efficient if you get into
trouble on your treadmill.
Hand Rails – I know. Who wants to get
hampered, holding onto a rail while running? Well, consider what the hand rails
are for, first, before you dismiss the notion. You need at least one just for
safety and balance. If not, then at least get one with a slightly extended
front rail.
Cushioning – How much is based on personal
preference. This is for less impact and more comfort with each foot strike you
make.
Safety Lock or Switch – This is advisable if you have kids
who love to fiddle with things and accidentally start the machine.
Warranties – At least one year manufacturer’s warranty on parts and
labor. Most companies these days offer various levels on frames, motors, parts
and labor that vary from 1-5 years, with some even offering 10 years or limited
lifetime. Check on the limits, though.
Now Comes the Features
to Avoid
If there are features in a treadmill that you ought to
covet, there are also features that you need to avoid. These are the following:
Incline adjustments that require you to dismount and move pins or
other mounts on a support leg. This is very inconvenient and could even affect
your exercise routine.
Non-motorized models. They are a strain on
joints and muscles and mean irregular speeds since you can’t
“pull” at a steady pace with your stride, especially if you run where
you spend a few milliseconds on every stride off the belt in the air and
obviously not able to pull.
Start speeds of 1.0 mph or more
No warranty
Surface areas that are short or narrow
Single-ply belts
Less than 1.5 HP
AC or treadmill-duty
motors
Shaking, rattling, or squeaking while you workout
And there. As long as you keep these valuable tips and advice in mind as
you shop for a treadmill online, there is no reason why you shouldn’t end
up with a product that turns out to be the best deal you’ve ever had.
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