Best Home Treadmills
Identifying the best home treadmills is not an easy task. There is no one-size-fits all model. You have to identify what works best for you. That means taking into account several important buying factors.
Buying factor 1: Durability
Any treadmill machine that you buy will be pounded upon regularly. Cheaper models (those that cost below $500) usually come with cheaper parts that don’t last long. After a few months, you may start experiencing issues with the motor or tread.Take a moment to find out where the parts are from, and how powerful the motor is.
One very common problem that treadmills face is that the motor tends to overheat. This happens when you increase the intensity of your exercise program (i.e. you run harder and so does the machine). When the motor overheats, it shuts down automatically. Whether you can continue to use the machine depends on the quality of the treadmill. Good quality treadmills have cooling fans installed to prevent overheating.
Sometimes, it’s not the mechanical component that breaks down. It’s the electrical components. If you have problems with electrical components repeatedly, you may wish to consider buying a new treadmill.
Buying factor 2: Features and functions.
The most basic treadmills allow you to set the speed and distance. After that, once you press “START”, you are on your way. The machine counts the distance that you have covered. Once you have completed the preset distance, the machine slows down, eventually coming to a complete stop. If all you need is a basic machine, then that is all you need.
But if you want to do a variety of exercises on the machine (such as elliptical exercises), then you may need a more sophisticated machines.
The better treadmills have LED displays of vital information such as pulse, distance traveled, speed, incline and calories burned.
Buying factor 3: Foldability.
Foldable treadmills are becoming more and more popular these days. As treadmills can take up a lot of space, a foldable treadmill makes it easy for anyone to store the machine away when not in use. This can help save valuable space, especially if you live in a small apartment. When folded, the machine can be moved around on wheels.
Buying factor 4: Functionality and ease of use.
There is no point having a fanciful looking console that no one knows how to operate. The console should be intuitive and easy to use. Style is secondary. For example, vital control buttons such as Start and Stop buttons should be at the handles for easy of control. The user doesn’t have to take his hands off the handles to operate the machine. This is a big bonus for anyone who is big on safety.
Buying factor 5: Silence.
Some people don’t mind having a noisy machine, as long as it works well. But home exercise equipment are mostly placed in confined or small spaces. That means having a noisy machine is never a bonus. You don’t want to disturb your neighbors while you exercise. Also, you may wish to listen to music while you are running, so a quiet machine helps.
Buying factor 6: Warranty.
Usually, treadmills come with 1 year on site warranty, and 2 to 5 years off site warranty. On-site means that if there is anything wrong with your parts within the first year, they will send a technician down to your home to repair the machine. After the first year, you will have to transport the machine to the service center. If you want more assurance, you can buy extended warranties to make sure that you are covered in case the machine breaks down.
Buying factor 7: Price.
Finally, there is the issue of price. Price can fluctuate greatly depending on brand, model and features. In most cases, you should be able to get a durable machine for a price between $1,000 and $1,500. If you can afford it, go for the higher end models. You will save yourself a lot of headaches down the road.
The best home treadmills can take all sorts of punishment and still work great. If you can find something like that cost about $1,000, go for it!