If your goals include general fitness, weight loss, or building up stamina, then a
Treadmill makes a great cardio fitness choice. Walking is one of the best first steps just about anyone can take toward fitness, as your fitness increases, a quality treadmill will continue to accommodate your exercise needs as you progress to light jogging and even intense running.
There are two main types of treadmill:
Manual treadmills - 'pushed' by your feet, and are quite basic. These tend to be under ฃ200
Motorised treadmills - offer more options including inclines and heart monitors
Points to look out for on treadmills are:
Size and Space -
If you will be using the machine for running rather than just walking or light jogging it is a good idea to choose a model with a good-sized running deck as your strides lengthen at higher speeds. This of course means that the entire treadmill will be larger and will take up more space. Also make sure you can safely reach the controls while walking or running on the treadmill
Motor and Speed -
The cheapest treadmills are manually driven, which means you will always control the speed of the belt. They can sometimes put more strain on your knees and hip joints. Motorised treadmills are superior to manual ones but do cost a bit more. With a motorised machine you will pre-set the speed at which you want to work out which makes the exercise more efficient and the motion more natural. When looking at the size of the motor, it is the continuous duty rating which is important. Continuous duty means that the motor will run at the indicated horsepower rating for extended periods under weight-bearing loads. If you will be using the machine for proper running it is best to go for a motor with at least 1.5hp continuous duty.
Incline -
The vast majority of treadmills come with some sort of incline adjustment. Adding incline intensifies your workout so if you are buying a treadmill with quite a low maximum speed it might be worth making sure that it has suitable incline levels to add that extra bit of variety. Cheaper models normally only have two or three set incline levels and you will have to adjust it manually. With other machines you can set the incline level to any percentage you want up to a maximum of about 10-15%, and this is often done automatically by pressing a button so that you dont have to interrupt your workout to change the incline level.
Features -
Boredom can kill treadmill workouts. Choose a model that has the most pre-set and programmable workouts to vary pace and incline. A pulse monitor is good with optional water bottle holders and book racks being essential to some.
An alternative to running for weight loss and general toning is to use a
Vibration Trainer.
