Manual or Electric? How to Choose A Treadmill And Stay in Your Budget

Home treadmills are very convenientWhen selecting a new electric treadmill consider what is desired in the treadmill. Are different programs desired or just the ability to change the incline needed? There are hundreds of electric treadmills to choose from. Consider the dollar amount you are willing to spend on the purchase. There is a large range in prices of the different models available to purchase.

The difference between the electric model and the manual one is the way the belt is moved. On a manual treadmill, the belt only moves forward when the person using the machine is moving. So, every time you take a step the belt or floor moves forward. On an electric model, a motor propels the belt or floor forward. This means you have the ability to preset a desired pace for your walk or run.

The more functions the treadmill is capable of performing, generally the price increases. Many models have interval, hills, cardio, and a mix of all programs at a touch of a button. This is great for the avid workout enthusiast who works out every day. With many different programs to choose from the daily workout challenges your body in different ways. This gives an all-over calorie burn and cardio mix.

If you will only use the incline feature while working out, save money and get a basic electric treadmill. Without the calorie counting feature, length of run and heart rate indicators, an excellent workout can still be achieved on a cheap treadmill. Mix up the length of the run and the incline to achieve maximum cardio-burn workout.

You can choose to use a treadmill at your local gym or workout facility or you can purchase one for home use. If you are considering purchasing a treadmill for use in your home you’ll want to make sure the area you’re going to use it in is large enough to accommodate the treadmill. You also want to make sure there is enough room for you to easily get on and off the machine. The prices for home treadmills vary according to the model and features the machine has. A manual treadmill will be less expensive than an electric one.

The electric treadmill is a popular choice for people who want to exercise at home because everyone in the family can use it. You do not need to be a runner or jogger to use the treadmill. You can use it to walk at a comfortable pace to help condition yourself into getting in better shape. When used for walking purposes the machine will provide a good low impact exercise. This can be beneficial for people recovering from surgery or for those who may be elderly and not as supple anymore. The machine is a great overall piece of exercise equipment.

Electric Treadmills: A Personal Trainer In Your Home

Getting Fit on an Electric TreadmillIf you are looking to get in shape, you could choose to use an electric treadmill. The treadmill is a pretty standard and easy to use piece of equipment.

The electric treadmill is designed to tone up your body and increase your fitness levels; it works for all ages, heights and weights. It is the perfect way to stay in shape without resorting to expensive gyms or long walks on a cold evenings;  you can even work out to music from your stereo or the iPod, which is always a popular choice for those who work out regularly. When purchasing a treadmill be sure to do your research beforehand in order for you to get the right price and the ideal machine for your needs.

Both walking and running are great ways to get in shape. Even if you are not much of a runner, simply walking on the electric treadmill is a great way to work out. Changing the incline will help with this as well –walking on a steeper incline will use the leg muscles more and burn more calories. It is good for both the legs and the butt!

In addition, starting on a daily or every-other-day walking program can help you work up to jogging and even running. In addition, many treadmills have various programs, which change the speed and incline automatically throughout your exercise session. With the treadmill’s help, you can pick the best program for you. This is a great way to work out, as you let the treadmill be in control, which is a good motivator. That way, not only do you not have the stress of trying to be in charge of how long and how hard to work out, but you’ll also have more incentive to keep going and finish out the workout.

Features of the Motorized Treadmill

High-Tech Electric Treadmills

Electric treadmills have a lot of components, more than any other exercise equipment. Before you buy an electric treadmill, be sure to educate yourself on the most important features, and decide which of them are necessary to your success at working out on a treadmill

Motor: Arguably the most important part of an electric treadmill, the motor needs to be at least 1.5 continuous horsepower. If you plan to do a lot of sprinting, or run for long periods of time, consider getting a 3HP motor.

Belt: Another extremely important feature, the belt needs to be durable and wide enough for you to run on comfortably. A narrow belt may make you feel unbalanced, like you’re on a tightrope. There are orthopedic belts available too, if stress on your joints is a consideration.

Rollers: Often overlooked, the rollers are a clue as to the quality of the treadmill you’re looking at. The larger the diameter of the roller, the longer it will last.

Dimensions: Where will you put your treadmill in your home? Be sure you purchase one that fits into the space you have for it. Also make sure there’s an electrical outlet near it, so you can plug it in.

Incline/Decline: Almost all treadmills have the ability to incline the platform, which simulates running uphill. Some models allow for a decline too, to simulate running downhill, which most people love having available, to keep their workouts interesting.

Cushioning: One of the big advantages of treadmills over road running is their ability to absorb some of the shock from your feet striking the surface, which saves your legs and joints. How they do this is definitely part of the price tag: rubber, springs or even “variable durometer elastomers” which are a combination of stiff rubber and softer rubber and are considered the be the best cushioning device.

Frame: Usually either aluminum or steel which are obviously then either lighter or heavier. Steel is usually preferable, as it feels more stable when you’re running on it. Also look for whether the frame is bolted or welded together: welded frames are considered to be higher quality.

Computer: Here’s where you can save some money, depending on what kind of workout you need. If all you need is to be able to adjust speed and incline easily, then you can cut the price tag considerably. However, a treadmill is an investment that you plan to use for many years, so it’s wise to spend a few extra dollars now and get all the features you might want in the future, like programmed workouts that vary the incline and speed throughout your run to keep it interesting.

Display Screen: Can be either LCD or LED. LED is easier to replace than LCD screens.

Max Speed: Usually about 8 to 10 mph. If you’re a seriously fast runner, look into getting a commercial treadmill such as what’s found in high-end gyms.

Max Incline: Usually about 10-20% incline, which is plenty for anyone who just wants to vary their workout. If you’re a marathon runner or something, you can get ones that incline up to 40%

Warranty: Definitely try to get one that includes labor, so you won’t have to try and replace parts yourself. Also look for a “return to base” clause, which means you have to take it to the service center. If you have a small car, that might not be feasible, so be sure you’re getting one that includes having the technician come to your home.

In general, buying an expensive piece of equipment like a home treadmill is not something you can do on a whim. And while you can save money buying one second hand, you might miss out on a warranty that could save you having to buy another one in a couple years. It’s best to try out any electric treadmill before buying, and certainly wise to buy from a local fitness store with a good reputation, so you have someone to call if anything goes wrong.