What to look for when buying a treadmill
ThThose who are looking to purchase a treadmill for home use, will undoubtedly be looking for a machine that is powerful and performs properly. Treadmills are space consuming machines, so there’s the added pressure to find something that you will like and use, and not just occupy space in your home. It is, therefore, essential to think through the decision of buying (or hiring) a treadmill. Here’s a few things you should be taking into consideration when you are looking to buy a treadmill.
Motor and Horse Power
The motor is the soul of the machine. The strength, size and quality of the motor will determine the intensity of the workout and the ultimate life of the treadmill.
One thing you can look for, is “continuous duty” treadmills. These are the type that can run continuously without interruptions, and do not need to cool down between uses.
If you are looking for a potent machine, we recommend the ProForm 995i Treadmill.
The Belt
The belt is another very crucial part of a treadmill. If you have joint problems, or are prone to leg injuries, you will want to be extra careful with selecting a treadmill with good suspension and a cushioned belt. This will minimise the impact on your legs and back. These belts should be at least 2-ply.
Our F5 Treadmill is a great machine with a good price/quality ratio, and it’s belt has a soft cushioning system that will reduce joint pain.
Folding vs Non-Folding
This is a tricky characteristic, as the better one will depend on your particular situation. This is because folding treadmills are obviously better if you have spacing issues, and need to take it out of the way when it is not in use. However, these type of treadmills have more joints, and that makes them less sturdy. Non-folding treadmills are more stable, therefore more comfortable to be used and take more weight.
For a good, folding option we have York Fitness TII 3000 Treadmill.
If, instead, you’d rather take a sturdier option, we suggest the F12 Treadmill.
The Frame
You should seriously prefer treadmills with a frame made of steel, or, at the very least, aluminium, as they will be much more durable.