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What is a treadmill?

Treadmills (often referred to as running machines) are pieces of cardio equipment used forrunning, jogging or walking whilst remaining in one place.

A treadmill provides a moving platform by means of arunning deck and belt. The belt is powered by an electricmotor and moves from the front to the rear, allowing theperson to walk opposite to the direction of the belt.

Manufacturers are continually reducing their manufacturingcosts. This means you can now purchase a reliable homeuse treadmill for under INR 85000 and a cheap budget onefor under INR45000!

In the India we have unpredictable weather patternsthroughout the year and as winter approaches there are fewer hours of daylight. Because ofthis walking, jogging and running outside can prove to be difficult. However with treadmillsyou can walk, jog or run in the safety and comfort of your own home, rain or shine, day ornight!

The fitness benefits of using a treadmill

• Less impact on joints - Running on a treadmill reduces the impact on your jointscompared to running on pavements or road surfaces. To further reduce the impactpurchase a machine with an orthopaedic belt.

• Reduces stress - During cardio exercise endorphins are released into yourbloodstream. This release of endorphins produces a natural high, which in turnrelieves stress.

• Increases energy levels - Exercise of any kind will increase your energy levels andrunning is one of the best forms of exercise to help increase your overall energy.

• Increases lung capacity - Long distance running will help improve your lungcapacity, making you stronger and healthier.

• Increase bone density - The impact of running on a treadmill overloads the selectedstructure and causes the body to increase the density of weight bearing bones in aneffort to accommodate the stress of the activity.

• Increased calorie burn - Because running is a weight bearing exercise it burnsmore calories in comparison to rowing machines or exercise bikes.

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Different treadmill types

Folding Treadmills - If you are short on space a folding treadmill is the answer. Make sure iffolds easy, it's stable and has a high maximum user weight.

Non-Folding Treadmills - If you have the space a non-folding treadmill is ideal. Non-foldingtreadmills tend to be slightly more stable compared to folding models.

Commercial Treadmills - Commercial treadmills are suited for a commercial environmentsuch as a health club or gym, they are designed for heavy usage throughout their lifetime,which is why you will find such good warranties on commercial treadmills.

Whether its a Motorised Treadmill a Manual Treadmill a Foldable Treadmill or a

Non Folding Treadmill its important to choose the Right Treadmill

If you decide to buy and use a treadmill, it could be one of the wisest health decisions youcould make. Treadmills, particularly motorised treadmills are easy to use fitnessmachines, they will improve your cardiovascular system and they provide the ideal way toburn calories and help with weight management. If you are a runner then its all well andgood taking a run during the warm summer evenings but what happens when the wintersnow, rain and dark evenings arrive? Well thats easy, you pull down your foldabletreadmill from the cupboard under the stairs, plug it in and start jogging and the wholefamily can use it as well.

But buyers beware!

There are more treadmills on the market than any other kind of fitness equipment leavingyou the consumer with a mind-boggling choice.This is a mixed blessing. There is now a good range of quality treadmills to choose frombut there are many more treadmills out there that you should think very carefully aboutbefore spending you’re hard earned cash.Consider the following.

A good motor fitted to a quality treadmill will have a trade price of INR42000 plus. Yet thereare cheap treadmills on the market selling for this price. To be fair even the cheapesttreadmills will offer something to those on a tight budget but be warned, they may comewith problems. Some of these machines have been designed to last not much more than 6months because they think that people will not be using them for much longer than that. Itsounds unbelievable but true. A lot of these fitness machines are sold on the web. They arebought over by the container from the Far East. The web site sells them off offering all kindsof guarantees then a few months down the line the web site disappears leaving you theconsumer with no redress. So if you see a very low priced treadmill its a case of buyer

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beware.

The following tips will help you maximize your investment, prevent you falling into any trapsand also help you reach your desired goals.

Buying your Treadmill

1. Consider who will be using the treadmill and what their specific goals are.It is often the case that there will be more than one person in the family who will beusing the treadmill. Discussing each person’s goals will help make sure that youpurchase workout equipment that will withstand the use of multiple family membersand provide the adjustments to accommodate different size users. For example,going for the cheapest option or buying a low quality underpowered motorisedtreadmill is a common mistake, but one that can cause considerable problems,particularly if it is being used by both a 57 and a 107 Kg person. Also will thetreadmill grow with you? In a very short time with regular use you will find yourfitness improving and as it does so you will need more from your treadmill. Will it beable to accommodate this?

2. Go to a specialist fitness store and test the treadmill.A specialist fitness equipment store should be able to offer a range of treadmills foryou to try. They will also be able to show you how to use the treadmill properly andprovide installation as well as show you how to do routine maintenance. Then testthe exercise equipment yourself.Almost any treadmill will feel and seem adequate if you just walk on it for a couple ofminutes. Its only when you begin to put the treadmill through its paces by jogging orrunning on it, adding elevation and using different programmes will you start to seeand feel the major difference in quality and comfort, even vibration and noise.When you go to the store wear appropriate clothing so you can test the gymequipment properly. A good treadmill is a major investment. Take your time.

3. Location & Space.Consider where you are going to site your treadmill. There is no problem with puttinga treadmill upstairs as long as you appreciate that someone running hard on it willcause some noise and vibration below. A garage is fine as long as its not damp,which would affect the electronics. Conservatories are popular, but if its south facingit may get to hot. If you have a gym room on the ground floor, which is somethingthat is growing in popularity then you have the perfect solution. Space should not betoo much of a problem today now that there is such a large range of foldingtreadmills available. Don't forget that a motorised treadmill is an electric treadmill andwill therefore require power from an electric socket.

4. Features.Easily Navigable ConsoleWhen you look at the treadmill console does it make sense? Do you intuitively knowhow the buttons work? Is the screen large enough and the workout information easyto read? The sales person will show you the basics but when you get the treadmillhome they will not be there to guide you, so make sure you feel comfortable that youwill be able to use the console with ease.

Cushioned Deck

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This is a major selling point for all treadmills now, but not all cushioning systems arethe same. The ideal absorption system should be one that feels firm and stable whenyou run yet still forgiving. It should not feel soft and spongy and slap back at you.This kind of cushioning could cause knee injuries over time and also wear outquickly. Good quality treadmills from respected manufacturers provide cushioningthat is researched based and can show evidence on why their system works. Thereshould be methodology in the system other than simply putting in rubber spacers ordampeners. Some treadmills now come with orthopaedic belts, which subtly enhancethe cushioning further. The only way you can be sure you like the feel of thecushioning is to test the treadmill. Remember anything that will make your workoutmore comfortable will result in you sticking with it and achieving your desired goals.

Adequate MotorThis is where the confusion really starts. Don’t be fooled by the ‘bigger is alwaysbetter’ rhetoric. There is more to a treadmill motor than its size. What you should lookfor is a continuous duty HP motor (continuous duty is a measure of horsepowerunder regular anticipated use and is far more meaningful than ‘peak’ horsepower). Inreality 2.0HP and above should be sufficient for any user as long as the rest of themotorised treadmills components are of a high quality. For example a good coolingmechanism will reduce the heat generated by the motor and other majorcomponents, prolonging their life and reducing wear on these parts. A large motorwith a poor cooling system is not a good combination as this will result in prematurewear and poor performance. However a superior cooling system and qualityelectronics do not come cheap and this is why there is such a disparity in price ofmotorised treadmills. Try not to focus on just the ‘big’ or ‘quiet’ motor, instead lookat the treadmill as a whole system, with matching components that work together. Itis this that makes the difference between a bog standard cheap treadmill and aquality treadmill.

Console FeedbackAn array of feedback features is available on most motorised treadmills. It is temptingto buy one with everything but before you do, consider what is important to you andthe other users of the treadmill and how you will use it. You will certainly need thebasic information such as speed, distance, elevation and time. You then need to lookfor features that will motivate and challenge you such as pace and heart rate. If youget bored easily it may be worth investing money in a treadmill that has a range ofdifferent workout programmes, as this will help you stay motivated.

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Folding Mechanism-Folding treadmills use one or two hydraulic pistons to assist with the lifting andlowering of the running deck. Make sure the piston is good quality and does the job.The majority of foldable treadmills have what some brands call a ‘softdrop’mechanism. This lets the running deck drop slowly and gently without anyintervention from you. It was designed to prevent injury to young children who mayhave accidentally released the treadmill from its raised locking position. These workvery well but again the quality of the piston is crucial. The locking device differsconsiderably from brand to brand. Some have a simple release handle convenientlypositioned at shoulder height, others have a pivoting plate at the bottom of thetreadmill that you have to push down with your foot and others have an annoyingleaver type piston combined support that you have to pull apart. They all workadequately but some are just easier to use.

We are often asked if foldable treadmills are less stable than a platform (non-folding) treadmill. Years ago folding treadmills were very unstable compared with aplatform treadmill and cheap treadmills still are today. But buy a quality folder andyou will be hard pressed to feel the difference.

Belt -

The belt should be long enough and wide enough to accommodate your runningstyle, if you plan to do a lot of running then look for a belt with a width of 500mm(20") and a length of 1400mm (55").

Speed –

The maximum speeds will vary between models. Mid range and commercialtreadmills have maximum speeds of 20kph (12mph). To give you an idea of speed,world class runners run at an average speed of 20kph during a marathon!

Incline (Elevation) –

You can buy Manual 3 level incline which would come at lesser price or if you havebudget then and If you plan to do a lot of uphill walking or running then look for atreadmill with an incline of 10%. Thankfully most mid range treadmills incline to 10%(some incline to 12%).

Maximum user weights –

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Always check the maximum user weight before you purchase. Budget runningmachines usually have maximum user weights of around 100kg whilst mid rangetreadmills have maximum user weights of around 130kg.

Accessories –

You can purchase many accessories. At Powermax Fitness Superstore we offeraccessories such as: Floor protector Mats, Extended treadmill warranties, Heart RateMonitors and much more.

Remember the must haves when buying a Treadmill

• Easy to read and easy to use treadmill console• Cushioned Deck• Programmes and features on the treadmill that are meaningful to you• An adequate continuous duty HP motor, 2HP or above is best

Safety and MaintenanceRunning and walking on a moving piece of exercise equipment is very effective and simple,but for the raw beginner it can also feel unsafe and fraught with quality issues if you don’tchoose wisely.

Safety FeaturesLook for an emergency stop button on the treadmill that is easy to see and accessible, nomatter what speed or incline you are running at. There should also be a safety tether key.This is a key that plugs into the treadmill console and has a cord that runs from it thatattaches to your clothing. If this key is pulled out the treadmill will automatically stop.Therefore if you fall or faint then the treadmill will not continue running which could causeserious injury. A tether key is ideal for a beginner. Has the treadmill got heart rate features,feedback and interactivity? All these help towards a safe and effective workout. Make surethe treadmill has handrails that are comfortable to hold but are not intrusive. Can you run orwalk without your hands or arms hitting them? Testing in store for several minutes will helpdecide this. Finally the belt speed should rise and fall in gradual increments, guaranteeingyou are always in control. When buying fitness equipment, gym equipment or any type ofworkout equipment safety must always be a priority.

MaintenanceA treadmill will always require a little maintenance, after all a treadmill is a mechanical andelectronic piece of moving exercise equipment. However on a quality treadmill themaintenance should be minimal. Once set up you should not be centring the belt orlubricating the running deck after every workout. A well- designed unit should take in normalwear and tear. Ask the salesman what is required. Some treadmills have reversible runningdecks. This means that if normal wear and tear takes it course on the running surface thedeck can be flipped over, basically doubling the life of the running deck. This is somethingthat can be done by a competent owner but it is always worth asking the store what they willcharge to do it professionally. If you have bought quality, professional gym equipment thenit may be worth paying that extra to get a professional to look after it. However on a quality

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treadmill this is something that will not be require for many years.

WarrantyToday treadmill warranties are almost used as a marketing tool. Companies now competeto offer longer and more comprehensive warranties. This is all well and good as long as themanufacturer is still in business in 10 years time. At minimum the treadmill should have a 3year motor warranty, 1 year electronics and 1-2 year labour cover. As with everything elseand this is probably more so with a treadmill, you get what you pay for. A treadmill has totake an enormous amount of punishment compared to other fitness equipment. For anyonewho has regularly visited a health club they have probably found that the one piece ofequipment that is out of order more than any other is the treadmill. Therefore the better thequality the less likely you will need to use your warranty.

FinallyEqually as important, does the dealers from whom you are purchasing the exerciseequipment, have their own service staff that are trained and authorised by the manufacturerto service your fitness equipment. At Powermax Fitness we have our own dedicated serviceengineers who have years of experience.

Why you should buy your treadmill from Powermax Fitness

• We offer an extensive range of treadmills, covering all budgets• Your treadmill warranty: All treadmills come with a minimum 1 year parts and

labour warranty. Many far exceed this with 3 and 5 year warranties depending onModels

• Treadmill delivery: Delivered direct to your door• Treadmill installation: Treadmills can be very heavy that is why we would

recommend our installation service. Installed by our own engineers.