Purchasing a treadmill can be a daunting experience, so I have outlined a few essential tips to bear in mind when finding the right model for you?.



What is your budget?

Treadmills vary in price enormously depending on the features and design. A high end treadmill can cost upwards of ?5000, not everyone can or wants to spend ?5000 on a treadmill. As with most exercise equipment you get what you pay for, basic motorised treadmills start at about ?400. The larger your budget the better the build quality and functions. Generally a more expensive treadmill will be more stable to run on, have a cushioned running deck and have numerous programs.

How much space do you have?

Treadmills are large pieces of exercise equipment, and you need to consider this carefully when purchasing a treadmill. You do not want to find that it does not fit in your desired room once it has been delivered. Measure the space you have available and check the dimensions of the treadmills you like before purchasing, if space is an issue consider a folding treadmill. Some are now designed to fit under a bed! Motorised treadmills will also need to be near a power socket.

How will the Treadmill be used?

Running or walking? If you intend to primarily use the treadmill for walking then a top speed of 6 mph (10km/h) and a smaller deck maybe all you require. If you are intending on using the treadmill for running then a larger deck, 128cm long and 40cm wide is the minimum I would recommend. The maximum speed of the treadmill should be at least 2mph faster than your regular running pace to ensure the life of the treadmill motor.

Who is going to be using the treadmill?

Will the treadmill be used by someone other than you? If so you will need to consider their requirements, maybe they are heavier than you? If so you will need to purchase a treadmill with a maximum weight rating above their weight. Are they much taller than you and going to require a longer running deck? Do they suffer from joint pain and require a more cushioned running deck?

What is the difference between continuous duty and peak duty motors?

Continuous duty means how much horsepower can be constantly delivered regardless of the user's weight. Peak duty is the maximum horsepower that a treadmill can deliver. When selecting a treadmill always look for a treadmill with a minimum of 1.5 continuous duty HP.

Is the treadmill covered by a warranty?

Most treadmills come with a minimum 1 year parts and labour warranty. However ideally you want to look for a treadmill which has a 10/15 year frame and motor warranty and a minimum of one years parts and labour warranty on the other components. Ideally look for a treadmill which has an ?on site" warranty where an engineer will visit you and repair the treadmill. Remember treadmills are large heavy items and you do not want to have to return your treadmill to the supplier for repair.

What is heart rate control and how does it benefit me?

Heart rate control programs work by adjusting the intensity of a program to keep your heart at a preset level. This level will be a percentage of your maximum heart rate, as a rough guide to calculate your maximum heart rate, deduct your age from 220 e.g. if you're 35 years of age then your maximum heart rate is around 185. Depending on your fitness level you should workout to a percentage of that figure between 55% and 80%.

When using a heart rate controlled program the equipment will need to know your heart rate constantly. This can be either via the heart rate hand grip sensors or via a wireless telemetric heart rate strap which sends your heart rate via radio waves to the console. Many of the treadmills sold nowadays have heart rate hand grip sensors; although the disadvantage of using these during a heart rate program is that you have to keep your hands connected to the sensors which can impede your running. This is where looking for a treadmill which you can use a heart rate strap with is useful, as you do not need to worry about holding onto any sensors whilst working out. Most of the treadmills on sale nowadays have built in receivers and some come complete with a strap.

Most treadmills will keep your heart rate at the preset rate by increasing or decreasing the speed of the treadmill dependent on your heart rate. Some of the more expensive treadmills, such as the Tunturi T40 treadmill have an incline controlled heart rate controlled program as well as speed. Heart rate control programs offer a safe and effective way to workout.

What are programmes and how do they benefit me?

It is often difficult to motivate yourself when you're always using the same routine! Purchasing a treadmill with programmes maybe the answer. Having pre-set or even customisable workout programmes is a great way to provide some extra variety and motivation. There are programs such as rolling hills and fat burn which increase and decrease the speed and sometimes the incline of the treadmill to provide a varied motivating workout. Most mid and high end treadmills now offer heart rate controlled programmes such as the Bremshey Ambition T which using your heart rate increases or decrease the speed of the treadmill. This keeps your heart rate as close as possible to your pre-set optimum rate. This is a safe way to exercise and can help focus your workout on weight loss.

How is the incline adjustable and how does it benefit me?

Most treadmills allow you to adjust the incline of the running deck; cheaper treadmills generally have manual incline adjustment. Meaning that you have to dismount the treadmill and change the incline manually. Many mid and high end treadmills, like the Tunturi T20, have an automatic incline, adjustable from the console. Increasing the incline intensifies and varies your workout and most treadmills allow between 10-15% incline.

I hope this treadmill purchase guide has been useful, if you're looking for more information and a large selection of treadmills please visit http://www.exerciseequipment.co.uk