Buying a Treadmill
Online

Buying a Treadmill Online

Treadmills are the most popular fitness equipment you can purchase and buying a treadmill online is the most cost effective way of owning one. Exercise treadmills are simple and intuitive to use, burn calories very effectively and offer a wide range of exercise options from walking to hill climbing and jogging. For better or worse it is also one of the most saturated categories in the fitness equipment industry - making buying a treadmill online a daunting task without the right advice.

Shopping for your Treadmill

Consider your fitness goals and of other potential exercisers in your home before buying a treadmill online. Most families will have more than one individual that will likely be using the treadmill. It's important to consider their fitness goals and needs as well as your own. "Under buying", or buying a low quality, under-powered treadmill that doesn't meet the long-term fitness needs of all users in the household is a common mistake.

Must Have's

Easily navigable console and screen with a large digital readout.

When buying a treadmill online look for displays and control panels that are large, simple and readable. Too many buttons will be confusing, and even create barriers to exercising regularly.

Shock absorption system.

This is a major "hook" for almost all treadmills now, but make note. A deck should not feel "soft" or spongy, as this type of cushioning can create knee injuries in the long run and also wear out quickly. Look for a manufacturer that provides compelling, research-based, evidence on why their cushioning system works. Look for data that explains how the manufacturer developed their cushioning system and what makes it unique. There should be some methodology in the system other than simply putting in rubber spacers or dampeners.

Electronic Features.

Most exercise treadmills have a spectrum of features to lure buyers, ranging from calories expended to amount of energy used. Consider what is important to you and how you will use it. When buying a treadmill online the key is to look for electronic features that are both motivating and challenging. Look for an electronic package that will grow with you as you progress, and one that will accommodate the needs of other users in your home. As fitness professionals, some of the most effective features we've found include interval programs, and specific user ID's that are customizable and can store past fitness workouts to be used in the future.

Adequate Motor.

This has become one of the most confusing data points of all. Don't be fooled by the "bigger is always better" rhetoric. In reality, a 2.0 continuous duty HP motor is sufficient for virtually any user if the other components are high quality. For example, a good cooling mechanism reduces heat on the motor and other key components - extending the life and wear on these parts. A large motor with a poor cooling mechanism makes for a bad combination that will likely result in premature wear and tear on parts as well as poor performance. When buying an exercise treadmill online look at the treadmill as a system with matched components not just a unit with a "big" motor.

Features

When buying a treadmill online look for basics like a safety key and belt speed that starts and stops in small, gradual increments. Also important are features like built in warm-up and cool-down periods, and heart rate feedback and interactivity. Make sure the treadmill has handrails or console grips that are comfortable without being obtrusive. Are they ergonomically located so that you can use them when you start or stop? Look for photos or animated video clips on the site that show someone using the equipment. Also check out dimensions.

Maintenance

At best you want a treadmill that is maintenance-free. A well-designed unit takes normal wear and tear into account so you don't have to. Some higher quality exercise treadmills have a reversible deck - meaning you can flip the deck when normal wear takes it's course on the running surface. A reversible deck essentially doubles the life of your treadmill surface.

Warranty

A treadmill is an electronic piece of equipment. A quality unit is a long-term investment that, with regular use, will require service at some point. Most quality exercise treadmills will offer a lifetime warranty on the frame. When it comes to other components, look for a warranty that provides for at least 1 year of labor and a minimum of 1-3 years coverage on parts. When buying a treadmill online look for what components are covered. Be sure your warranty includes: Motor; Deck and belt;Electronics

Equally as important, when buying a treadmill online does the site from whom you are purchasing have access to a national network of service professionals who are trained and authorized by the manufacturer to service your fitness equipment? Would you buy a car from a dealer who said no to this?

Heart Rate (HR) interactivity

Measuring your heart rate is the surest indicator of progress and proper fitness intensity. Everyone has a target heart rate range for which they should work within. Too high and you risk injury. Too low and you won't reach your fitness goals. The best Treadmills will actually adjust speed while measuring your heart rate to make sure that you stay within this range. There are two categories here: HR interactive vs. HR display.

The ideal is HR interactive because the machine will make automatic adjustments for you to keep you at your desired HR. You simply punch in the desired HR and the machine will respond accordingly throughout the fitness workout. Look for a HR control that adjusts incline at a minimum. Adjusting both speed and incline may pose some concerns for fitness users.

Often on products that adjust both speed and incline, you cannot make manual adjustments if you are feeling uncomfortable with the settings - you have to stop and get back in to the program. Incline-only HR programs allow for manual speed adjustments to keep you feeling safe and in-control.

Preset and custom programs

One of the leading reasons people quit a fitness program is boredom. Having an exercise treadmill that provides a myriad of programs will help keep a program fresh and full of variety. The ability to customize a program for your specific fitness needs is also a great feature. Look for some research behind the programs.

User Profile/ID

Separate user ID's that store data for individual users are ideal for families, husband and wife, or fitness partners, and are great for competing against others and yourself. The user ID's allow you to keep your own odometer, store a database of your workout information, and create custom courses based on your own personal preferences and goals. This is a great way to measure progress. When buying a treadmill online look for treadmills that will "remember" your fitness workouts and even those of other users in your house. Look for the ability to store fitness workouts for 2 or more users in order to duplicate them again.

Ease of Use

In the world of personal training we have found over the years that many clients are intimidated or simply frustrated with the amount of features and buttons on an exercise treadmill. It becomes another obstacle to regular exercise. The best treadmills keep it simple. Big green buttons mean go. Big red buttons mean stop. Emergency stops should be well labeled and it should take no more than 2 to 3 "button pushes" to launch a program. Look for a treadmill that has a manual or "quick start" mode as well as the fitness programs described above. 1-2 pushes of a button and you go.

Interval training

Interval training means periods of high intensity combined with periods of lower intensity. A very effective means of increasing fitness levels quickly. When buying a treadmill online look for programming that offers numerous options for interval fitness training. A typical program operates on a 1 min rest, 1 min work interval set-up. This should be set up so that all you have to do is set the rest period one time and the work period one time and the machine takes over from there.

Fitness test

This is a great tool for motivation and measuring progression. Essentially this is a preset program based on a scientific set of principles that "test" your fitness level at any given time. You launch the program and the electronics will take you through a routine that gauges fitness level based on variables such as heart rate, distance and speed, etc. Research shows us that the second biggest reason people quit an exercise program is lack of results. Accomplishing a fitness test on a periodic basis will help you see your progress.


Recommended Supplier

Smooth Fitness is the #1 seller and manufacturer of treadmills on the Internet. They offer their exclusive Smooth brand of treadmills and are the only manufacturer of quality fitness equipment to primarily sell over the Internet.

By selling factory direct and online, you are able to obtain savings of up to 45% by eliminating the overhead costs of retail sales. You get the convenience of shopping online combined with factory direct prices.

You can view the whole range of Smooth exercise treadmills by going to their Treadmill Selector page or go to their main page here.







This feature Buying a Treadmill Online is one of many to be found in our series of informative exercise treadmill articles.

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