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Buying A Treadmill On-line
by Gregory Florez

Treadmills continue to be the most popular and arguably most valuable pieces of aerobic equipment you can purchase. They 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 choosing the right product a daunting task without the right advice.

1. Consider your goals and the goals of other potential exercisers in your home before logging on. Most families will have more than one individual that will likely be using the treadmill. It's important to consider their 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 needs of all users in the household is a common mistake.

2. Go to a site that specializes in fitness equipment. Even if you don't ultimately buy from one, go first to a site that specializes in fitness equipment - not hockey, not basketball, and golf. These sites will likely have a more educated staff, higher quality equipment, and the ability to service your treadmill more effectively. Ask about experts who can help you choose the right product and get you started. A site that employs actual personal trainers is a bonus here.

Must Have's

 1. Easily navigable console and screen with a large digital readout. 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.


2. 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.

3. Electronic Features. Most 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. 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 workouts to be used in the future.

4. 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. Look at the treadmill as a system with matched components not just a unit with a "big" motor.

Good web sites will have some type of matrix or comparison chart that helps you choose the type of technical specifications (like horsepower, etc.) that you need.

5. Experienced Manufacturer. One of the surest ways to buy quality is to buy from a manufacturer that has a history of quality. In the fitness industry this means considering companies that have made treadmills for use in health clubs and other high use facilities like corporate facilities, and municipal settings. A company that makes equipment that is used dozens of times a day in a commercial setting is likely to make a unit that will stand up to home use.

The shopping phase is the foundation to make sure that you choose wisely and protect your investment. Take your time. Start with a reputable specialty fitness e-tailer. Ask the hard questions mentioned above. Think long-term for both your goals and other family members. For help discerning other important features and factors, see the following:

Safety and Maintenance:

Safety features
Maintenance
Warranty

Electronic Programming and Motivation

Heart rate interactivity
Pre-set and custom programs
User profiles / User ID's
Ease of use
Interval training
Fitness test

Safety features

.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. Can you run or walk comfortably without hitting them? 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 or talk to a rep online or by phone. 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 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 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. Look for what components are covered. Be sure your warranty includes:

  • motor
  • deck and belt
  • electronics

    Equally as important, 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 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 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 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 workout. Look for a HR control that adjusts incline at a minimum. Adjusting both speed and incline may pose some concerns for 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.

    Pre-set and custom programs.

    One of the leading reasons people quit a program is boredom. Having a 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 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 workout 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. The best treadmills will "remember" your workouts and even those of other users in your house. Look for the ability to store 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 a 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 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. Look for programming that offers numerous options for interval training. A typical program operates on a 1 min rest, 1 min work interval set-up. The programming 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 pre-set 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.