Buying treadmills could be a challenging job.
Personally, I don’t use treadmills. I’d rather go out and walk, jog or run. In fact, I’ve started a jogging-running log and talked about using Google Earth to plot the route of the jog-run.
But then again, I live in a temperate country where I don’t have to worry about snow or ice or any extreme weather. Understandably, people who are exposed to extreme weather would need alternative means for them to have their cardio exercises. Those who want the added convenience and benefit of doing exercises at home will certainly need treadmills. Treadmills in the UK are no different from treadmills being sold all over the world. Thankfully, manufacturers of treadmills have been trying to lower their costs. Because of that, people could now buy Treadmills UK for under £1,000. Imagine being able to walk, run and jog in the comfort of your own home?!
Don’t just buy treadmills though. You need to take into account a number of things to make sure that you have the best features given your budget. It also doesn’t make sense for you to buy a treadmill and then discover a month after that it’s not really what you need. Better look out for the following things:
Treadmills Warranty. Most treadmills come with parts warranty. This usually comes as a given because the manufacturer wants to assure you that they created a good product that will not easily be destroyed. It would be better if your treadmill also has a labor warranty so you won’t have to pay for anything when they have to repair the treadmills.
Dimensions of the Treadmill – If you’ve chosen a spot at home for your treadmill, then you also need to make sure that the dimension of your treadmill will fit into that space. If you don’t have a big space at home, some manufacturers offer folding treadmills. Ideally, treadmills should be plugged directly into a single socket. Don’t plug it into an extension cord to avoid possible overheating and short circuits.
Treadmill Motor. – Needless to say, this is the most important part of the treadmill you will buy. Choose a 3.0 horsepower motor if you are going to compete for a marathon or run long distances. The 1.5horsepower motor is actually enough for beginners. But if you plan to take it to the next level, you better opt for the 3.0 HP.
Treadmill Belt – Next to the treadmill motor, the treadmill belt is also very important. It should be comfortable and wide enough. Orthopedic belts are also available if you want to reduce the stress on your joints.
Treadmill Incline – The good thing about treadmills is that they can mimic the terrains that you want to run on. It could be slightly uphill or intensely uphill. This means therefore that you should also look for the types of incline available. Treadmills can have motor or manual incline. If you have a cheaper budget, you should opt for manual incline but if you can spare some money, then you better buy a treadmill with motor incline.
Treadmill Computer Display – Various information could be gleaned from the computer display of your treadmill. You can choose LCD screens or LED screens. LCD screen displays are more common but LED screens can be replaced more easily. No matter which type of screen you choose, as long as you can see the treadmill speed, your heart rate and other important information regarding your exercise, then you’re good to go.
Treadmill Maximum Speed – Most treadmills UK can reach up to 25km per hour. If you need this level of speed, you need to invest in a good commercial treadmills.
Treadmills are just Machines!
Treadmills are more than just decorations, they can be used to help you become fit and healthy. But you have to use them! Treadmills are worthless if you would just let it lie in a corner in your house or your home gym! But if you invest time and effort for your health and fitness, you’ll reap the rewards in due time!
Image credit: Joe Hoover via Flickr
