Treadmills

Treadmills provide a fantastic means of getting a quality aerobic workout and stretching out many of your joints and muscles. They're incredibly convenient and easy to use. They can provide various levels of workouts--there are settings for the seasoned runner, a beginner trying to get into shape, or anyone in between. The motion of the workout itself is natural and, depending on the model, you should be able to get a low-impact workout with minimal strain on your joints and ligaments.

Treadmills are very efficient calorie burners as well, so they're ideal for any weight loss/fitness program. If you're in the market for a treadmill, the problem you're most likely to face is...

What model do I buy? What brand? How much do I spend? What makes a good treadmill?

And so on. If you're going to perform accurate treadmill comparisons the first step is determining the price you're willing to pay for one. As usual, the more money you spend, the higher quality machine you get. If you can afford it, a higher-priced model is generally worth the bucks. With that said, there are two main types of treadmills...

1) Non-Motorized - very simple and self-explanatory. The belt turns under your own power. Obviously, the benefit these machines offer is that there's much less to go wrong - there are no major mechanical parts to worry about. And of course, they're much cheaper (from what I've seen, this seems to extend to quality of the product as well). On the other hand, you're somewhat limited with what you can do with your workout. For instance, if I hop on a motorized treadmill, and set the speed at 5 miles an hour, I have to stay moving at 5 miles an hour, or risk being flung through my back wall. On the non-motorized machine I'm less likely to push myself.

2) Motorized - in this case, a motor turns the belt you walk or run on. If the model has an incline option (this will increase the intensity of your workout), another motor may power this feature. And in this case, the quality of the motor is your major concern - it's what makes or breaks your treadmill! If you're looking at the motorized models, here's what you need to know:

Engine power is most often measured in...

Peak Horsepower - the maximum power an engine can generate for short bursts, or...

Continuous Horsepower - the power at which a motor can operate continually without drop-offs.

I recommend you use continuous power as the benchmark for your treadmill motor, as it's much lower than the peak rating, and a more accurate representation of what you really need. As far as power goes, more is generally better. Unfortunately, it's also more expensive. If you're a seasoned runner, you'll probably need a machine that generates 2hp of continuous power. For those who simply plan to walk, anywhere between 1 and 1.5 hp should be sufficient.

Other issues for consideration?

Belt size - length and width. If you happen to be 6'5, don't buy a treadmill with a short belt. Obviously, your stride is considerably longer than someone who happens to be 5' tall. Give some thought to the belt width as well. This will be a contributing factor to comfort and ease of use. You'll find belt widths ranging from 16 to 22 inches, and length from 45 to 60 inches.

Construction -- this sucker has got to be sturdy. Lighter models may be more manageable, but you're sacrificing durability for portability. Go for a steel-framed model if you can.

Warranty -- good models aren't cheap. Protect your investment by ensuring you've a good manufacturer's warranty behind you. Look for two to three years minimal.

Gadgetry - up to you here. Options include heart rate monitoring, distance traveled, calories burned, speed, and the length of your workout. In some cases, you can even save your workout to improve upon next time! Some models may even have a built-in CD player. This stuff is fun, but not necessary. You decide!

The benefits of owning a treadmill are numerous -- convenient for working out in your own home in your own time. Weather's bad? Who cares? So what? Nothing will get in the way of your workout! Set it up in front of the TV for some serious distraction -- you'll forget that you're even exercising.

Bottom line on the treadmill? Motorized models are more expensive, but are generally sturdier, and will result in a better quality workout. Check the warranty carefully-- obviously, you'll want full protection for a good number of years.