I’m in the process of researching treadmills. I’m not one to go out, look at one store & buy the first treadmill I see. I do the research, compare the pros & cons, look for sales, etc. So, even though I’m looking around right now, it still might be another 6 months (or 2 years) before I get one
I was just wondering if anyone has some good tips on picking out a treadmill. Runner’s World had an article about picking out a treadmill. They listed these five things to look for in a treadmill:
SIZE IT UP While the overall footprint of the machine needs to fit in the space you have at home, paying more for an expansive treadmill deck may not be such a great investment. "Unless you're 6'6"," says FitAdvisor.com CEO Gregory Florez,"getting a deck larger than the standard 60" x 20" probably won't matter."
CHECK UNDER THE HOOD Unless your first name is Usain, you won't redline a treadmill's engine. That's why Florez recommends you pay attention to the motor's continuous duty rating, rather than its peak duty rating. "Runners need 2.5 to 3 horsepower continuous duty, but any more can be overkill."
TAKE IT FOR A SPIN Make sure the console controls are easy to reach and that the deck feels good underfoot by running on it for at least five minutes before you buy. It should feel steady and supportive and not too mushy. "Every deck is softer than the road," says Florez. "Too soft can cause injuries."
GET WHAT YOU NEED "Every machine these days has a variety of programs," says Lance Sapera, director of equipment standards for 24-Hour Fitness. He recommends people buy a machine that has a decent mix of hill and speed interval programs, which make it easy to get in a good run quickly.
READ THE WARRANTY Look for lifetime coverage of the frame, three years on all parts, and at least one year on labor. And since all machines will require some maintenance, be sure there is a certified technician in your area (you can find one on the manufacturer's Web site or on Treadmilldoctor.com).
“I am absolutely totally madly in love with it. I have NO complaints whatsoever. I love that you can run different courses, the fan, the speakers, it is quieter than most and there are a lot of different settings/programs you can do. GET IT!!!”
“ I am honestly in love with my treadmill, but I have to say...it's pretty loud. BUT--I am waiting on a special mat to put underneath it, which is supposed to make it a lot quieter. The price I paid was about $1,500--quite a lot I think, but that was with a warranty for 3 years, which is great. So far I really love it, still figuring out all the features but it's great.”
“Yes, it does have WAY more bells and whistles than necessary but my husband convinces me that if we are going to have something for many many years and use it all the time then we might as well enjoy it and have some perks. Perks it has! I'm not entirely sure all that it can do but I'll keep you posted.
(do you see a theme among these runners & their treadmills? NORDIC TRACK)
Now seriously, I want some good, honest advice from the rest of you…do you have a treadmill? If so, what kind is it & do you like it?
What else should be considered when looking for the perfect treadmill?
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I’m in the process of researching treadmills. I’m not one to go out, look at one store & buy the first treadmill I see. I do the research, compare the pros & cons, look for sales, etc. So, even though I’m looking around right now, it still might be another 6 months (or 2 years) before I get one
I was just wondering if anyone has some good tips on picking out a treadmill. Runner’s World had an article about picking out a treadmill. They listed these five things to look for in a treadmill:
While the overall footprint of the machine needs to fit in the space you have at home, paying more for an expansive treadmill deck may not be such a great investment. "Unless you're 6'6"," says FitAdvisor.com CEO Gregory Florez,"getting a deck larger than the standard 60" x 20" probably won't matter."
Unless your first name is Usain, you won't redline a treadmill's engine. That's why Florez recommends you pay attention to the motor's continuous duty rating, rather than its peak duty rating. "Runners need 2.5 to 3 horsepower continuous duty, but any more can be overkill."
Make sure the console controls are easy to reach and that the deck feels good underfoot by running on it for at least five minutes before you buy. It should feel steady and supportive and not too mushy. "Every deck is softer than the road," says Florez. "Too soft can cause injuries."
"Every machine these days has a variety of programs," says Lance Sapera, director of equipment standards for 24-Hour Fitness. He recommends people buy a machine that has a decent mix of hill and speed interval programs, which make it easy to get in a good run quickly.
Look for lifetime coverage of the frame, three years on all parts, and at least one year on labor. And since all machines will require some maintenance, be sure there is a certified technician in your area (you can find one on the manufacturer's Web site or on Treadmilldoctor.com).
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What else is there to keep in mind? (ahem…THE PRICE of course!). I asked a couple of our fellow running bloggers what kind of treadmills they have -
Janae @ HungryRunnerGirl has a NordicTrack C900 & she said,
Vanessa @ GourmetRunner recently got a NordicTrack 1750 & she said,
Amanda @ Runninghood recently purchased a Nordic Track Commercial 2150 & she said,
(do you see a theme among these runners & their treadmills? NORDIC TRACK)
Now seriously, I want some good, honest advice from the rest of you…do you have a treadmill? If so, what kind is it & do you like it?
What else should be considered when looking for the perfect treadmill?