Treadmill Terms Explained

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Different manufacturers may list their machines specifications differently, so when comparing machines it is important to compare like with like. Also compare machines about the same cost, you will not get the same features or quality when comparing a budget end model with a top price model!

Below is a list of the most common terms you are going to come across amongst the various treadmills available in the market currently.

Manual Treadmill

Stamina Manual Fitness Treadmill

A treadmill you operate by pushing the conveyor belt with your feet.

Some manual treadmills contain magnets to make it move more smoothly

Motorized or Electric Treadmill

An “ electric treadmill” – containing electric motors that move the belt and may also tilt the track for you as you walk or run

Belt

The ‘track’ of the treadmill

Deck

The underlying structure the belt runs over

Console

The controls on the front panel of the treadmill

Display

The digital readout, usually an LCD display, on the front panel of the treadmill showing e.g. average speed and/or distance travelled

Frame

The structure, usually a metal tubular framework that all the moving parts of the treadmill attach to

Folding Treadmill

Where space is an issue a folding treadmill does what it says, so that it takes up about 50% less space when

compared to a non-folding one.* See note about folding machines build quality lower down age*

Heart monitor

A sensor that takes your pulse and displays it to you

Calorie counter

A calculation of the energy burnt (calories used) during the session can be displayed, great if you’re in to counting calories as part of a weight loss plan

Incline

The tilt of the conveyor belt surface that simulates uphill running

Programmes

Different workout programmes available on a motorised treadmill

Surface

The top side of the conveyor belt, i.e. the part you run or walk on.

Folding Treadmill Machines and Build Quality -

LifeSpan Fitness Fold-N-Stor Compact Treadmill

In the early days build quality of the folding machines tended to be inferior. that is when compared to that of the fixed ones, they were less able to stand up to the heavy pounding encountered during running activities.

They were often less stable, making for a rather uncomfortable experience and also less reliable. Today on the whole these problems have been overcome, with the framework of a folding machine having a similar quality and design of a fixed treadmill running machine.

As well all the listed features above, the overall design of the machine is important when it comes to using it on a regular basis.

Is there a drinks holder for instance, somewhere to hold your iPod or mobile phone, or somewhere to rest a book if you’re one of those people who can read on the run! What do you want to do when you’re using your exercise machine to make it more fun, or a just some “you time” to listen to some cool music!

There are some machines that you can plug in and download exercise programmes from the Internet, again this may make things more interesting than using the same ones all the time.

Tip – the “F” indicates “folding” in the title of Sole Treadmills e.g. Sole F63 Treadmill is a folding treadmill.

See Folding Treadmills <click here

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Treadmill Buyers Checklist

1  Motorized Treadmill or Manual Treadmill?

2  What Maximum Speed do I require if it’s Motorized?

Remember – For a walking or a gentle running regime a speed of up to 7.5 m.p.h. 12k.p.h) might be fine, but for harder training at higher running speeds this would be too slow and a faster machine should be chosen.

 

3  What about the Treadmill Motor?

Typical Treadmill Motor from Proform

An electric treadmill can have two motors; one to drive the belt and the other to raise and lower

the bed for changing the incline. When considering your treadmill motor that drives the belt the specification figure that is important it is the “Continuous Duty”, more than “Treadmill Duty” or

“Maximum Power”. A continuous duty motor with at least 1.5 horsepower motor is recommended, some higher horsepower figures quoted are peak power, rather than continuous, don’t be fooled by the sales pitch!

4  How many incline settings?

(Min 3 recommended)…Y/N

5  What size is the treadmill?

Do you have room when you get it home and use it, plus the access to get it where you want it? If you don’t have room to leave one in its own space all the time a folding treadmill could be the answer, however you may need to make some extra checks, see earlier under build quality

6  What about the treadmill running deck and its size?

If you plan on running get one at least 48″ long and 16″ wide, the deck should feel cushioned to absorb shock and the belt should not move around with each stride

7  What thickness is running deck?

Schwinn 840 Treadmill

Most treadmills depending on price range have ¾” – 1″ decks, the ¾” decks can break over time with a runner, since they put a considerable pounding force on a deck. That’s why there are some postproduction deck reinforcement kits available, so if you are a runner it might be better to buy a machine with a 1″ deck.

8  What information can I get from the display?

Examples below:- Heart rate monitor  Y/N Calorie counter, for those weight loss diets? Y/N Average Speed Y/N Average Distance Y/N Time Y/N Programme progress/tracking Y/N Any must haves for me

9  Overall Build Quality

If you have the opportunity to use the machine you have selected do it! The machine should run quietly and smoothly and should feel solid and stable when in use, the frame should not be shaking violently and the belt should not be sliding about with each stride taken.

10 Warranty

These vary between manufacturers, some are more comprehensive than others.

Alternatively you can buy an extended warranty from an independent specialist company that will cover other fitness equipment too.

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Making That Final Decision to Buy from all the Treadmills on Sale

Obviously it is not feasible to test out a large number of machines, but if you make a shortlist of say 3 or 4 machines try and find out if there are suppliers near you that have these models available to try out or at least see.

Price and convenience are probably going to be factors in where you eventually buy from, remember though you don’t want a cheap treadmill ,you want a well made value for money one!

Cheap treadmills can be more expensive in the long term!

With it being easy to shop around online and maybe get a real good deal not available locally, but as with local retailers ask about after-sales service unless you happy to do any maintenance yourself?

Good luck and enjoy your treadmill.

Check out Manual Treadmills < Click Here

Check out Motorized Electric Treadmills <Click Here

Treadmills can be a great investment for fitness, and combined with a good diet a great way to help lose weight too! Studies have shown that people get more out of a treadmill than any other type fitness equipment; this is because it is natural to walk or run and you are more apt to stick with it for longer each session and to continue to keep using the equipment itself.

A treadmill is sometimes also referred to as a running machine; this is a misnomer and shouldn’t put off people who feel daunted at the thought of having to run!

Manual Treadmills or Motorized Treadmills

With manual or motorized treadmills you set the pace. Whether it’s to simulate a gentle walk on the level, perhaps for someone just starting to exercise or recovering after an operation, or to running at speed on the flat or even up an incline, the choice is yours!

LifeSpan Fitness Folding Treadmill

Motorized Electric Treadmills

When considering these types of treamills speed is a consideration, depending primarily on the motor each machine will have a maximum speed. For a walking or a gentle running regime a speed of up to 7.5 m.p.h. (12k.p.h) might be fine, but for harder training at higher running speeds this would be too slow and a faster machine should be chosen.

As well as speed considerations whether the running surface is flat or inclined changes the amount of effort the exercise requires and how various muscle groups are used. Having a machine on which you can vary the incline by at least 3 levels should be considered a minimum requirement, and with the more sophisticated machines the incline can be varied considerably whilst in motion even, either manually or automatically by a computer controlled programme without any input from the user after selecting a programme and pressing the start button.

Getting to know if a machine suits your needs would ideally be done by trying one out for at least 10 minutes and perhaps this may be possible for some people in certain areas, but with so many machines on the market trying out a large number is not usually a practical proposition.

It is possible to try treadmills out in some shops and of course there are many readily available to use in clubs and gyms, although these commercial treadmills may not be readily available, or too expensive for some home users, getting to know about treadmills in general is not a bad thing. Also people who work in fitness centres usually have a broad experience of machines and are usually happy to give you their opinion.

Not only will you find out what to look for but read on, we  can also tell you some things to avoid before making your purchase!

See also our Buyers Guide Checklist for Treadmills