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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