How To Shop For A Treadmill
Where to Start
You may be inclined to shop from either magazine catalogs or television
infomercials, however, if you want a quality, durable treadmill
you must go to where treadmills are displayed to try them out first.
We suggest you buy from a specialty fitness store, as opposed to
a department store or sporting goods warehouse where the salespersons
will be little educated in the product, the market, and physical
fitness in general--and therefore less likely to help you make an
educated decision. Because this is a major purchase, and an important
decision both financially and physically, you will need as much
information as possible--not just about treadmills in particular,
but also about meeting your own personal physical or medical needs
and fitness goals. A specialty sales person trained and certified
in physical fitness will be both able and inclined to spend more
time in helping you make a good decision and also to encourage you
in successfully getting started on a fitness program.
It's also important to have professional technical support, which
includes delivery, installation, and inhome service and repair both
during and after the warranty period. Without professional support,
buying a treadmill is unadvised.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Horsepower
Unless a treadmill has a strong motor, at least 1.5 continuous-duty
horsepower, you'll easily wear it out, even if you only walk moderately.
Check for the continuous-duty rating for the motor's true horsepower
and watch out for misleading terms such as "treadmill duty"
and "peak horsepower" which are usually gimmicks to unrealistically
raise the horsepower. If unsure, then ask the salesperson to give
you a look under the hood to see for yourself the continuous-duty
h.p. rating stamped on a metal plate on the DC motor. We recommend
a continuous-duty horsepower rating of at least 1.5 h.p., not only
because walkers over 200 lbs. create heavier impacts that cause
the motor to work harder to maintain a steady speed, but also because
you don't want a motor that is working at its maximum capacity on
a regular basis.
Continuous-duty is the horsepower rating for steady, continual,
24 hour motor usage.
Peak horsepower is the motor's maximum potential at various moments
in usage, but cannot be maintained for a considerable length of
time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motor Electronics
Horsepower alone doesn't guarantee a smooth running treadmill.
Good electronics will allow a motor with less horsepower to run
better than a much larger motor with poor electronics. A good motor
uses a microprocessor to maintain a steady clip, which is nothing
more than simple circuitry that senses belt load and communicates
with the motor to make necessary adjustments to assure smooth operation.
Quality machines sense resistance in your steps and send dozens
of electronic pulses per second to eliminate hesitation and keep
the belt turning at a constant speed.You can't assess the electronics
by looking at them, but when you compare treadmills pay attention
to the smoothness and constancy of the belt as you walk. You can
tell the difference both by feel and by watching to see if the speed
readout fluctuates. A simple test you can do is to set the treadmill
at a low speed, grasp a railing, and give the belt a little resistance
with your foot as though trying to slow the belt. A weak motor will
kick up a fuss, indicating that it won't be a smooth operator and
last very long under use. On a low quality treadmill to begin with,
you can hear the motor whine and grind as you stride. A motor with
a continuous sound when exercising will probably be able to keep
the belt from slipping at each step. So whether walking or running,
the belt and motor should provide a smooth and continuous motion
without jerks or sudden spurts.
Also, a qualified salesperson should take the time to show the
motor and drive train and give an explanation of how it works.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motor Torque
Torque is force applied to a lever so as to make an object rotate.
Wrenches apply torque. Motors also apply torque to rotate a shaft
to do work against a resistive load.
Power is the time rate at which work gets done. Motors differ greatly
depending on intended use. One might do modest work very quickly,
whereas another might do prodigious work, but slowly....yet both
could be rated at the same power if they do the same amount of work
per unit time. Thus, a hot rod sports car, an eighteen wheeler,
and a bulldozer might all be rated at 300 h.p., but their horses
differ greatly. The light weight, high revving hot rod engine wouldn't
last long trying to haul a heavy truck up a steep grade. The minute
it "lugs down" from the high revs, the 300 horses disappear.
We don't harness a race horse to plow a field, nor do we expect
a plow horse to win races. In general, a motor that spins quickly
to high revs fares poorly at low revs under a heavy load. It's the
same with electric motors. One designed for a high speed drill,
or fan, would not be ideal to run your treadmill, especially with
you walking on it. The heavy duty motor in your treadmill should
deliver high torque at low speed, like the bulldozer engine. You
can test this by walking on it and seeing how well it performs at
less than 1.0 m.p.h. A high h.p. rating can be a deceptive hoax
if the treadmill manufacturer has not gone to the expense of using
the right kind of motor for the job.
What you want is both high continuous-duty horsepower and high
torque at low revs.
Less power is required at higher speeds, therefore more power is
needed at start-up and walking speeds. User weight shouldn't matter
on a treadmill which uses a motor capable of high torque at lower
speeds. A good treadmill will dead-start well over 1,000 pounds.
Some treadmills will actually use higher torque at higher speeds
to raise the horsepower (over 6 m.p.h. where the user actually starts
helping the belt along with foot motion), but good engineering puts
torque where it is needed most, around 0 to 4 m.p.h. More power
means a smoother walk or run without hesitations and motor resistance.
In fact, there is a much smaller amp draw on the motor when utilizing
torque, as compared to a higher consumption of wattage when a motor
is working harder to maintain faster speeds--or its maximum use
of horsepower potential. This results in a longer lasting and cooler
running motor.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motor Controller
The treadmill motor will be controlled by an electrical power board
which regulates the positive and negative electrical currents to
the motor. Most use either a PWM board (Pulse Width Modulated) or
an SCR board (Solid State Control Rectifier). Due to the technical
language used in explaining what each does, we suggest asking a
salesperson responsible for your treadmill of interest about this
important feature. Simply put, a PWM board will provide much more
DC voltage than an SCR board by rectifying an alternating current
(AC) into pure direct current (DC) voltage. SCR chops a 60 cycle
alternating current 60 times per second, while a PWM will chop it
about 16,000 times. (AC voltage is a constant change of positive/negative
current 60 times per second, which is a cycle.) PWM boards result
in a much quieter motor due to less electrical hum, and less service
because they do not require chokes and filters. Higher pure DC voltage
in PWM boards means a stronger current and about half the amp draw,
resulting in higher tolerance to heavier users and lower electrical
costs. PWM makes for less heat and therefore leads to: extended
motor performance and longer brush life; easier torque boost adjustment;
the use of heavier flywheels; and enough power to dead-start a heavier
user weight.
PWM boards are the industry's standard in quality motor controllers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speed
Most treadmills run from 0 to 10 m.p.h., though some designed specifically
for walking may have more limited speeds. The right treadmill for
you will match your own pace, whether fast or slow. Starting speed
is a more important issue, and we recommend a safe starting speed
of 0.5 m.p.h. or less. It's not that you will be walking that slow,
but starting speeds of a mile per hour or more are often too fast
for most users and may result is a sudden jerk when the belt is
started.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belt
Make sure from walking on a treadmill that there is more than enough
room on the belt for your longest stride. Narrow or short tread
belts are symptomatic of a high-friction bed. Your average good
size belt will be around 17 by 48 inches. We recommend a belt no
less than 16 inches wide. Make sure that you can reach and read
the monitor without walking onto the motor housing. Be careful of
stepping off the end, as well. Quality belts shouldn't require frequent
maintenance, whereas low quality belts need to be regularly lubricated,
otherwise they stick to the deck. Make sure that belts which require
adjustment for tracking and tension can easily be adjusted by yourself.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deck
It has been argued by many that a quality deck is the single most
important component of a quality treadmill. Treadmills fail due
to heat, and better decks operate at low temperatures. Quality treadmills
have pretreated decks requiring very little maintenance other than
wiping off dust once in a while. Other than that, quality decks
should need no substantial maintenance. Listen for a deck that makes
little noise against the belt when exercising. Avoid decks comprised
simply of plastic over wood or particle board painted black. A good
deck will be made from layers of different specialty material for
durability and longevity. A permanent wax compound is preferable
to compressed fiberboard in deck construction because this greatly
reduces friction. The best deck and belt combination is a dry one.
If in doubt about whether or not to lubricate the deck with silicone
spray, then follow the manufacturer's directions during the warranty
period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Resilience
Resilience is the absorption by the treadmill of the force from
the impact of your feet, which helps to relieve the stress on your
knees and ankles. Generally, the lower the impact, the better. Different
treadmills employ different means of resilience, whether flexible
or cushioned deck construction, or shock absorption suspension systems.
Most will have a built-in give, allowing it to yield to the impact
of your stride. Whatever the feature, a treadmill shouldn't be too
cushioned or bouncy. The majority of treadmills have better resiliency
than asphalt, and a good pair of shoes will provide enough shock
absorption.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rollers
Roller size is better if about 2 or more inches in diameter. Solid
rollers are much better than hollow rollers. The reason for this
is that the belt is able to run with less tension due to contact
with a larger surface area, which results in a longer life to both
the belt and the roller bearings. Larger rollers turn more slowly
at all speeds which also prolongs bearing life. Larger rollers means
the use of larger bearings which can handle a larger load capacity.
There is less stress on the belt when forced around larger rollers,
and less flex stress results in cooler temperatures on the polyester
fibers of the belt --in turn, leading to less wear than small rollers
with more belt flex, higher temperatures, and tighter belt tension.
At cooler temperatures the belt coatings last longer and thus prevents
excess friction. There is also more overall strength to the treadmill
with larger rollers simply because they require larger axles. Steel
rollers are preferable to aluminum because aluminum rollers can
oxide and may form a grinding material that acts as sand paper on
the belt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incline
Several incline mechanisms are used in different treadmills, such
as electric motors, worm screws, pneumatic or gas shocks, and manual
cranks. Quality incline should be quiet and shouldn't cause the
treadmill to wobble at high elevations. Electric incline with rack
and pinion is ideal, though because it uses a separate motor the
price is then effected by another couple hundred dollars. If you
do prefer electric incline then make sure the motor doesn't strain
with one or two people on the treadmill, which would indicate a
weak motor. You will generally find manual cranks on lower-end treadmills
to keep production costs down. Though any of these means of incline
are just fine, keep from getting a treadmill where the manual incline
crank isn't located right on the monitor console where you may adjust
it while exercising. Most quality treadmills will incline to 10%,
and though you want maximum incline to help attain to your target
heart rate, too much incline may easily lead to injury. Most users
don't go above 10% themselves.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Control Panel
Your treadmill should have a computerized control panel, no matter
how simple it is, and often the simpler the better. The most common
are LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and LED (Light Emitting Diode).
You will often find LCD displays on less expensive equipment to
keep prices down. LED displays are used in mid to high-end treadmills
are much more easy to read because they are lighted, though more
expensive to produce. Other kinds of displays found on expensive
equipment include Digital and Gas Plasma, which we feel are seldom
better than LED.
Most high-end treadmills will be fully programmable for speed,
electric incline, distance, time, heart rate, and emergency shut
off--but you can save money by purchasing a treadmill that offers
only the basics. The control panel, more than anything, should be
simple to use and easy to read with buttons that have simple commands
and readouts that are large and easy to find. Most monitors offer
a set of pre-programmed exercise levels and allow for you to program
your own routine of exercise, which is desirable when attaining
to your target heart rate. Where high-end treadmills are considered,
you should choose a console which provides error messages when problems
or malfunctions occur to help diagnose the symptoms of failing or
damaged internal parts. Price has a lot to do with monitor options,
so you may save money by choosing only those control panel features
which are of personal interest to you.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heart Rate Control
If a heart rate monitor is desired, and it is often required for
patients with heart problems or persons needing to regulate their
heart rate, then it's best to have one that is interactive with
the treadmill to automatically control incline for the targeted
heart rate. The best heart rate monitors also utilize a chest strap
that electronically signals the monitor with an accurate heart rate
providing E.C.G. precision. We advise against ear and finger clip
pulse monitors because they are not as accurate as heart rate chest
monitors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frame
Frames constructed of high alloy steel are generally more stable
and durable than aluminum, although aluminum frames are considerably
lighter. Aluminum, however, won't rust, so make sure that a steel
frame is well coated to prevent rust corrosion. If a treadmill looks
and feels flimsy, then it is. If a treadmill is heavy, then it should
also have wheels at the heaviest end to make it easier to relocate
or reposition. Frame construction often determines user weight limits,
though a heavier frame doesn't necessarily mean a heavier user weight.
Welded frames are preferable to bolted. Avoid all-plastic frames.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hand Rails
Hand rail location is up to the user. Whether one or two side rails
or a handlebar on the front of the monitor console, they should
be sturdy and out of the way of swinging arms. They are mostly used
for balance, so make sure the treadmill you choose has reachable
and sturdy bars with comfortable grips.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Safety
Because motorized treadmills are a moving machine, certain safety
precautions must be included as standard features, including an
emergency shut-off that is easily accessible, the ability to limit
incline and speed, a gradual start and stop, and accessible hand
rails for both runners and walkers. A safe starting speed is 0.5
m.p.h. or less. It's also a good thing for a treadmill to have its
own circuit breaker to prevent the motor and electronics from burning
up in case of power problems.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warranty
Quality treadmills should have a lifetime warranty on the frame,
but look for one that also guarantees 2 or more years on moving
parts, especially the belt and rollers, and 2 or more years on the
motor and electronic components as well. Make sure the model you
are interested in won't become obsolete in the near future and its
parts discontinued, so ask if the parts will be readily available
for a long time to come. Labor is usually one year, meaning that
after a year of warranty coverage the manufacturer may still replace
a defective part at their cost, but you will pay the service charge
for the replacement. Some stores may offer extended warranty plans
on labor, but avoid manufacturer warranty plans that require you
to pay extra to extend a short warranty period. If you purchase
a treadmill from a source that is later unable to service it, then
the warranty should cover another authorized dealer to make necessary
repairs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price
Plan to spend from around $1,000 and up for a quality motorized
treadmill. If you had planned on spending a lot less then make a
visit to a local fitness store where a variety of treadmills are
displayed and technically supported and see for yourself the price
range offered. Then visit a local department store and compare.
Remember, you get what you pay for, and as with any quality machine,
treadmills have price points--and the starting point for quality
is in and around the $1,000 range. Generally you will find that
below this price range, treadmills do not meet most of the recommended
guidelines we've suggested. You may have also noticed that high-end
treadmills average around $3,000 and up, but the competitiveness
of the market has produced some excellent treadmills at around $2,000.
Back to Discount Treadmills
Guide.com