Treadmill Buying Guide
- By Web Master
- Published 05/8/2007
- Home
- Unrated
So you want to buy a treadmill or are you just looking for information? Whatever the case, this article that I've
written will guide you to finding your right treadmill.
The first thing you need to know is the basic design of a treadmill. So what are the parts a treadmill consist of?
A motor, flywheel frame, rollers, deck, belt, electronics and display console.
Motor of a Treadmill
The Treadmill Motor helps to drive the belt of the treadmill. Treadmill motors are measured in horsepower and most
of the time fall in the rage of 1.5 to 3.0 horsepower. You have to take note that not all treadmill motors that comes with the same horsepower rating will perform the same.
Some of the manufacturers are actually using bigger motors to drive their treadmills. This is because of their badly design deck and belt. Thus, a stronger motor is needed to drive the treadmill properly.
In any case, when you buy a new treadmill, look out for a bigger motor. At least with a 2 horsepower is good. So that there is the least risk for repairs as over heating of motors might cause breakdowns. A larger motor is always better, because it would run at a cooler rate.
Flywheel of a Treadmill
The flywheel in a treadmill is use for regulating speed and consistency of the belt. If there is flywheel in your treadmill, your belt will just start to halt with a grinding sound when your foot hits the running surface. Does no good at all to your treadmill.
So what is a good flywheel you might ask. A good flywheel is one that help to regulate a constant deck speed and prevent the jerky movement you get from cheap a treadmill. Not only that, a good flywheel also protects the motor and electronics from stress. Simple saying that it makes your treadmill to become more durable.
Look for a treadmill that is over $1000. It should provide you with a pretty good flywheel for your treadmill.
Frame of a Treadmill
When checking for the frame in a treadmill, you won't have to worry so much as most treadmills are made using a steel frame. A steel frame is good enough for most people and provides good performance.
There are other types of frame like the aluminum frame use mostly for quality treadmills like Landice & Precor. The advantage of using an aluminum type is its superior strength compared to steel. It supports more weight, up to 500 lbs and of course aluminum is resistance to rust and corrosion.
If you are looking for treadmills less than $1000, the frame type is not much of a problem. Most of the time, its similar. But if you are looking quality type treadmill, then the aluminum frame is best.
Rollers of a Treadmill
The rollers of a treadmill support the belt and underlying support for the tread belt. Choose rollers that are bigger and heavier. Such rollers helps to reduce the wear and tear on the tread belt and motor. While on the other hand, cheap treadmills use cheap rollers.
Deck of a Treadmill
The purpose of a treadmill deck is to give support for the running surface and shock absorbing abilities. So, someone who is heavy and bigger in size will apply more force on the treadmill.
If you are someone who jogs a lot, you may want to check out the shock absorbing qualities of the treadmill deck, as each manufacturer may vary greatly.
Belt of a Treadmill
The belt of a treadmill refers to the running surface. Sizes that you may find in a tread belt ranges from 14" to 24" wide and between 45" to 63" long. The best size is to get is anything bigger than 18" wide by 55" long. If you happen to be at the store, its always best to test run the treadmill. You should make sure that you won't feel your feet hitting on the machine or tripping. Or else it would be dangerous.
Treadmill Electronics and Treadmill Display Console
The 2 best display consoles for mid level treadmills are the Reebok RX5000 Treadmill and the Smooth 5.0 Treadmill.
Check out the built in features such as heart beat control rate...etc.
written will guide you to finding your right treadmill.
The first thing you need to know is the basic design of a treadmill. So what are the parts a treadmill consist of?
A motor, flywheel frame, rollers, deck, belt, electronics and display console.
Motor of a Treadmill
The Treadmill Motor helps to drive the belt of the treadmill. Treadmill motors are measured in horsepower and most
of the time fall in the rage of 1.5 to 3.0 horsepower. You have to take note that not all treadmill motors that comes with the same horsepower rating will perform the same.
Some of the manufacturers are actually using bigger motors to drive their treadmills. This is because of their badly design deck and belt. Thus, a stronger motor is needed to drive the treadmill properly.
In any case, when you buy a new treadmill, look out for a bigger motor. At least with a 2 horsepower is good. So that there is the least risk for repairs as over heating of motors might cause breakdowns. A larger motor is always better, because it would run at a cooler rate.
Flywheel of a Treadmill
The flywheel in a treadmill is use for regulating speed and consistency of the belt. If there is flywheel in your treadmill, your belt will just start to halt with a grinding sound when your foot hits the running surface. Does no good at all to your treadmill.
So what is a good flywheel you might ask. A good flywheel is one that help to regulate a constant deck speed and prevent the jerky movement you get from cheap a treadmill. Not only that, a good flywheel also protects the motor and electronics from stress. Simple saying that it makes your treadmill to become more durable.
Look for a treadmill that is over $1000. It should provide you with a pretty good flywheel for your treadmill.
Frame of a Treadmill
There are other types of frame like the aluminum frame use mostly for quality treadmills like Landice & Precor. The advantage of using an aluminum type is its superior strength compared to steel. It supports more weight, up to 500 lbs and of course aluminum is resistance to rust and corrosion.
If you are looking for treadmills less than $1000, the frame type is not much of a problem. Most of the time, its similar. But if you are looking quality type treadmill, then the aluminum frame is best.
Rollers of a Treadmill
The rollers of a treadmill support the belt and underlying support for the tread belt. Choose rollers that are bigger and heavier. Such rollers helps to reduce the wear and tear on the tread belt and motor. While on the other hand, cheap treadmills use cheap rollers.
Deck of a Treadmill
The purpose of a treadmill deck is to give support for the running surface and shock absorbing abilities. So, someone who is heavy and bigger in size will apply more force on the treadmill.
If you are someone who jogs a lot, you may want to check out the shock absorbing qualities of the treadmill deck, as each manufacturer may vary greatly.
Belt of a Treadmill
The belt of a treadmill refers to the running surface. Sizes that you may find in a tread belt ranges from 14" to 24" wide and between 45" to 63" long. The best size is to get is anything bigger than 18" wide by 55" long. If you happen to be at the store, its always best to test run the treadmill. You should make sure that you won't feel your feet hitting on the machine or tripping. Or else it would be dangerous.
Treadmill Electronics and Treadmill Display Console
The 2 best display consoles for mid level treadmills are the Reebok RX5000 Treadmill and the Smooth 5.0 Treadmill.
Check out the built in features such as heart beat control rate...etc.
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