What features should you compare when looking at treadmills?
When shopping for a treadmill you will find that there are plenty of features offered by the different brands. Some of these features are just esthetic (for example fold-up models versus non-folding models) and some features are essential to the quality of the machine (for example horsepower). I hope that this article will help you know what features you should compare when looking at treadmills.
Decks-the deck is the platform that you walk or run on when using a treadmill. The size and engineering of the deck should be an important factor in your comparison of treadmills. Different treadmills are different sizes and you need to make sure that your treadmill is large enough for your stride. I have a long stride and need a deck is at least 54 inches. There are a lot of treadmills that are only 49 inches long. I can run on these machines but not at a 5 or 10 K race pace. If you are a serious runner, you will have an idea about what kind of stride you have and will know how to pick your deck. If you are just beginning, you should get on a few treadmills to see what size fits you best. In general, the faster you plan to run on the machine, the larger you need your deck to be.
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Size is not the only thing you need to think about when considering the decks on different treadmills. If you are going to be doing a lot of running, you should find a machine with a low-impact deck that will absorb the impact of your foot strike. These machines cost a little more but not having to suffer through soft tissue injuries from the impact is priceless.
Electronic programs-this is what people usually think of when they think of features on a treadmill. Electronic features include the preset programs that simulate different types of workouts. For example, you might select a hill workout that offers a combination of resistance and then no resistance and then resistance again. This type of training is great if you are trying to build power or speed. Even if you aren't training for speed or power, having a program to follow as you work out cuts down on the monotony and boredom of doing an indoor running workout. Another electronic feature that is offered on some treadmills in the heart rate monitor. This is an awesome feature and can help you get the most out of your workout. There are some training zones that are more beneficial than others and the most effective way to monitor your time in these zones is to monitor your heart rate.
Incline settings-having an incline setting is important if you are training to race. The only way that you can simulate the impact that hills have on your muscles is to actually run hills. This is fairly important for uphill running but it is critical for downhill running. Downhill running is notoriously hard on the quadricep muscles. In order to train those muscles to run downhill you have to practice running downhill. The only way to do that indoors is to use a treadmill that offers a negative incline features. The negative inclined is an example of something that you shouldn't pay for if you aren't going to use it. You can easily add another $500 to the price of your treadmill if you get negative incline. If you don't intend to race, don't bother. Spend the $500 to put a fancy sound system in your workout room. That will motivate you much more than any incline setting will.
