- Running machines are probably the most popular of all types of fitness equipment. Argos Sports have selected a great range of quality treadmills for improved cardiovascular health, weight loss and muscle tone. For most people, 20-30 minutes exercise 3 times a week is beneficial for health and fitness, though this should be a minimum from which to build.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a treadmill. How heavy are the users, how fast do you want to go, what are your goals? Should you consider a running machine with a heart rate control programme to make your training more efficient?
We also supply all accessories for treadmills and our other pieces of fitness equipment such as mats, Polar heart rate monitors and software. All the superb range of exercise equipment at Argos Sports is fully covered by manufacturers' warranties from a minimum of 12 months to lifetime.
Did you know that more than 37 million people use a treadmill? Treadmills are great because they mimic an exercise that is both familiar and comfortable. After all, most of us know how to walk or run, right? Using a treadmill in a gym is one thing, but buying one for your home is a serious matter. Treadmills cost a good deal of money, so consider your budget and, if you can, buy the highest quality machine you can. Here's what you need to know about buying a treadmill.
How Much To Spend
For a decent treadmill, plan on spending at least £500 and, for a better than decent treadmill, between £300 to £3000. There are some so-so models that fall under that price range but, if you buy a cheap treadmill, that's exactly what you're going to get. Choosing the right treadmill will depend on: 1) how much money you have, 2) any extras you want (programming, heart rate monitor, etc.), 3) what kind of motor you want and 4) how much space you have in your house.
Motor Control
The first thing to consider with your treadmill is the motor. Most treadmills have two motors; one to drive the belt and the other to raise and lower the bed for inclines. Make sure the belt motor is a continuous duty motor with at least 1.5 horsepower. More horsepower isn't always better, particularly if it's not continuous duty, so don't be fooled by a salesperson who's talking about a 'maximum power' or 'treadmill duty' motor. You want continuous duty!
Defining Treadmill Terms
Other things to look for include: belt size - at least 48" long and 16" wide; speed - if you plan on running, get a treadmill that goes up to 10 mph; incline - get a treadmill with an incline that goes up to 10%; cushioning - the running bed should absorb shock and the belt shouldn't move around with every foot-strike; stability - the treadmill shouldn't shake when you run or walk on it and the frame should remain stable; control panel - should be within easy reach and be simple to use.
Decide What You Want
Before you buy, decide what types of things you want from your treadmill: Do you want running or walking programs included? Heart rate monitor? The ability to hook your treadmill up to a website such as ifit.com for new workouts? Do you need a treadmill that folds (often more expensive) or do you have enough space to house a treadmill full-time? How easy is the treadmill to maintain? Once you figure out what you want and need, it's time to hit the sporting goods store for a test drive.
Try it Out
The most important thing to do before buying a treadmill is to try it out. Make a list of treadmills and call sporting goods stores to see if they're available locally. Spend at least 10 minutes on each treadmill. Make sure it's quiet and that it doesn't shake, even when running. While you're there, see where the drink holder is. Is there a place to put your walkman? Can you add a book rack?
Treadmill Workouts
Once you get your treadmill home, you'll have plenty of opportunities to try out the different programs and get into a routine. But, treadmill workouts can get pretty boring if you do the same thing all the time. The workouts listed offer some ideas for how to mix things up so you don't get bored. Don't be afraid to play with the incline and speed buttons throughout the workout to add challenge and intensity.
Understanding Treadmill Motors
When discussing treadmills with a sales representative, the topic of motors will inevitably arise. During this discussion, you will hear some engineering-type terminology, including AC, DC, and continuous and peak horsepower. A basic understanding of these terms will help you to ask the right questions and make the right purchase.
Fixed Speed Alternating Current (AC) Motors:
Uses a transmission to regulate the speed of the treadmill, while the motor runs at a constant speed.
What you need to know: Running at a constant speed puts less stress on the motor, but the transmission introduces extra parts.
Direct Current (DC) Motors:
Regulates speed directly (using variable voltage and not a transmission), meaning the motor itself changes speeds as the user makes adjustments.
What you need to know:No transmission (so fewer moving parts), but does require a motor control board. It also contains brushes that wear down over time. DC motors are used in a majority of treadmills on the market.
Variable Speed AC Motors
Also regulates speed directly and connects directly to the drive belt.
What you need to know: Like DC motors, these AC motors have no transmission, but they also do not use brushes. Usually higher quality.
Peak Horsepower:
The maximum horsepower a motor is capable of reaching before stalling out.
What you need to know: In actual use, peak horsepower is never achieved and is not particularly relevant. Usually found in lower priced treadmills.
Continuous Horsepower:
The actual horsepower being used when someone is using the treadmill.
What you need to know: The maximum power the treadmill can provide when used continuously.
How Much Horsepower Is Enough?
Horsepower is an indication of how much load a motor can pull at a given speed. However, a motor can only pull as much as the power coming out of your wall will allow. For instance, a 120 volt, 15 amp wall outlet will allow a motor no more than 1.8 horsepower. A 220 volt, 20 amp wall outlet will allow no more than 3.8 horse-power. Many other minor variables can lower these figures, but doing a lot of math is not important. It is important to understand what a motor can and cannot do in your situation. It is also important to understand that horsepower should not be your primary consideration in choosing a treadmill. Two motors with the same horsepower will perform differently in different treadmills.
Keep in mind, when thinking about the performance of the motor, AC, DC, and horsepower, you are thinking about the performance of the motor not the treadmill. The pros and cons of different motors is much more of a maintenance and cost consideration than of how the treadmill feels beneath your feet.
Ellipticals are the fastest growing type of cardiovascular exercise equipment. Elliptical cross trainers offer a low impact workout that exercises muscle groups in both the upper and lower body with minimum strain on joints.
A smooth elliptical cross trainer is generally designed with a 3-1 ratio of lower body to upper body resistance, matching the body's normal ratio of upper to lower body muscle mass. What makes this piece of fitness equipment unique is that ellipticals enable you to work out equally with all four limbs, valuable for longer fat burning workout programmes.
The elliptical leg motion, coupled with arm resistance exercise, provides a fitness workout that many find especially pleasing. Forward and reverse action maximises the benefits of using an elliptical cross trainer.
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