Going, Walking or Jogging - a
treadmill adjusts to your demands. Regarding a
treadmill, it is more than just a type of movement. The workout on a
treadmill realizes several fitness targets. Besides the improvement of the general condition, the
treadmills support both the fat reduction and the strengthening of leg and back muscles in an optimal way.
There is almost no other home fitness sports that burns so many calories.
Moreover: running makes happy. Poured out endorphins provide feelings of happiness and increase well-being.
Another big advantage - besides the independance from weather and daytime - is the precise regulation of speed and incline. You have the opportunity to control your workout and to document your advances.
You will find the guide to the right
treadmill in our treadmill-guide:
- Motor: horse power and maximum speed
A stronger motor runs more quietly and smoothly compared to a weaker one operating
at the same speed. It also means less stress on the motor.
Warning: Unfortunately, some manufacturers indicate only the maximum speed of the motor,
which can be sustained only for a short time and is therefore irrelevant to actual use.
Going, Walking or Jogging - a
treadmill adjusts to your demands. Regarding a
treadmill, it is more than just a type of movement. The workout on a
treadmill realizes several fitness targets. Besides the improvement of the general condition, the
treadmills support both the fat reduction and the strengthening of leg and back muscles in an optimal way.
There is almost no other home fitness sports that burns so many calories.
Moreover: running makes happy. Poured out endorphins provide feelings of happiness and increase well-being.
Another big advantage - besides the independance from weather and daytime - is the precise regulation of speed and incline. You have the opportunity to control your workout and to document your advances.
You will find the guide to the right
treadmill in our treadmill-guide:
- Motor: horse power and maximum speed
A stronger motor runs more quietly and smoothly compared to a weaker one operating
at the same speed. It also means less stress on the motor.
Warning: Unfortunately, some manufacturers indicate only the maximum speed of the motor,
which can be sustained only for a short time and is therefore irrelevant to actual use. What really
matters is the continuous-duty capacity of the motor, or the speed at which it can operate
for hours without stopping.
Choose a treadmill with a speed range that leaves you plenty of room for improvement, so that you never
have to leave the speed setting permanently on "maximum".
Digital-Drive: motors with digital driving technology have a more precise and even running than conventional motors because of the rapid digital signal processing. A digital-drive-motor is more quiet and long-lived.
- Size of the running surface:
A larger running surface means a safer and more comfortable workout.
A faster running speed, bigger speed or gradient changes, and personal height (i.e. longer
stride) are all factors that require a larger running surface.
- Shock absorption:
For those training with back or knee problems, as well as for heavier runners, a well-cushioned running
surface is absolutely essential.
Most of our treadmills have "very good" shock absorption, such as those made by Life-Fitness, NordicTrack, Tunturi, Vision-Fitness and Horizon-Fitness. The Daum-, Bremshey-, Kettler-, Proform-, Schwinn- and Reebok- treadmills have "good"
cushioning, and Hammer's and Reebok's is "satisfactory".
- Motorized / manual gradient adjustment :
The incline of the running surface on beginner's models can only be adjusted manually. Making any
change involves an interruption of the workout, so that you can do the adjustment by hand.
Motorized gradient adjustment allows you to change the incline of your running surface, even during the
workout, with the simple touch of a button. This not only makes working out more comfortable, but can be used to
enhance the quality of your training, too.
- Workout programmes:
Training programmes add variety to your workout and motivate you with added incentives.
With some models you can even save your training programme and thereby preserve your favourite
"route" for later workouts.
- Pulse control / pulse-controlled workout programmes:
Models with pulse control allow you to select from a chart the pulse rate that is appropriate for your age,
gender, and workout goals (increased endurance, weight loss, etc.). Depending on the model, the treadmill
adjusts the speed and/or incline so that you always maintain the predetermined heart rate.
In this way you maximize the health benefit of your workout.
- Foldable / not foldable:
Foldaway treadmills can be folded up to save space.
- Workmanship:
LifeFitness, Nautilus,Tunturi and Vision-Fitness treadmills are exceptionally well built; Kettler, Horizon-Fitness,
NordicTrack, Daum, Bowflex, Schwinn and Proform are good.
- Noise:
The level of noise varies with the type and power of the different motors.
Life Fitness, Horizon-Fitness, Vision-Fitness and Tunturi belong to the category "very quiet"; Bremshey, UNO, NordicTrack, Schwinn, Daum and Kettler make "little to moderate" noise; Weslo, Proform, Hammer and Reebok are somewhat "louder".