Why Treadmills?
by: Paul Reeve
Treadmills have experienced substantial growth
over the years. They are designed to enhance the most popular
form of exercising - running and walking. Treadmills are built
on the basic premise that the more effort you put in, the more
you will get out. As other fitness equipment and gimmicks gather
dust, treadmills continue to gain popularity and get results.
The two most popular forms of exercising are
running and walking. Whether you are a casual walker or a serious
runner, a treadmill can accommodate your exercise needs. Set the
speed and incline to suite your desired cardiovascular goals.
You can do a power walk up an incline or a heart pumping run at
high speed.
The treadmill is unsurpassed for a cardiovascular
workout. It works the large muscles in your body.
According to a recent study calories burned on the treadmill for
60 minutes averaged 865 - 705. Contrast that with:
- Stair machine (746-637)
- Rowing machine (739-606)
- Stationary cycle with levers (709-509)
- Cross-country ski machine (678-595)
- Stationary cycle (604-498).
As you can see from the figures the treadmill is unmatched for
burning calories.
Treadmills can guarantee a consistent workout in all seasons.
In warm or wet regions, you don't need to be concerned about heat
exhaustion in hot and humid weather.
For walkers and runners alike, injuries are
common from the constant pounding of joints on asphalt and concrete.
Particularly higher end treadmills offer surfaces that absorb
impact and reduce pressure. Injuries are less common and stress
is reduced on those critical joints. Achilles tendons, knee joints,
back muscles, ankles, thighs take less of a beating, which guarantee
that you'll continue to walk or run into your old age.
As treadmills become more sophisticated so does
the versatility of the workout. Speed and incline have always
been a feature on motorized treadmills, but now your workout is
enhanced by a variety of preprogrammed computerized exercises.
Simulate running up and down hills, focus on cardio exercise,
concentrate on burning calories, or work on speed training. Often
treadmills have preset programs with various levels of intensity.
In addition you can program your own workout, combining speed
with incline.
A good treadmill is a balance of power, stability
and fun. Your ability to find the right treadmill will depend
upon why you want one and how much you can pay. Buy the best machine
you can afford paying attention to the following features:
- Frame: High alloy steel is usually more durable
than aluminum, however they are heavier and must be coated
to protect the treadmill from rust. Get on the treadmill,
if it feels wobbly and flimsy, then it is. Selected a welded
frame over a bolted one and avoid all plastic frames.
- Hand Rails: The location of the hand rails is a
matter of preference. Whether you desire a handlebar in front
or two side rails, be sure they are sturdy and don't get in
the way of your arm swings.
- AC or DC Motor: Most home units are DC, but commercial
treadmills may have either AC or DC. AC motors tend to be
noisier and generally require a dedicated power line.
- Horsepower: Check for the continuous-duty rating
for the motor's true horsepower. Anything less than 1.5 continuous-duty
horsepower can quickly be worn out.
- Speed: Most treadmills run from 0 to 10 mph. A good
treadmill will match the pace you feel comfortable walking
or running. A safe starting speed of 0.5 mph or less is also
very important for safety reasons.
- Belt: Be sure the length of the walking/running
surface is long enough for your longest stride. The width
of the belt should be no less than 16" from a wear and tear
standpoint as well as comfortable striding. Be sure you can
comfortably reach the treadmill controls without stepping
on the motor housing as well.
- Deck: This is one of the critical quality elements
of the treadmill. Quality decks shouldn't need much maintenance
and they operate at a low temperature.
- Impact Resilience: This is the treadmill's ability
to absorb the force from the impact of your feet. The lower
the impact on your body, the better.
- Incline Adjustment: There's a variety of ways to
adjust the incline of a treadmill, from the automatic incline
which changes depending upon your heart rate, to pushing a
bottom on the console, to the less sophisticated methods of
a manual hand crank or manually setting pins. Quality electronic
incline adjustment shouldn't be noisy or cause the treadmill
to shake at any grade.
- Control Panel: Generally computerized panels are
standard on most treadmills. They range from basic and simple
to the complex and fully programmable. It all depends on what
bell and whistles you want. Price is influenced by the control
panel options, so purchase only what you will regularly use.
- Heart Rate Monitors: This is generally an optional
feature. Accuracy varies widely with the ear and finger clips
being less accurate than the chest strap monitors.
- Price: Keep in mind, you get what you pay for. You're
going to invest $1,000 and up in a good quality motorized
treadmill. Spending this kind of money ought to motivate you
to do your homework and purchase wisely.
Of course buying a treadmill is just the beginning. You won't
lose weight looking at it. It is important to get yourself on
a regular routine. The more time you spend on it, the more calories
you burn and the more weight you lose. Find a fitness program
that works for you. Depending on your preference, you could combine
your workout with music, television or videos.
If you're in the market to seriously educate
yourself about treadmills, visit www.treadmilladvisor.com
where you can obtain more detailed information. |
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About The Author: Paul Reeve is a Personal Trainer responsible for training individuals one-on-one and assisting them in achieving their health and fitness goals and providing them with guidance, support and motivation. Presenter and lecturer for Fitness Professionals, Sports Organizations, Sport Coaches, Corporate and Community Organizations. Webmaster for www.treadmilladvisor.com- providing informed advice on exercise treadmills.
Article kindly provided by http://www.ArticleCity.com/.
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