Compare Treadmills Buyers Guide To Treadmills.
Quick links to:
Why a treadmills | Will it fit | Motors | Speed | Incline | Programmes | Heart Rate Monitor | Running Area | User Weight
Below are the details you need to know before buying a treadmill out line all the main point is a easy to understand way so you pick the right treadmill for your needs.
Why should you buy a treadmill? There are a lot of reason to buy a treadmills from look to loss weight and get healthier through to training needs but what ever your reason you need to make sure the treadmill you buy is right for you so below we have outlined the “Key Features” treadmills offer and we explain these in a easy simple to follow fashion with out the Standard Manufactures waffle.
Where will my treadmill live?
First thing to consider when looking at a treadmills is where you are going to keep it. treadmills for the most part are not small machines and can take up quite a bit of space. however there are folding treadmills available and conturary to general belife you don’t need to scrafis quality or features if you chose a folding treadmill.
There are also a lot of treadmills that say they have transport wheels, be careful with this unless you look at a very small treadmill like the Reebok i-Run range we would strongly recommend that you keep the treadmills where it will be used as even with the “transport wheels” all but the strongest out there will find it difficult to move. We have also found that Treadmill buyers who need to move there treadmills before and after each session are less likely to keep using there treadmills to complete there own fitness goals YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED… 
Treadmill Motors?
So as you’d expect the motor will ultimately effect the top speed your treadmill can go at but what’s not commonly know is that the size of the motor will also effect how much noise your treadmill makes and it’s actually the greater the motor’s size the quieter the motor will sound (yes we know this sounds a little backwards but it’s true).
There are also a few different type of power rating’s out there for treadmill motors, currently there are 3 main types:
- HP (hoers power)
- CHP (continues hoers power)
- PS (Pferdestärke Which is German)
So what does this mean to you as a user? first lets resolve the issue of PS motors and so your aware this is simply the German translation for HP and is no different to from a HP motor so right away we can confirm that a PS and HP motor are the same which make it a little easier as now we just need to worry about two type of motors.
That leave us with the difference between a CHP treadmill motor and HP treadmill motor? well a continues HP motor will have a much steadier power flow than a HP motor and this in turn will effect the way the treadmill belt with move, with a CHP motor you should have a much smoother more constant flow of the treadmill belt while running.
Treadmill motors in short?
CPH = smoother run and requires a smaller motor (it’s good to have but most users won’t notice the difference)
HP = normally a bigger most and generally found on Treadmill machines with higher top speeds (this is the standard and there is nothing wrong with this at all)
PS = A manufacture’s idea to confuse this it’s the same as a HP motor
Maximum Speed?
This pretty much explains it’s self but it is definitely worth noting that the average top speed of an adult is 12mph and 7mph up hill and that the fastest run on record had a top speed of about 23 mph (10.35 m/s) which gave Michael Johnson the world record for running the 200 meters back in June 2000 so unless your a Olympic runner 12mph should be more than fast enough.
Treadmill Incline?
Again this pretty much explains it self the incline is the maximum angle the treadmill can angle it self to when simulating running up hill.
what you do need to be aware of is that not all Treadmills have a power incline (Power incline is what allows you to control the incline through the console) treadmills with out power incline normally have 2 or 3 incline setting that you need to change manually by getting off the treadmill and adjusting the stand.
Treadmill Programmes?
Getting a treadmill with programmes is a must in our opinion the programme are pre set routines that will adjust the speed of the treadmill and in most case the incline as your work your way through the programme and is a really great way of making sure you have the best possible work out while also keep it interesting for you as the user.
Pro Form and Nordic Track are currently leading the way in a new “programme technology” called i-Fit This is a true great feature which allows the user to add more programmes there there treadmills through the use of a SD memory card (similar to those found in digital cameras) and effectively give you a personal trainer how encourages you to keep going the hole way through your work out, these do need to be purchased separately but don’t worry as at the moment all treadmill are i-Fit compatible also come with pre installed programmes.
Treadmill Heart Rate Monitor?
There are two main type of Heart Rate monitors on treadmills pules sensors, these are the metal strips your find on the handles of the treadmills and are the most common type found.
The Second type are chest strap heart rate monitors and normally the cheat strap it self is sold separately (the treadmills that are compatible for chest straps do have pulse sensors too in 99% of cases) Chest Strap Heart rate monitors are a lot more accurate and mean the information display on the consoles like calories burnt are going to be more accurate.
Treadmill Running Area and Belt size?
The running area or belt size of a treadmill will let you know how big the moving part (running deck) is on the treadmill.
Treadmill belt width: you should look at this more if your a runner who is less confident with a treadmill choosing a treadmills with a wider belt recommend as this will help give you a safer feeling with the machine is moving.
Treadmill belt length: If you are a taller runner (6’2″ or over) you should really be look at a machine with a longer belt as your stride is going to be a little longer (that noted the position of the console can effect the usable running area of a treadmill too).
Maximum User Weight?
There’s not much that need to be said for this as it is what is says it is but for most users this normally isn’t something you really need to worry about as most treadmill will happily hold a user of 20 stone but it’s always worth checking the technical details just encase.