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Where to
Start
Buying a
treadmill involves a major personal commitment. You should
examine your choices carefully and talk to your friends.
Visit a health club to find out what you like, then do some
market research. Beware of flashy sales tactics. Many of the
units out there are designed for the showroom, not for
serious exercising. It's also important to have professional
technical support, which includes delivery, installation,
and in-home service and repair both during and after the
warranty period. Without professional support, buying a
treadmill is unadvised.
Technical Requirements
Horsepower
Continuous-duty is the horsepower rating for steady,
continual, 24 hour motor usage. The treadmill motor should
have at least 2.0 continuous-duty horsepower. See
below for detailed information on types of motors.
Motor
Electronics
Horsepower alone doesn't guarantee a smooth running
treadmill. Good electronics will allow a motor with fewer
horsepower to run better than a much larger motor with poor
electronics. A good motor uses a microprocessor to maintain
a steady clip, which is nothing more than simple circuitry
that senses belt load and communicates with the motor to
make necessary adjustments to assure smooth operation.
Quality machines sense resistance in your steps and send
dozens of electronic pulses per second to eliminate
hesitation and keep the belt turning at a constant speed.
You can't assess the electronics by looking at them, but
when you compare treadmills pay attention to the smoothness
and constancy of the belt as you walk. You can tell the
difference both by feel and by watching to see if the speed
readout fluctuates. A simple test you can do is to set the
treadmill at a low speed, grasp a railing, and give the belt
a little resistance with your foot as though trying to slow
the belt. A weak motor will kick up a fuss, indicating that
it won't be a smooth operator nor last very long under use.
On a low quality treadmill, you may hear the motor whine and
grind as you stride. A motor with a continuous, smooth,
quiet sound when exercising will probably be able to keep
the belt from slipping at each step. So whether walking or
running, the belt and motor should provide a smooth and
continuous motion without jerks or sudden spurts.
Motor
Torque
Torque
is force applied to a lever so as to make an object rotate.
Wrenches apply torque. One motor may do modest work very
quickly, whereas another may do prodigious work, but
slowly.... Yet both could be rated at the same power if they
do the same amount of work per unit time. Thus, a hot rod
sports car, an eighteen wheeler, and a bulldozer may all be
rated at 300 h.p., but their horses differ greatly. The
lightweight, high revving hot rod engine wouldn't last long
trying to haul a heavy truck up a steep grade. The minute it
"lugs down" from the high revs, the 300 horses disappear. We
don't harness a racehorse to plow a field, nor do we expect
a plow horse to win races. In general, a motor that spins
quickly to high revs fares poorly at low revs under a heavy
load. It's the same with electric motors. One designed for a
high-speed drill, or fan, would not be ideal to run your
treadmill, especially with you walking on it. The heavy-duty
motor in your treadmill should deliver high torque at low
speed, like the bulldozer engine. You can test this by
walking on it and seeing how well it performs at less than
1.0 m.p.h. A high h.p. rating can be a deceptive hoax if the
treadmill manufacturer has not gone to the expense of using
the right kind of motor for the job. What you want is both
high continuous-duty horsepower and high torque at low revs.
Less power is required at higher speeds, therefore more
power is needed at start-up and walking speeds. User weight
shouldn't matter on a treadmill that uses a motor capable of
high torque at low speeds. A good treadmill will dead-start
well over 1,000 pounds. Some treadmills will actually use
higher torque at higher speeds to raise the horsepower (over
6 m.p.h. where the user actually starts helping the belt
along with foot motion), but good engineering puts torque
where it is needed most, around 0.5 to 4 m.p.h. More power
means a smoother walk or run without hesitations and motor
resistance. In fact, there is a much smaller amp draw on the
motor when initializing torque, as compared to a higher
consumption of wattage when a motor is working harder to
maintain faster speeds - or its maximum use of horsepower
potential. This results in a longer lasting and cooler
running motor.
Motor
Controller
The
treadmill motor will be controlled by an electrical power
board, which regulates the positive and negative electrical
currents to the motor. Most use either a PWM board (Pulse
Width Modulated) or an SCR board (Solid State Control
Rectifier). Due to the technical language used in explaining
what each does, we suggest asking a salesperson responsible
for your treadmill of interest about this feature. Simply
put, a PWM board will provide much more DC voltage than an
SCR board by rectifying an alternating current (AC) into
pure direct current (DC) voltage. SCR chops a 60-cycle
alternating current 60 times per second, while a PWM will
chop it about 16,000 times. (AC voltage is a constant change
of positive/negative current 60 times per second, which is a
cycle.) PWM boards result in a much quieter motor due to
less electrical hum, and less service because they do not
require chokes and filters. Higher pure DC voltage in PWM
boards means a stronger current and about half the amp draw,
resulting in higher tolerance to heavier users and lower
electrical costs. PWM makes for less heat and therefore
leads to: extended motor performance and longer brush life;
easier torque boost adjustment; the use of heavier
flywheels; and enough power to dead-start a heavier user
weight. PWM boards are the standard in quality motor
controllers.
Speed
Most
treadmills run from 0 to 10 M.P.H., though some designed
specifically for walking may have more limited speeds. The
right treadmill for you will match your own pace, whether
fast or slow. Starting speed is a more important issue, and
we recommend a safe starting speed of 1 M.P.H. or less. It's
not that you will be walking that slow, but starting speeds
of more than a mile per hour are often too fast for most
motors and may result as a jerk when the belt is started.
Fit
Make
sure from walking on a treadmill that there is more than
enough room on the belt for your longest stride. Narrow or
short tread belts are symptomatic of a high-friction bed. We
recommend a belt no less than 16 inches wide. Make sure that
you can reach and read the monitor without walking onto the
motor housing. Be careful of stepping off the end, as well.
Quality belts shouldn't require frequent maintenance,
whereas low quality belts need to be regularly lubricated,
otherwise they stick to the deck. Make sure that belts which
require adjustment for tracking and tension can easily be
adjusted by you.
Deck
It has
been argued by many that a quality deck is the single most
important component of a quality treadmill. Treadmills fail
due to heat, and better decks operate at low temperatures.
Quality treadmills have pretreated decks requiring very
little maintenance other than wiping off dust. Other than
that, quality decks should need no substantial maintenance.
Listen for a deck that makes little noise against the belt
when exercising. Avoid decks comprised simply of plastic
over wood or particleboard painted black. A good deck will
be made from layers of different specialty material for
durability and longevity. A permanent wax compound is
preferable to compressed fiberboard in deck construction
because this greatly reduces friction. The best deck and
belt combination is a dry one. If in doubt, ask about
whether or not to lubricate the deck with silicone spray,
then follow the manufacturer's directions during the
warranty period.
Resilience
Resilience is the absorption by the treadmill of the force
from the impact of your feet, which helps to relieve the
stress on your knees and ankles. Generally, the lower the
impact, the better. Different treadmills employ different
means of resilience, whether flexible or cushioned deck
construction, or shock absorption suspension systems. Most
will have a built-in give, allowing it to yield to the
impact of your stride. Whatever the feature, a treadmill
shouldn't be too cushioned or bouncy. The majority of
treadmills have better resilience than asphalt. A good pair
of shoes and an anti-static mat will provide enough shock
absorption.
Rollers
Roller
size is better if about 2 or more inches in diameter. The
reason for this is that the belt is able to run with less
tension due to contact with a larger surface area, which
results in a longer life to both the belt and the roller
bearings. Larger rollers turn more slowly at all speeds,
which also prolongs bearing life. Larger rollers mean the
use of larger bearings, which can handle a larger load
capacity. There is less stress on the belt when forced
around larger rollers, and less flex stress results in
cooler temperatures on the polyester fibers of the belt, in
turn, leading to less wear than small rollers with more belt
flex, higher temperatures, and tighter belt tension. At
cooler temperatures the belt coatings last longer and thus
prevents excess friction. There is also more overall
strength to the treadmill with larger rollers simply because
they require larger axles. Steel rollers are preferable to
aluminum because aluminum rollers can oxidize and may form a
grinding material that acts as sandpaper on the belt. Solid
rollers are much better than hollow rollers.
Incline
Several
incline mechanisms are used in different treadmills, such as
electric motors, worm screws, pneumatic or gas shocks, and
manual cranks. Quality incline should be quiet and shouldn't
allow the treadmill to wobble at high elevations. Electric
incline with a worm screw is ideal, though because it uses a
separate motor the price is then effected by another couple
hundred dollars. If you do prefer electric incline then make
sure the motor doesn't strain with one or two people on the
treadmill, which would indicate a weak motor. You will
generally find manual cranks on lower-end treadmills to keep
production costs down. Though any of these means of incline
are just fine, make sure the control is located on the
monitor console where you can adjust it while exercising.
Most quality treadmills will incline to 10%, and though you
want maximum incline to help attain to your target heart
rate, too much incline may easily lead to injury. Most users
don't go above 10%.
Control
Panel
Your
treadmill should have a computerized control panel, no
matter how simple it is, and often the simpler the better.
The most common are LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and LED
(Light Emitting Diode). You will often find LCD displays on
less expensive equipment to keep prices down. LED displays
are used in mid to high-end treadmills are much more easy to
read because they are lighted, though more expensive to
produce. Other kinds of displays found on expensive
equipment include Digital and Gas Plasma, which we feel are
seldom better than LED. Most high-end treadmills will be
fully programmable for speed, electric incline, distance,
time, heart rate, and emergency shut off, but you can save
money by purchasing a treadmill that offers only the basics.
The control panel, more than anything should be simple to
use and readouts that are large and easy to read. Many
consoles offer a set of pre-programmed exercise levels and
allow for you to program your own routine of exercise, which
is desirable when attaining to your target heart rate. Where
high-end treadmills are considered, you should choose a
console, which provides error messages when problems or
malfunctions occur to help diagnose the symptoms of failing
or damaged internal parts. Price has a lot to do with
monitor options, so you may save money by choosing only
those control panel features which are of personal interest
to you.
Heart
Rate Control
The best
heart rate monitors utilize a chest strap that
electronically signals the monitor with an accurate heart
rate providing E.C.G. precision. We advise against ear and
finger clip pulse monitors because they are not as accurate
as heart rate chest monitors are. These are typically
available as inexpensive add-ons, and do not need to be part
of the treadmill itself.
Frame
Frames
constructed of high alloy steel are generally more stable
and durable than aluminum, although aluminum frames are
considerably lighter. Aluminum, however, won't rust, so make
sure that a steel frame is well coated to prevent rust
corrosion. If a treadmill looks and feels flimsy, then it
is. It should have wheels at the heaviest end to make it
easier to relocate or reposition. Frame construction often
determines the user weight restriction. Welded frames, while
heavier, are not necessarily preferable to bolted frames.
Avoid all-plastic frames.
Hand
Rails
Handrail
location is up to the user. Whether one or two side rails or
a handlebar on the front of the monitor console, they should
be sturdy and out of the way of swinging arms. They are
mostly used for balance, so make sure your treadmill has
reachable and sturdy bars with comfortable grips. It is not
necessary to hold the handrails, and you will get a more
natural feel if you walk upright at your normal speed, just
as if you were outside. You can carry a couple of small
weights to give yourself an upper body workout while you
walk.
Safety
Because
motorized treadmills are a moving, machine certain safety
precautions must be included as standard features, including
an emergency shut-off that is easily accessible, the ability
to limit incline and speed, a gradual start and stop, and
accessible hand rails for both runners and walkers. A safe
starting speed is 1 M.P.H. or less. It's also good for a
treadmill to have its own circuit breaker to prevent the
motor and electronics from burning up in case of power
problems. The use of extension cords should be avoided, and
the power supply must be grounded. An anti-static mat will
help keep your machine in position, as well as eliminate
static buildup in the tread belt. A mat will help protect
your floor from dirt, sweat, scratches and dents.
Warranty
and Service
Quality
treadmills should have a lifetime warranty on the frame, but
look for one that has a two or more year warranty on parts,
especially the belt and rollers. Make sure the model you are
interested in won't become obsolete in the near future and
its parts discontinued. Ask if the parts will be readily
available for a long time to come. Labour is usually one or
more years, but find out if there is a service charge for
in-home warranty service. Some stores may offer extended
warranty plans on labour, but watch for manufacturer
warranty plans that require you to pay extra to extend a
short warranty period. If you purchase a treadmill from a
source that is later unable to service it, then the warranty
should cover another authorized dealer to make necessary
repairs.
Price
Plan to
spend from around $1,600 or more for a quality-motorized
treadmill. Many lower priced treadmills do not offer 2.0hp
continuous duty motors or PWM controllers, and can be used
for only about one hour per day. If you had planned on
spending a less; then make a visit to a local fitness store
where a variety of treadmills are displayed and technically
supported and see for yourself the price range offered. Then
visit a local department store and compare. Remember, you
get what you pay for, and as with any quality machine,
treadmills have price points - and the starting point for
quality is in and around the $1,600 range. Generally you
will find that below this price range, treadmills do not
meet most of the recommended guidelines we've suggested. You
may have noticed that high-end treadmills average around
$4,000 and up, but the competitiveness of the market has
produced some excellent treadmills for under $2,500.
FrameWork Fitness & Bikes
info@frameworkfitness.com
273
Townsend Street
Phone: 567-1909
Sydney,
NS
Cell: 561-0451
B1P
5E7
Fax: 567-0678 |
