Getting the most out of a Treadmill

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Walking, running or jogging is an excellent source of exercise for most people. However cold or inclement weather can make this type of exercise difficult if not impossible on many occasions. Additionally it may not always be convenient or easy to go outside during the early morning or late evening hours. To solve this problem many people choose to use a treadmill.

Initially treadmills were designed to be used by hospitals and physical therapists. Physical therapists used them to help patients who were learning to walk again in a controlled environment. Hospitals and physicians used them in stress tests where patients could be monitored while placing their bodies in a state of activity. Eventually the technology and materials to manufacture treadmills improved, and the cost of producing treadmills began to drop. As a result consumers can now afford to own anything from the most basic model, to advanced feature packed and digitally controlled equipment.

The most important parts of a treadmill are the motor and the belt. The belt should be made of a durable yet flexible material. It should be wide enough to comfortably accommodate your body, and should be free of tears, rips, or other imperfections. A belt that is damaged should be replaced immediately. If you operate the unit and the belt tears or snaps, serious damage to the machine or to the person using could occur. You should inspect the belt each time before using the machine.

The second most important part is the motor. The more power the motor has the more stable it power output will be under your body weight. However as the motor increases in horsepower it generally becomes noisier. If you plan on operating the unit in a household early in the morning or late at night you should pay extra for a quiet motor design.

If the motor begins to make unusual noises or operate in manner inconsistent with that described in the directions, you should have it repaired. The most common type of repair is a re-lubrication. You should always follow your manufacturer’s recommendations regarding lubrication. Most treadmills use a silicone based lubricant. Other lubricants such as WD-40 are petroleum based and will cause permanent damage to the unit and motor.
When you are looking for features there are many different options, some of these include the following:

• Timer: This will allow you time how long you want the exercise session to last.
• Heart Rate Monitor: This is a device that attaches to your body, giving you feedback on how fast your heart is beating.
• Data Storage: Some advanced units come with the ability to store information about your body or workout history, allowing you to keep track of your progress.
• Variable Resistance: This feature will allow you to vary the resistance the belt puts out making it harder for you to run or walk, giving you a more strenuous workout.
• Incline: This will allow the unit to increase on an incline to simulate running or climbing on hill or small mountain.
• Programmable Resistance: This feature will allow you to set patterns of resistance and incline in a sequence, in order to make your workout as varied and difficult as you desire.
• Fans or Cooling: Some units will come with built in fans to help keep you cool during a workout session.
• Storage: This feature gives you a spot to store water or other sports drinks.
• Entertainment: This can include a CD player, radio, Television or DVD player option. Many units in health clubs will often have a cable TV connection as well.

Tags: health, fitness, diet, exercise, treadmill

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