Must-do Things When Buying a Treadmill
By now, you have decided to get a treadmill for your home. This is quite convenient since you can do your exercise while staying home, watching TV and taking care of the household chores. But definitely, you will have a lot of difficulty in selecting a really good treadmill that is perfect for your need and budget from the sheer number of treadmill brands and models out on the market today. This guide can help you trim down your options in order that you can get the best treadmill that your hard-earned cash can purchase. You must take note of these things when buying a treadmill:
1. Make sure that the motor has at least a continuous rating of 2.0 horsepower. If you’re a runner, and quite heavier, you should get a higher rating motor, at least 2.5 Horsepower. The motor is the main part of the treadmill. So you shouldn’t scrimp on this one. If you can get a best motor, so much the better. Weaker motors tend to get broken easily after prolonged used, so better invest in the best one available.
2. Before buying a treadmill, make sure that you have ample space for walking and/or running. Check the dimensions of the two-ply belt. It should be at least 18” wide and 48” long. This facilitates a more comfortable stride. You should get wider and longer two-ply belts if you are taller.
3. The recommended length of the belt by the American Council on Exercise is 49” minimum. A lot of higher-priced models include wider and longer two-ply belts.
4. Also, before buying a treadmill, one should check the deck of the treadmill. A low-impact treadmill deck is recommended since this absorbs the shock by flexing under one’s foot when it is stricken. Less impact means a more comfortable exercise as well as less likeliness of injury and strain. This holds most especially for people who have injuries such as back and foot problems or even shin splits.
5. Also, check the after-sales service and warranty of your model before buying a treadmill. This would save you a lot of headaches when problems may arise later. The better treadmills around offer long warranties on the motor, parts and labor. The best treadmills offer a lifetime warranty on the parts and motor and longer warranties on the labor to give you less problems later. Read the fine print so that no problems will arise later. DO avoid 90-day warranties and it’s better to have a return clause just in case the treadmill doesn’t suit you. Also the treadmill has also some provisions on its weight limit, so the warranty might be voided if you’re heavier than their specified weight.
6. Also, check the features as well as the user-friendliness of the model before buying a treadmill. Safety issues should also be resolved too. This is get the best treadmill that fits your preference.
Buying a treadmill is a quite a big investment, so always get the best one. You wouldn’t be sacrificing price for your health, so you shouldn’t also be when buying a treadmill.
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