Our Guide To Buying a Treadmill

So you’re thinking about buying a treadmill? Treadmills are a great way to improve fitness, tone muscles, build strength, lose weight and relieve stress.  Running on a treadmill places less strain on your joints than road running and, let’s face it, who wants to be out walking, jogging or running the dark cold streets when you can do all these things on a treadmill in the comfort of your own home?

The question now is…where to start?! Here at Inspire Fitness we know it can be tricky finding the right treadmill, so we’re here to help you make the right choice. Our advice is completely impartial and if you want to ask more questions or need more information we’re only a phone call away.

Treadmills, or running machines as they’re also known, are a great piece of cardio vascular equipment that can help keep your lungs and heart healthy and tone different muscle groups. But treadmills are not just for runners! They are also ideal for people who prefer a more gentle approach to exercise like walking or jogging. There are several features of a treadmill to consider before making your purchase and we have outlined the main points below:

• Treadmill Motor – The heart of the treadmill is the motor and it is the most important part as it endures the most wear and tear. Treadmill motor power is measured in horsepower (HP) and the higher the HP the stronger and more efficient the treadmill will be. As a rule the motor size of a treadmill is given in continuous horsepower, however some treadmills give the peak horsepower. Don’t be deceived by big numbers as these could be peak horse power not continuous!  Always look for at least 1.75HP motor, but if you plan to run long distances or use the machine for many users then look for at least a 2.0HP motor. The higher the HP the smoother the run.

• Treadmill Belt - The belt should be long enough and wide enough to accommodate the use of the treadmill, if you plan to do a lot of running then look for a wider belt with at least a width of 50cm (20") and a length of 140cm (55"). An orthopaedic belt is more comfortable to use and offers far more grip when running. Treadmills with an orthopaedic belt are usually high end treadmills.

• Treadmill Speed - Treadmill maximum speeds vary between makes and models. Most treadmills range from 0 to 16km (10mph) which is suitable for running, however some mid-range and commercial treadmills have maximum speeds of 20kph (12mph). If you’re going to use the treadmill for walking or jogging only then you could go for a model with a lower maximum speed – this could save you money.

• Treadmill Incline (Elevation) – There are two kinds of treadmill incline, electric and manual, however at Inspire Fitness we only sell treadmills with electric incline. Most mid-range treadmills incline to 10%, some incline to 12%.

• Treadmill Console & Programmes - Most treadmills have a built in computer display that enables you to select customised workouts, speed, incline and other options. Its worthwhile choosing a treadmill with a variety of features and a range of different programmes as this will help you stay motivated and means you can choose a workout programme to suit you.

• Maximum User Weights – The maximum user weight limit for treadmills vary by brand and model.  When purchasing a treadmill you need to make sure that you find a treadmill that is compatible with your current weight. Many treadmills give their weight limit in kilograms (kg) - to convert this to pounds (lb) simply times the kg figure by 2.2. Most home use treadmills are suitable for user weights of around 19 stone. If you are heavier than 22 stone there are a limited number of suitable treadmills so give us a call to discuss which treadmill is best for you.

• Treadmill Warranty - Before purchasing your treadmill make sure you check the treadmill warranty. Most treadmills come with parts and labour warranty, which means, should something go wrong, you won't have to repair the treadmill yourself.  Generally treadmill warranties vary from a 2-3 year parts and labour warranty and a 5 year to lifetime frame and motor warranty. Be careful of some of the lower priced brands as many of their products only come with a 12 month warranty. The length of warranty depends on the manufacturer so if you need any more information please do not hesitate to contact us.

• Treadmill Extras – there are many ‘extras’ that you can purchase for your treadmill including Heart Rate Monitors and floor protection mats. We stock a range of treadmill accessories which can be found on our website.

There are a few other things to consider when buying a treadmill and these can be found below:

How tall are you?
When buying a treadmill you need to think about your stride length and make sure that the running deck is long enough for what you intend to do. For example a particular treadmill deck may be 135cm long and you may be 6ft tall - if you wanted to run on the treadmill you would find that the treadmill deck is not long enough, however if you only intend to walk on the treadmill it would be suitable. If you are unsure about treadmill deck length our expert staff are only a phone call away or use the Interactive Buying Guide which has been set up to help you buy the perfect treadmill.

Will you run or walk?
If it’s gentle exercise that you want and are looking to walk on your treadmill then all of the treadmills that we stock will be suitable for your needs. If you’re working within a budget then you can afford to compromise on the treadmills maximum speed, treadmill motor size and even treadmill deck size.

For those of you who are interested in power walking, jogging and running then you’ll need to consider treadmills with wider and longer running decks. As you become more tired, towards the end of your workout, there is a tendency to “wander” across the running deck, so you need a treadmill that has a wide deck to run on – you don’t want to fall off the side!

What treadmill features do you want?
Most treadmills have a variety of features and functions – different programs, speed control, incline control, quick keys, heart rate monitor facilities and so on. Be realistic about which functions you really want from your treadmill and consider how easy you’ll find it to operate. We’ve included pictures of the consoles of all the treadmills that we stock along with a breakdown of the features so that you’ll get an idea of how easy or complex each machine is to operate and what it can do. It may also be good to talk to our staff about the treadmills you are considering as they have tested most treadmills and will be able to give you an insight into how the treadmill operation works.

Do you have joint problems?
Look for treadmills with orthopaedic running belts or cushioned running decks. These take away some of the strain placed on joints during exercise. You may also consider looking into more low impact fitness equipment like cross trainers, bike, and indoor cycles.

Where will the treadmill be situated in your home?
Treadmills are heavy! The weight of treadmills varies between approximately 60kg and 130kg – a typical washing machine weighs about 80kg to give you a comparison. You need to think about where the treadmill will be located – if it’s upstairs then you need to consider how you’ll get your new treadmill up the stairs. It’s definitely a two person job to install a treadmill in an upstairs room so you’ll require a willing friend or relative to help. You also might want to consider only those treadmills that are delivered in kit form so that you can carry the individual parts upstairs and build the treadmill in the room that it’s to be used. All treadmills can be installed by Inspire Fitness however if the machine is going upstairs there is an extra charge.

Will you want to move the treadmill when it’s not in use?
Most of the treadmills that we stock can be folded when not in use and can be moved out of the way. You need to look at the number of wheels that a treadmill has (some have 2, some have 4), think about the weight and look at the folded dimensions which you’ll find in the information boxes for each treadmill. All of these factors will determine whether the treadmill is right for your storage and movement needs when it’s out of use.