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Sports & Fitness
The Smart Way to Get Fit
Want to get fit but don't want to pay monthly gym-membership fees? Or, don't have time to drive to a fitness club? Buying a treadmill may be one of the smartest things you can do. Need more convincing? Consider this: If you pay a gym or fitness club $35 a month, that equals $420 for one year to use someone else's equipment. For that same amount of money, you can have a top-quality treadmill in your own home to use on your own time. When you add it all up, owning your own treadmill is a great value.
Choosing The Right Treadmill
So, how do you decide which one is right for you? It's easy! Here are some points to consider to help make your decision as easy as possible.
Size Your Stride
If you're walking, any treadbelt 50 inches or less is just fine. Running means longer strides, which means you'll need a longer treadbelt; 50 inches long is recommended. In short, a longer treadbelt gives you more options.
Got Knee Problems?
If so, consider cushioning. Many treadmill manufacturers recognize the importance of shock absorption and have precision-response cushioning or comfort cell cushioning in their treadmills. Even if you don't have chronic knee or joint problems, good cushioning will keep your joints happy.
Manual or Motor?
The real question is: walk or run? Manual treadmills are fine for walking or light jogging. They move only as fast as you do. But if you'll mostly be jogging or running, it's best to get a 2 hp (or greater) motor treadmill. They generally offer speeds from 0 or 0.5 mph (a light walking pace) to 8-12 mph (a fast run).
Electronic Motivation
Most treadmills have a computer console that shows your calories burned, miles per hour, time and distance. But if you like having a little electronic motivation, consider a treadmill with preprogrammed workouts that simulate jogging up and down hills or hiking over a mountain. More advanced treadmills have a heart-rate control, which keeps you in the heart-rate training zone that you designate.
Keep Your Finger on the Pulse
It's always best to use a heart-rate monitor to work out at your target heart rate. Manual treadmills generally won't come with one. But most advanced treadmills have a grip-pulse indicator built into the handles that will take your pulse and calculate your target heart rate.
It's All Uphill From Here
Basic treadmills feature a manual incline you can adjust before you start. More advanced treadmills have a power incline that lets you change the incline level while you're working out. Incline levels can range from a low of 2 to 4 percent to a high of 15 percent. The more advanced the treadmill, the greater the incline, with the best of them offering a 25 percent incline.
© 2010 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
