Treadmills - Get Fit Stay Fit

By Martin Smith

Your exercise program could benefit from the use of treadmills. Using a treadmill provides a wonderful cardiovascular workout for your heart, your lungs, and your circulation. There low impact on your joints, which makes it easier and less painful to workout.

Pregnant women will get an excellent workout. Its low impact and cardiovascular nature it builds endurance which will no doubt help during labor. The lower end models are not expensive and treadmills are easy to use. Using a treadmill could help you lose weight and even body fat.

That they don't take up a lot of space is a non-physical benefit. There are some that could take up a whole room almost but if space is the issue, than you can find manual treadmills that fold and are powered by your movement only. Talk to professionals and do your research to find out which one might be appropriate for you.

Comparing different models is best. Do you know what features you're looking for on a treadmill? You should look at certain things when you are comparing various models. All you really want to do is workout so this can all be overwhelming.

The size of your machine can be affected by the type of the motor. The most important things to look at are the belt trackers. This is the type of movement of the belt and the placement of the running belt as you work out. You don't want a belt that's jerky you want it to move as smoothly as possible over the rollers.

Have you seen the check out belts that move and then jump and move again etc.? There can be more impact than is necessary on your joints and injury can result if the movement on your treadmill is like that. Something else to look at is the length and the width of the belt.

A belt that is too short can cause you to �run-off the end of the belt. A narrow belt might not necessarily support your stance. If possible try out the machine you want or one that is very much like it. The type and percentage of the incline will affect your joints and your workout.

As you progress, on most treadmills you can adjust the incline to be as if you were climbing a steep hill. How fast the belt moves should also be adjustable also. Do you know what the minimum speed and maximum speed is? This knowledge will help you plan your workout routine and make it more effective.


Your treadmill console should a heart rate monitor as one of its main features. If you know your resting heart rate and your target heart rate which is the highest number you can reach for maximum benefits from your workout, your workout will be more beneficial. Your speed, your time and your distance should also be displayed on the console.

Before you attempt to use your treadmill it is of the utmost importance that you learn to properly use your treadmill. The display on the control panel should be clear and easy to read. Is the software program necessary to be able to use the control panel?

A noisy treadmill is something you don't want. There will obviously be some noise but you don't want it to be overwhelming. What is the acceptable level of noise for you? Is the belt thick enough? If a belt is too thin it could wear out too soon, so you would want an appropriately thick belt so it will last.

Stretching can occur with some belts. Checking to see that your belt isn't cracked anywhere or stretched, Make sure the monitor is functioning properly. Consider the weight of the machine. A few of the delivery companies will bring your machine to your door but it's up to you to get it in the house and set it up.

The look of the machine is important because if it doesn't appeal to you, you will be less apt to use it. How easy will it be to store it when you aren't using it? Before you bring it home, consider the probability that it will stay in the same place when it's not in use, then you need to decide if this is ok with you.

Don't put your treadmill near walls to prevent injury. You should put it approximately eight feet away from walls, ledges or windows. You should put the wires and the power supply out of walking areas or it should be taped down to prevent someone from tripping while getting off the treadmill. There are a few tips about how to use your new treadmill.

Before getting on the belt, straddle it and make sure it is set at the proper speed. Your feet will follow your eyes so keep them straight ahead. Staying in the center of the belt will help prevent slips and falls.

About the author:
If your looking for tips and advice on treadmills or fitness equipment in general, Martin Smith had a resource of information available. From Treadmills to Home Fitness Equipment you'll find something.