Treadmill Buyers Guide
Treadmills:
A good quality treadmill will cost you at least $1,500.
There are two different places to shop for a treadmill: A big box retailer or a specialty fitness store like Exercise Warehouse. Big Box retailers offer less expensive treadmills that are made up of lower quality components even though they may sometimes have appealing aesthetics. These treadmills will often have small motors (physically small) and very limited warranties. Exercise Warehouse offers treadmills that cost more at point of purchase but last longer and require far less repair and maintenance making it well worth the investment. These treadmills come in a variety of brands and have larger, stronger, and higher quality components. The manufacturer warranties are much better as well. Compare any big box retail treadmill to a specialty fitness treadmill and you will see and feel the difference.
Components of a Treadmill:
Motor
Incline Motor
Belt
Deck
Frame
Display
Motor
The motor can be thought of as the heart of the treadmill. It is the most important component of a treadmill because it is what spins the rollers making the belt move. Motors are rated at Peak Horsepower and Continuous Duty Horsepower. Continuous Duty Horsepower is the amount of output the motor can constantly provide while still running cool and efficient over an extended period of time. Peak Horsepower is usually a number around 5-9 where the motor can max out for a short period of time if needed.
Incline Motor
The incline motor is the second motor under the hood of a treadmill which allows the machine to elevate. This motor is typically rated in lbs of thrust, for example, the Landice Treadmill elevation motor has a1000lbs of thrust.
Belt
The treadmill belt is sometimes confused with the deck. The belt is simply the portion that you walk or run on that moves over the deck. Treadmill belts come in a variety of lengths, widths, and thicknesses (ply) which range from 1 ply to 4 ply. Typically higher quality treadmills will have at least a 2 ply belt. Orthopedic belts are also available which offer a thicker top layer providing extra comfort.
Deck
The deck is the portion of the treadmill that provides the "hard" surface to walk on that the belt glides over. This surface is typically made of wood and other composite materials and is mounted on a shock absorption surface. There are a variety of ways manufacturers provide shock absorption. For example, Landice Treadmills have there decks mounted on special VFX Shock Absorbers which provide maximum absorption while Bodyguard Treadmills use strips of a material called Sorbothane. The best way to understand the difference is to test the treadmills and see what feels best for you.
Frame
There are two types of treadmill frames: treadmill frames that fold up, and conventional models that do not fold up.
The treadmill frame is the metal skeleton that holds all of the components of the machine. Frames can be made from aluminum, steel, or other metals, and can be bolted or welded together. Frames must support the weight of all the components and the user while on the machine.
Display
The display is the top portion of the machine which features computer controls to adjust the speed and elevation. It also displays feedback such as time, speed, distance, calories, and more than often features programs such as intervals, and fat burn. There are two types of displays available LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and LED (Light Emitting Diode).
Please contact us for more information or with any questions.
Livonia 248-476-2213
A good quality treadmill will cost you at least $1,500.
There are two different places to shop for a treadmill: A big box retailer or a specialty fitness store like Exercise Warehouse. Big Box retailers offer less expensive treadmills that are made up of lower quality components even though they may sometimes have appealing aesthetics. These treadmills will often have small motors (physically small) and very limited warranties. Exercise Warehouse offers treadmills that cost more at point of purchase but last longer and require far less repair and maintenance making it well worth the investment. These treadmills come in a variety of brands and have larger, stronger, and higher quality components. The manufacturer warranties are much better as well. Compare any big box retail treadmill to a specialty fitness treadmill and you will see and feel the difference.
Components of a Treadmill:
Motor
Incline Motor
Belt
Deck
Frame
Display
Motor
The motor can be thought of as the heart of the treadmill. It is the most important component of a treadmill because it is what spins the rollers making the belt move. Motors are rated at Peak Horsepower and Continuous Duty Horsepower. Continuous Duty Horsepower is the amount of output the motor can constantly provide while still running cool and efficient over an extended period of time. Peak Horsepower is usually a number around 5-9 where the motor can max out for a short period of time if needed.
Incline Motor
The incline motor is the second motor under the hood of a treadmill which allows the machine to elevate. This motor is typically rated in lbs of thrust, for example, the Landice Treadmill elevation motor has a1000lbs of thrust.
Belt
The treadmill belt is sometimes confused with the deck. The belt is simply the portion that you walk or run on that moves over the deck. Treadmill belts come in a variety of lengths, widths, and thicknesses (ply) which range from 1 ply to 4 ply. Typically higher quality treadmills will have at least a 2 ply belt. Orthopedic belts are also available which offer a thicker top layer providing extra comfort.
Deck
The deck is the portion of the treadmill that provides the "hard" surface to walk on that the belt glides over. This surface is typically made of wood and other composite materials and is mounted on a shock absorption surface. There are a variety of ways manufacturers provide shock absorption. For example, Landice Treadmills have there decks mounted on special VFX Shock Absorbers which provide maximum absorption while Bodyguard Treadmills use strips of a material called Sorbothane. The best way to understand the difference is to test the treadmills and see what feels best for you.
Frame
There are two types of treadmill frames: treadmill frames that fold up, and conventional models that do not fold up.
The treadmill frame is the metal skeleton that holds all of the components of the machine. Frames can be made from aluminum, steel, or other metals, and can be bolted or welded together. Frames must support the weight of all the components and the user while on the machine.
Display
The display is the top portion of the machine which features computer controls to adjust the speed and elevation. It also displays feedback such as time, speed, distance, calories, and more than often features programs such as intervals, and fat burn. There are two types of displays available LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and LED (Light Emitting Diode).
Please contact us for more information or with any questions.
Livonia 248-476-2213
Livonia:
248-476-2213
248-476-2213
Ann Arbor:
734-369-2044
734-369-2044