Why purchase a Treadmill |
In today's fast paced world most people are too busy to use treadmills in a gymnasium, with the rising cost of petrol it makes travelling to the gym even more expensive. If you calculate the money you would spend a year with gym membership, fuel, wear & tear on your car it could easily be over £1,000 a year. 
Treadmill manufactures are continually reducing their manufacturing costs, this means you can purchase a reliable home use treadmill for well under £1,000. This is fantastic news because a treadmill simulates walking, jogging or running which are the best forms of cardio vascular exercise.
In the United Kingdom we have extended periods of rain throughout the year, also as winter creeps in we have fewer hours of daylight. Because of this running can prove to be quite difficult. But with a treadmill running machine you can walk, jog or run in the safety and comfort of your own home, rain or shine.
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Treadmill features to look for |
There are many different complex parts on a treadmill, much more than cross trainers, rowing machines or exercise bikes. Outlined below are the most important features of a treadmill:
- Treadmill Warranty - If the treadmill has a good warranty that covers the motor and frame then rest assured the manufacture has total faith in their treadmill/running machine. Make sure the treadmill comes with a labour warranty and not just a parts warranty, if the treadmill comes with a parts warranty and something goes wrong with it you will have to fit the replacement parts yourself. Also make sure the warranty is not "Return to Base" ask the sales person if the engineer will visit your home to perform the repair, if not be weary!
- Treadmill Dimensions - Make sure the treadmill you are interested in purchasing will fit into the space you have selected. If space is tight you should consider a folding treadmill, also make sure you have a single wall socket to power the treadmill as it is not recommended to plug a treadmill into an extension lead
- Treadmill Motor - The treadmill motor is the most important part of any treadmill, always look for at least 1.5 continuous HP (horse power) for general use. If you plan to do a lot of long distance running then you should consider a 3.0HP motor or higher (typically seen on commercial treadmills)
- Treadmill Belt - The treadmill belt is another important part of the treadmill, it should be wide enough and comfortable enough to run on. If you want to reduce stress on joints then an orthopedic belt is what you need.
- Treadmill Frame - There are generally two types of treadmill frames, aluminum and steel. Steel is favored because it adds more weight to the treadmill making it more sturdy, whilst aluminum is much lighter. There are also two ways a frame can be connected to the treadmill base, either bolted or welded. Bolted frames are not as strong or as sturdy as welded frames, a welded frame is a sign of quality (and typically seen on commercial treadmills).
- Treadmill Elevation (Incline) - there are two types of treadmill incline, manual incline and motor incline. Manual incline is typically found on cheaper budget treadmills while motor incline is found on higher budget treadmills.
- Treadmill Rollers - The rollers are typically the most overlooked factor on a treadmill. In general the bigger the diameter of the roller the longer it will last, this is because it takes longer to complete a full revolution on a 1.9" roller compared to say a 1.6" roller for example.
- Treadmill Deck - The deck of the treadmill is typically made from wood, the type of wood varies based on the model. Lower budget treadmills typically use particle board decks, while higher budget treadmills will use MDF (medium density fibreboard) decks. MDF is better because it can sustain much greater forces in comparison to particle board.
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- Treadmill Cushioning - During jogging or running each time your foot hits the ground a similar force is transmitted towards your leg, this force varies depending on the surface you are running on. Treadmills use rubber or springs for shock absorption in an attempt to decrease the amount of force applied on your legs. There is a more advanced type of treadmill absorption that is better than rubber and spring; this is known as variable durometer elastomers. This type of cushioning typically has stiff rubber at the back and softer rubber at the front of the treadmill and is normally found on higher budget treadmill brands such as Life Fitness Treadmills
- Computer Display - The computer display is the heart of the treadmill as it controls everything from motor speed, incline, program types and more. There are typically 2 types of treadmill displays: LCD (liquid crystal display) and LED (light emitting diode). LCD is the same screen that's you see on most calculators, and is normally a cheaper/simpler method of displaying information. LED is a more popular choice and is typically seen on higher budget/commercial treadmills
- Maximum Treadmill Speed - The maximum speed a treadmill motor can reach is 25km but of course this depends on the treadmill you purchase, to get 20km + you will have to invest in a commercial rated treadmill.
- Maximum Incline - The maximum a treadmill will ncline is between 10 - 20% and will vary based on brand/model
- Treadmill Accessories - You can purchase many different accessories from Fitness Superstore, such as Treadmill Floor Protector Mats, Extended Warranties, Heart Rate Monitors and much more.
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Overview of Treadmill Brands |
There are many different Brands of treadmills and choosing the right brand can be difficult. Below is a brief list of some of our brands (in no particular order):
Life Fitness Treadmills
Life Fitness is a commercial brand used in gyms throughout the world, if you are a member of a gymnasium you may have noticed Life Fitness brand.
Horizon Treadmills
Part of Johnson Health Tech - Horizon Fitness have been manufacturing high quality fitness equipment including treadmills for the past 25 years. Horizon's aim is to produce high quality commercial equipment at affordable prices. Horizon offers the components that you expect with commercial treadmills, from variable durometer elastomer cushioning to high HP treadmill motors; at the same time their treadmills are mainly folding which is fantastic for those with little space.
Kettler Treadmills
The Heinz Kettler group was established in Germany in 1949, today Kettler is the leading manufacture in the leisure industry. Kettler are known for their vast range of quality products, including rowing machines, table tennis tables, garden furniture and of course treadmills.
A UK subsidiary Kettler (GB) Limited, has been operating for almost 20 years and provides full after sales service here in the United Kingdom. At Fitness Superstore we have the complete range of Kettler treadmills.
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Vision Fitness Treadmills
Vision Fitness offer a wide range of treadmills for both home and commercial use, the first Vision treadmills were introduced in 1997 and have received much praise for their high quality construction and ease of use.
Vision Treadmills offer innovative cushioning with their eight strategically placed "variable durometer elastomer cushions". The softest elastomer is located where your foot contacts the treadmill deck while the firmest elastomer is in the back of the deck to offer you support and give you a more comfortable run.
The treadmill consoles are advanced yet easy to use and give you all the information you need to achieve your fitness goals. All Vision treadmills have one-touch speed and incline quick keys, making adjustments during a workout simple. Some Vision treadmill models store your workout totals, so you can track your progress over time.
The reliability of Vision Fitness treadmills is backed by good warranties. Parts and labour warranties vary between one and three years depending on the model, all models come with a lifetime frame warranty and the treadmill motor is guaranteed for at least 5 years, with the higher end models having a lifetime motor warranty.
ProForm Treadmills
ProForm is a subsidiary brand of Icon Fitness, the largest manufacturer and marketer of home fitness equipment worldwide.
While ProForm today manufactures a wide range of fitness equipment, they are probably still most widely known for their treadmills which have continued to grow in popularity ever since they first introduced the now world-famous SpaceSaver® folding design.
York Treadmills
York Fitness design and manufacture a wide range of home fitness equipment, everything from dumbbells to treadmills.
The British division, York Barbell UK, was established over 20 years ago, and manufacturing is partly based in the UK. York Fitness is a recognised name around the world and has built a reputation on quality home fitness equipment.
Reebok Treadmills
Reebok is a recognised brand around the globe. Reebok started marketing their treadmills around 1998 and keep expanding, Reeboks most popular treadmill is without a doubt the Reebok I-Run.
Fitness is Reebok's passion, continuous research and development has made Reebok one of the leading names in fitness.
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