The Gymworld Treadmills - Running Machines Buying Guide
Choosing the Store to Buy a Treadmill or Running Machine
Most of us will purchase a treadmill or running machine from a Department store, Sports chain store, a Catalogue company or from a Website store. When dealing with this type of company you may be speaking to someone who is a general employee and who does not have specific knowledge of the exercise equipment they are selling. We suggest that you purchase from a specialist fitness store, the staff will be fully trained and have the knowledge of gym equipment, plus the inclination and time to give relevant information and offer advice relating to the customers individual fitness needs. Some online fitness stores are more knowledgeable than others, so making a quick call and asking a few questions usually helps you find the more experienced and professional stores, and this should give you the confidence that you are dealing with a fitness company you would be happy to buy your treadmill or running machine from.
Delivery and Installation of Treadmills - Running Machines
Once you have chosen the treadmill or running machine you want, the next most important thing is the delivery. Treadmills and running machines are usually large and heavy items, please ensure that you use a fitness company that can provide the delivery service you need. Standard delivery usually entails a 1 man kerbside delivery, you are then responsible for getting the treadmill or running machine into the house; a 2 man delivery means that they will carry the treadmill in to the house (ground floor only) but they do not build it for you. A few companies can offer an installation service.
At Gymworld we offer an excellent installation service for all home fitness treadmills and running machine. We will deliver the treadmill or running machine to the room of choice (safety permitting) fully install the treadmill, plus remove any unwanted packaging for safe disposal, saving you a trip to the tip. Being in charge of our installation teams means we can be more flexible on delivery dates and times, able to install treadmills from as early as 5am on weekdays, to help fit in with your busy lifestyle.
Treadmill - Running Machines Motors
This is sometimes a confusing area for many buyers because power output may be quoted differently. Currently the most commonly quoted ratings by producers of treadmills and running machine are peak horsepower and continuous duty, so we will just cover these in this instance.
Peak Horsepower - this is the maximum output of the treadmills motor; however, using a treadmill and running machine at peak output for long periods will burn out the motor fairly quickly, shortening a treadmills life considerably.
Continuous Duty - this is the steady output from the motor when in continuous use for a 24 hour period. When a motor is capable of this performance the Treadmill and running machine itself can be used for an extended period without overheating the motor.
Decent quality treadmills should have at least 1.75hp continuous duty motors. For regular use or several users we would suggest that you use a motor with a minimum of 2.5hp continuous duty output.
Also bear in mind that the make of the motor itself is an important factor. Treadmills and running machine are no different to other products – manufacturers will select cheaper components in order to achieve certain price points. Its a fact of life. Some motors will be better than others even though they claim to have the same rating.
Treadmill - Running Machines Incline Motors
The majority of manufacturers use a worm screw to incline the treadmill and running machine, and a separate incline motor is used for this function. An incline mechanism should not wobble when in use. As a test of the motors capability it should not struggle to incline when 2 adults stand on the treadmill or running machine. Most standard treadmills and running machine use a 750lb thrust motor, but expect to see top quality running machines using a 1000lb thrust motors for the incline.
Treadmill - Running Machines Maximum Speeds
Most treadmills and running machine have a top speed of 10mph/16kph, this more than adequate for the majority of runners, average jogging speeds are around 5mph-6.5mph, average running speeds are around 6mph – 8.5mph.
Please note that when running on a treadmill or running machine you will not run as fast as you do on a static surface, as some energy is lost due to the belt moving beneath you.
Treadmill - Running Machines Running Belts
It is rare for a treadmills or running machine running belt to wear out within the first few years of use in a home environment. You should not have problems with a running belt if it is looked after correctly.
The size of the treadmills and running machine running belt is important. Ideally the average size running area should be at least 18" x 52" but a taller user may need a belt size of 20" x 55". These areas will give enough room to ensure that the user is comfortable when using the running machine.
The Treadmill - Running Machines Running Deck
This is the board underneath the belt. The deck can be made from different materials depending on the quality of the treadmill or running machine.
Entry level treadmills - tend to have Chip/Fibre board decks
Mid range treadmills - MDF boards are the average standard, and usually have a smooth coating applied to the surface to assist with easy gliding of the belt.
Top end treadmills and running machine - a high quality engineered board is used with several layers of a speciality material (fenolic coating), and the deck thickness is increased from 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch thickness.
Lubrication for Treadmills - Running Machines
For most standard Treadmills and running machine's a silicone lubricant is used, this can be purchased from the manufacturer or a silicone lubricant can usually be obtained from a high street car parts stores. The top range treadmills use a wax lubricant, which is in most cases is impregnated into the deck it self and is released as the deck temperature increases. This lubricant is usually obtained from the manufacturer.
Always follow the manufacturers Treadmill instructions when lubricating the Treadmill and follow their guide lines to the frequency of lubrication.
Treadmill Impact Absorption - Running Machines
A Treadmill should have some sort of device or mechanism that reduces the impact of the foot hitting the deck when walking and running. The best absorption systems disperse the energy of the foot impacting the deck but also provide a firm surface to push off from. A Treadmill deck that is too soft will drain your energy very quickly and you will not enjoy the run because you find it too hard (a bit like running on soft sand). Always speak to a specialist to ask their advice on a particular treadmills absorption system.
Treadmill - Running Machines Rollers
The diameter of the rollers on treadmills can vary from as little as 1" to as large as 3". The larger the roller is the greater the area of the running belt is in contact with it, which reduces the stress and tension on the running belt itself as well as the drive belt, thus giving the treadmill greater longevity. We suggest that you look at treadmills with at least 2" rollers.
Treadmill - Running Machines Frames
Another important component of a Treadmill is the frame, which gives the machine its stability. Generally, a heavier frame translates to a more solid running machine.
The stability of a treadmill helps to provide a pleasant running experience. If your Treadmill does not feel stable when running, you are less likely to use it. Also a important feature to remember is the type of material used to make the frame. Most manufacturers use either steel or aluminium on their Treadmill's. Aluminium frames are particularly recommended for Treadmills which may be located in an or near high moisture areas such as pool rooms; even if you sweat a lot whilst running on a machine with an aluminium frame may be better as the Treadmill frame will not rust.
New Developments in 2012 for Treadmills and Running Machines in the UK Home Fitness Market
The market for treadmills and running machines is worldwide, which is good for consumers because treadmill makers are forced to compete fiercely with each other in order to sell value for money machines with innovations to fit the modern world. Anyone wanting to buy a treadmill now has a lot of choice, with machines suitable for all user levels and fitness needs. But it has not always been the case.
We have been selling treadmills and running machines for over twenty years, long before they or home fitness products are as popular as they are now. The machines of those days are almost museum pieces now and the functions, facilities and performance on a treadmill costing £1299 then, such as the Tunturi J502, would not stack up against a £500 treadmill now.
But its the mid-priced and top of the range treadmills and running machines that have really progressed, and this year we have seen technology-embracing developments from leading fitness manufacturers and distributors such Horizon Fitness, Life Fitness, BH Fitness. Landice too, who claim to build the Worlds Best Treadmills, are about to introduce new versions of their fabulous award winning running machines. And we are also waiting for York Fitness to relaunch not only their folding treadmill range but also their cross trainers, exercise bikes, rowing machines and home multi gyms.
BH Fitness are introducing their i-concept to the UK fitness market. Not restricted to just treadmills, BH Fitness have included this innovation on their new execise cycle and cross trainer, so the home fitness enthusiast can enjoy a family of different exercise products in their gym at home as each machine will be compatible with this new App. This new exercise app is a download for your Apple i-pad or i-phone. The treadmill (or exercise bike or cross trainer) is designed so that you dock your i-pad or i-phone over the traditional console, effectively replacing it with the new i-concept fitness training app, providing you with goal-centre programs and pre-set programs, and of course you get to enjoy all this on a full colour screen.
A downside to the new BH Fitness exercise machines it is that without the i-pad or i-phone docked in place you only have use of a very basic screen and read out monitor.
On one of the latest Elite Treadmills from Horizon Fitness, the Elite T5000, the innovation is inter-active in a different way. The Elite T5000 running machine introduces us to their Passport program. You will need a television in front of your treadmill to benefit from this, or maybe a basic wall mounted tele in your home gym room. With a plug-in on your TV, the wireless technology gives you access to a simulated fitness program, and as you speed up the images you see react accordingly and speed up with you. And if the on-screen activity starts to go up hill, the treadmill reacts and activates the incline automatically. This is smart fitness technology, and its available for you to use at home in your exercise routine. It`s probably more advanced than what you will find in a commercial gym or health club. We are very impressed.
PLEASE NOTE: Before starting a new fitness programme we recommend that you consult your GP or medical adviser
