Frequently Asked Questions - Treadmill Buying Advice

It’s the single most important piece of advice we can give! When you know what you want to achieve, you’re less likely to invest in more or less machine than you need. Equally important, your plan and our fitness professional’s expertise will quickly narrow your search to treadmill models that best suit your specific needs and expectations.

Your treadmill needs a strong motor, but don’t believe all you hear about treadmill power. If a sales person, ad or product literature pumps up the “horsepower” of a treadmill, ask what kind of horses. “Peak HP” is the treadmill’s top power output, may last only moments, and cannot be sustained. What you DO need to know is the CONTINUOUS-DUTY horsepower, the power a treadmill can sustain continuously, rated over 24 hours of non-stop use. High continuous HP typically means the treadmill can work efficiently and powerfully under more weight, and that it’s easier for the treadmill to maintain a steady speed with the harder impacts at higher speeds. 1.5 Continuous-duty horsepower or higher would be recommended for most users.

Treadmills typically run from 0 to 10 mph. Some will go as high as 12 mph. If you don’t plan to run, there are models built specifically for walking. Again, it comes down to finding the model that suits your particular needs best. Do check that a treadmill has a low starting speed, so you won't be jerked off balance by a sudden start.

To program or not to program? As with so much to do with fitness, the only answer is your own. How will you use your treadmill? For example, if you've used one at a gym, did you use the programs? If not, you probably won’t need them at home. However, treadmills offer a variety of pre-programmed courses to keep your exercise program interesting, motivating and challenging.

The belt is a vital component of every treadmill. Belt size translates directly to a treadmill’s walking surface size. We recommend a belt at least twenty inches wide, with plenty of length to accommodate a comfortable stride. A 6’ 6” user can typically run on a belt 52” or longer.

You need a deck that’s durable, low-or-no maintenance, and shock resistant. A deck should be firm, yet “give” a little under your stride. This absorbs some of the shock normally transmitted to your ankles and knees. Maintenance-free treadmills are usually self lubricating, which allows the belt to glide over the deck with ease, significantly reducing wear on the motor, deck, belt and rollers.

Power incline gets our vote over manual any day (not to mention there aren’t many manual treadmills out there today.) The power incline motor lets you raise and lower your treadmill’s elevation while you’re walking or running – rather than having to stop, use a lever or crank, then start up again.

All treadmills have handrails—some just a rail in the front, others with rails from console to floor. It’s strictly personal preference, so choose what you feel most comfortable using.

Treadmills with built-in heart rate control not only allow you to monitor your heart beat—they can adjust their speed and incline to keep your body working in a specified heart rate zone. You can plan your treadmill exercise to give you optimal pay-back in weight loss, cardio, aerobic cross-training or endurance conditioning

A smaller treadmill may suffice, but not if it’s also going to be used by a 6-foot-plus user and 280lbs. Similarly, a folding treadmill may help if space is tight, but you may have to compromise on functionality and durability. Once again, it’s best to do your up-front planning, and have your exercise area thought out and tape-measured ahead of time to save guesswork in the store.

You can find treadmills in department stores, sporting goods stores and fitness equipment specialty stores. This may sound like a shameless plug, but the best place to buy a treadmill is at a store that specializes in treadmills and offers expert product and fitness knowledge—because what a big-box-store salesperson doesn’t know, or the brochures don’t tell you, can badly misguide your search for your ideal treadmill. Also be sure to check the warranties on any treadmill model, and quiz the vendor about post-sale support and service.

Make your local Utah Home Fitness Store your personal fitness information centre. Bring your questions on treadmills—or any aspect of fitness and exercise. Our certified fitness professionals are walking encyclopedias of information and you’ll have all of their attention. They’ll be glad to share their knowledge and help you make informed decisions that will get you the results you want.