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Treadmill Buying Tips

Picking A Good Treadmill

Measure Up... Make sure you buy a treadmill that fits in your home - where you want to use it. If you like working out near a window, plan accordingly. The average machine is 65 inches by 28 inches.

• Check the "Continuous Duty Output" of the Treadmill... A good treadmill delivers a minimum of 1.5 horsepower at all times. If you weight more than 180 pounds, you will want to consider a machine that delivers higher continuous horsepower. Be aware that if "Continuous Duty" is not stated, there's no guarantee that the treadmill motor has a set standard or rating for horsepower.

• Examine the Belt... It should be at least 2 ply, no smaller than 17" x 49", and the deck/running board should be no less than 3/4" thick.

• Find a Treadmill with a "Low-Impact" Deck ... Treadmills that have low impact decks are easier on your joints, back, and so on.

• Make sure the Treadmill Frame is good and sturdy... Less expensive treadmill models ($399-$1900) offer steel frames, while higher-end treadmill models ($1900+) use aircraft-quality aluminum (which is lighter and therefore easier to move).

• Don't be overly impressed by fancy Programming... Heart rate control programs and the like are nice, but the primary consideration should be the engine, flexibility and structure of the treadmill.

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Shopping For A Quality Treadmill

The American Council on Exercise (800-225-3636 or 619-535-8227, www.acefitness.org ) recommends the following when shopping for a home treadmill:

More and more people are realizing that shopping for a treadmill is more difficult than they had originally planned. You don't have to look far to see that treadmills are everywhere. Treadmills can be found in department stores, sporting good stores, shopping malls, mail order catalogs and even those hyped up television infomercials.

The harsh reality is that you will never find a good quality treadmill at any of the above. Think about it for a moment. How can a store that sells candy, toasters, roller skates, golf balls or whatever possibly know about treadmills? It simply can not!

There are stores however, that do specialize in quality exercise equipment. At most of these specialty fitness stores you will find quality exercise equipment and staff / personnel. Keep a watchful eye to make sure that the particular store you choose is specializing strictly in exercise equipment.

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Specific Considerations

Here are some specific considerations when shopping for a quality treadmill:

DC Motor ! The treadmill motor should have a Continuous Duty rating only. Continuous Duty means the motor is more durable and will perform steady and continuous. A Continuous Duty rated motor in your treadmill will give you a more quality performance and longer life. Treadmill duty and peak performance ratings are two other rating systems that should be avoided at all costs. DC Motor warranties should be 2 yrs. or greater.

Deck / Belt ! The treadmill deck should be designed and manufactured to require very little maintenance. The noise generated from the belt moving along the deck should be minimal. Some deck / belt combinations required a lubricant to help reduce friction. Remember, high quality decks / belts require very little lube. Deck / Belt warranties should be 2 yrs. or greater.

Operating / Control System ! The Treadmill control panel should be easy to read and use. Always check for an emergency stop button and / or shut off that can attach to your body / clothing. A good quality treadmill will start slowly and stop slowly. (Sudden starts and stops is another sign of a cheap treadmill). There's a host of programs and options available on today's models. It's very important to choose the machine that has features of interest to you and not the salesperson. Computer / Electronics warranties should be 2 yrs. or greater.

Rollers ! The treadmill rollers are another important item to consider. Basically speaking the larger the better because the larger roller creates a greater surface for the belt to make contact which in turn means less belt tension. This also means that the roller turns less therefore the roller bearings heat up less. Remember larger rollers means less tension, less heat and longer life (generally 2" in diameter and up). Roller warranties should be 2 yrs. or greater.

Frame ! The treadmill frame should be constructed of a high alloy steel or aluminum / aircraft aluminum. Any materials less than the above would not be appropriate for a treadmill frame. Steel is heavier and more sturdier than aluminum. Welded frames will hold up far better than bolts or glue. Frame warranties should be Lifetime.

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More Reality

The treadmill you choose should feel sturdy and comfortable to walk or run on, and quiet enough to hear yourself think....

Finding a quality treadmill at an affordable price will take some shopping around. At specialty fitness stores you will find a wide variety of makes and models with a variety of prices to match. Expect to pay $2000.00 and up for a good quality home treadmill. Anything much less than $2000.00 means that you are trading off quality at some point and could very well end up paying the difference or more in future repairs. Many treadmill buyers have traded off quality for a less expensive treadmill and ended up spending more than if they would have bought the real thing. Trading off quality sometimes turns into an ugly cycle where the buyer re-enters into yet another quality trade-off. This new quality trade-off almost always translates into more problems and money. Thousands of treadmill buyers spend more money and have more breakdowns while using lower quality treadmills that perform poorly. Get a real treadmill from professionals at specialty fitness stores. Then you can.... Go Beyond Moseying!!

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Picking A Good Walking Shoe

Walking shoes and running shoes are not - too - distant cousins, says Tom Brunick, director of the Athlete's Foot Research and Development Center. Running shoes tend to have more aggressive soles, while walking shoes generally have smoother undersides. (Because walker's feet stay closer to the ground, a less aggressive sole means less chance of injury caused by tripping). Nonetheless, some walkers claim that running shoes are the better pick for durability if your walking workout amounts to more than 15 miles or so per week.

When shopping for a good walking shoe, note the following factors:

Cushioning: Do the shoes offer enough?

Fit: Are the shoes comfortable wide in the forefoot? And do your heels stay firm in them when you walk, or do they slip?

Support: Do you have high arches or low arches, and do the shoes accommodate this?

Stability: If you naturally overpronate (your feet roll inward too much when you walk), do the shoes give the right corrective reinforcement?

Flexibility: Remember, when you walk, you land on your heel and push off with your toes. So, good walking shoes should flex comfortably in the forefoot area.

When shopping for a walking shoe, "go to an athletic store and try on a million pairs" suggests Ruth Artz. "And walk in them to find out if they feel good."

For a good fit, always shop for shoes late in the day, when feet have swelled a bit (they tend to do this when you exercise, too). And don't be shy about trying on as many styles and brands as you need to (like all feet, all shoes are not created equal). Always wear the type of athletic sock you will be working out in, and walk around the store as much as you can to determine if you have found the right pair.

Finally, always take your last pair of walking / athletic shoes with you - a good salesperson should be able to determine where you need reinforcement by looking at the way your old shoes have worn down.

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