Residential vs. Commercial Treadmills

October 27th, 2011 No comments

Any serious exerciser knows the benefits of a treadmill. Most people use them at the gym, while others use them at home as a key part of a home gym. Anyone who has used both commercial and residential treadmills knows that they are a little different. These differences are important to consider when determining what type of treadmill to buy. You may be surprised to learn that some commercial treadmills are priced similarly to the residential models.

Horizon T101 Home Treamill for about $600

Residential treadmills are great for the casual runner. If you plan on using your home treadmill a few times a week and don’t run really long distances, you will likely find that your machine can last for a long time. If you are someone who uses it everyday or someone who runs long distances, it likely won’t hold up. Residential treadmills are designed with portability and comfort in mind. The benefit of these machines is that they get the job done. They don’t necessarily do it well. To be fair, there are residential models with strong belts and motors. But generally, the luxury of a home model is more important than its functionality. Producers tend to worry more about neat features like built in wifi than the durability of the machine.

Even the nicest residential treadmills tend to cap off at about $2000. While some commercial treadmills are priced in this range, the better, more durable ones are often closer to $3000 or even more. One thousand dollars is quite a big difference, but is it worth it? Commercial treadmills are built to sustain higher workloads. This means that they will last longer. If you are a serious runner and want to make a serious investment, you will want it to last as long as it can. Commercial treadmills will not break down as easily and will need fewer repairs. Commercial treadmills also are said to have more support and thus give less impact to your knees and other joints.

Precor 9.35 Premium Commercial Treamill for about $5000

The two main points to consider when deciding between these two types is the use you expect to get from the machine and how luxurious you want your machine to be. If luxury is important to you, you will likely want to get a residential model with all the cool, luxurious features. Commercial models can be luxurious too, but these are the most expensive of treadmills. If use and durability are important, you will want a commercial model that will hold up for years to come. The commercial equipment will let you work out daily and will be slow to show any signs of wear. They are built to support extended use and constant wear and tear and will be perfect for the avid runner.


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How treadmills work

February 17th, 2012 No comments

A treadmill works by using a conveyor belt to simulate a walking or running speed. When you use the machine, the belt will use its speed to push you backwards. You will be using your speed at the same time to run forwards, so you will actually remain in place, working out comfortably and safely. The treadmill allows you to pick the speed, so you can always be comfortable.

Proform Power 995 Treadmill

Most treadmills today have several important safety features. First, many have rails that you can grab on to at any time. These can make walking more comfortable if you have any upper body health concerns. You can keep your feet moving while resting on these rails. The treadmills today also have small platforms on each side of the belt. These allow you to jump out quickly off the belt if you have a problem or if it begins to move too quickly. In fact, the handrails help here too. You can dismount a treadmill that is moving too fast by pushing with your arms on the handrails while kicking your legs out to the platforms. Other safety features include a stop button that cuts the treadmill off immediately, and a wristband that serves as a safety. The wristband connects to the treadmill, and if you are ever pushed to far away from the console, the band will release, signaling the treadmill to stop.

A treadmill workout is not only safe; it is fully customizable. You choose your workout length and level of difficulty. Most treadmills have multiple workout modes and even let you create your own workout with a “manual” option. Treadmills are great for beginning runners in this regard. You can continually watch your pace and begin to get a feel for running. The treadmill display shows other important statistics, too. It shows the distance you have traveled, the calories you have burned, your heart rate, and other information. Some treadmills have built in fans to keep you cool. Some have built in TV screens and ipod. Docks. Watching TV from a treadmill is really easy, because you are already upright and facing forward.

Merit Fitness 725T Plus Treadmill

A treadmill works well in the home because most are portable and come with wheels for easy moving. Newer treadmills work to run quietly so that no one will be disturbed by someone else’s workout. All in all, treadmills work to make the body healthier through walking and running exercise. They can provide any type of walking or running exercise for beginners or veteran runners.


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Guide to buying a used treadmill

October 27th, 2011 No comments

Buying a used treadmill can be a smart and affordable way to set up a complete home gym. Perhaps you already have some weights and want to add cardio equipment. Well, new treadmills are really expensive, so maybe you can find a good deal. It is probably a good idea to check locally. Use Craigslist, newspaper classifieds, and other forums that wont involve traveling a long distance. Once you find a treadmill and you want look it over and consider buying it, there are some important things you should know.

First, fully research the make and model of the treadmill. Read reviews online and make sure the model will satisfy you. If a model is not reviewed well as a new product, you probably will not want to purchase a used one, which will be in even worse condition. Also, if the model is really old and you’re buying it used, you may be asking for trouble. Do not be afraid to ask the seller a lot of questions. You have right to ask why they are selling, how long they have owned it, and other similar questions. Ask them to turn on the unit, and be sure to watch the belt run at varying speeds. You will need to observe which features (if any) don’t work.

LifeSpan TR 1200i Treadmill

Manually inspect the belt for frays. If it looks extremely worn, you should strongly consider not buying. Listen to the motor and see how loud or unsteady the unit sounds. If you are convinced it is safe, try running on the treadmill. This is what you will be doing on it if you buy, so you must do it to evaluate the equipment. You can ask to see a maintenance report too, but many private owners won’t have one. You have a better chance of seeing a report if you purchase one from a sports shop or gym.

In fact, purchasing a used treadmill from a shop or gym can be a smart buy. These typically have gotten more use, but they have also been repaired and maintained. This is likely documented, too, so you will know the machine’s history. Some shops sell refurbished models, and these are some of the best to buy. You get a “like new” treadmill at a used price. If you take this route, search the internet to find reviews by others who have bought refurbished models. Again, note the make and model and be sure to research. Some companies may even offer warranties on refurbished models. If so, take advantage of them to protect your investment. Buying a used treadmill can be a cost-effective addition to your home gym. Go the extra mile (no pun intended) to ensure that you purchase a long lasting piece of equipment. If you are going to invest in something like this, you better make it count.

Schwinn 840 Treadmill


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Overview of Treadmill Manufacturers

October 27th, 2011 No comments

There are hundreds if not thousands of treadmill producers. If you are considering a new treadmill, you need to know as much as you can about these manufacturers and the differences between their products. Buying a treadmill is a big investment, and the most durable and well-reviewed treadmills sell between one and two thousand dollars. This guide will hopefully give you some things to think about when comparing between some of the top brands.

Nautilus:
You can find Nautilus equipment in almost any gym. What Nautilus is really great at, though, is making residential workout products that meet public gym standards. This is just what they have done with their treadmill line.  Nautilus offers powerful treadmill models for home use. Their residential models sell for either $1200 or $1600. Both offer a wide range of workout modes and can fold for easy storage. Nautilus offers 15-year warranties on the motor and frame, with shorter warranties for parts and electronics.

Nautilus T514 Treadmill on Sale

Pace Master:
This manufacturer is known for quality and consistency. They offer a residential line of six state-of-the-art treadmills. The line starts with basic “Bronze” machines and works its way up to Platinum. At this level, the treadmills are high enough quality for commercial use. Pace Master has long been a leader in the industry, and it continues to offer quality and variety to its new and loyal customers.

Nordic Track:
This producer is a legend in the treadmill manufacturing industry. For yours they have brought powerful, long-lasting machines to gyms and health clubs everywhere. Their commercial line continues to flourish and is consistently a top review. They model their residential products after the power and sophistication of their commercial treadmills. This is great for the consumer, because you know you are getting a quality product from a quality company. Their Elite line is perfect for the residential runner who wants luxury. This models comes with a built in android web browser. This lets you connect to your home internet connection and surf the web while you exercise!

Luxury Models:
Several manufacturers offer other luxury features that we have not mentioned. This includes built in LCD TV’s, iPod docks, and other technological features. Smooth Fitness, for example, has a good residential unit with 10.5” LCD, Of course, this retails for over $4000.

Smooth Fitness 9.45TV Treadmill with AV System on Sale

The best thing to do when comparing brands is to know how much you are willing to spend. Even if you have a budget under $1000, you might find some deals on the websites of these companies. Even if you don’t, there are some other good treadmill manufacturers out there- we just didn’t have time to cover them all. Once you have a budget, decide what features matter most to you. From there, know the


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