Treadmills

Are you one of those people who wants to exercise, enjoys running but isn’t keen on facing the elements and the traffic every morning? Would you like to be able to achieve the same results without ever having to leave the house? If so, you might consider buying a treadmill.

Treadmills are a great way to burn calories, tone muscles and keep in shape in the comfort of your own home. You can choose from manual or motorised units, most of which come with non-slip tread belts that provide enough room for all of your walking or running manoeuvres. The low impact cushioned belts also minimise damage to your feet and joints.



Basic models give you a choice of programmes and speeds from 0.5 to 8 miles per hour. Most feature balanced rollers and a pre-waxed running deck, with a single ply running belt. Many designs are compact and foldable for storage when not being used. Many systems have an auto-stop safety function as well, which keeps you from accidentally flying off the machine.

Console programmes on the LED display include manual, distance and weight loss (calorie burning). These can be timed in advance so you can set the length of your workout. Many models have built-in pulse sensors and heart rate monitors, and some have a power incline feature to give you the feeling of running up a hill at the flick of a switch. Training programmes are often included when you purchase your unit.

In the medium range you can buy treadmills with more variety of programmes such as cross country and hill run. Some of these also have a lap track counter and will tell you your speed, time, distance and elevation on the LED display/console. These employ hand pulse grips to monitor your pulse and heart rate.

The more expensive treadmills have even more programmes (rock climb, race, pacer) so you’re not likely to get bored with your routines. Some models produce speeds up to 11 mph and feature an orthopaedic belt or a 2-ply anti-static belt. Steel caging is a popular material for construction, and some machines come with a chest strap to measure heart rate activity more accurately.

Home assembly is required on many units. Some designs fold flat for easy storage and include transport wheels to make moving them about a breeze. For people who prefer to have something to hold onto for extra balance, you can purchase parallel hand rails that fit certain makes and models.

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