Treadmill Reviews

Bowflex Epic HealthRider Image NordicTrack ProForm Sole Spirit

Treadmills are one of the most popular pieces of home exercise equipment and there are models to suit every budget, exercise and weight loss goal.

However, if you believed the manufacturers' hype, you'd be guilty of thinking they were all the best products that money can buy!

So if you want to cut through the hype, marketing speak and technical jargon, just what should you look for when assessing the different options in the marketplace?

Treadmill Reviews - What Should You Look Out For...?

The key criteria were established by Running World magazine over 15 years ago and are still the most useful benchmarks to use.

#1. Cushioning

The main advantage of running on a treadmill rather than the street is the fact that a treadmill cushions some of the impact.

A forgiving belt and deck are essential for healthy joints and years of pain-free running.

#2. Stability

A solid, heavy, well-built treadmill will give you the smoothest ride. Stabilty is the feature most compromised in budget machines where build quality often suffers.

If the treadmill moves, rocks or rolls when you run on it, think twice before buying it.

#3. Pace Accuracy

You want to know the distance covered in your workout, so it's essential that the machine's display reading accurately reflects the distance covered.

Running World checked this over 8 minutes when carrying out its treadmill reviews. If you get the opportunity it's a test worth making yourself.

#4. Noise

The quieter the better. Higher end models can be incredibly quiet, but you need to be careful when considering lower priced machines - they can sound like a maxxed-out hairdryer!

If you can't hear your TV at a reasonable volume, or hold a conversation without shouting, the noise will become a problem with regular use of the treadmill.

In addition to these four criteria, here are some more that we suggest you use when making treadmill reviews for yourself...

#5. Power

A treadmill is quite simply a short conveyor belt powered by a small electric motor.

The power of the motor is essential to a good workout.

The power is measured in HP - horespower, sometimes quoted as CHP, cubic horesepower.

Under 2.0 HP is fine for walking, but the minimum to consider if you plan on running on a treadmillis 2.5 HP of continuous duty - the constant power the motor can pump out over a period of time. This is often not quoted by manaufacturers.

Peak duty is the maximum power. Look out for continuous duty when making treadmill reviews.

Many budget machines have motors around 1-1.5 HP.

The motor's horespower determines the...

#6. Speed

10-12mph is around the maximum speed that you can run on most treadmills. Anything much faster than that is unsafe and not recommended.

Given that a jog to a quick run is around 5-9mph, 10mph is sufficent for most runners.

#7. Belt size

The length and width of the actual running surface is crucially important. There's a great deal of variety in belt size, with those built for more serious runners having the greatest surface area.

You can find belt lengths of as little as 40-45 inches on budget machines, which won't accomodate taller users. A belt length of 50 to 60 inches is the ideal.

Again, belt widths vary ranging from around 15 inches up to the mid 20s. Around 20 inches is ideal and will accomodate most people.

As the belt size will largely determine the overall size of the machine, for home use you may want to balance belt size with the space you've got to house the treadmill.

#8. Portability

If you've the room to leave your treadmill in situ, this may not be a factor. However, if you want to stow the machine away when not in use then consider a fold-away machine.

Higher end machines take away the hassle of folding up a heavy machine with power fold features - simply press a button and the machine folds itself up!

Another factor is weight, heavy machines are more stable, but may make it harder to move. Many machines do come with wheels, though, making them easier to shift.

#9. Incline feature

Some treadmills raise the front of the running deck by as much as 10 degrees, which can make your workout harder as you're effectively running up hills.

It's not an essential feature for most people, as running on the flat is hard enough, but may be useful for serious runners to vary their workout.

Treadmills with pre-programmed workouts will raise and lower the running deck randomly to simulate hilly sections of a run.

#10. Controls and programs

You really need a computer controlled display panel with speed, distance covered and calories burned as a minimum.

Manual programming is fine, although some pre-programmed workouts are a useful extra, eg fat burner, hilly run, etc.

I would also look out for a heart rate monitor, which is a useful guide to keeping you in the zone appropriate to your workout goals.

These can either be handles you grab for a few seconds, or a monitor you strap to your chest, which will provide a continuous readout.

The latter is in my view is the better option as it's less disruptive to your workout.

A word of caution - don't let flashy controls con you into thinking the treadmill is better than it is. Power, belt size, stability, cushioining, etc are all far more important factors to consider.

#11. Price

The old adage, "you get what you pay for" applies. As far as treadmills are concerned, budget machines are a false economy and will break in little time with regular use.

Expect to pay around $1,000 and upwards if you're a reasonably serious runner.

However, there are a few machines under $1,000 that are worth considering for walkers and joggers.

#12. Warranty

Treadmills are quite complicated, have lots of moving parts and can and often do break with regular use.

The motors are particularly prone to wear and tear as are the running decks on cheaper machines.

When conducting your own treadmill reviews, look for a minimum one year parts and labour warranty.

Also consider an extended warranty if one is offered as treadmills can be expensive to fix and new parts are often pricey.

Ok, that's the key features sorted, now where do you buy your treadmill?

Treadmill Reviews - Where's the Best Place to Buy a Treadmill...?

I hate shopping, so for me the best bet is online as you'll generally get the best deal.

As there's no middleman with a shopfront to maintain, you'll typically get around 20% off the list price of a treadmill, sometimes even more.

The online store takes your order, which is then shipped direct from the manufacturer. Many manufacturers sell direct to the consumer online. Smooth Fitness uses this method exclusively and promises greater savings as a result.

Shipping is often free - well it's built into the price of the machine! - and delivery is generally within a couple of days, a week to 10 days at most.

The downside is that you can't try your treadmill before you buy it, although a vist to a retail outlet may enable you to do so.

The second option is to buy your treadmill from a retail outlet.

Specialist fitness stores can offer you some expert advice and of course you can try the various models first.

General retailers typically stock budget brands and models and offer little expert advice.

Treadmill Reviews - Time for Some Reviews...!

Alternatively, check out the treadmills on offer from the following manufacturers:

Bowflex Treadmill Ratings and Review

Epic Treadmill Ratings and Review

HealthRider Treadmill Ratings and Review

Image Treadmill Ratings and Review

NordicTrack Treadmill Ratings and Review

ProForm Treadmill Ratings and Review

Sole Treadmill Ratings and Review

Spirit Treadmill Ratings and Review

This is very much a work in progress and we'll be adding more reviews over the next few months as we finish them.

I hope you find the various treadmill reviews useful and a handy guide to finding the right model for you!

For more treadmill reviews and ratings, visit Just-Treadmill-Reviews.com

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