| It's no secret that walking and running are great cardio | | | | 5mph. If you plan on running though, expect to get a |
| exercises that can help you lose weight and also | | | | machine that will go at least 10mph or more in order to |
| improve your overall health at the same time. That's | | | | be able to give you a thorough workout. |
| why home treadmills have become so common in | | | | * Make sure that the ride is stable and smooth too. |
| recent years. A home treadmill has so many | | | | You don't want any jerky motions as you exercise, |
| advantages, especially for very busy people who find | | | | and you want the treadmill to feel very solid, from the |
| it hard to fit going to a gym into their daily routine. | | | | deck all the way up to the handrails. The handrails in |
| Instead, if you have a half hour or so, just jump on the | | | | particular must be strong and able to support your |
| treadmill and get your workout done whenever time | | | | weight if needed. Of course the more you pay, |
| allows in the day. | | | | generally the more strength and sturdiness is built into |
| But shopping for home treadmills can be confusing due | | | | each machine. |
| to the number of choices that you have to select | | | | * Listen for the noise that a treadmill makes at the |
| from. So what do you need to be looking for when | | | | speed that you intend to use it. One of the biggest |
| you compare treadmills? Here are few suggestions to | | | | problems that treadmill users have to deal with is |
| keep in mind: | | | | boredom while they exercise, so many turn to |
| * First decide how you intend to actually use your | | | | watching TV or listening to music to alleviate the |
| machine. Will you be walking or jogging/running? It's | | | | repetitive routine. If the treadmill is too loud it can be |
| important to know because it will affect how much | | | | difficult to even hear a TV in the same room while it is |
| you have to pay for your treadmill. If you only intend to | | | | running. Much of that has to do with the motor that is |
| walk, you won't be putting that much strain on the unit | | | | used, so crank up the treadmill first and see how loud it |
| and you can most likely find a home machine that will | | | | sounds. |
| fit your needs in the $1,000 category. However, if you | | | | There are other considerations to have when you |
| intend to run you will be inflicting a lot more pressure on | | | | compare treadmills, but these are a good start to help |
| the treadmill as you do and you should expect to pay | | | | you get a feel for the machine that will best fit you and |
| at least $2,000 or more to get a quality unit. | | | | your workout routine. As always, it's best to actually |
| * Knowing how you intend to use the treadmill is | | | | test drive any treadmill in person before you buy it |
| important for another reason. If you only intend to walk, | | | | either at a store or on online. |
| you won't need a machine that goes above about | | | | |