3 Features Your Treadmill Must Have, And 3 You Can Do Without
These Are The Three Features Your Treadmill Must Have, And Three You Can Do Without
If you’re shopping for a treadmill it can be confusing. There are so many different types of treadmills and features that it’s tough to know what you need and what is useless. You can narrow your search down by knowing the three features your treadmill must have and the three you can do without.
Must Haves:
#1 A good motor. If you’re planning on using the treadmill daily you’ll want a sizeable motor. The larger the motor the longer your treadmill will last. It will be durable. Look for a treadmill with a motor larger than 2.0 horsepower.
#2 Speed. Imagine your speed improves beyond what your treadmill can handle. That would mean you’d have to replace the treadmill. Make sure your treadmill can go as fast as 10 MPH. That’s a six minute mile. If you can run that on a treadmill you’re doing great! Most people run an average of ten minutes per mile. Jogging is much slower.
#3 Good sized base. You want to be able to run comfortably on your treadmill. If the running base is too narrow or too short you’re going to have an awkward stride. Altering your stride to fit your treadmill can cause injury.
You might also want to look for treadmills with cushioned belts, quieting features on the motor, and heart rate monitor, distance and speed displays. These data features help you create and attain your daily running goals.
Can Do Withouts:
So what features don’t you need on a treadmill? What costs extra and what can you live without?
#1 Pre-programmed workouts. Pre-programmed workouts are nice. However many treadmills come with upwards of twenty or more programs. You’ll likely never use the majority of those programs.
#2 iPod port and/or speakers. If you own an iPod or like to listen to music while you work out, great. You don’t need to spend thousands to be able to listen to your music. Put the headphones in your ears or plug into speakers and enjoy.
#3 Incline - greater than ten percent. Having an incline for your treadmill is nice. It’s not necessary but many fitness experts recommend running on a treadmill at a 2% incline. However, unless you’re training for a mountain run then you likely don’t need a crazy incline. Ten percent if more than enough to meet the average person’s needs.