Choosing A Treadmill for the Home Gym

A cardiovascular workout can benefit most everyone, whether for the purpose of achieving weight loss or simply achieving a fitness level that helps guard against cardiovascular disease, injuries, or other health concerns. If time and convenience are standing between you and a healthy cardiovascular workout schedule, bringing a treadmill home might be just what the doctor ordered.

Treadmills are convenient, easy to use, and don't require a great deal of physical coordination. But before you start shopping for treadmills, you first should visit your family physician's office. It is always advised to get clearance from your physician to begin an exercise program if you are not currently participating in a regular cardiovascular workout.

Once you are cleared for participation and decide a home workout is what best fits your schedule, shopping and choosing equipment is the next step. Over 40 million consumers purchase a treadmill each year, and it is a good equipment choice for a variety of reasons:

Treadmills allow for the natural motions of walking and running
Treadmills allow for easy adjustment of exercise intensity
When treadmill work is compared to work at similar intensity levels on stationary bikes, rowing and cross-country ski machines, the calorie burn can be 15-20% greater

As you start shopping for a treadmill, there are several things to consider:

Be sure the motor is powerful enough for the intended use, as it relates to body weight
The motor should have a warranty of at least two years
The model should have health monitoring features (heart rate, calorie counter, etc.),
sturdy handrails, and a safe and easy on/off process.

Use the Internet to find reviews on various models to compare features and prices. You may not need or want all the high-tech options, but you will want to consider the safety features, shock absorption, variable speeds, and the time/distance calculators. You might start with a second-hand model to decide what features are important to you. If you have space issues, there are folding treadmills that can be easily stored under beds or in closets.

Once you have your treadmill home, the hard part starts. After you become accustomed to the features (and you have mastered getting on and off the machine without throwing yourself off the back of it!), you will need to design a workout that gradually increases your fitness level and holds your interest.

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