Exercises Treadmill

Kathryn Oneill asked:


If you’re buying a treadmill, chances are you’ve done lots of research already. You probably know exactly what makes up a high quality treadmill and have an idea of which features you want in your unit.

But even with this knowledge many people still fall prey to slick treadmill deals that end up costing them in the long run.

In order to keep that from happening to you, here are 3 essential buying tips to make sure you choose the very best treadmill for you.

#1) Not All Treadmill Brands Are Created Equal

I recently had a gentleman e-mail me asking for advice on which treadmill he should buy. He had narrowed it down to 3 choices:

Brand A: 2.5 HP motor $999

Brand B: 1.75 HP motor $899

Brand C: 2.0 HP motor $1099

He asked me which treadmill I would buy. He was clearly leaning towards Brand A.

This was the natural choice for most people and it makes sense: get the most for the least. Or get the most motor power for the least amount of money.

However, my answer surprised him. I told him if it were my choice, I would go with Brand C for $1099. Here’s why:

Although the motor power is lower than Brand A and the price is higher, Brand C makes an overall better treadmill. Why?

Brand C has a reputation for making high quality treadmills and backing them up with extensive warranties, including a lifetime warranty on the motor. It can afford to give such lengthy warranties because it knows that it makes a quality product that probably WON’T break down - even over a lifetime.

Brand A on the other hand offers a 90-day motor warranty. What does that tell you about the quality of parts?

Although motor power is a good feature to consider when buying a treadmill - you have to be careful. Look at it in the context of the whole treadmill - including the brand.

Not all treadmill brands are created equal. Some treadmill brands use extremely high quality materials. Others well, don’t.

Make sure to look beyond just the bare numbers when choosing a treadmill. Look at the whole picture to find the best treadmill for you.

#2) Don’t Always Believe What The Salesperson Tells You

Get it in writing. This isn’t to put down any salesperson - but they are human. They do make mistakes, and sometimes this can end up costing you.

I had another lady e-mail me asking for advice on choosing a treadmill. She’d narrowed it down to several and was leaning towards one in particular (let’s call it Treadmill X).

She had been told by a salesperson in the store that this Treadmill X (for $899) came with a lifetime warranty on the motor.

This lady was smart. She was looking at the whole treadmill picture. The price was excellent. The motor power was average (1.75 HP). And who can pass up a lifetime motor warranty?

But wait a minute.

I was fairly familiar with this treadmill brand and knew something was off.

This particular treadmill brand never gives lifetime motor warranties - ever. Not even on their commercial treadmills. So why would they offer a lifetime motor warranty on one of their economy treadmills?

I voiced my concerns to her and wasn’t surprised to hear back a couple of days later that the salesperson had actually been mistaken about the lifetime warranty.

If she had bought this treadmill simply based on what the salesperson said, she might have gotten a nasty surprise - especially since this particular treadmill brand is known for being extremely costly to repair.

Don’t always trust what the salesperson says. Make sure to get it in writing before you buy!

#3 Forget the Price Tag - Look at the REAL Price Of The Treadmill

Price is probably one of the most important factors when buying a treadmill. But sometimes the price of the treadmill can be misleading.

For example, let’s say you’re looking at Brand A in a store with a price of $799. Pretty good price right?

A much better deal than Brand B - sold online - at $999.

But look closer at Brand A. Brand A only comes with a 90 day parts and labor warranty so you need to buy added coverage. You pay $50 for a 2 year extended motor warranty.

So Brand A’s total cost is now $849 (with a 2 year motor warranty)

Brand B is still $999 (with a 10 year motor warranty already included)

Overall, you figure that Brand A is still the better deal since it’s cheaper.

But look closer. You need to pay shipping costs for Brand A. Shipping costs from most stores usually run you about $150.

Brand B, since it is sold online offers free shipping (most online treadmill sellers do).

So Brand A’s total cost is now $998 (with a 2 year motor warranty)

Brand B is still $999 (with a 10 year motor warranty)

With Brand A, $799 has gone to buy the treadmill, $50 has gone to buy the warranty and $150 has gone into shipping.

With Brand B, $999 has gone to buy the treadmill (warranty included).

So which treadmill do you think actually gives you the most value for your money?

And don’t forget that many online treadmill stores don’t charge sales tax. The store that sells Brand A does. That technically makes Brand A MORE expensive than Brand B.

So when comparing treadmills, make sure to consider the TOTAL COST of each treadmill before you buy.

By keeping these 3 tips in mind when purchasing a treadmill:

- Not all treadmill brands are created equal

- Don’t believe what the salesperson tells you - get it in writing

and

- Look at the REAL price of the treadmill

you’ll be well on your way to choosing the best treadmill investment for you.



Kansieo.com

Kathryn Oneill asked:


If you’re buying a treadmill, chances are you’ve done lots of research already. You probably know exactly what makes up a high quality treadmill and have an idea of which features you want in your unit.

But even with this knowledge many people still fall prey to slick treadmill deals that end up costing them in the long run.

In order to keep that from happening to you, here are 3 essential buying tips to make sure you choose the very best treadmill for you.

#1) Not All Treadmill Brands Are Created Equal

I recently had a gentleman e-mail me asking for advice on which treadmill he should buy. He had narrowed it down to 3 choices:

Brand A: 2.5 HP motor $999

Brand B: 1.75 HP motor $899

Brand C: 2.0 HP motor $1099

He asked me which treadmill I would buy. He was clearly leaning towards Brand A.

This was the natural choice for most people and it makes sense: get the most for the least. Or get the most motor power for the least amount of money.

However, my answer surprised him. I told him if it were my choice, I would go with Brand C for $1099. Here’s why:

Although the motor power is lower than Brand A and the price is higher, Brand C makes an overall better treadmill. Why?

Brand C has a reputation for making high quality treadmills and backing them up with extensive warranties, including a lifetime warranty on the motor. It can afford to give such lengthy warranties because it knows that it makes a quality product that probably WON’T break down - even over a lifetime.

Brand A on the other hand offers a 90-day motor warranty. What does that tell you about the quality of parts?

Although motor power is a good feature to consider when buying a treadmill - you have to be careful. Look at it in the context of the whole treadmill - including the brand.

Not all treadmill brands are created equal. Some treadmill brands use extremely high quality materials. Others well, don’t.

Make sure to look beyond just the bare numbers when choosing a treadmill. Look at the whole picture to find the best treadmill for you.

#2) Don’t Always Believe What The Salesperson Tells You

Get it in writing. This isn’t to put down any salesperson - but they are human. They do make mistakes, and sometimes this can end up costing you.

I had another lady e-mail me asking for advice on choosing a treadmill. She’d narrowed it down to several and was leaning towards one in particular (let’s call it Treadmill X).

She had been told by a salesperson in the store that this Treadmill X (for $899) came with a lifetime warranty on the motor.

This lady was smart. She was looking at the whole treadmill picture. The price was excellent. The motor power was average (1.75 HP). And who can pass up a lifetime motor warranty?

But wait a minute.

I was fairly familiar with this treadmill brand and knew something was off.

This particular treadmill brand never gives lifetime motor warranties - ever. Not even on their commercial treadmills. So why would they offer a lifetime motor warranty on one of their economy treadmills?

I voiced my concerns to her and wasn’t surprised to hear back a couple of days later that the salesperson had actually been mistaken about the lifetime warranty.

If she had bought this treadmill simply based on what the salesperson said, she might have gotten a nasty surprise - especially since this particular treadmill brand is known for being extremely costly to repair.

Don’t always trust what the salesperson says. Make sure to get it in writing before you buy!

#3 Forget the Price Tag - Look at the REAL Price Of The Treadmill

Price is probably one of the most important factors when buying a treadmill. But sometimes the price of the treadmill can be misleading.

For example, let’s say you’re looking at Brand A in a store with a price of $799. Pretty good price right?

A much better deal than Brand B - sold online - at $999.

But look closer at Brand A. Brand A only comes with a 90 day parts and labor warranty so you need to buy added coverage. You pay $50 for a 2 year extended motor warranty.

So Brand A’s total cost is now $849 (with a 2 year motor warranty)

Brand B is still $999 (with a 10 year motor warranty already included)

Overall, you figure that Brand A is still the better deal since it’s cheaper.

But look closer. You need to pay shipping costs for Brand A. Shipping costs from most stores usually run you about $150.

Brand B, since it is sold online offers free shipping (most online treadmill sellers do).

So Brand A’s total cost is now $998 (with a 2 year motor warranty)

Brand B is still $999 (with a 10 year motor warranty)

With Brand A, $799 has gone to buy the treadmill, $50 has gone to buy the warranty and $150 has gone into shipping.

With Brand B, $999 has gone to buy the treadmill (warranty included).

So which treadmill do you think actually gives you the most value for your money?

And don’t forget that many online treadmill stores don’t charge sales tax. The store that sells Brand A does. That technically makes Brand A MORE expensive than Brand B.

So when comparing treadmills, make sure to consider the TOTAL COST of each treadmill before you buy.

By keeping these 3 tips in mind when purchasing a treadmill:

- Not all treadmill brands are created equal

- Don’t believe what the salesperson tells you - get it in writing

and

- Look at the REAL price of the treadmill

you’ll be well on your way to choosing the best treadmill investment for you.



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Dave of the Hill People asked:


When one has young children (under the age of three), one obviously ends up spending a good deal of time at home & it’s difficult to get to the gym. However, most treadmills and exercise bikes have moving parts that are dangerous for small, curious toddlers. Is there home exercise equipment out there that is child-safe, or ways to better child-proof home exercise equipment you already have?

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The Treadmill Sensei asked:


Ohiyo!

As the Treadmill Sensei and knower of all things fitness related, a lot of readers email me here at the DOJO and ask, “Oh, great Sensei, where should I purchase my new treadmill or elliptical? Should I buy it at a local store or online? Which is better?”

While I don’t really like recommending specific stores or websites to purchase from, I can break down the pros and cons of placing an internet order versus going in to a local store and buying the unit from a brick and mortar location. I’m not going to get in to “how to choose” in this post because I’ve already done that in my “Treadmill Buyer’s Guide” and “Elliptical Buyer’s Guide” articles. Check them out if you haven’t already done so.

The single best way to start researching a treadmill, and the easiest, is to load up your favorite search engine and start poking around. The internet has more information on it than any sales rep at a brick and mortar store…more than any 10 sales reps combined into a super sales rep. Start with review sites like this one (the Treadmill Sensei, www.treadmillsensei.com). Take a look at multiple sites because a lot of them out there have personal agendas in regards to which treadmill or elliptical they are “prescribing.” I’d suggest checking with at least 3 sources.

Once you’ve got a decent handle on a few ellipticals or treadmills that meet your needs, I suggest trying to find a local store to go and try them out. This is a large purchase for most people and it is for a piece of equipment that you’re going to spend a lot of time sweating on. Make sure the unit feels good to you.

Once you’re completely convinced you’ve found the perfect treadmill for yourself or the perfect elliptical for your den, get back online and start doing some price comparison. There are a lot of places online that will give you some fantastic prices on equipment. You’ll also generally get free shipping and won’t have to pay sales tax. Shopping online can save you hundreds dollars on the “hidden costs” that will pop up when purchasing at a local fitness store.

Let’s go over some of the pros and cons for online stores versus local shops.

Local Stores — The Pros:

1) The best thing about a local store is that you’ll be able to try out the actual equipment you’ve been researching online. You can do a run on a treadmill or take a quick workout on that elliptical you’ve had your eyes on.

2) The other positive is that you’ll be able to walk out the door with the equipment right there. You see it, you like it, you buy it and you take it home. Instant gratification is a wonderful thing.

Local Stores — The Cons:

1) You may get instant gratification, but more than likely it’ll cost you. Even if the actual cost of the elliptical or treadmill is good at a local shop, don’t forget you’re going to be hit with taxes which can add up to a hundred dollars or more on a lot of the treadmills and ellipticals. You might save that $25 or $50 on the price of your dream treadmill but that gets eaten up by $80 in sales taxes!

2) From there, you’d better have a big truck or SUV to cart that unit home because once you buy it you’ll have to deliver it yourself! Or, for anywhere from $50-$200, that local store can deliver it for you.

3) Now, the biggest Con about brick and mortar stores in product knowledge. Unfortunately, in my experience, most brick and mortar sales cashiers have very little actual product knowledge. In fact, if you go to your local seller of sporting goods/fitness equipment you’ll find it very hard to even get someone to help you! Most of the reps you’ll encounter are going to be young kids who get paid a minimum wage for a minimum amount of work…which is a shame because that will be a turnoff for most people interested in actually buying a treadmill or elliptical.

4) The last major problem you’ll find at a local store is: pushy salesmen. There’s nothing I hate worse than a sales person who treats me like an idiot and pushes hard on whatever product will get them the best commission. I dislike the “used car” style sales people you’ll find at a lot of fitness specialty stores. There is a big company here in the LA area that is known for their hard-selling salesmen who bully customers in to some truly bad equipment. If a salesmen gets pushy with you just walk out and don’t go back. There are lots of other places to buy a treadmill or elliptical where you won’t have to put up with that sort of attitude.

Internet Stores — The Pros:

1) You’ll find the widest selection of product around. The big fitness sites will have hundred or thousands of products available for you to take a look at and compare.

2) With that extensive product selection you’ll also find a lot more product knowledge. If you’ve got a question or problem, you can generally call up or email an online rep and find them to be incredibly well-informed on everything they carry.

3) You will also find better pricing, free delivery in most cases and most of the time you won’t have to pay taxes. When you add it all up you’ll find yourself saving a lot of time and money when ordering online.

Internet Stores — The Cons:

1) No instant gratification — you will be waiting around 2-3 weeks to receive your order. Most of the units will be shipped out via a freight company which take 7-10 business days to travel across the country.

2) The big con for internet stores is that you don’t get to touch or test out their equipment. You’re having to deal with facts and opinions. Luckily, there are tons of sites out there and you’ll be able to get a good idea of what is a well-built machine and which ones are duds (Icon Fitness).

All-in-all, buying online is a lot easier and less painful. The brick and mortar shops have their place (say, for buying a floor model at a ridiculously low price), but for buying a new treadmill or elliptical I’d say check out online stores for a great deal and larger selection.

That’s it for today. Take care!

-The Treadmill Sensei



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The Treadmill Sensei asked:


Ohiyo!

Hello again from the Far East on the West Coast, and greetings from the DOJO. This week, before I get in to the nuts and bolts of the treadmills and the ellipticals I work on, I’m going to start with a quick guide to how to choose a treadmill — well, how to choose a residential / home grade treadmill. Choosing a commercial treadmill tends to be a bit easier — go Star Trac, Matrix, Landice or Life Fitness and, in spite of their great ellipticals, avoid Precor treadmills. Precor is a great company, they just don’t quite have treadmills down as well as the other companies. With the commercial treadmills it’s kind of like choosing between a BMW, a Mercedes and a Lexus. It’s all about bells and whistles more than performance…they’re all great machines and we’ll talk about them another time.

Home treadmills are a tough sea to navigate for most buyers — there are so many different brands and they all look alike to outsiders. Luckily, over the past 20 or so years, I’ve had to repair just about every treadmill ever made. In other words, my pain will be your salvation!

My first piece of advice is: avoid anything and everything from Icon Health and Fitness. They’re the manufacturer of the units you’ll find at places like Sears — nothing against Sears, but the treadmills they sell tend to be on the lower end of the quality scale. Their treadmills seem to have specs that are too good to be true for their cost and, truth be told, they are. The old proverb, “you get what you pay for” comes in to play with them. Small motors with high RPMs to give them a perceived higher horsepower (most of their motors should really be rated at under 1.5 HP regardless of what they tell you — a motor the size of a soda can should not be powering a full sized treadmill!), lots of plastic pieces, tiny rollers, and generally unstable machines are par for the course for the Icon brands like Proform, Weslo, Healthrider and Image. Just stay away from them! There are better treadmills even at the more affordable prices that Icon tempts the unlearned consumer with.

On with translating the arcane lore that is treadmill purchasing for the lay person.

Let’s start with the motor. The first thing you want to do is make sure the motor is rated with “Continuous Duty.” Any sales person or manufacturer who gives you a “Peak” rating is trying to sell you a bag of magic beans. Peak is best described as the maximum a motor will perform at before it breaks down. What’s more imporant is: how the heck is that motor going to perform when you’re actually using it? Another thing a shady salesperson might mention is that a common home circuit (120v/15amps) will only let you run about 2.5 HP and any motor larger than that is a waste of money. Technically that is true (about the amps vs. HP, not the waste of money), but the larger motors will tend to last longer as they are not running at the higher RPMs of a smaller motor. And, if nothing else, the larger the motor, the smoother the “ride.” A bigger motor will allow you to run or walk on it without slipping.

The next thing to look at is the size of a treadmill’s rollers. The bigger the rollers, the longer your belt will last and the better the running experience.

Next, and this is my favorite thing — especially when recommending cardio equipment to my in-laws — the warranty. Like anything else, the better the warranty the more piece of mind you will have. The 5 year parts warranty on Spirit treadmills, for example, is one of the best in the business. For me, the more faith a manufacturer has in its own product (i.e. the warranty), the more faith I have in that product. Of course, doing repairs I absolutely love the lower end warranties as it means more paying work for me!

What’s next? The weight and stability of the machine. There is nothing worse than getting on a treadmill and having it move back and forth, or shake, or, even worse, creak as you run on it. The heavier the unit the longer it will last. If you’re used to running on a treadmill at your local gym and then get on most home units, you’ll immediately notice the difference. You don’t want to be running around on something that feels like it is going to fall apart now do you? Don’t answer, that was a rhetorical treadmill question.

The tread and the deck are where most problems for treadmills happen. When the friction from your running builds up between the deck and the tread, the badness begins. Stick with the 4-ply belts/treads that help to reduce the amount of friction, and look at units with reversable, phenolic wax coated decks. Reversable decks let you flip over your running surface to use the opposite side when the original wears down. It’s like having a free second deck if you wear out the first one.

Programs. Don’t be fooled by this. Most people only wind up using 3-4 programs. If the treadmill has 20, that’s cool, but you’ll rarely use them. If you do heart rate training, then heart rate control is great. If not, it’s just an extra you’ll never use…like the clock you’ve never set on your VCR.

Speed and Incline are worth talking about. Most treadmills can go up to about 10 miles per hour and a 10 degree incline. Don’t let speed or incline become a deciding factor unless you’re doing a lot of high speed or high incline training. Obviously, electronically controlled speed and incline are the way to go. If those feature are manual just move on.

Finally, test out the shock absorbtion. You want to make sure you aren’t running on a hard surface. This is a “feel” thing more than a “scientific” one. If the deck is bouncy, move on. If the deck feels like running on concrete, move on. If the deck moves from side to side, move on. You want to find a deck that feels good, with just enough give and little to no lateral motion.

Beyond that fans, speakers, cup holders, magazine racks and even television sets on the treadmill’s console are all just icing on the cake. It’s better to get a good treadmill without a fan or TV and spend $50 to buy your own than to get a crappy, fully loaded treadmill which will eventually just become an expensive coat rack for dirty clothes.

Now, I know I alread typed “finally” but there is one last piece to consider: PRICE. You can only get what you can get but don’t be fooled into buying a lemon. There are decent (and some downright Great) treadmills at just about every price point. I’ll go over some of the best, at least in my experience, treadmills in the under $1000 range in the next week.

Don’t despair, there is a good treadmill out there you can actually afford



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