Online Treadmill Reviews



             


Monday, June 30, 2008

A Guide To Finding Refurbished Treadmills

A treadmill is a great way to get in shape or stay in shape. While many people go to the gym to use their treadmills, it makes sense to have one at home, too. But if you want a top of the line treadmill, you are going to have to pay top of the line prices for it. Like anything else, with treadmills, you get the quality you pay for, so spending money for a good treadmill is an excellent investment if you plan to use it regularly. One great option for finding an affordable treadmill is to consider purchasing a refurbished treadmill.

A refurbished treadmill is a lot different than a used treadmill. A used treadmill is almost always in used shape, which means a major breakdown could happen at any time. With a used treadmill, often you have no idea what you are getting, and treadmill repairs can be very expensive. The motors alone can cost a small fortune.

On the other hand, a refurbished or re-manufactured treadmill has been returned to the manufacturer, taken apart and totally rebuilt. Any older or worn-out parts have been replaced. It has been re-painted and made to look as good as new. The best part about re-manufactured exercise equipment is that it comes with a warranty, which is usually six months for parts and labor. If it doesnt come with a warranty, dont buy it. Any reputable company selling this kind of equipment should offer a warranty of some kind.

For instance, a Precor treadmill can run $4995 for a new one. By searching online at reliable online sites that sell refurbished exercise equipment, there are plenty for sale for between $2550 to $3325. Precor is just one of the brands that makes and distributes quality exercise equipment that is intended for use at fitness centers or for the fitness enthusiast. This is a great way to buy your favorite treadmill at the gym for your own home at a discounted price.

It is nice to know that this type of equipment looks as good as new and is going to provide dependable service while getting it for a sale price. Theres nothing better than that for someone who wants to have a treadmill at home to stay in shape on days when you cant or dont want to go out to your local fitness center.

So, when looking for a refurbished treadmill, it makes sense to check that it comes with a warranty, and that it has actually been re-manufactured by the company. Do some comparison shopping, and check online ratings for the best treadmills in this category and reputable places to buy them. You could be running or walking on your own top of the line treadmill in no time.

:
Bob Hett makes it easy to find the treadmill information you are looking for. Get the answers that you are seeking by visiting http://www.treadmillsreview.info


Labels: , , , , ,

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Proform Treadmills and Fitness Equipment

Proform is a highly recognized name in treadmills. Proform has been around for many years and is a subsidiary of the same company that manufactures Nordic Track and Reebok. Proform treadmills get varying reviews from users. Some people are very satisfied with the performance and quality of their Proform treadmill while others insist they lack in quality and longevity. The most common reason Proform is chosen over other brand names is the affordable price. Proform has introduced several new models recently that include a three year warranty and offer new features not previously found on Proform treadmills.

In general, Proform treadmills range in price from $500 to $1,300 dollars. With new treadmills being introduced by various manufacturers each day, Proform is not as competitive in regard to pricing as the company has been in the past. Online stores and the ability to purchase directly from the factory have created lower prices for consumers in purchasing high quality treadmills. Traditionally, Proform treadmills have included and inferior warranty and did not fare well in regard to longevity and dependability. The newer models are an improvement over Proform's past equipment, however.

If you are a casual, infrequent treadmill user, Proform may be adequate and suit your needs. If you are a serious treadmill user, the Proform brand may leave you with a less than favorable impression. The most common reasons Proform is chosen over another brand are a tight budget and minimal usage requirements. Proform has made some definite improvements in recent models, so depending on the frequency of use and the amount you can afford to spend, Proform may be adequate and provide you with the quality you need.

Ken Austin is the webmaster at Online Home Gyms and Fitness and Exercise Equipment


Labels: , , ,

Thursday, June 19, 2008

6 Features Found in all the Best Treadmills

Are you just plain fed up? If you have spent any time researching online for a treadmill, every site you visit tells you that they have the best treadmills, buy from us...we are the best...blah, blah, blah!!

It just makes me sick.

Everyone who is looking for a treadmill want the best treadmills (or best value in your price range) the problem is without some guidelines and direction, unsuspecting treadmill researchers can get sucked along by these all promising websites and then before they know find they have just forked out $3000 for the "best treadmill".

Before you start you online search make sure you know what you are looking for. If you don't know what features the best treadmills have or look like how will you know when you find one.

Let's have a look at 6 features that all the best treadmills have so that you can take control of the buying process.

1. Quality Brand Name

Most of the best treadmill brands have been around for years. This should be evidence enough that they are doing something right. Some of the better known brands include Precor, Proform, Smooth, Nordic Track, Life Fitness etc.

The problem with many of the well known brands is that you pay for their reputation. So if you have deep pockets you may need to look elsewhere.

You can still get good products from the lesser known brands just make sure they have a number of the following features.

2. Warranty

A strong indication of the quality of a treadmill is in the warranty. The longer the warranty the more confident you can be that it is going to last the distant and not need costly repairs every 6 months.

- For a remanufactured treadmill look for labor and parts warranty of at least 6 months and a motor warranty of at least 1 year

- For a new treadmill look for labor and parts warranty of at least 1 year and a motor warranty of 1-2 years.

- For commercial treadmills you should look for 2-3 years for labor, parts and motor.

3. Testimonials/Customer Satisfaction

Most online suppliers have testimonials of there products if not email them and ask if they have any. Not surprisingly the best treadmills also have the best testimonials. You can learn a lot from what past users of the equipment think so don't take this point lightly, it is one of the best ways to compare different models or different brands.

4. Quality Features

If you are paying good money for a treadmill you want it to have some bells and whistles!! Most of the best treadmills will have the standard features including pre set workouts, heart rate control, large incline range, high weight capacity plus a whole host of other helpful features like a reading rack, customized workouts, CD player, digital personal trainer to name a few.

The key is to get a list of two or three other quality treadmills that satisfy the other points in this list and then compare them for special features. There is no point buying a treadmill with an in built CD if the treadmill is always broken.

5. User friendly

You need to make sure the treadmill is user friendly, and by that I don't mean for other users I mean for you. Some treadmills have a low weight capacity or small stride length so if you are a particularly tall or heavy person you need to find out if the treadmill is appropriate for you.

Details of stride length and weight capacity are usually available with the treadmills specifications.

6. Treadmill Price

Some people might be surprised to see price on this list, but hear me out on this one...

It's no good being the best treadmill if it's so expensive no one can buy it. To me price is a personal thing and only you can decide what your price is. If the best treadmill you can buy is $1500 then that's the best treadmill for you. The important thing is that you buy the best treadmill you can and start achieving your fitness goals.

What's your next step? Take what you've just learned and do your own research you'll be surprised how much easier it is to find the "best treadmill" when you have a clear idea of what your looking for.

About the author:
Dean Iggo is a keen fitness enthusiast and home gym user. He is also the webmaster of http://www.home-gym-buyers-guide.coma website providing unbiased home exercise equipment tips and reviews.


Labels: , , ,

Monday, June 9, 2008

Treadmills - Get Fit Stay Fit

Your exercise program could benefit from the use of treadmills. Using a treadmill provides a wonderful cardiovascular workout for your heart, your lungs, and your circulation. There low impact on your joints, which makes it easier and less painful to workout.

Pregnant women will get an excellent workout. Its low impact and cardiovascular nature it builds endurance which will no doubt help during labor. The lower end models are not expensive and treadmills are easy to use. Using a treadmill could help you lose weight and even body fat.

That they don't take up a lot of space is a non-physical benefit. There are some that could take up a whole room almost but if space is the issue, than you can find manual treadmills that fold and are powered by your movement only. Talk to professionals and do your research to find out which one might be appropriate for you.

Comparing different models is best. Do you know what features you're looking for on a treadmill? You should look at certain things when you are comparing various models. All you really want to do is workout so this can all be overwhelming.

The size of your machine can be affected by the type of the motor. The most important things to look at are the belt trackers. This is the type of movement of the belt and the placement of the running belt as you work out. You don't want a belt that's jerky you want it to move as smoothly as possible over the rollers.

Have you seen the check out belts that move and then jump and move again etc.? There can be more impact than is necessary on your joints and injury can result if the movement on your treadmill is like that. Something else to look at is the length and the width of the belt.

A belt that is too short can cause you to run-off the end of the belt. A narrow belt might not necessarily support your stance. If possible try out the machine you want or one that is very much like it. The type and percentage of the incline will affect your joints and your workout.

As you progress, on most treadmills you can adjust the incline to be as if you were climbing a steep hill. How fast the belt moves should also be adjustable also. Do you know what the minimum speed and maximum speed is? This knowledge will help you plan your workout routine and make it more effective.


Your treadmill console should a heart rate monitor as one of its main features. If you know your resting heart rate and your target heart rate which is the highest number you can reach for maximum benefits from your workout, your workout will be more beneficial. Your speed, your time and your distance should also be displayed on the console.

Before you attempt to use your treadmill it is of the utmost importance that you learn to properly use your treadmill. The display on the control panel should be clear and easy to read. Is the software program necessary to be able to use the control panel?

A noisy treadmill is something you don't want. There will obviously be some noise but you don't want it to be overwhelming. What is the acceptable level of noise for you? Is the belt thick enough? If a belt is too thin it could wear out too soon, so you would want an appropriately thick belt so it will last.

Stretching can occur with some belts. Checking to see that your belt isn't cracked anywhere or stretched, Make sure the monitor is functioning properly. Consider the weight of the machine. A few of the delivery companies will bring your machine to your door but it's up to you to get it in the house and set it up.

The look of the machine is important because if it doesn't appeal to you, you will be less apt to use it. How easy will it be to store it when you aren't using it? Before you bring it home, consider the probability that it will stay in the same place when it's not in use, then you need to decide if this is ok with you.

Don't put your treadmill near walls to prevent injury. You should put it approximately eight feet away from walls, ledges or windows. You should put the wires and the power supply out of walking areas or it should be taped down to prevent someone from tripping while getting off the treadmill. There are a few tips about how to use your new treadmill.

Before getting on the belt, straddle it and make sure it is set at the proper speed. Your feet will follow your eyes so keep them straight ahead. Staying in the center of the belt will help prevent slips and falls.

About the author:
If your looking for tips and advice on treadmills or fitness equipment in general, Martin Smith had a resource of information available. From Treadmills to Home Fitness Equipment you'll find something.
<

 

Labels: , ,