Everything you need to know about a treadmill before you buy

The mechanical engineer William Stubb developed a home treadmill after reading an article proclaiming the health benefits of running at least three times a day. Stubbs’s original treadmill, the Pacemaster 600, was an immediate hit with consumers. The success led to imitators, and there are now literally hundreds of treadmill manufacturers worldwide.

Fast-forwarding to the modern-day, the massive number of treadmill manufacturers, treadmill types and variations has created its own set of problems. Let’s face it, it isn’t easy to know what to look for when purchasing a treadmill but that’s where we come in.

GetLocal has teamed up with some of Ireland’s best sports retailers to offer readers a deep dive into treadmills. We’re going to discuss the advantages of regularly using a treadmill. And, of course, give you some advice on what you should be looking for in a quality treadmill.

The Health Benefits of Treadmills

Okay, we all know regularly using a treadmill is incredibly good for a person’s health. However, we may not know all the nuanced advantages of periodically running. So let’s discuss some of these advantages in more detail.

Improve cardiovascular health, burn calories, and lose weight

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Using a treadmill at least three times a week is a great way to improve your overall cardiovascular fitness. Running increases your heart rate. A higher heart rate means the body is burning calories. Burning calories leads to weight loss. A single 30-minute run can burn up to 300 calories while strengthening your overall heart health.

All Weather

Whoever said there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes, obviously never lived in Ireland. Our erratic climate means that in an hour, we may get stone-splitting sunshine followed by a sudden downpour. This makes outdoor running challenging. With a treadmill, your runs aren’t weather-dependent. 

Easier on You Knees

As any distance runner will tell you, jogging outside puts incredible stress on the joints, mainly your knees and hips. Regular pavement-pounding will inevitably lead to joint pain, hip issues or other physical complications. However, a quality treadmill will be fitted with a shock-absorbing system. This negates some of the damage caused to the joints by running. Suppose you’re prone to injury and want to avoid pain or recover from joint issue. A treadmill is a great way to regain fitness while minimising the impact on your joints.

Keep motivated

Even the most enthusiastic runner will eventually get bored with long-distance runs. The treadmill allows a runner to offset some boredom by listening to music or audiobooks without headphones. A runner can even position a treadmill beside a television and catch up on their favourite shows while working out.

Inbuilt fitness software allows a treadmill to track your progress. The software can count steps, measure heart rate and display progress throughout an individual’s fitness journey. Nothing is more motivating than seeing how far you’ve already come.

Pace and Distance Control

Treadmill also allows superior control over everything from the pace you’d like to maintain to the actual distance of your runs. The speed and length of the run can be programmed into the treadmill. This gives the runner complete control over their run. This is great for seeing incremental improvements and is also a way to increase the runner’s pace over time.

Before you Discover a Treadmill

Now you got a better idea of the many advantages of running on a treadmill, let’s get down to business and discuss what you need to know before you buy.

There are a couple of things we highly recommend you check before you make a purchase. These include

User Weight

All treadmills will have a maximum user weight outlined in the manufacturer’s guidelines. The weight limit is a helpful indicator of the quality of the overall treadmill. For example, suppose you have a maximum user weight of over 160 kg. In that case, you know you’re dealing with a treadmill that includes a quality frame, motor and belt. Of course, the user weight isn’t the only thing you should check. It’s essential to do your due diligence before making a purchase. Check user reviews and, of course, check the motor fitted to the treadmill. 

Motor Types

One of the most critical factors that indicate the quality of a treadmill is the motor type. There are usually two types of Motors used on a treadmill direct current motors or alternating current motors. Some of the cheaper treadmills will use a direct Motor. While more luxurious models use alternator motors. For example, in Commercial gyms, treadmills are almost always fitted with an alternator motor. This type of motor is generally stronger, more robust and lasts much longer. That’s not to say that a direct Motor is necessarily bad. However, individuals of a higher weight or those training for competitions like ultramarathons should consider an alternating motor. Before making a purchase, check the usage guidelines to understand better who the treadmill is manufactured for.

Horsepower

When speaking about Motors, we have to talk about power output. Power output on a treadmill motor is measured in horsepower. The larger the horsepower output, the better the quality. A measurement of 3 HP, for example, is a good sign of the quality of the actual motor. When looking at usage guidelines, you’ll likely see two HP readings. A general HP output and a peak HP output. Always pay attention to the general horsepower number. This relates to the continuous HP output and is a better signal of the overall power of the motor. 

Roller Size

The roller on a treadmill is what allows the belt to move as a rule of thumb, the larger the roller, the better the treadmill. Most sizes will range anywhere from 1.5 inches to 3.5 inches. Therefore look for rollers closer to 3.5 inches.

Treadmill Frame

A treadmill’s motor, rollers and belt or held together by a frame. Most treadmills are constructed from steel or aluminium. Runners tend to agree that steel frames are better because they allow a bit more spring when used. Also, steel frames tend to be quieter compared to their aluminium alternatives.

Shock Absorption

As we discussed earlier, one of the significant advantages of a treadmill is how it allows you to negate some of the damage running on the pavement can cause. Treadmills are fitted with shock absorption systems. Depending on the system, shock absorption can sock up to 40% of the impact on the body. In the long run, this will help prevent injuries and allow a much more comfortable overall run. However, not all shock absorption systems are created equally.

Springs: Some running decks are fixed with springs to create a more cushioned landing for a runner’s feet. However, springs compress, sending the impact back through the runner’s legs. Therefore spring shock absorption systems should be avoided.

Elastomer Cushions: This system uses cushions that absorb a decent amount of the energy created by the impact on the deck. Cushions are the preferred option for runners who are worried about injury.

Safety Features

Finally, let’s talk a little bit about the safety features of a treadmill.

Handrails

One of the most basic and still one of the most critical safety features are handrails. In case you stumble, a handrail gives you a place to grab to stop yourself from falling. They also allow you to jump off the belt in an emergency. When looking at a treadmill with handrails, ensure the rails are wide enough to allow a comfortable running stride. 

Safety key

The safer key is a simple but effective safety feature. One end of the key attaches to the treadmill’s console, and the other connects to the runner’s shorts or t-shirt. If the runner falls, the key disconnects from the console and the treadmill automatically cuts off.

Automated slow starts

A fundamental feature but essential for safety, nonetheless. All treadmills should have an automatic slow start feature. This means that no matter how high you set the pace, the treadmill will slowly build up to this speed. This feature allows the runner to adjust to the pace and avoid a fall or a stumble.

The above is just an introduction to treadmills, and there’s a lot more to learn. By keeping in mind some of the basics of this article, including the motor type, the size of the rollers and the safety features of the treadmill, you’re sure to be able to find the right piece of equipment for your unique fitness goals. GetLocal allows you to compare and contrast treadmills available from Irish retailers. Get a quality treadmill at the right price while supporting Irish businesses with GetLocal.