Health

October 3, 2009

Treadmills - The Good, Bad And The Ugly

Many people wonder if a treadmill will work for them in helping to keep them fit, as other people swear by them. You will burn fat and calories by using your treadmill, just as you would if you exercised outdoors, but it is important to remember what makes them different from going outside.

The Pro’s Of Using A Treadmill

-Crowded cities could be difficult to run in, this can lead to a treadmill as a great alternative. And if the streets you live on are not quite as safe as night and you happen to have your free time night, treadmills can be useful here as well.

-Excellent for the beginner jogger, treadmills allow you to work at whatever pace you feel comfortable at. You can start at a slow pace then slowly build up the speed as your stamina improves.

-Running on hard or inconsistent ground may take a toll on your knees, where treadmills don’t have that issue. If you are someone that suffers from joints that are weak or a back that spasms, you will notice that most of the shock will be absorbed by the treadmill.

-The treadmill will allow you to easily track your progression and workout. They usually come with programs which will show each day’s progress.

-During times where you are on the road, most hotels offer a small gym, and inside you are likely to find a treadmill, where you will have the ability to continue the workout that you are accustomed to.

The Con’s Of Using A Treadmill

-With a treadmill, you will not get to enjoy any type of outdoor perks, such as fresh air. Though this may not be an issue to you if you live in a city or an area with many factories.

-You may find yourself restless with running indoors, unless you are the type who enjoys watching television while you workout.

-Treadmills will probably take a bit of skill balance and rhythm wise to keep on it. If you do not focus you will likely end up on the floor.

Keep these various pros and cons in mind as you begin to make your choice. You need to realize that working out in one form or another is better than not working out at all. Give the tread mills a quick browse, they come with an impressive number of features.

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: Health, Tread Mills, Treadmill, Treadmills

Filed under Tread Mills by Jack Delrento

Permalink Print Comment

August 18, 2009

Tips For Buying a Treadmill

Treadmills have been the largest selling category of cardio-products over the past 20 years. The thing about treadmills is that they allow for the human bodys natural jogging motion, unlike many other cardio-products that contort the body into uncomfortable positions.

Motorized treadmills are more popular and have a longer lifespan than other cardio-machines. People like routine and today’s programmable treadmills are perfect for establishing a routine and sticking to it. Now let’s explore what to look for when buying a treadmill for the home.

A few things to remember before checking out different treadmill brands:

* Don’t let Horsepower and Specs unduly influence your decision. They are not the most important features!

* Don’t make decisions based on just one opinion. Second and third and fourth opinions are a must.

* Never make a decision based on one person’s recommendations. Always explore second opinions.

The first thing you need to consider is how much you should spend for a quality treadmill. This really depends on how you will use the treadmill machine. As a rule of thumb, you can find a good treadmill for around $1000. Look for a 2.5 HP continuous duty motor, a 20 wide walking belt that is 52-55 in length. If you are taller than 6′2, you should consider stepping up to something in the $1,500-$2,000 price range because of your longer running stride. In this range, you will also benefit from longer warranties, longer treadbelts, and a quieter machine.

Folding vs. Non-Folding Treadmills

Folding treadmills are typically for walking. As a rule of thumb, non-folding treadmills are for RUNNING. This distinction is very important. If you are in the market for folding treadmills, be sure to buy one with a 1-piece deck that can fold into one piece (it will be much sturdier). And if you are a serious runner, then you want to look into non-folding treadmills that can be placed on the bottom floor of your home or the basement. These machines tend to have superior shock-absorption systems that make running much easier on your knees. Also, if buying one of these treadmill machines, try to go with at least a 60-inch deck so there is ample room to roam.

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: Exercise, Exercise Equipment, fitness, free treadmill reviews, gym, Health, Home Gym, sole f83, Tread Mills, Treadmill Reviews, Treadmills

Filed under Treadmill Reviews by Ron Medlin

Permalink Print Comment

August 17, 2009

Horizon Fitness T93 Treadmill: The Best Treadmill In Its Class?

The T93 treadmill from Horizon Fitness is one of the best buys in the home treadmill industry. This incredibly sturdy machine has one of the highest value ratings in its class. Comfortable and easy-to-use, you can find the T93 online now for under $1000 (it used to retail around $1750). So if you are looking for a value-priced treadmill machine with club-quality accessories, the Horizon Fitness T93 is definitely worth a look.

Comfortable and easy-to-use, the T93 treadmill is ideal for beginners and intermediates who are trying to fit a home exercise routine into their busy schedules. The Horizon T93 features an easily adjustable workout where users can change pace and distance of their workouts. You can even watch tv or read books or even listen to MP3’s through the T93’s MP3 port, which comes fully equipped with state-of-the-art speakers.

If you are walking or jogging, the Horizon Fitness T93 offers up a great cardio workout on a comfy, cushioned belt that helps prevent sensitive joints like the knees and hips from wearing down. The T93’s adjustable ComfortSelect cushion system is perfect for people who want to jog one day and walk the next. Horizon designed the T93 to be long and wide to accommodate long-striders. Its padded platform provides a low-impact walk or jog without the debilitating effects of running atop concrete surfaces.

The best thing about this sturdy treadmill is that it is incredibly quiet. While running atop the padded belt, it seems like time is passing without your even realizing it. Half an hour seems like five minutes. When compared to some higher-dollar, premium health club treadmill machines, the Horizon Fitness T93 features comparable workout programs and a simple but efficient orangelit LCD that tracks progress. Logically designed, the LCD control panel allows you to adjust programs while on the move so there is no stopping and restarting. Fourteen workout programs feature four different terrains (completely customizable) that can be altered at any point during your jog.

Also, this folding treadmill machine from Horizon Fitness is simple to store. Horizon’s FeatherLight lift features hydraulic shocks to help lower and raise the treadmill deck so it isn’t a chore to store or unfold like so many other durable, heavy-duty treadmills. The Horizon T93 sells at under $1000 (sale pricing) and it used to retail for over $1700. So if you are in the market for a quality home treadmill that doesn’t break down all the time, check out the Horizon Fitness T93. You’ll be pleasantly surprised with its value and quality–so surprised that other popular brands like Proform or Nordictrack might slip out of the picture. Good luck and happy treadmill hunting!

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: Exercise Equipment, fitness, Health, Home Gyms, horizon fitness t93, horizon t93 treadmill, Horizon Treadmills, sports, Tread Mills, Treadmill, Treadmills

Filed under Treadmills by Ron Medlin

Permalink Print Comment

August 12, 2009

Most Important Benefits When Using Treadmills

We all need a certain amount of exercise to maintain the best quality of health. There are many benefits to maintaining a consistent and regular exercise routine. It is beneficial for your heart, lungs, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, and helps your body maintain proper levels of insulin.

Walking on a regular basis is a great way to get a healthy workout. Unfortunately, with our busy lives, we don’t always have the time to go for a walk. For many people, a treadmill is the best solution.

The most important benefits of using treadmills include:

- Bad weather is a big reason why many people may stop going for walks, Rain, heat, snow, cold, and wind, can make a walk quite unpleasant. By using a treadmill, you never have to worry about bad weather preventing you from getting exercise. You are in the comfort of your home.

- A treadmill can save you time and money. You can exercise any time of the day and night. Also, when the weather is bad outside such as a snowstorm, you can lose money on a Gym membership by not attending. You don’t have to worry about losing money when you have a treadmill in your own home.

- With a treadmill, you can listen to music, read a book or magazine, or watch television which makes time go by, and before you know it, you have walked many miles

- With a treadmill, you can control the difficulty level. As your legs get stronger and your endurance increases, you can increase the level of difficulty which will give you a more productive work out. You can even increase the speed of the treadmill. If you have any health problems, the ability to pace yourself will be of great benefit. You can walk as slow or as fast as you want.

- There are many health benefits to using a treadmill. This includes burning fat and calories thereby achieving weight loss, increasing bone and joint health, getting a great cardio workout, strengthening leg muscles, and improving your lung function. The choice is yours to walk, run, or jog at a steady pace. Exercising with treadmills can burn around 700 calories per hour using a medium level of intensity.

- Using a treadmill helps you improve your mental state such as decreasing your stress level, feeling refreshed and relaxed, and boosts your self confidence. You will feel more positive. As well, your energy levels will be increased. It can even reduce the symptoms of depression.

- Researchers have discovered that exercising using a treadmill will help one have a better night’s sleep.

- You can place your treadmill in any room of your home. The various computerized settings are designed to give you a great work out

Regular exercise is essential to maintaining good health. A treadmill is a great method of maintaining optimal health. The key to making the most out of a treadmill is to use it on a regular basis. You need to be motivated to achieve your fitness goals. It is important to seek the advice of a physician before starting any exercise routine. You should also make sure that you implement a healthy diet along with your treadmill workouts.

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: fitness, Fitness Equipment, Gym Equipment, Health, Home Gyms, personal gym, s, spinners, Tread Mills, Treadmills

Filed under Treadmills by Amy Nutt

Permalink Print Comment

August 1, 2009

Training Equipment - Treadmills

An exercise treadmill machine is a device designed for walking or running while indoors and without actually leaving the place. The machine consists of a special moving platform that is powered by a flywheel or an electric motor. Because of the opposing rear movement of the belt, you are can run and walk at a determined pace, which means that the speed of the belt is the speed with which you work out.

Controlling and measuring devices can thus be installed on the exercise treadmill machine, thus being able to monitor the number of burnt calories or the amount of effort involved. Besides the motor-powered version, there is also a mechanical exercise treadmill that is powered by the movement of the user who pushes the belt when running or walking. The choice of design depends on the user’s requirements and the location where it is meant to be used.

The motor driven exercise treadmill models are definitely more expensive and a lot heavier too. These are usually found in professional gyms or special physiotherapy clinics. For home use, many people prefer the less costly lightweight alternative of the simple machine version powered by the motion force of the user alone.

In the early days of the invention, the exercise treadmill served for the reformation of incarcerated criminals, at the beginning of the 19th century. Only a century and a half later did the exercise treadmill come in use in hospitals of heart and lung disease. The the popularity of the exercise treadmill and bike increased only after 1968 when they were scientifically proved great for cardiovascular training.

The health benefits resulting from the training with an exercise treadmill are similar to all the other cardio workouts: the alleviation of health problems, a better health condition and an improvement of the heart rate. Constant training with an exercise treadmill enhances physical endurance while eliminating the strain in ankles, knees and lower back.

Limitations and advantages have been equally identified for the use of an exercise treadmill. People who use such a machine for weight loss have the chance of monitoring the heart rate and the amount of calories they burn. Furthermore, the slope and the speed can be adjusted to suit one’s needs. Even so, it is worth mentioning the fact that the use of an exercise treadmill is definitely inferior to running for a number of reasons. The indoor use and the lack of ground contact have their impact on the quality of the activity and the condition of the trainee.

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: Exercise, Exercise Equipment, fitness, Health, Running, Treadmill, Treadmill Equipment, walking

Filed under Treadmill Equipment by Damyan Lagina

Permalink Print Comment

July 22, 2009

Getting a Wal Mart Treadmill In A Wal Mart Store

A Wal Mart treadmill doesn’t have to refer to a brand or a treadmill product. It simply refers to the treadmill equipment and fitness accessories that you may find in a Wal Mart store.

Assuming that you have a list of the treadmill brands and now you hope to try some items out before buying. Your decision is to go to Wal Mart to check if all the treadmill brands are in your list.

There are two ways to do that. You may go directly to the brick-and-mortar store if it happens to be just a few blocks away from your house. Your second option is to check online and look for a Wal Mart treadmill catalog.

Wal Mart is a really big store and it can really be difficult to search for a specific treadmill brand you like. See the to-do’s of the two options you have when looking for a treadmill at Wal Mart.

1. Browsing at the brick-and-mortar Wal Mart

- Go directly to the fitness and sports equipment section. If you don’t know where to start, ask a salesperson or a customer service representative.

- To avoid wasting time, ask for clear directions to the wal mart treadmill section. Big malls can be very confusing.

It’s not surprising to find yourself waiting on a salesperson. Make sure you have examined the treadmill brand of your choice before inquiring about its specifics with a salesperson.

2. Finding a Wal Mart treadmill in the internet

Looking for a treadmill online is easier and more convenient than looking for it in a Wal Mart store. However, you have to understand that it requires you to be specific about your keywords. Here’s how you do it.

- Visit a search engine site and type in the words Wal Mart and treadmill. An example is Wal Mart treadmill.

- The search engine will display links that will lead you to Wal Mart web pages. Click on these links to open new tabs.

Usually if your keyword is very specific, your search becomes easier. If you’re looking for a particular brand you like, simply type it this way - wal mart treadmill (brand name). The search engine will display the list of Wal Mart links where you can find the treadmill brand of your choice.

The online store will display the following information:

- Brand and model image - Product rating - Price (including discount rates) - Product information - Quick view button - Add to cart button

You can also search from both online and brick-and-mortar shops. You may try out the Wal Mart treadmill products in the store and when you’re ready, you can purchase it online.

You can also opt to check the product online and buy it from the store. There are also other websites that sell Wal Mart treadmill products. Check them out too. Whichever works for you is not a problem.

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: Fitness Equipment, Health, Home Exercise Equipment, Wal Mart treadmill

Filed under Treadmills by Chloe Adisson

Permalink Print Comment

July 10, 2009

Exercising On Smooth Treadmills

Many people tend to associate comfort with quality. However, not always the softest route is the best, as sometimes the rough path is in fact more worthy. This is the case with a piece of exercise equipment such as the smooth treadmill.

It’s easy to use surface also provides for a skid free and silent operation of the treadmill and its superior super-vinyl composite material ensures non-toxic and odorless operation.

The prolonged use of a treadmill will certainly entail some amount of maintenance work and keeping the treadmill belt in good shape is of as much importance as keeping the body in shape. This is because keeping the treadmill belt in good condition will not only ensure that the treadmill lasts longer but will also keep the personal performance at a proper level.

The need to replace a treadmill belt can incur a certain amount of expense and as is the case with other maintenance items, the cost can be more than budgeted for. Even a single treadmill belt that needs to be replaced can cost hundreds of dollars and will also result in a break in the workout schedule.

The Cardio Caddy is similar to the Reading Rack and can be easily attached to the treadmill thanks to its universal clamp and screw system and is useful for holding a walkman as well as a television or other remote control. It can be attached either with round or square poles in either vertical or horizontal position and is a perfect treadmill accessory that only costs about twenty dollars.

When using the treadmill belt lubricant, it is imperative to check that the right lubricant is being applied due to the fact that there are many different lubricant types available on the market.

In addition, correct and timely maintenance of the treadmill will keep the motor and belt going for longer periods of time, saving you a lot of money in the end for unnecessary repairs. The Lube N Walk Kit from discountstreadmill.com is one such handy treadmill accessory that addresses the maintenance needs of the treadmill and which only costs about thirty dollars.

They also have an increased weight and stability, and because of their lightweight, some treadmills have a tendency to rock or swing while they are being used, however with these smooth treadmills, safety and stability is assured.

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: cardio, cardio training, Exercise, fitness, Health, jogging, Running, Smooth Treadmills, Tread Mills, Treadmills, used treadmills

Filed under Smooth Treadmills by Chris Campbell

Permalink Print Comment

July 7, 2009

Improve Your Fitness With a Treadmill Exercise Program

There are many people who will find any number of excuses to avoid exercise or who may be too busy with friends and family to bother about staying in shape, and end up using just a treadmill exercise program.

However, a good treadmill exercise program may be just the solution they are looking for as it will take away the excuses and firmly put them on the road to healthier and better living. After all, the treadmill exercise program does not require learning any new skill and nor is the weather or boredom able to adversely affect the person in training to stay in shape.

Sure, sprinting will get you up to your anaerobic threshold quicker; still, the old adage “Slow and steady wins the race” applies well in this case.

The treadmill exercise is superior to other indoor exercise machines and it is very beneficial to losing extra weight and burning unwanted calories and in helping a person to stay in peak form.

The zone is calculated to give a maximum benefit for time and effort exerted. And you can do the calculation with your doctor or trainer - maximum heart-rate, age, weight and sex are taken into consideration.

The more modern the more sophisticated the fitness features of treadmill equipment and thus the more likely the equipment can calculate and monitor heart-rate and workout parameters for you.

This type of treadmill exercise routine may involve that of a power mix, hill climbs, speed intervals, as well as unique strength moves that will have the cumulative effect of helping the person stay strong, fit and able.

For example, a treadmill exercise routine may span 12 weeks and have different exercises planned for different days and weeks, during the entire routine.

Mondays can be reserved for cardio walks in the first week, for instance, and a strength move may be added from week five onwards. Tuesdays may be reserved for speed intervals throughout the 12 week routine, and then Wednesdays will again see cardio walks throughout the 12 weeks.

The target zone may be anything that is in the range of 50 to 90 percent of the MHR. When the person reaches greater fitness it may require him or her to work much more and walk faster to keep in the target zone.

On Saturdays then the person should be doing power mixes while on Sundays, they may again rest during the first eight weeks and from week nine, may start cardio walks again.

Keeping these points in mind and following them will help achieve the most optimum benefits from your treadmill exercise program.

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: cardio, cardio training, Exercise, fitness, Health, jogging, Running, sports, Tread Mills, Treadmills, used treadmills

Filed under Treadmills by Chris Campbell

Permalink Print Comment

The Very Best Exercise Treadmill Plan

Fitness is on everyone’s mind today, especially with such components as the record numbers of adult-onset diabetes, record-breaking numbers of childhood and adolescent obesity, and an increased tendency toward a sedentary lifestyle; as a people, we need our exercise more than ever.

Physical treadmill exercise fitness is one of the most efficient calorie-burning and muscle toning exercise there is available on the market today, and therefore is an excellent solution for anyone who is looking for a form of exercise.

Some treadmills, would you believe it, come complete with a laptop stand in front of the handlebars and all the screens that inform you of your speed, calories burned, heart rate and more. This is useful if you are a busy professional who finds it hard to fit exercise into your daily routine.

For those of you for whom the treadmill exercise plan is actually about the exercise and not the simultaneous entertainment, let’s devise some smart plans for exercise on treadmills.

There are also models that claim to reduce this impact by as much as 40 percent when compared to running on sidewalks, or other outdoor conditions.

A couple of different plans for treadmill exercise are to either go for intervals or to go for a sustained speed for a sustained period of time.

Both have their benefits, as while interval training burns more calories and can be a much more enjoyable exercise on the treadmill exercise plan, endurance in the form of sustained speed is also beneficial. Some also prefer the ups and downs of interval training.

Another benefit of exercising on a treadmill is that it tones your muscles. Notice the phrase is not build muscles, but tone them. Exercisers who are looking to bulk up on muscle mass should not hope to achieve top-notch results from running on a treadmill.

What treadmill exercise will do for you best and for your overall physical fitness in terms of muscle mass is use the muscles that you have and tone them. Treadmill workouts strengthen the muscles, and with a good stretching program combined with this, your muscles will not tighten up on you to the extent of cramping and causing undue and unnecessary amounts of pain.

When making your official treadmill exercise plan, remember to make it interesting for you. Remember also to make it modifiable, but preferably only in an upwards direction.

Some of the more notable treadmill exercise machines are Trimline, Reebok, Landice, and Weslo. Trimline is certainly the most popular of all the options, even though it is typically a much more expensive brand, although in the end this increased cost seems to be justified thanks to its enhanced features.

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: cardio, cardio training, Exercise, fitness, Health, jogging, Running, sports, Tread Mills, Treadmills, used treadmills

Filed under Exercise Treadmills by Chris Campbell

Permalink Print Comment

July 5, 2009

Treadmill Mat May Be the Most Important Accessory

Treadmills come with an assortment of features depending on the particular model you choose. But you can purchase all sorts of accessories regardless. There are a few things that border essential such as a repair kit, lubrication and a treadmill mat. These are things that are money well spent because of the improvement they offer to the performance and lifespan of your treadmill.

Most treadmills, as with anything with that many moving parts, are going to have problems. Some will be large problems that require you to take the machine in to a repair shop, but others will be small and you could do yourself if you had a home repair kit.

The limitation to a home repair kit is that it cannot fix the major problems that will require a professional. It is only good for small problems that most self-proclaimed handy person can do at home. The good news is that most treadmills will come with sufficient warranty to cover most major problems such as parts replacement or repair.

It is crucial that you keep the treadmill clean so it will endure the lifetime of operation it was built for. Keeping the treadmill free of debris build up will go a long way to avoiding certain problems that frequently plaque machines.

A cleaning kit specially packaged for treadmills is available and typically comes with a brush and application wand, as well as the required cleaning solution. There will also be some form of instruction manual on how to do some basic maintenance cleaning.

As with any motor, lubrication is an important part of protecting and maintaining the motor. Your treadmill will run into motor problems early if it is not properly lubricated. Lack of proper care is the leading reason that most motors will die or suffer serious problems before they should.

Getting a treadmill mat to go underneath the treadmill is more of a necessity than an optional accessory. The mat will protect your floor from grime and lubrication that will drip from the motor. Some people think that carpeting is a substitute for a treadmill mat. In truth, it keeps dirt and carpet fibers from entering the treadmill and damaging the insides.

There is also a treadmill cover that goes over the treadmill when it is not in use. This is not as important because the purpose it serves is really keeping dust off the top of the treadmill. It is more important to keep dust from going up and inside the motor by putting the treadmill on a mat.

Everyone has particular specifications they want for their treadmills but most of these are well worth the money for anyone who wants to keep the treadmills functional for the duration of their useful life.

About the Author:

Technorati Tags: Exercise Equipment, Exercise Machines, fitness, Health, Tread Mills, Treadmills

Filed under Tread Mills by Matt Traylor

Permalink Print Comment