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Treadmills - what to ask before you buy
If you're thinking about getting a treadmill, know what to ask before you buy. The questions listed below will help you make a better choice. Remember to consult with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program.
Click on a question below for more information.
- Need: Do I need a treadmill?
- Type: Manual or electric treadmill?
- Speed: How fast can I go on the treadmill?
- Incline: Can I add an incline to the treadmill?
- Belt: What size treadmill belt?
- Power: How much power does the treadmill have?
- Safety: How safe is the treadmill?
1. Do I need a treadmill? 
Treadmills allow you to 'walk' or 'run' for exercise without leaving the house.
The first question you should ask is 'will I use it?' Unless you are absolutely certain you'll use it, it could end up being an expensive place to hang your gym clothes. And they take up a fair bit of space too, so take that into consideration before you buy.
2. Manual or electric treadmill?
A manual treadmill uses your energy to move the belt, so you determine its speed. Little maintenance is required. They can have basic features such as speed and distance travelled display.
An electric treadmill can be set to a particular speed and incline, so you have to keep up with it. This type may require a bit of skill to use because the machine will keep up the pace even when you want to slow down! Electric treadmills tend to have extra features - MP3 connection, heart rate display etc.
3. How fast can I go on the treadmill?
The average treadmill will cope with the average person who walks at somewhere between 4-10kph, and runs at around 10-15 kph. Professional athletes may be faster so may need a specialised treadmill
4. Can I add an incline to the treadmill?
Most treadmills will allow you to add an incline of up to 15% (some may go higher than this). The incline can be created either by you making a manual adjustment, an automatic power adjustment, or an incline based on your heart rate (if this information is monitored).
5. What size treadmill belt?
If you have a long stride, or want to use the treadmill for running, make sure the belt is long enough for your longest step and wide enough to allow for some side-to-side movement.
6. How much power does the treadmill have?
The power of an electric treadmill depends on its motor. The amount of power you need will depend on how you want to use the treadmill - more power is required if you weigh more, or if you want to run instead of walking. Rough guide, 1-2 horsepower.
7. How safe is the treadmill?
- Take care: If you have young children around the home, make sure they don't get their fingers caught in the treadmill! Friction burns can be deep and painful, and are increasingly caused by children getting too close to the treadmill.
- Take care: It can be easy to fall from an electric treadmill!
- Take care: If young children are around, make sure they don't have access to the electrical cord.
- If you have any questions about your health or fitness to use a treadmill or any other piece of fitness equipment, check with your doctor or health professional first - preferably before you join a program.
- It is strongly recommended that you get medical advice if you've been previously inactive, have heart disease, have close relatives with heart disease, or have any other major health problems. Strenuous activity during pregnancy should be avoided unless you have strict medical supervision.
