Hit The Deck - selecting a treadmill - Brief Article

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, June, 2000 by James Ramage

FITNESS | When it comes to PICKING A TREADMILL, don't settle for a wimpy machine.

INFOMERCIAL LAND may be clogged with ab gizmos and pulley-encrusted workout contraptions, but one machine has broken from the pack when it comes to getting the job done: the humble treadmill. While the fitness-equipment industry is otherwise flat, treadmill sales have pumped up more than 50% over the past five years. Six of every ten dollars spent on equipment, or about $1 billion a year, is spent on treadmills.

But with treadmills running anywhere from $300 to more than $4,500--and featuring a bewildering array of displays and programs--how do you distinguish a superior piece of equipment from something that is a breakdown away from becoming garage-sale flotsam? Price is one guideline you can use, though a very rough one. Under-$1,500 treadmills "lack general beefiness, structural integrity and overall quality," says Dave Sellers, product-test editor for Runner's World. "They're light-duty machines."

To last ten to 15 years--which is reasonable for a good treadmill--the belt, deck and frame must withstand the pounding of almost 20,000 miles (at more than 1,000 foot strikes per mile) of running. Look for a lifetime warranty for the frame, with three years for parts and one year for labor.

As far as features go, the deck (the platform under the belt that bears the brunt of your running) should flex enough to absorb shocks and prevent jarring feet and joints. The belt should be at least 17 inches wide and 51 inches long. Look for a machine that tilts up smoothly for inclined running. The control panel may have preset programs but should also allow you to customize your own. And be sure to test-drive one for at least ten minutes to get an overall feel.

Two treadmills that give you more miles for your money are the Aerobics PaceMaster Pro-Plus HR ($1,999) and the Smooth 7.5HR ($1,999).

Aerobics has been making treadmills for more than 30 years, and it manufactures most of its own parts. "That means better quality control and cheaper repairs," says Randy Hummel of Fitness Experience, in Chicago. The Pro-Plus has a solid frame and houses a 2.5-horsepower continuous motor, which allows the treadmill to work at high levels for a long time. Its "learn" feature lets you program a workout as you go through it.

The Smooth is quiet and has a strong belt and reversible deck, which extend the life of the treadmill. You can purchase, the Smooth only over the Internet on TreadmillByNet.com. It makes the Smooth line and sells many of its competitors as well, some at discounts of up to 40%.