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How do you find a top treadmill? As a visit to any gym will attest, they are one of the most popular pieces of cardiovascular exercise equipment, used by everyone from walkers to marathon runners getting ready for a race.
The difference between run of the mill and top treadmill will be a combination of quality and features. However, for most people the first things to consider will be size and price - some machines can be quite bulky, so if you are short on space it's worth looking for a treadmill that folds away. Other features to look for on a top treadmill include:
- Speed: Are you a runner or a walker? Speeds typically go up to around 12 mph, with walkers usually moving at around 3-6 mph, runners between 6 and 10 mph.
- Belt: The belt, or running bed, will make a big difference to both your comfort and the price you pay. More expensive models will have better cushioned running beds to absorb as much impact as possible. This is particularly important for runners, who can get knee or ankle injuries from running on uncushioned surfaces.
- Size: Test any machine out before you buy to be sure that the running bed is long enough to comfortably fit your walking or running stride.
- Motor: Budget models have no motor - you run to get them going and keep them going. The more you pay, typically the more powerful the motor will be. For walking and gentle jogging, 1.0 hp-1.5 hp will work fine. Runners should look for 2.0 hp or above.
- Monitor: The monitor should display speed, time, distance, etc. Many also have pre-set programmes such as intervals and hills.
- Incline Control: An adjustable incline level allows you to make your workouts harder.
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