Exercise Equipment Review

Treadmills are one of the original and most popular pieces of indoor sporting equipment for fitness training.

The basic principle is a belt system that is usually driven by an electric motor. Controls allow the user to adjust the speed in which the belt moves.

There are some manual treadmills on the market – the belt on these rotates as the user walks or runs and generates momentum. They are less expensive – and for good reason. Manual treadmills are just not fun. They are hard to get started and sometimes even harder to stop. I would not recommend them at all.

Lets look at some of the pros and cons of treadmills over other exercise equipment:

Pros:

• Treadmills are simple to use. No special training is required.
• People of all ages and abilities can use a treadmill.
• Most modern treadmills calculate speed, distance and calories burned
• Most new treadmills have heart rate monitors that will let you get 100% out of your workout.
• Watch TV, listen to the radio or even read will you workout.
• Treadmill running is easier on the body because of shock absorption in the deck of the treadmill.

Cons:

• Some treadmills have loud motors.
• Some runners find treadmills boring for longer users.
• Treadmills are considered the most complex fitness equipment to repair. Mechanical, electrical and often computer skills are required to repair them.

Those considering a treadmill should also look at elliptical trainers. Elliptical trainers offer a similar level of cardiovascular training with lessimpact on the joints.