TREADMILL REVIEWS NEWS

4-17-08:  Exercise Helps to Relieve Arthritis

A recent study shows that regular exercise can actually help reduce the pain caused my Arthritis.  The in-depth study evaluated the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program and found that exercise can keep joints flexible and muscles from weakening. 

The exercise program is appropriate for every level of workout and incorporates the use of low impact machines.  The program is available at most health clubs and gyms.  To read the full article from Science Daily, click here. (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080408173045.htm)

4-18-08:  10 Reasons to Walk

Ever wonder why walking is such an important form of cardiovascular exercise?  Take a look at the 10 most popular reasons why you should incorporate a balanced cardio workout in your routine.
10 Reasons to walk to get in shape:

1. 1. Burns Calories
2. 2. Walking is Aerobic
3. 3. Improves Blood Pressure Levels
4. 4. Walking = Well Sculpted Body
5. 5. Psychologically Beneficial
6. 6. Keeps Metabolism High
7. 7. Medical Research backs it up
8. 8. Benefits all Ages and both Sexes
9. 9. Helps Recover from Ailments
10. 10. Enjoyable

4-18-08:  Home Workouts vs. Gym Workouts

Many people wonder what the difference is between working out at home or at a gym.  The truth is, they are both similar.  However, they both have their pros and cons.  For example, gyms offer a much wider variety of fitness equipment and programs.  However, they can be significantly more expensive and their locale can be discouraging.

Home workouts, on the other hand, can be done at the exerciser’s leisure and are probably less expensive or time consuming.  However, you sacrifice many different workouts for the convenience of working out at home. 

TREADMILL TIPS

Treadmill Care:

One of the most important things to keep in mind if you own a treadmill is to remember to take care of it and all its parts.  It’s true that sometimes treadmill parts can be quite expensive, but just remember that buying a whole new treadmill will cost you a lot more.

One of the most common mistakes treadmill owners make in treadmill care is forgetting to properly and consistently lube their belt.   Treadmill belts should be lubed every 6 months to prevent premature wearing of the belt and to reduce the amount of effort the motor needs to operate the treadmill.

Another thing people regularly overlook is to clean the motor.  This can easily be done by blowing air into it, forcing the dust and grime out.  However, a vacuum cleaner can be used but its suction is not as strong.

Although taking care of your treadmill is the best way to maintain it, sometimes it will need repair anyways.  Try not to use your treadmill if something is damaged since it can only get worse.  Remember, the best offense is a good defense, or in this case, constant maintenance.

Buying a Treadmill:

Many people worry about buying a treadmill because they do not know what to look for or cannot tell the difference between what qualities and features are good or bad.  The first thing anyone should do before they purchase one is research.  We have plenty of treadmill reviews that contain a lot of information ranging from treadmill ratings to extensive reports on their features.

One of the first things you should look at is the quality and price of the treadmill.  Remember that the best treadmills are always priced higher than others, but this does not mean that the cheap treadmills are not worth the price you pay.  If you are only a casual runner then perhaps Nordictrack or Proform Treadmills would be more suitable than their Spirit or Horizon counterparts.

The next thing that you should consider is the features of the treadmills.   Do you want a folding treadmill?   Would you prefer an electric treadmill over a manual one?  Also, what kind of programs are you interested in?  Are you interested in a home treadmill or are you willing to shell out the money for a commercial grade one?

One final thing you must take into account is the type of warranty you receive.  Vision treadmills tend to have better warranties than Pro Form or Life Fitness treadmills.  After a little bit of research you should find just the right treadmill for you.  Good luck.

Exercising with Treadmills:

Many people do not know that there is more to exercising on a treadmill than simply jumping on and running.  Although that may be enough for the casual runner who merely does not have the time to do any other form of workout,   treadmill exercise is a form of cardio workout.  Many  treadmills come with built-in programs that are designed to get the most out of your workout.

These programs come on even the most basic of treadmills, but the better workouts are found on higher end commercial products.  They are optimized for different walkers, joggers, and runners and take into account speed and duration.  It is advised to try out all the programs until you find a few that work for you.

Probably even more important than programs, is knowing the correct treadmill form.  You must rotate you hips to evenly spread the effort throughout your entire leg.  Also, when placing your foot on the ground, hit with your heel first, then roll your foot, and push off again with the ‘ball’ right below toes.  Do this while attempting to keep your knees straight.  And finally, you should swing your arms in a back and forth motion.  This helps to keep balance and shift weight.

As long as you make use of a treadmill’s built in programs and use the proper form, your guaranteed to get the most effective workout.