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Quality of Treadmill Components
Like
automobiles, treadmill manufacturers use different quality components. And the
maintenance and service of your treadmill will be affected by the quality of the
parts. This is particularly true when it comes to the motor. When you purchase
a treadmill you want it equipped with a reliable motor that is also powerful enough
to withstand and endure the rigors of your workouts.
The
problem is it is hard to compare treadmill motors, since there are no standards.
First, you want to compare the horsepower of the continuous duty, not the peak
horsepower. Peak horsepower is the maximum horsepower a treadmill can reach, but
not sustain over a long period. Continuous-duty horsepower is a measure of sustained
power during regular use. The continuous motor power is what is consistently delivered
during regular usage and over an extended period of time.
Since
there is not real standard most companies exaggerate the continuous duty rating
of their treadmill motors. For example, some companies will claim that their motors
are commercial grade, and yet the treadmill is selling for under $1,000. That
is absurd.
So
how do you compare treadmill motors? Like other treadmill parts you can go buy
the price. Under $1,000 you are probably getting a motor that at best is sufficient
for walking. Between $1,000 - $2,000 you will get a motor that can handle walking
and light jogging.
Over
$2,000 you are getting into decent running motors. Over $3,000 the motors should
be able to handle serious runners. The warranty of the treadmill motor is often
a good indictor.
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Treadmill Warranties
A
warranty really says a lot about the quality of a treadmill. A 90 day parts and
labor warranty basically states that the company has little confidence the treadmill
will last for the long run. In comparison, treadmills with parts warranty in excess
of 3 years and labor warranties that are 1-2 years suggests the treadmill is built
to last. If it wasn't the company would go broke service calls and replacing parts
that are covered under the warranty. You will often find that the motor warranty
is longer than the parts warranty. Motor warranties range anywhere from 90 days
to lifetime.
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Treadmill Engineering
Just
like cars some treadmills are built better than others. Once again, both price
and warranties are good indications of the quality of the engineering. A good
engineered treadmill will last longer and require less maintenance. And in general
it will provide a better exercising experience. That is why it is important not
to get carried away with bells and whistles, and focus on the core quality of
the machine.
So
how do you determine who builds the best treadmills? By third party reviews and
customer testimonials. You can find excellent reviews on this site. There is also
treadmilldoctor.com and consumerreports.org. For customer testimonials check out
epinions.com and if the models are for sale on Amazon.com, there will often be
customer reviews.
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Company Reputation
Finally
when you compare treadmills, you want to also compare the company reputation.
The constant impact and abuse that treadmills sustain often require service. You
want to make sure you buy from a company that stands behind their machines. Once
again, third party reviews and customer testimonials can give you insight into
the company reputation.
On
our site we compare over 90 treadmills and offer "Best
Buy" recommendations. In addition, we compare over 15 treadmill companies.
But
how do you determine which is an apple and which is an orange? By comparing the
important features of the treadmill. That includes the following: