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How to Choose the Best Treadmill 

On the market today, you can find all kinds of treadmills with a large variety of features that are sure to make you feel like you are swimming in an ocean of indecision without a life preserver. The best way to choose the treadmill that will be best for you is to learn what you need at in order to have a long lasting treadmill that will last longer with all the features you desire.

Belt and Underneath Surface is one of the most important things to consider when purchasing a treadmill. All treadmills build up friction in between the belt and the surface underneath known as the bed. In most cases, the friction is what leads to major problems. For a treadmill that will have less problems you should look at ones with a low coefficient of drag between the underneath surface and belt. The belt should be a 4-ply that uses a high density polyester weave underneath that will give lower friction and will wear less.

You should also compare the motor. When reading the motor rating you need to look at the way in which they rate. Many manufacturers often rate the peak hp. The peak hp, is the rate in which the treadmill will fail. If you look at ratings that are rated in continuous duty horsepower then you will have a better understanding of what the treadmill can do. Of course, you will hear that you will never use all the hp that any of the treadmills may offer and is more than likely true, however, the larger motors often last longer and run cooler than smaller motors as well as running smoother.

Stability is something you should consider if you want to be comfortable while ensuring the life of your treadmill. Not all treadmills can accommodate larger individuals comfortably whether that be height or weight.

The shock absorption of a treadmill has nothing whatsoever to do with the treadmill itself, but for your own comfort and protection. Running on a hard surface, such as a sidewalk or pavement can do damage to your joints. The same goes for the harder belts of many of the treadmills. A floating deck or other built in shock absorption items are the best way to protect your joints while working out on a treadmill.

You may not be able to tell if a treadmill will last a long time just checking out all the above. You can look at the rollers, the belt, the underneath, and more but you still may not get a clear picture of the longevity of the treadmill. One way to ensure you will find the best treadmill is by reading expert reviews or by talking with a professional that is knowledgeable about the various treadmills on the market today.

 Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paull_Reeve

Horizon Fitness Treadmill 

Considering a Horizon treadmill? Horizon fitness treadmills aren't as well known as some other mainstream brands like Proform or Nordic Track. However they do offer several high value, affordable options and may be worth considering.

Horizon treadmills are produced by Johnson - the 4th largest maker of fitness equipment in North America. They've been making fitness equipment for over 20 years and also produce the Vision, Johnson and Matrix brand names.

Horizon makes treadmills in the budget to mid-priced range and has a lot of models to choose from. Here's a quick review of the strengths and weaknesses of the brand to help you decide if a Horizon treadmill is right for you.

Strengths:

1) Bargain Prices - One thing that stands out about the Horizon units is that they tend to be on the low-priced side considering what you get.

Many units are priced around $1000 and under. And yet most are built much better than your standard $600 department store unit.

Perhaps this is because Horizon isn't as well known as other brands. Maybe it's because these treadmills tend to have less 'bells and whistles' than other brands. In any case, if you're looking for a bargain treadmill that still offers good value in terms of construction, Horizon is a great option.

2) Solid, Stable Feel - I recently tried out several new Horizon models and found they gave a solid, stable feel, even when you pick up the pace. The decks are strong and shake-free. While it's not a health club feel, it's still pretty strong.

3) Bright, Easy-To-Read Consoles with iPod Docks and Speakers - Most Horizon consoles have attractive, bright, easy-to-read consoles - which is great if lighting in your workout area is limited.

You can get built in fans and several of the new models also come with an mp3/iPod hookups and built in speakers. You can plug in your iPod or Mp3 and listen to your favorite music while you workout. While this is becoming a fairly standard feature in treadmills, it's still nice to have and can make your workouts a lot more enjoyable.

4) Variable Cushioning - On most of their treadmills Horizon uses a variable cushioning system. This means there are different levels of cushioning at various points in the belt.

There are high levels of cushioning where your foot hits the belt and firmer cushioning where you push off. This can lessen muscle fatigue and help you workout for longer.

Summary:

If you're considering a Horizon treadmill, the good news is that you have a lot of options to choose from. Horizon makes a wide variety of models with different looks, sizes and prices so you can most likely find a model that fits your specific needs.

These treadmills also tend to be built fairly well (especially the higher end units) and give you a lot for the money in terms of construction. One minor weakness is that they don't give you as much in terms of fitness tracking tools and workout programs that you get with other brands. And obviously if you're a runner you may want to spend a bit more and go with a mid-priced to higher end treadmill.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_ONeill