Too busy to go out for a jog? Wanting to shed some extra flab fast? Go join a gym! And if there aren't any around where you live, don't worry, we believe we've got the very solution you require - keep a treadmill at home! A wonderful idea isn't it? No going out jogging, no more people staring at you while you're running, you can watch the TV, or listen to some music without having to step out of your own house! Treadmills for home use are heavy-duty and hence more expensive, but even if you don't have the money, you'll surely have the comfort in the end! So let's check out the pros and cons of the model you should choose to meet your wellness objectives.

What are the features you should keep an eye out for? The motor is the heart of your treadmill. 'Horsepower' is rated in two different ways --'peak duty rating' is the one you see on the price tag, and 'continuous duty rating' is the one stamped onto the treadmill itself, which tells you how long it'll last. A report in the Penn State Sports Medicine Newsletter advised customers to check the voltage, which is usually 220, hence unsuitable for homes, and also to buy products with at least 1.5 continuous duty horsepower, especially if you weigh above 185 pounds or want to have a jog.

Walking deck thickness is another important thing. Always choose treadmills with of deck thicknesses of around ¾ of an inch to about 1 inch. The walking track too needs to be at least 48 inches long and 17 inches wide, but you can opt for more length or width if you need to run or depending on your build. Thin walking decks can be uncomfortable and affect the legs and feet after prolonged use. So have a look while you're in the store.

The shock absorbers that take your weight while you use it have to be directly under the deck, and not on the legs, which isn't effective while you walk as the frame bounces up and down with every step. Padding can either be of foam, which surely is soft and compressible but isn't as springy as rubber. Rubber doesn't take time to return to its original state on impact, hence are great shock absorbers. Comfort should be your main concern when you're buying such products, so try it out yourself before you come to a decision.

If you're on a low budget, go for less expensive treadmills which have basic electric instrument panels with distance, speed, time, incline and calories. Machines with automatic speed and incline-altering preset exercise programs and heart rate measuring devices are the expensive ones.


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