Buying a Treadmill—Is it Necessary?
When you’re stuck inside due to nasty weather conditions, buying a treadmill can be a great decision to make. The greatest advantage is that they are used indoors in a controlled environment. With a treadmill, you can run, jog, climb hills, and resistance train. Even with these advantages, purchasing a treadmill for your home may not be right for you. Before making a big purchase like this, ask yourself some questions.
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Do I have the space for the machine? You will need room for the treadmill as well as space around the treadmill.
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Will I actually use the machine? A treadmill is a big purchase. If you don’t plan on staying dedicated, it could be a waste.
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Does buying a treadmill fit into my budget? You don’t want to overspend on your equipment, but you don’t want to buy a low scale treadmill either.
If you answered no to any of these questions, you may want to rethink your fitness plan in order to find something else best suited for your goals. Consider an in-home personal trainer. When you have a personal trainer, you get variety added to your workouts. Instead of buying a treadmill, doing yoga, Pilates, and strength training will keep you fit.
If you answered yes to the questions above, you need to take the following into consideration when buying a treadmill.
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Motor horsepower
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Thickness and size of the walking deck
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Shock absorption
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Service and warranties
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Extras
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Price
The most important thing to do before buying a treadmill is to try it out. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes when you visit the store. Take your time. Walk, jog or run on it for a while to see if it’s a comfortable fit.
OK, so you’ve bought a treadmill. Now what?
Walking and Running on a Treadmill
The great thing about treadmills is that you can:
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Monitor your heart rate
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Track the calories you have burned
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Track the miles you have walked or run
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Customize a program that works for you
With features like these, you are able to see how much you can accomplish while working out, and more importantly, you’ll know when to stop. Keep in mind that exercise is very beneficial, but it becomes unhealthy when you put too much stress on your body. If working out for an hour is too much, try minimizing your time to 30 minutes a day. Start slow and then build your way up gradually. One very important key point to remember is to walk or run on the treadmill without holding onto the bars. Holding on affects body alignment, reduces calories burned, and decreases balance benefits.
If you tend to get bored easily with your treadmill, here are some exercises to keep you motivated…
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The Retro. Walk or jog backwards at an easy pace.
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Zen Walk. Put on some soothing music, light some scented candles and walk the stress away.
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Nature Trail. Use your treadmill’s preset programs and visualize yourself in a rugged, yet relaxing location.
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Mix-It. Use a mix of your favorite tunes to keep your exercise fun and enjoyable. Music is a great way to relieve treadmill boredom.
As you can see, a treadmill isn’t a necessity, but it can help you stay active all year long. No matter what you decide, keep exercise part of your daily life. With motivation and focus you can get that body you’ve always dreamed of.
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