jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

If you are shopping for a treadmill, you will surely hear how important the motor is to the performance and durability of the product you are going to purchase.  You will commonly hear that you must have a 2.5 or 3.0 “Continuous Duty” motor.  The fact is HORSEPOWER ratings can be misleading.  There is no regulation on how horsepower is rated on treadmills.

Take these two treadmills for example: The Vision Fitness TF-20 vs. the Sole F65.  The Vision motor is rated at 2.75HP while the Sole F65 is rated at 3.25HP.  The Vision motor weighs 4 times what the Sole does and is physically larger by quite a bit.  On top of that, the Vision rating is taken at 3200RPM while the Sole rating is at 7720RPM.  This means that they took the rating on the Sole while working twice as hard as the Vision.

Vision Fitness Drive System

You can make a smaller motor give you more horsepower by winding it up to a higher RPM, but it will pull more power and wear out faster.  Since both companies offer a lifetime motor warranty, you may think this to be irrelevant – except when you look at the parts warranty.  Vision offers 5 years parts, and Sole offers 3.  The part that is most likely to fail due to high power draw on the motor is the lower electronics board – this is the brain of your treadmill.  It takes the power from the wall and supplies the motor with the power to make the treadmill give you the speed you want it to run at.  When it is running high levels of power and surging for your footfalls, it is heating up – and we all know that heat is the enemy of anything electronic.

So with that being said, it is obvious that the Vision Fitness motor is a better quality motor, and will help the other components to last longer as well.  The motor is the most expensive part of your treadmill and the combination of HORSEPOWER and RPM that the reading is taken at will give you a good indication of the quality level.  Other things you can check are the physical size and weight of the motor.  Typically the bigger and heavier, the better the motor.  Don’t be fooled by companies that try to “out-spec” their competition by giving unrealistic Horsepower ratings at high RPM.  Go to a store with a knowledgeable staff that can help you determine your needs, and find the right product to fit. In fitness equipment, as with most things, you get what you pay for – so buy quality for the best ownership experience.

jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

The Bodyguard T460XC has won the Fitness Professor “Head of Class” any price range for the last 2 years in a row.  Let’s take a look at what makes this treadmill a superior choice to some of the other big names in the industry:

The first things you notice when you walk up to the Bodyguard T460XC are the ergonomics and attention to detail.  This treadmill just sets up a little better than most, and was well thought out for runners especially.  The contact heartrate sensors are put in an ergonomically correct position.  The navigation keys you use the most are right there for you to use – and they are made of more costly and durable silicone keys. The hand rails are set wide so you don’t have to worry about banging the back of your hand when you are running.

The console is easy to read and well lit.  The information is all displayed, and it is intuitive to get to the program you want.  There are several “hot keys” for instant elevation and speed changes and even an “a”/”b” for two customized speeds allowing simple one touch intervals (no more trying to depress the speed down arrow while sprinting at 9 mph!)  My favorite program is the “Turbo Training” which offers an extreme sprint interval.  With this program, it only takes a couple seconds to go from 3.5-9mph.  With most treadmills that takes 20-30 seconds to get up to speed.  “Turbo Training” allows for true intervals with an outdoor running accelleration.

T460XC

The nuts and bolts begin with a solid X-Frame design that reduces torsion and flex coupled with the BDS+ cushioning system.  You will find the most stable, solid feel of any treadmill with this system.  The T460XC is equipped with a premium orthopedic belt and 4 way deck for optimum feel and durablilty.  The oversized 22″x60″ running area allows ample room for even taller runners.  If you are training for outdoor running, the elevation system allows for a -3% to 15% grade for the ultimate range of training more closely mimicking your 5K or 10K course.

The 3.4HP palladrine motor and drive electronics perform great, even for heavy users up to 400lbs.  The ESC (electronic stride control) system keeps the belt moving at exactly the right speed, even when in use at extreme elevations with heavy users.  The best part about the T460XC is their smart AFDS (advanced friction detection system) which monitors the amp draw and lets you know when it is time for maintenance.  That way you won’t burn up your components and it is based on a real monitoring system, not just a time or mileage estimate.  Because of this system, Bodyguard offers the best warranty in the industry – Lifetime Parts, 3 Years Labor!

jeff@nwfitnessportland.com

By Jeff Hahn
Sales Director

Let’s face it – we live in the Northwest and part of the price we pay for the beautiful green outdoors is weather that is – well, less than dry.   A great way to stay in shape while staying inside on a rainy day is to walk on a treadmill.  The problem is, you have probably not been spending all your time researching to improve your treadmill knowledge, right?

Never fear, Treadmill 101 is here to help you out on this one:  There are two key factors to consider when buying a treadmill. First, who will be using the treadmill (size, weight)? Second, how will it be used (running, walking, hours per week)?

One common misconception is that if you are only walking, you need to buy less of a treadmill. This is the opposite from the truth. The motor and electronics board are worked harder when walking – since the flywheel and momentum are not able to run at a high rpm. Therefore the motor and electronics have to constantly surge to maintain a consistent speed. On the flip side, runners put more of a pounding on the frame, deck and rollers – causing more wear on these components.

Go somewhere that has a lot of treadmills for you to try!

The bottom line is there is a huge range of treadmills out there.  You can determine for yourself what level of treadmill you need to buy based on your weight and intended usage.  Components vary mightily by price-point, so here are the basics of what to look for:

Frames – vary by manufacturer, but as a general rule – heavier is better. The heavier you are the heavier frame you should buy.  Also if you are running or walking, a heavy frame will make your treadmill feel solid.  Premium lines will be in the 300lb range on up.

Motors – be wary of horsepower ratings, as many lower end treadmill manufacturers use ratings that include “peak” or other terms that make the number look higher. You should look for a motor that is “Continuous Duty” rated and size does matter. As a general rule, the bigger the motor, the longer it will last.  Also, mounted to the motor will be a flywheel.  Again, the heavier the better as the flywheel helps the motor to maintain consistent speed through your footfalls.

Rollers – Bigger and heavier are the key to long roller life. Rollers have to hold up to constant motion and they are also the tensioning device for the belt. The bigger and heavier the roller, usually the higher quality of the bearings in the roller, and less revolutions over time will keep them going longer.

Decks – look for a deck that is 1″ thick. This will ensure that it will take the pounding whether you are running or walking. High quality decks require little maintenance and premium brands offer a deck that can be flipped 1/2 way through its life for longer use.

Belt – most good belts are 2 ply, with some premium brands offering a 4 ply belt for less stretch over time and overall longer belt life.  It is hard to tell if a belt is quality or not just by looking at it.

Electronics – as is the theme with most components – the beefier, the better. Look for a solidly crafted electronics board with stout components. This is the control center telling the motor what to do.  Small electronics boards with small components can overheat with continuous use and are expensive to replace.

Elevation Motor – most premium treadmill brands offer a 1000lb thrust motor. While you may think that is too much, if you factor in the weight of you running or walking, your footfalls are putting a heavy load on the elevation motor.

Bells and Whistles – This is the personal preference section. Find a treadmill that is easy to use and has motivating programs to inspire to take your workout to the next level.  There are even treadmills now that simulate walking 9 holes to keep you interested!

If you go for the best you can find in each category, you won’t go wrong!  As is the case with most things, you get what you pay for.  The best thing to do is go to a specialty retailer – where you can talk with an expert in the field.

Don’t sell yourself short and order something off the internet when it comes to treadmills. Go to the store in your running shoes, and give them a try.  Find a retailer who services what they sell and has been in the business for a while.  The dealer is your lifeline should you ever have a problem with your machine.  You will be amazed at the range of treadmills out there – both good and bad.  Now go shopping and find the treadmill that is right for you!

If you would like a list of brands that would be the ones to buy – you will have to drop by the store or click the chat button at the top of the main webpage for that!!!

If you would like to talk to Jeff, drop by our store at 1337 E. Burnside or call 503-231-1330